Practical overview
When it fits
Use Re:Novel when revising a long TXT manuscript and you want chapter-based editing to draw on indexed story details from elsewhere in the book. Its batch workflow also suits broader revision passes where saved progress and a project copy are useful.
Who it is for
- Novelists revising long manuscripts who want earlier plot, setting and character details available during chapter edits.
- Writers seeking AI-assisted rewriting or expansion in a side-by-side editing workflow.
- Self-hosters comfortable installing a Python application and configuring an AI provider key.
Documented uses
- Import a TXT novel and organize it into chapters.
- Retrieve earlier story details while revising a later passage.
- Compare original and AI-rewritten paragraphs and direct edits or expansion.
- Run a chapter-range or whole-book revision workflow and resume saved progress.
- Ask questions about chapter contents and check potential character or plot inconsistencies.
Requirements & limits
The README describes a locally installed application for Windows, macOS and Linux, requiring Python 3.10 or 3.11. Windows setup also requires C++ Build Tools. An OpenAI or Google Gemini API key is configured in Settings. The project is licensed under GPL-3.0.
- Novel import and automatic whole-book vectorization are documented for TXT files; large files may take time to process.
- The AI layer documents OpenAI-compatible interfaces, including OpenAI, DeepSeek and Ollama, plus Gemini through an official compatible endpoint.
- Batch processing can target the whole book or continue progress, and can create a project copy.
- The README marks full compatibility with SillyTavern presets and character cards as a to-do item.
- The application stores metadata in SQLite and retrieval vectors in ChromaDB.
Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.
Install and configure Re:Novel
Set up the application and configure an AI provider key.
Before you start
- Windows, macOS or Linux
- Python 3.10 or 3.11
- Windows users need C++ Build Tools for the vector-library dependency
- An OpenAI or Google Gemini API key
Steps
Clone the repository and enter its directory.
Run setup.bat on Windows, or make setup.sh executable and run it on macOS or Linux.
Start the program using the platform-specific activation and python main.py commands in the README.
Open Settings in the application and enter an OpenAI or Google Gemini API key.
Expected outcome
The application is installed, started and configured with an AI provider key.
Guide limitations
- The README does not provide pricing or key-acquisition instructions.
- Windows requires the additional C++ Build Tools prerequisite.
Import a TXT novel and prepare chapter memory
Load a TXT novel, split it into chapters and create its retrieval memory.
Before you start
- A running Re:Novel application
- A novel in TXT format
- An AI provider key configured in Settings
Steps
Choose Import and add the TXT file.
Let Re:Novel detect chapter headings such as “Chapter X” or plain-text titles and split the novel.
Allow the automatic whole-book vectorization to finish; the README notes that large files may take time.
Select a chapter from the bookshelf, enter a revision instruction and use the paragraph edit control to request a rewrite.
Expected outcome
The imported novel is organized into chapters and indexed for retrieval; a selected passage can be submitted for AI revision.
Guide limitations
- The README warns that vectorization of large files may take time.
- The instructions do not specify supported TXT encodings or size limits.
Sources & review
Source record details
- Source availability
- Active
- Sources checked
- 12 October 2026
- Original website title
- BiranSama/ReNovel-AI · Official homepage title · retained in its source language