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Zen Mode complete guide

Last updated June 10, 2026 · 3 min read

Long-form writing needs distraction-free windows. Zen Mode strips out the UI and leaves a single centred column of text.

Slima Writing Studio in Zen Mode: the file tree, formatting toolbar, and AI Coach panel are all hidden — only a single text column remains, with every paragraph except the one at the cursor dimmed (sentence focus)

Enter Zen Mode

Common entries:

  1. Keyboard shortcut Cmd/Ctrl D (or F11)
  2. The Zen Mode button in the left activity bar (the focus / scan-frame icon)

After entry:

  • A single narrow text column
  • File tree, AI Coach, activity bar all hidden
  • Only the editor and what you type

What's in Zen Mode

Zen is a single centred column with a few built-in focus features:

  • Typewriter scrolling — the cursor stays at vertical centre, text scrolls up (on by default in Zen, nothing to toggle)
  • Paragraph / sentence focus — your current paragraph stays sharp while the rest fades, keeping you on the passage at hand
  • Floating reference window — the "Reference" button on the bottom strip opens a movable window for reference files, without breaking the view
  • Floating AI Coach — pull up a movable AI chat window when you need it
  • Go to chapter — the "Go to" button on the bottom strip (or Cmd/Ctrl G) jumps chapters without leaving Zen

A floating control strip at the bottom shows chapter position / word count plus Go to / Reference / Exit buttons.

Zen currently has no text-width (narrow / medium / wide) switch — the layout is a fixed single centred column.

Exit

Usually Esc, the Zen shortcut again, or the floating menu → "Exit Zen Mode".

Recommended Zen writing session

  1. Set a 25 / 50 / 90 min timer
  2. Mute OS notifications
  3. Enter Zen
  4. Use the bottom "Reference" button to pull up notes without leaving Zen
  5. Write

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