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Your first labeling run

This walks the complete loop once. It assumes you have MLabel installed and a config ready.

  1. Load the config

    Section titled “Load the config”

    Drop your .jsonc on the window, or click Choose config. If MLabel found a config next to its executable or remembered your last one, this step is already done.

    The config screen with a large drop zone and a Choose config button.The config screen with a large drop zone and a Choose config button.

  2. Load the data

    Section titled “Load the data”

    Now MLabel asks for a data file. Drop a .csv on the window or pick one.

    The data screen, prompting for a CSV file to label.The data screen, prompting for a CSV file to label.

    The file must have the columns your config’s input.fields declares. Extra columns are ignored with a warning; a missing column is an error and the file is refused — nothing is loaded, so a mismatched file can never be exported over.

  3. Answer the setup questions, if there are any

    Section titled “Answer the setup questions, if there are any”

    If the config declares any session fields, you are asked them once, up front. The answers are written onto every row you export — think “who is labeling” or “which guideline version”.

    Configs with no session fields skip this screen entirely.

  4. Label

    Section titled “Label”
    The labeling view: input cards on the left showing the record, an output form on the right.The labeling view: input cards on the left showing the record, an output form on the right.

    The record is on one side, the form on the other. Fill it in, then move on:

    Key Action
    → / Enter Next record
    ← Previous record
    1–9 Pick the nth choice
    ? Show every shortcut

    Progress along the bottom shows how many records are complete. A record counts as complete when every required field holds a valid value — see Labeling.

    Your work is saved continuously. Closing the app and reopening it offers to resume.

  5. Done

    Section titled “Done”

    Press Done (or ⌘/Ctrl+Enter) whenever you like — you do not have to finish everything first.

    The completion screen showing counts of exported and remaining records, with buttons to reveal each file.The completion screen showing counts of exported and remaining records, with buttons to reveal each file.

    MLabel writes two files next to your input:

    • yourfile-output.csv — every complete record, in the output schema.
    • yourfile-remaining.csv — everything unfinished, in the input schema.

    Reveal opens either one in your file manager. The remaining file loads straight back into MLabel as input, so you can stop and pick up later, or hand the rest to someone else.

What next

Section titled “What next”