User GuidesUsing Pips

Using Pips

Pips are small coloured indicator dots that appear on nodes in the document tree. They are the universal feedback surface in Writan — all feedback, from every source, surfaces through pips.

Pip Types

ColourSourceMeaningStatus
🟧 OrangeCraft engineRuleset violation — a writing rule has been triggeredImplemented
🔴 RedTutorLoad-bearing dramatic gap — something structurally important is missingPlanned
🟠 AmberTutorEnrichment opportunity — could be strongerPlanned
🔵 BlueTutorContinuity flag — a consistency concernPlanned
🟣 PurpleAI generationGeneration note — something to review from AI outputPlanned
🟢 GreenResolvedDismissed or answeredImplemented

Currently, only craft pips (orange) are generated by the system. Tutor pips and generation pips are planned for future releases.

Responding to Pips

When you see a pip on a node:

  1. Click the node to select it
  2. Review the pip detail in the Properties panel or pip popup
  3. Take action:
    • Answer the question or address the issue
    • Dismiss with a reason (deliberate choice, not applicable, revisit later)

Dismissal Reasons

When dismissing a pip, you choose a reason:

  • Answered — you’ve addressed the concern
  • Deliberate — you’re aware of it and it’s intentional
  • Not applicable — doesn’t apply to your work
  • Revisit — you want to come back to it later

Dismissals are recorded in both the pips table and the node’s generation.decisions array for a full audit trail.