> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.4thewords.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Window, Mini Bar & Settings
> Choose how the desktop app shows up while you write, and learn what every setting does.
The app can sit beside your draft as a window, drop down from the menu bar or tray as a popover, or shrink to a slim bar. Switch any time.
> **Where to find it:** 4thewords icon → **Settings**
## Window, popover, and Mini bar
> **Where to find it:** 4thewords icon → **Settings** → **Show 4thewords as**
**1. Pick how the app opens**
**Show 4thewords as** sets what opens when you click the 4thewords icon.
**2. Add the Mini bar if you want it**
The **Mini bar** switch sits beside either choice. It adds a slim bar that stays on top while you write.
* **Window (the default).** Stays open while you write and goes wherever you move it. **Keep the window on top** decides whether it floats above your other windows.
* **Popover.** Opens from the menu-bar or tray icon and closes when you click elsewhere.
* **Mini bar.** A slim bar that stays on top while you write, showing your word count and your battle.
You can also choose **Window**, **Popover**, or **Mini bar** from the menu-bar or tray menu.
## The Mini bar
The Mini bar shows what you need while you write and nothing else.
* **Word count.** Your total for the day, with a status dot beside it.
* **Streak.** A flame appears once you have one.
* **Battle row.** The monster's health while you're fighting.
* **Counting switch.** Beside your word count: a check mark means the app or site in front of you is counting. A red cross means it isn't, and clicking it starts counting there.
* **Buttons.** **Pause counting** stops counting until you click again, **Open App** brings up the app, and **Close** puts the bar away.
Drag the Mini bar anywhere. If it ends up off screen, choose **Re-centre the mini bar** from the menu-bar or tray menu.
> [!NOTE]
>
> On Linux with Wayland, desktops don't let apps stay on top of other windows. The Mini bar and **Keep the window on top** work, but they can sit behind your editor. An X11 session avoids this.
## The menu-bar and tray icon
Click the 4thewords icon for the menu.
* **Open 4thewords.** Brings up the app.
* **Window, Popover, Mini bar.** Switch how the app shows up.
* **Re-centre the mini bar.** Moves the Mini bar back to the middle of your screen.
* **Sign in to 4thewords.** Starts sign-in.
* **Grant Accessibility access.** Mac only. On Windows and Linux the same slot reads **Check writing access**.
* **Launch at login.** Starts the app when you sign in to your computer.
* **Check for updates.** Looks for a new version.
* **Export debug bundle.** Saves a zip for support.
* **Quit.** Closes the app and stops counting.
> [!TIP]
>
> Windows hides new tray icons behind the **^** arrow next to the clock. Drag the 4thewords icon onto the taskbar to keep it in sight.
Some Linux desktops have no tray, including stock GNOME, LXQt, and MATE. There the app shows as a normal window instead.
## Settings reference
Open **Settings** from the 4thewords icon. Every setting is below, grouped as the app groups them.
**Preferences**
* **Sync to 4thewords.** On by default. Turn it off to save your word count only on this computer (offline mode). Turn it back on to send your progress again.
* **Launch at login.** Starts 4thewords when you sign in to your computer.
* **Show 4thewords as.** Window or Popover. See above.
* **Keep the window on top.** Window only. Keeps it above your other windows while you write.
* **Mini bar.** Shows the slim bar.
* **Reduce animations.** Minimizes motion effects.
* **Fixed badge.** Shows a static icon badge instead of live updates.
* **Notifications.** Alerts for battles, streaks, and account issues. **Open notification settings** takes you to your system's settings.
* **Home cards.** Drag a card by its handle, or use its arrows, to change the order on the home view.
**Color Theme**
* **Match 4thewords.** Follows your account's theme. Shown when you are signed in.
* **Seven theme swatches.** Obsidian, Pearl, Cave, Charcoal, Elder Library, Mining Site, and Stone City.
**Tracking**
* **Pasted words.** Always, Ask, or Never. Ask needs a 4thewords account. See [Word Counting & My Sites](/tools/desktop-app/word-counting-and-my-sites.md#pasted-words).
* **Track apps & sites.** Adds a breakdown of your words by app and site. Off by default. See [Permissions & Privacy](/tools/desktop-app/permissions-and-privacy.md#app-and-site-names-are-opt-in).
* **My sites.** Choose the apps and sites that count.
**Your account**
At the top of Settings, a card shows your connection. Signed out, it has a **Sign in** button and a link to paste a connection code. Signed in, it shows your account and **Disconnect**, which signs you out of the app. Your local word count stays, but words won't sync until you reconnect.
**Links at the bottom**
* **Privacy.** A short note on what the app counts and what it never stores or sends.
* **Export debug bundle.** Saves a zip of the app's log and settings to your Desktop. See [Troubleshooting](/tools/desktop-app/troubleshooting.md#sending-a-debug-bundle).
* **Check for updates.** Looks for a new version. See [Installing & Signing In](/tools/desktop-app/installing.md#keeping-the-app-up-to-date).
* **Quit app.** Closes the app completely and stops counting.
* **Remove from this computer.** Removes 4thewords from this computer. See [Uninstalling](/tools/desktop-app/uninstalling.md).
* **Help Center.** Opens these pages.
## Frequently Asked Questions
> **What's the difference between the window and the popover?**
>
> The window stays open until you close it, so it works well beside your draft. The popover opens from the icon and closes as soon as you click elsewhere.
> **Can I use the Mini bar and the window together?**
>
> Yes. The **Mini bar** switch works beside either choice. Click **Open App** on the Mini bar to bring up the window.
> **The Mini bar disappeared.**
>
> Choose **Re-centre the mini bar** from the menu-bar or tray menu, or switch **Mini bar** off and on in **Settings**.
> **Can I match the app's theme to my 4thewords theme?**
>
> Yes. Choose **Match 4thewords** under **Color Theme** and the app follows your account's theme.
> **I turned Sync to 4thewords off. What happens to my words?**
>
> The app keeps counting and saves the total on your computer. A banner reminds you that nothing is being sent. Turn sync back on and your progress goes to your account.
> **How do I stop the app completely?**
>
> Open **Settings** and click **Quit app**, or choose **Quit** from the menu-bar or tray menu. Closing the window alone leaves the app running and counting.
**Keep going**
> **[Word Counting & My Sites](/tools/desktop-app/word-counting-and-my-sites.md)**
>
> Choose which apps and sites count.
> **[Permissions & Privacy](/tools/desktop-app/permissions-and-privacy.md)**
>
> What the app can see, and what it never stores or sends.
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