Quick Start | Cine Power Planner

Quick Start

Quick Start

Get up and running with Cine Power Planner in under 5 minutes. No sign-up or installation is required to start; data auto-saves to your browser as soon as you type.

Private/incognito mode disables persistent storage — use a regular browser window so your project survives a reload.

Table of Contents

Installation

Option 1: Use the Web App (Fastest)

  1. Open your browser and navigate to the app URL
  2. Start using immediately - no installation required
  3. Works on any modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)

Desktop (Chrome/Edge/Brave):

  1. Open the app in your browser
  2. Click the install icon (📥) in the address bar
  3. Or go to Menu → Install Cine Power Planner
  4. The app will open in its own window like a native app

Mobile (iOS):

  1. Open Safari and navigate to the app
  2. Tap the Share button
  3. Scroll down and tap Add to Home Screen
  4. Tap Add in the top right

Mobile (Android):

  1. Open Chrome and navigate to the app
  2. Tap the menu (three dots)
  3. Tap Add to Home screen
  4. Tap Add

💡 Tip: Installing as a PWA gives you offline access and a cleaner, app-like experience.

Your First Project

Step 1: Create a Project

  1. Click the "+" button or "New Project" in the sidebar
  2. Enter your project name (e.g., "Corporate Shoot - Acme Inc")
  3. Add optional details:
    • Description: Brief project summary
    • Shoot Date: When is the production?
    • Client: Who is the client?
  4. Click "Create Project"

Step 2: Add Equipment

From the Device Library:

  1. Click "Add from Library" button
  2. Browse or search for equipment
  3. Click "Add to Project" on items you need
  4. Adjust quantities as needed

Add Custom Items:

  1. Click "Add Item" button
  2. Fill in the details:
    • Name: What is the item?
    • Category: Camera, Lens, Lighting, Audio, etc.
    • Quantity: How many do you need?
    • Notes: Special requirements, serial numbers, etc.
  3. Click "Save"

Step 3: Organize Your List

  1. Create Categories: Group items logically
    • Example: Cameras, Lenses, Lighting, Audio, Support
  2. Drag and Drop: Reorder items by dragging the handle (⋮⋮)
  3. Reorder Categories: Drag category headers to reorganize

Step 4: Export to PDF

  1. Click the "Export" button in the top toolbar
  2. The Export dialog opens on a row of export types — Gear List, Project Briefing, Crew List, Preproduction, Budget Report, Camera Log, Carnet and Project Backup. Stay on Gear List.
  3. Optionally narrow it: pick a Department to export (All / Camera / Lighting / Grip / Audio) and choose whether to include item status.
  4. Export as PDF — or Export CSV from the same panel if you want a spreadsheet.
  5. Open the PDF to review your professional gear list

Nothing downloads the instant you click Export — the dialog asks which of the eight export types you want first. This page said the PDF "will automatically download" until v0.774.2.

📄 Your PDF includes:

  • Project name and metadata
  • All equipment with quantities
  • Organized by categories
  • Clean, professional layout

Basic Workflow

Typical Project Lifecycle

1. Create Project → 2. Add Equipment → 3. Organize → 4. Export → 5. Share

Step-by-Step Workflow:

  1. Create a new project for each production
  2. Add equipment from the library or create custom items
  3. Organize into categories for clarity
  4. Review quantities and add notes
  5. Export to PDF for sharing
  6. Archive completed projects to keep your workspace clean

Using Templates (Save Time!)

Create a Template:

  1. Create a project with your standard gear setup
  2. Open the Dashboard and click View Templates
  3. Click "Save as Template"
  4. Name your template (e.g., "Standard Interview Kit")

Use a Template:

  1. Click "New Project"
  2. Select a template from the dropdown
  3. All template items are copied to your new project
  4. Customize as needed for this specific shoot

⏱️ Time Saver: Templates are perfect for recurring shoot types (interviews, events, documentaries, etc.)

Keyboard Shortcuts

Speed up your workflow with these shortcuts:

ActionShortcut
Open the Quick SwitcherCtrl/Cmd + K
…the same thing, legacy chordCtrl/Cmd + P
New ProjectCtrl/Cmd + Alt + N
Focus searchCtrl/Cmd + F
Force-save (autosave already runs)Ctrl/Cmd + S
Open HelpCtrl/Cmd + /
Show every shortcut?
Close modal / dialog / Quick SwitcherEsc

The Quick Switcher jumps to any project, tool or setting from the keyboard. Ctrl/Cmd + F focuses the category search inside a project and opens the global Search page anywhere else.

There is no Export-PDF shortcut, and Ctrl/Cmd + P does not export or print. This page listed Ctrl/Cmd + P for "Export PDF" and Ctrl/Cmd + K for "Focus Search" until v0.774.2; both chords open the Quick Switcher. The same false Export-PDF claim was corrected in Keyboard Shortcuts on 2026-09-07 — this page was not updated with it. Press ? in the app for the complete, always-current list.

Next Steps

Explore More Features

  • Device Library: Manage your equipment catalog
  • Contacts: Store crew and vendor information
  • Camera Package: Configure camera builds with an interactive connection diagram
  • Auto Gear Rules: Automate equipment additions with configurable rules
  • PDF Tools: 86 offline tools for merging, splitting, encrypting, signing, and converting PDFs — 85 are built today and one (Edit Attachments) shows a Coming Soon panel
  • Camera Tools: Frame Line Composer, DoF Simulator, Lens Coverage Calculator
  • Settings: Customize themes, backup options, and more
  • PDF Options: Learn about provider assignments and export filters

Learn Advanced Features

Money & Accounting

Cine Power Planner is also growing into a full billing & bookkeeping suite (rolling out per-account) — useful once a shoot wraps:

  • Quotes & Invoices: Send estimates and invoices with ZUGFeRD/Factur-X, recurring schedules, and Mahnwesen
  • Accounting: Capture receipts, German SKR04 categories, EÜR/UStVA tax mapping, and AfA depreciation
  • Banking & Kassenbuch: Reconcile bank statements and keep a GoBD-compliant cash book

Data Safety

Get Help

Quick Reference Card

Essential Actions

TaskHow To
Create projectSidebar → "+" or "New Project"
Add item"Add Item" or "Add from Library"
Delete itemClick item → Delete (🗑️)
Move itemDrag handle (⋮⋮)
Change quantityClick number → type new value
Export PDFTop toolbar → "Export"
Use PDF ToolsSidebar → Additional Tools → "PDF Tools"
Camera ToolsSidebar → "Tools"
Archive projectProject menu → "Archive"
Duplicate projectProject menu → "Duplicate"

Data Storage

  • ✅ Auto-saves: All changes saved automatically
  • ✅ Local-first: Data stays on your device
  • ✅ Offline: Works without internet
  • ✅ Backups: Automatic + manual backup options

Tips for Success

Best Practices

  1. Name projects clearly: Include client and date (e.g., "Acme Inc - March 2026")
  2. Use categories: Keep long lists organized
  3. Add notes: Include serial numbers, special requirements
  4. Regular backups: Download a full backup weekly
  5. Archive old projects: Keep your dashboard clean

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • ❌ Don't use private/incognito mode (prevents data storage)
  • ❌ Don't clear browser data without exporting backup first
  • ❌ Don't forget to check quantities before exporting
  • ❌ Don't skip the backup before major updates

Next: Complete User Guide

Last Updated: 2026-09-10 Version: 0.790.2