Traverse is a local-first horizontal outliner for macOS. It helps you create, organise, navigate, and export structured outlines while keeping your documents as portable OPML files on your Mac.
The main areas
- Library: The left sidebar lists the OPML outlines in your chosen library folder.
- Workspace: The centre of the app shows the selected outline in Column view or Outline view.
- Inspector: The right side lets you edit the selected node's note, attributes, links, and metadata.
Create an outline
- Choose a folder in the library sidebar.
- Click the new outline button or use the File menu.
- Start adding nodes. Press Return for a sibling and Tab for a child.
- Use notes and attributes when a node needs more detail than its title.
Choose a view
Column view is useful for moving through a deep outline one level at a time. Outline view shows a classic indented list and is often fastest for scanning and keyboard editing.
Use the toolbar
The toolbar gives quick access to view options, numbering, filters, focus, node actions, export, and navigation history.
Use the Inspector
The Inspector shows the selected node's fields. Depending on the document, this may include notes, task state, URL, mark, type, custom attributes, numbering omission, and created/modified dates.
Use numbering
Generated numbering can be switched between None, Decimal, and APA. Numbering is not typed into your node titles. It can also use document prefixes such as Chapter, Section, Scene.
Optional Apple Intelligence
If Traverse Pro is unlocked and Apple Intelligence is available on your Mac, blank outlines can show a Generate with AI option. This is optional and uses Apple's on-device Foundation Models framework where available.
