An introduction to MasterPlan components and the steps to follow to get started.
Please note that with version 2025.1 (Autumn 2025) the MasterPlan desktop app features are moving into the GreenLight desktop app.
For now, for 2025.0 users, where these instructions mention GreenLight please use the MasterPlan desktop app.
See an example MasterPlan here on the MasterPlan product page.
MasterPlan is a web-based service that consists of two components working together.
MasterPlan Online controls the management, access and display of publications on the web.
GreenLight can be used to link InDesign files with MasterPlan Online.
Whilst a publication is being created and worked upon, MasterPlan can be used to share this work in progress in WORK Mode.
Once a publication is completed, it can be moved into MasterPlan's LIVE Mode to present and share it on approved websites.
If you haven’t already signed up, click the Log in button at the top right of this page to register on the Circular Software site.
Sign up to become:
Members can search our site, browse our full Knowledge Base and download our desktop apps.
Members can also become Circular Software Users to see information on available updates, access step-by-step tutorials and chat with us directly from their User Page.
We assign each client a Client Number and a Client Admin User who can invite others to use MasterPlan and work with their client.
Clients are identified with their four digit Client Number.
Registered users can access MasterPlan Online via their browser at masterplan.circularsoftware.com/Client[client number here] or from the Go to MasterPlan Online button on the User Page
The User Page is created when a user registers in Step 1.
New clients wishing to set up a new account should please contact us.
The GreenLight app is free to use and can be downloaded directly from the GreenLight product page or a user's Client Page.
Need help finding a Client Page? Ask your publisher contact or ask us!
Once downloaded, simply drag the GreenLight app to your Mac before launching. GreenLight can run from any location but adding to an Applications folder is typical.
On first launch it will need to be granted permission to talk to and control other applications.
To link the GreenLight app to a client, the Client Number needs to be specified in GreenLight Set-up menu > Add or Switch Client Number.
Each User of Circular Software has a unique Circular Software ID number which associates them with their Mac.
On every launch of GreenLight this Circular Software ID number, along with system info including the exact versions of Circular Software, Adobe InDesign and macOS, is updated.
As a Circular Software User you have access to your Circular Software User Page, where you can access your version info, edit your account info and find links to updates and our growing list of step-by-step tutorials.
A link to your User Page is shown in the top navigation bar when logged in to the Circular Software site and from the Help menu of any Circular Software dekstop app.
Go to the next MasterPlan tutorial – Sharing InDesign work-in-progress online (coming soon…)
