First Run Configuration

The first time you launch BBEdit 8, it will display the "Welcome to BBEdit" dialog. This dialog allows you to choose whether to display multiple text documents in a single window versus one document per window, whether to install the command-line tools, and whether to immediately open the PDF user manual.

Opening New Documents

Since BBEdit now supports opening multiple documents into a single text window, you must decide whether the application should work in this manner, or whether it should behave in the standard fashion by opening each document into its own window. (A document represents either a file which you open for editing, a text document created by the New Document command on the File menu, or any similar item, such as a text document created via the scripting interface.)

Choose "In Front Window" to have BBEdit open all new documents into a single text window. Choose "In New Window" to have BBEdit open each new document into its own text window.

Note

If you change your mind later, you can adjust these options in the Documents panel of the Preferences window.

Entering Your Serial Number

The dialog also enables you to enter the unique product serial number that you received at the time of purchase (either with your email order invoice, or on your product CD-ROM) to activate BBEdit. Once you enter the serial number, your copy of BBEdit will be activated, and all demo restrictions will be removed.

If you have not yet purchased the product and thus do not have a serial number, leave this space blank. BBEdit will operate as a fully functional demo for a limited trial period, after which you must purchase a license and enter a valid serial number in order to continue using it.

If BBEdit has already been activated, the dialog will display the associated serial number. You may continue using this serial number, or enter a different serial number if you wish to change the active license.

Activating the Demo Later

While running in demo mode, BBEdit will operate with full functionality for a limited period of time. Upon expiration of this trial period, you must purchase the product and receive a serial number in order to continue using it. To activate the demo, you may either enter your product serial number into the dialog that BBEdit displays at launch, or, you may choose the Enter Serial Number command from the BBEdit menu to bring up the product activation dialog at any time.