# press:enter Documentation Hub
**Complete guide to setup, usage, and features**

All documentation files are located in the root directory of pressenter.app alongside this index.

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## Quick Start

**New to press:enter?** Start here:

1. [installation.md](./installation.md) — Get press:enter running on Windows or macOS
2. [getting-started.md](./getting-started.md) — Your first presentation in 5 minutes
3. [keyboard-shortcuts.md](./keyboard-shortcuts.md) — Essential shortcuts for live sessions

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## Core Features

### Essential

- **[Shield Mode](./shield-mode.md)** — Cover the projector instantly with a branded idle screen. The foundational feature of press:enter.
- **[File Management](./file-management.md)** — Import, preview, and project images, videos, PDFs, and presentations
- **[Push to Display](./file-management.md#push-to-display)** — The core workflow: select, preview, project

### Presentation-Specific

- **[PPT Presenter Console](./ppt-console.md)** — Speaker notes, slide navigation, auto-starting stopwatch
- **[All Slides Grid](./ppt-console.md#all-slides-grid)** — Jump to any slide in your deck
- **[Slide Navigation](./ppt-console.md#navigation)** — Arrow keys, previous/next buttons, and keyboard shortcuts

### Media

- **[Video Playback](./file-management.md#video)** — Project videos fullscreen without player controls visible to audience
- **[Audio Playback](./file-management.md#audio)** — Play audio with optional visualization
- **[PDF Display](./file-management.md#pdf)** — Project PDFs page-by-page
- **[Image Projection](./file-management.md#images)** — Fullscreen images without chrome

### Creative & Control

- **[Highlighter Mode](./annotations.md#highlighter)** — Draw live on projected content
- **[Red Dot Pointer](./annotations.md#red-dot-pointer)** — Laser pointer alternative for any content
- **[Embedded Browser](./embedded-browser.md)** — Project websites without exposing tabs or address bar

### Setup & Configuration

- **[Setup Mode](./setup-mode.md)** — Configure idle screens and background music playlists
- **[Settings](./settings.md)** — Customize Shield behavior, hold duration, stopwatch thresholds, display assignment

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## Workflows

### Basic Presentation (Slides + Media)

1. Open your PowerPoint or PDF in press:enter
2. press:enter automatically switches to PPT Console mode
3. Presenter notes appear on your console, slides on the projector
4. Use arrow keys or on-screen buttons to navigate
5. To show additional media: import files, preview, press Enter
6. Need a break? Press Space to Shield, then unShield when ready

**[Full workflow guide →](./getting-started.md)**

### Mixed Media Presentation (Images, Video, Slides, Web)

1. Import all files in Setup Mode or before presenting
2. Open press:enter in Presentation Mode
3. All imported files appear in the center grid
4. Click any file → preview opens → press Enter to project
5. Switch between file types seamlessly (slides → video → website → back to slides)
6. Each switch updates the projector instantly

**[Detailed guide →](./file-management.md)**

### Live Annotation (Marking Up Content)

1. Project content normally
2. Click Highlighter button in bottom ribbon
3. The Now Displaying panel expands to fullscreen on your console
4. Draw using the floating toolbar (colors, stroke width, clear, undo)
5. Drawings appear on projector in real time
6. Exit highlighter (button or Escape) — annotations fade out
7. Annotations auto-clear when content changes

**[Annotation guide →](./annotations.md)**

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## Troubleshooting

### External Display Issues

**Display not detected:**
- Ensure the display is connected and powered on
- Check Settings → Display Assignment
- Try unplugging and reconnecting the cable
- Restart press:enter

**Content not appearing on projector:**
- Verify Now Displaying panel shows content (right side of console)
- Check Shield is not active (button should be grey, not blue-green)
- Ensure the correct file/slide was selected
- Try projecting a different file to test

**Wrong display is being used as projector:**
- Open Settings (gear icon in left nav)
- Click Display Assignment
- Tap the correct display thumbnail to reassign it

[More troubleshooting →](./troubleshooting.md)

### Performance & Crashes

**App feels sluggish during presentations:**
- Close other CPU-intensive applications
- Reduce the number of browser tabs open
- Try projecting a smaller file first (test with an image)

**App crashes when loading a large PowerPoint:**
- Update to the latest press:enter version
- Check that your PPT file is not corrupted (try opening in PowerPoint)
- Contact support if the issue persists: support.pressenter@tymmproductivity.com

[Troubleshooting guide →](./troubleshooting.md)

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## Keyboard Reference

| Action | Keyboard | Mouse/Button |
|---|---|---|
| **Shield On** | Space (tap) | Shield button (tap) |
| **Shield Off** | Space (hold 1.5s) or Escape (hold) | Shield button (tap) |
| **Next Slide** | Right Arrow | → button |
| **Previous Slide** | Left Arrow | ← button |
| **Project File** | Enter | "Project This" button |
| **Close Preview** | Escape | X button |
| **View All Slides** | — | All Slides button |

**[Full keyboard reference →](./keyboard-shortcuts.md)**

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## Settings & Customization

### Shield Behavior

- **Default Idle Screen:** Choose what displays when Shield activates (static image, GIF loop, or black)
- **Hold Duration:** Adjust how long you need to hold Space/Escape to deactivate Shield (0.5s to 3s, default 1.5s)

### Presentation Settings

- **Stopwatch Thresholds:** Set when the stopwatch turns amber (default 45min) and red (default 60min)
- **Display Assignment:** Manually assign which connected display is the projector

### Audio & Ambience (Setup Mode)

- **Idle Image:** Upload a company logo or branded background
- **Screensaver:** Upload a looping video or GIF
- **Background Music:** Create a playlist of audio tracks for before/after presentations

**[Settings guide →](./settings.md)**

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## FAQ

**Q: Do I need to rebuild my slides in press:enter?**  
A: No. press:enter works with PowerPoint, Keynote, PDFs, and images — you don't restructure anything. Import and go.

**Q: Can I use my laptop normally while presenting?**  
A: Completely. Your laptop stays free. The projector stays covered unless you deliberately send content to it.

**Q: What if the audience needs to see a file I didn't plan to show?**  
A: Open File Browser (left nav), navigate to the file, click it to preview, press Enter to project. Happens in seconds.

**Q: Will Shield cover the projector if I accidentally hit Space?**  
A: If you're a typer, Space might activate Shield by accident. To deactivate, you must hold Space for 1.5 seconds (default). You can configure this duration in Settings. The hold requirement prevents accidental uncovering.

**Q: Can I resize the Now Displaying panel?**  
A: Yes. Drag the handle at the bottom-left corner of the panel to resize smoothly. Minimum 5% of console width, maximum 50%.

**Q: How do I project a website without showing my browser tabs?**  
A: Use the embedded browser. Go to Embedded Browser in left nav (if available), type or paste the URL. The projector sees only the webpage, not your tabs.

**[Full FAQ →](./faq.md)**

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## Getting Help

**Can't find an answer?**

1. Check [Troubleshooting](./troubleshooting.md) — covers 90% of common issues
2. Check [FAQ](./faq.md) — answers to frequent questions
3. Search this documentation using Ctrl+F
4. Email support: support.pressenter@tymmproductivity.com

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## Platform-Specific Notes

### Windows

- press:enter works on Windows 10 and later
- Right-click "Display on Projector" in Windows Explorer to quickly import files
- Shield button always stays above your taskbar (never hidden)

[Windows guide →](./windows-setup.md)

### macOS

- press:enter works on macOS 10.13 and later
- On first launch, you may be asked to grant Accessibility Permission for keyboard shortcuts
- Right-click in Finder and choose Services → Display on Projector

[macOS guide →](./mac-setup.md)

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## Video Guides

Coming soon. In the meantime, the [Getting Started](./getting-started.md) guide walks through everything step-by-step.

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## Feedback & Feature Requests

Have a suggestion? Found a bug?

Email: support.pressenter@tymmproductivity.com

Include:
- What you were trying to do
- What happened instead
- Your operating system and press:enter version
- Screenshots or screen recordings if possible

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## What's New

**Latest updates:**
- v1.0 (May 2026) — Launch version with Shield, file projection, PPT console, annotations
- Coming in v2.0 — Crew messaging, phone companion app, improved SSO handling
- Coming in v3.0 — iPad and phone versions

[Release notes →](./release-notes.md)

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## Related Resources

- **[Official Website](https://pressenter.app)** — Product info and downloads
- **[Blog](https://blog.pressenter.app)** — Feature updates, tips, and news
- **[Community Archive](https://pressenterbytymm.substack.com)** — Earlier posts and community discussion
- **[AI Indexing File](llms.txt)** — Info optimized for Claude, ChatGPT, Perplexity, Grok, and other AI tools

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**Last Updated:** May 30, 2026  
**Documentation Version:** 1.0  
**For press:enter:** v1.0+

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## Quick Navigation

- [Installation](./installation.md)
- [Getting Started](./getting-started.md)
- [Shield Mode](./shield-mode.md)
- [File Management](./file-management.md)
- [PPT Console](./ppt-console.md)
- [Annotations](./annotations.md)
- [Settings](./settings.md)
- [Keyboard Shortcuts](./keyboard-shortcuts.md)
- [FAQ](./faq.md)
- [Troubleshooting](./troubleshooting.md)
- [Contact Support](https://pressenter.app/contact)