For Readers
Everything you need to know about reading interactive stories on Reast.
Getting Started
1. Find a story
Browse the home page or use the Stories page to filter by genre, features, or reading time. Each card shows a cover, title, genre, estimated read time, and icons for special features like GPS or cooperative reading.
2. Start reading
Tap any story card to open it. The story loads instantly in your browser — no download or sign-up required.
3. Make choices
When you reach a decision point, choices appear on screen. Tap one to continue. Your decisions shape the story — and the story remembers them.
4. Pick up where you left off
Close the tab, switch stories, or go offline. When you return, Reast offers to resume from your last position. Your choices and variables are preserved.
What is Reast?
Reast is a platform for interactive stories that go beyond the page. Stories on Reast can react to your choices, respond to your GPS location, sync between multiple readers at once, and blend narrative with the physical world through QR codes, sensors, and real-world challenges.
Think of it as a book that knows where you are, who you're with, and what you've decided — and tells its story accordingly.
How to Read
Making choices
When you reach a decision point, you'll see options to choose from. Each choice branches the story in a different direction. Your decisions are remembered and can affect events later in the story.
GPS stories
Some stories use your real-world location. When you see the 📍 icon on a story card, it means the narrative will react to where you physically are. Walk to a location and the story unfolds around you.
Cooperative reading
Stories marked with 👥 are designed for multiple readers. Each person takes a role, and the group votes or collaborates on decisions. Connect with friends and experience the story together in real time.
Reading offline
Reast works offline. Once you've loaded a story, you can continue reading it without an internet connection — perfect for commutes, travel, or anywhere you want to read.
Saving Your Progress
Reast automatically tracks where you are in every story so you never lose your place.
Auto-save
Your reading position is saved automatically as you scroll. If you close the browser or switch to another story, you can pick up right where you left off.
Resuming a story
When you return to a story, you'll see a prompt to continue from your last position. Your choices and variables are preserved too — the story remembers what you've decided.
Reader settings
Adjust font size, font family, and line height to match your reading preference. Your settings are stored locally on your device and apply to all stories.
Display & Accessibility
Dark mode
Reast supports dark and light themes. The app detects your system preference automatically. You can also toggle it manually using the sun/moon icon in the footer.
Typography
Stories use Literata, a serif font optimized for comfortable screen reading. You can customize font size, font family, and line height in the reader settings panel.
Language
The interface is available in English and Slovak. Switch languages using the toggle in the footer. Stories themselves can be written in any language.
High contrast
A high-contrast theme is available for improved readability. Cycle through themes using the footer icon: auto → light → dark → high contrast.
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
1–9 | Select a choice (when choices are visible) |
Space | Scroll down one screen |
Shift+Space | Scroll up one screen |
Home / End | Jump to start / end of story |
S | Toggle reading settings |
T | Toggle table of contents |
Esc | Close overlay or panel |
? | Open this help page |
FAQ
Is Reast free to use?
Yes. Reading stories on Reast is free. Some stories may be premium or paid — see For Authors for how authors set pricing.
Do I need an account to read stories?
No. You can browse and read public stories without creating an account. An account is needed for saving progress across devices and cooperative features.
What devices does Reast support?
Reast works on any modern browser — desktop, tablet, or phone. It can also be installed as an app (PWA) for a native-like experience.
Is my progress saved if I clear my browser data?
Reading progress is stored locally on your device. Clearing browser data will remove it. With an account, your progress syncs to the server and can be restored on any device.
Can multiple people read the same story together?
Yes! Cooperative stories support multiple readers in real time. Each reader takes a role and the group makes decisions together. Look for the 👥 icon on story cards.
What makes Reast different from Twine or other IF tools?
Reast stories can interact with the physical world — GPS locations, QR codes, device sensors — and support real-time cooperative reading with multiple people. The Rea language is purpose-built for rich narrative with progressive complexity.