Tutorials

Find step-by-step tutorials and feature explanations about ShowBuild. This page is updated regularly as new features are released, so check back often for the latest guidance and updates.

Table of Contents

Getting Started: First Launch & Sign Up

Launch ShowBuild

Open the app. When launching for the first time, you’ll see the ShowBuild splash screen.

Sign in or sign up

Choose Sign in with Apple, or enter your email and password and click Sign Up to create a new account.

Enter your display name

If you select Sign Up, you’ll be prompted to enter your name. This is the name other members will see when you join groups and collaborate.

Approve the Keychain prompt (important)

macOS will ask for permission to access the Keychain so ShowBuild can securely store your private encryption key.

When prompted, choose Always Allow. This allows encrypted Notes and messaging to function properly.

Default group and episode created

After signing up, ShowBuild automatically creates a default group and an untitled episode so you can begin working immediately.

You’re signed in

Once authentication completes, the main interface becomes active and you’re ready to start inviting collaborators, managing episodes, and using Notes, Running Times, and messaging.

Setting Up Your First Group

  • Open the Account window

Click Account in the bottom-left corner of the app.

  • Go to the Groups tab

In the Account window, select Groups under the sign-in area.

  • Create a new group

In the panel on the right, click Create New Group.

  • Name your group

Enter a group name when prompted. This is the name that will be shown to all members.

Since a group can contain multiple episodes, it’s usually best to name it after your show or project rather than a single episode.

  • Confirm creation

Click OK and your group will be created.

  • Invite your team

Still in the Groups tab, click Invite New Members at the top.

  • Enter email addresses

Add the email addresses of the people you want to invite. Separate multiple addresses with commas.

  • Send invites

Click Send Invites. Your email application will open with a ready-to-send invite message containing a secure link.

For security, each invite link can only be used once.

  • View members

You can see who has joined and who is still pending by clicking Members in the main Account window.

Creating Episodes

 

Episodes are the backbone of how work is organized in ShowBuild. Creating at least one episode is required for key features like Running Times and Notes to work.

Episodes aren’t just for TV. If you’re working on a single long-form project, like a feature film, you can use episodes to separate different cuts—Director’s Cut, Test Screening Cut, Studio Cut, and so on.

Create your first episode

  • In the navigation view on the left, find Select Episode.
  • Click the chevron next to it to open the episode menu.
  • Click New Episode.
  • Enter a name for the episode.
  • Click Create.

Your episode is now active.

How episodes work

Each episode has its own Running Time Calculator and Notes, keeping timing and feedback cleanly separated.

Feeds and Direct Messages persist across episodes, so conversations continue regardless of which episode you’re viewing.

Fast-switch between episodes with tabs

For working across multiple episodes at once:

  • In the macOS menu bar, click View.
  • Select Show Tab Bar.
  • Click the + button on the right side of the tab bar to open a new tab.
  • In that tab, switch to a different episode.

Each tab stays locked to its episode, and the tab title shows helpful context like the episode name and total running time, making it easy to compare versions or cuts side by side.

Creating and Managing Running Times

 

Running Times let you build up an accurate total by tracking individual sections of your project—acts, reels, or anything custom.

Add a running time

  • In the center view, start by adding a new running time entry.
  • Choose the project’s frame rate.
  • Select whether your project uses Acts, Reels, or a custom label.
  • If you know your project’s Target Time, enter it now. You can also leave this blank and add it later.
  • Click Add Entry.

Optional: include ad breaks

If your project needs to account for ad breaks as part of the total running time, enter the ad break information and click Add.

View totals

The entry is added to the Running Times List.

All entries are automatically calculated together, with totals displayed at the bottom of the list, giving you an up-to-date overall running time.

Edit an existing entry

  • Toggle to your user name to take control of a running time entry.
  • Click directly on the timecode you want to change.
  • Enter the new value and press Return.

Reorder or delete entries

  • Rearrange entries by clicking and dragging them within the list.
  • Right-click an entry to delete it.

Running Times update instantly, making it easy for the whole team to stay aligned as numbers change.

Creating and Working With Notes

Creating and Working with Notes

Notes are designed to capture detailed feedback while keeping everything organized as your project evolves.

Create a new note sheet

  • In the Notes list, click the + button in the upper-right corner.
  • Enter a note name that describes the scene or segment you’ll be commenting on.
  • Choose a collection name, such as Assembly, Rough Cut, or Fine Cut.
  • Enter a segment name, like Reel 1 or Act 1.
  • Click Create.

These fields help keep notes easy to scan and manage as the list grows.

Add notes

In the center view, add timecode ins and outs along with the text of each note.

Click + Add Row at the top of the view to create additional rows.

Split notes into separate sheets

If you prefer to work quickly in a single note sheet, you can organize later:

  • Check the Split box next to each note row you want to separate.
  • Click the Split icon at the top of the view to create new note sheets from those rows.

Delete note rows

  • Check the box next to the row you want to remove.
  • Click the Delete icon at the top of the view.

Track progress

When a team member completes a note and clicks Done, the note’s status updates in the list so everyone can see progress at a glance.

Reorder or delete note sheets

  • Rearrange note sheets by dragging them in the list.
  • To delete an entire note sheet, right-click it and select Delete.

Notes stay tightly connected to each episode, making collaboration clear, structured, and easy to follow.

Tutorial Videos

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