The BTS works based on a system grammar that defines which characters can be written in a transcribed text and how they match. If you type something that is not allowed according to those rules, the system produces an error message.
The Rules:
You have to start and end each sentence with the sentence marker ยง
Hit space only in between two words or extratextual information, not after typing a sentencemarker or brackets
Brackets are pairs. You have to close every bracket you opened. Sometimes the system will do it automatically, but there are cases where that does not work. You can take a look at all available brackets with CTRL+Space. For recurring elements you also can define a template in the Preference Settings.
Dual and plural endings that are written solely graphically (dual/plural strokes or double/triple repetition of signs) are transcribed with ".du" respectively ".pl".
Ambiguities are entered as: %case 1: rd.du| case 2: war.t.du% Watch out not to type a space in front of the vertical stroke.
It is not allowed to leave out an ending ("nb.") or write to full stops ("nb..") or to close brackets before you open them ("n]b[") or to interlace different kinds of brackets wrongly ("{n[b}]")
Adding Extratextual Information:
Linecounts are introduced by #lc and end with #: Line 1 = #lc: [1]#
Paragraphs start with #para and end with #: CT VI 106a = #para: CT VI 106a#
Other information (destruction etc.) is indicated by two hyphens: --rest of line destructed--, --3Q-- (destruction of 3 scriptorial squares)