ColumnPad

ColumnPad is a Windows desktop writing app for working in side-by-side text columns without losing structure. It combines multi-column writing, workspace tabs, saved layouts, proofing-aware editing, lined-paper mode, list/checklist helpers, and a built-in workflow planner in one offline desktop app.

Screenshot

What The App Does

• Lets you write in multiple independent columns at the same time.
• Saves full workspaces as .columnpad.json so projects reopen exactly as they were.
• Supports direct opening of .txt, .md, layout JSON, and multi-workspace session JSON.
• Keeps editing readable with line numbers, word wrap, spell check, proofing-language selection, lined paper, and theme presets.
• Includes a workflow builder for diagramming repeatable processes without relying on paid online workflow tools.

Core Features

• Multi-column writing with invisible right-edge resize handles.
• Workspace tabs for separate writing sessions.
• Single-text mode and column mode switching.
• Direct open/save for text and markdown documents.
• Workspace session save/load for multiple open tabs.
• Auto-recovery and crash restore.
• Proofing-language selection for WPF spell checking. Availability depends on installed Windows/WPF dictionaries.
• Built-in workflow templates, workflow JSON import/export, drag-based workflow preview, and per-node colour choices.
• Theme persistence: once a user picks Default Mode, Light Mode, or Dark Mode, it stays until changed.

Architecture At A Glance

The codebase is intentionally split into simple layers:

• src/ColumnPadStudio/ The WPF desktop app: windows, controls, view-models, services, assets, and app startup.
• src/ColumnPadStudio.Domain/ Pure domain rules for list markers, checklist metrics, workspace import detection, and workspace constraints.
• tests/ColumnPadStudio.SmokeTests/ Broad app-level behaviour checks for the main view-model and file/session flows.
• tests/ColumnPadStudio.Domain.Tests/ Focused domain-rule checks.

The app does not use a heavy dependency injection container. Startup is deliberately simple:

1. App.xaml loads shared theme/style resources.
2. MainWindow starts the app shell.
3. MainWindow loads persisted app preferences.
4. MainWindow offers auto-recovery if recovery data exists.
5. If nothing is recovered, a default workspace is created.

Key Source Areas

• src/ColumnPadStudio/MainWindow.xaml Main shell UI: menus, toolbar, workspace tabs, status bar, and column host.
• src/ColumnPadStudio/MainWindow.xaml.cs Shell core and column host wiring.
• src/ColumnPadStudio/MainWindow.FileSession.cs plus related MainWindow.*.cs shell partials File open/save/export/print, recovery lifecycle, workspace sessions, exit-save prompts, view modes, shortcuts, and workspace-tab wiring.
• src/ColumnPadStudio/MainWindow.EditorSurface.cs Editor commands, search, mode switching, theme switching, and shortcuts.
• src/ColumnPadStudio/MainWindow.Workspaces.cs Workspace-tab lifecycle and rename wiring.
• src/ColumnPadStudio/ViewModels/MainViewModel.cs Core workspace/editor state and column operations.
• src/ColumnPadStudio/ViewModels/MainViewModel*.cs Workspace/editor state split across core properties, column actions, file-state tracking, document persistence, font/language setup, layout migration, JSON helpers, and schema records.
• src/ColumnPadStudio/Controls/ColumnEditorControl.xaml plus ColumnEditorControl.*.cs Column editor UI, line-number/lined-paper rendering, paste/list handling, and column context menus.
• src/ColumnPadStudio/ViewModels/WorkflowBuilderViewModel.cs plus WorkflowBuilderViewModel.*.cs Workflow builder state split into core selection, library/template actions, node/link editing, and preview wiring.
• src/ColumnPadStudio/Services/ Focused helpers for file workflow, recovery storage, theme resource updates, app preferences, text search, and workflow storage.
• src/ColumnPadStudio/Resources/ Shared WPF resources loaded by App.xaml. ThemeBrushes.xaml owns theme colours and shared geometry. ControlStyles.xaml owns reusable WPF control templates. MenuStyles.xaml owns shared menu and right-click dropdown styling.

More structure detail: docs/REPOSITORY_STRUCTURE.md Manual visual QA checklist: docs/UI_QA_CHECKLIST.md

Requirements

• Windows 10 or Windows 11
• .NET 8 SDK
• Optional: Visual Studio with the .NET Desktop Development workload

Download

Download the latest single-file Windows build from the GitHub Releases page.

The release asset is:

• ColumnPadStudio.exe

Place the .exe somewhere permanent, such as C:\Apps\ColumnPad, then run it. If Windows SmartScreen warns on first launch, use More info -> Run anyway only for builds downloaded from this repository.

Clone

git clone https://github.com/Awetspoon/ColumnPadStudio.git
cd ColumnPadStudio

Run The App

dotnet run --project .\src\ColumnPadStudio\ColumnPadStudio.csproj -c Release

Build

dotnet build .\ColumnPadStudio.sln -c Release

Tests

Domain tests

dotnet run --project .\tests\ColumnPadStudio.Domain.Tests\ColumnPadStudio.Domain.Tests.csproj -c Release

Smoke tests

dotnet run --project .\tests\ColumnPadStudio.SmokeTests\ColumnPadStudio.SmokeTests.csproj -c Release

Publish A Single EXE

dotnet publish .\src\ColumnPadStudio\ColumnPadStudio.csproj -p:PublishProfile=FolderProfile

Publish output:

• src/ColumnPadStudio/publish/ColumnPadStudio.exe

The publish profile is configured for:

• self-contained Windows x64 build
• single-file output
• no trimming
• no compression in the bundle

This creates a portable executable, not a signed installer. A public release should still be signed, and an installer can be added later if the app needs Start menu shortcuts, uninstall support, or automatic update plumbing.

Project Structure

• src/ColumnPadStudio/ - WPF app shell, UI, services, assets, and workflow editor
• src/ColumnPadStudio.Domain/ - domain-only rules and parsing helpers
• tests/ColumnPadStudio.SmokeTests/ - app-level smoke checks
• tests/ColumnPadStudio.Domain.Tests/ - domain logic checks
• docs/ - repository notes and screenshots
• tools/ - helper scripts such as branding asset generation
• CHANGELOG.md - release history
• RELEASE_CHECKLIST.md - manual release steps

Packaging Notes

• Current public releases ship as a portable single .exe.
• Release builds are not code-signed yet, so Windows may show a SmartScreen warning.
• A full installer and automatic updates can be added later if the app needs Start menu shortcuts, uninstall support, or update prompts.

License

MIT. See LICENSE.