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Set writing goals: per-book target words and date

Last updated June 10, 2026 · 3 min read

In Slima, a goal is attached to each book: a target word count and a target completion date. Once set, the bookshelf card shows a progress bar and the Writing Stats dashboard aggregates totals.

Edit Work dialog for The Lighthouse Keeper showing GOAL SETTINGS (OPTIONAL): Target Words 80000, Target Date 2026/12/31

Where to set

Bookshelf → book card → ⋯ menu → Edit → scroll to GOAL SETTINGS (OPTIONAL).

Two fields:

Field Example
Target Words 80,000 (a typical novel)
Target Date 2026-12-31 (when you want to finish)

Both fields are optional. Set just one, or both, or neither.

What happens after saving

The bookshelf card shows a progress bar immediately:

Manuscript 72 / 80.0K words           0%

The Writing Stats page (chart icon in the left sidebar) adds up your total words across all books and shows an "Overview" ring tracking that total against a reference word count, so you can see how far you've come.

What doesn't happen

Slima doesn't punish missed goals:

  • Target date passes without hitting the word count → the progress bar just sits at the current percentage; no alarm
  • Days you don't write → Streak / writing tree follow their own logic (Streak + Slime, Writing tree) — independent of word-count goals

Word-count goals are long-horizon milestones. Streak and writing tree are daily writing habits. They run independently.

Change or remove a goal

Back to the same Edit dialog:

  • Change numbers / date → save again
  • Want to drop the goal entirely → clear the fields and save

You can use Slima without setting a goal

That's fine. Goal settings are optional — without them you simply don't see a progress bar, but Streak, word counts, and AI tools all work the same.

Related

Try it in Slima

Open the app and do this with your own book. Free to start, no credit card.

Open Slima
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