> ## 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.

# Comments

> Leave notes on your text, reply, react, resolve, and keep the conversation going with collaborators.

Comments are sticky notes for your manuscript. Flag a scene to rewrite, jot down a research question, or talk a chapter through with your co-writer. They sit beside your text and never count as words.

> **Where to find it:** Open any file → right panel → **Comments** tab [Open in 4TW ↗](https://app.4thewords.com/writing/files)

## Adding a comment

1. **Select some text.** Comments attach to the words you highlight.
2. **Click Add comment.** It's in the Comments tab, the toolbar, and the bubble that pops up over your selection. You can also type `/` and choose **Add comment**.
3. **Write your note** and send it. Each comment holds up to 1,000 characters.

The text you commented on stays highlighted, so it's easy to find later. Each piece of text holds one thread. Got more to say? Reply to the thread that's already there.

## Working with comments

* **Reply.** Click **Reply** under a comment. Long threads tuck away behind **Show more**.
* **React.** Click **Give reaction** on someone else's comment to answer without words.
* **Edit.** Click **Edit comment** on your own comments.
* **Resolve.** Click **Resolve comment** once it's handled. Resolved threads stay visible with a line through them, and **Reopen comment** brings them back.
* **Delete.** Click **Delete comment** and confirm. Deleting a comment also deletes its replies.

<Warning>
  Deleted comments can't be recovered. Resolve a comment instead if you might want it again.
</Warning>

## Comments in shared files

In a [shared file](/writing/documents-and-editor/sharing-and-collaboration), everyone with access can comment, Viewers included. That makes the Viewer role perfect for beta readers and critique partners: they can leave feedback without touching your words.

* **Who can delete.** You can delete your own comments. The file's owner can delete any comment.
* **Unread comments.** New comments show up as a badge on the Comments tab, on the file's card, and in the file tree.

<Tip>
  Share a finished draft with your critique group as Viewers. Then work through their notes one by one, resolving each as you revise.
</Tip>

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Do comments count toward my word count?">
    No. Comments never count as words for battles, streaks, or goals.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use comments in a file I haven't shared?">
    Yes. Comments work in every file. They're great for notes to your future self.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="You can't add a comment.">
    Select some text first. Comments attach to text, not to images or empty lines. If the text already has a comment, reply to that one.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can a collaborator delete my comments?">
    Only the file's owner can delete someone else's comments. Everyone else can delete only their own.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

**Keep the conversation going**

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card icon="users" href="/writing/documents-and-editor/sharing-and-collaboration" title="Sharing & Collaboration">
    Invite friends to read or co-write with you.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="pen-nib" href="/writing/documents-and-editor/writing-editor" title="The Writing Editor">
    The header, panels, formatting, and shortcuts.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>