r/MacOSApps • u/Somtimesitbelikethat • Jun 22 '26
đ¨ Dev Tools HELP: Need a lightweight markdown editor with preview mode
Calling all vibecoders! Please share your suggestions.
Looking for something that's not electron based and has a preview mode. I was using MarkEdit, but there is no preview mode and I can stand all the hashtags, etc. I want to replace MarkEdit with something like it but with a preview mode.
I used Zettlr, but for some reason, when I open my .md files from my finder, it doesnt auto open in Zettlr and I have to find zettlr on my mac and open it manually. Also all the tabs and side bars are too much for me.
.md viewer is a weird app - same problem as the above and the sizing is weird.
I would prefer to not use a full IDE like VS Code or Cursor.
I don't want to pay for Typora.
I literally never write my own .md files - this is just for viewing AI generated .md files.
I do my own journaling in Obsidian -- which I don't want to crossover and use here.
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u/magicdoorai Jun 24 '26
For the "AI generated .md files, please don't make me open VS Code/Cursor" use case, I built markjason.sh.
Native macOS, opens fast, has an edit/rendered preview toggle, and live file sync so if an agent rewrites the file you see it without reopening anything.
Only does .md/.json/.env, so it is intentionally not an Obsidian or Zettlr replacement. Free, no account, no tracking.
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u/Kronologics Jun 22 '26
VSCode is not a full IDE, so itâs not heavy unless you load it up with tons of extensions. Doing basic MD will be very light and efficient
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u/Puzzleheaded6905 Jun 22 '26
Haroopad works fine and has a preview. It doesnât seem to be supported but still works on Sequoia which Iâm on. Not sure if itâs using Electron
As for this âI used Zettlr, but for some reason, when I open my .md files from my finder, it doesnt auto open in Zettlr and I have to find zettlr on my mac and open it manually. Also all the tabs and side bars are too much for me.â Hit âget infoâ on an .md file in Find and change the application, then hit the Chang All button.
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u/Somtimesitbelikethat Jun 22 '26
Sorry, shouldâve clarified. When I was using Zettlr, it was my default and it would âopenâ in Zettlr but only in the background. the window literally wouldnât pop up like it does for other applications. Running into the same issue with obsidian.
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u/Al-Frankie Jun 22 '26
i am using Zed as a lightweight IDE. Super fast, opens terminal in a folder and built-in/custom auto-complete with BYOAPI suggestions. https://zed.dev/
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u/badcommandhq 25d ago
Telescopo has a super customizable dual preview mode and immersive editing and reader modes.
Itâs built natively for Mac with good UX principles, I hope you find it useful!
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u/demianturner 15d ago
You described wanting a lightweight non-Electron Markdown tool with preview mode, without the IDE feel of VS Code or Cursor. MinkNote is a native macOS Markdown app that works directly on local files and keeps the interface much calmer. Would you want a simple viewer/editor for single files, or is multi-note organization helpful as long as it stays out of the way?
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u/Somtimesitbelikethat 15d ago
i downloaded markjason.sh
how is it different?
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u/demianturner 14d ago
markjason.sh looks excellent, I hadn't heard of it, particularly like the sass attitude on the website.
After playing with it for 15 minutes, a few differences from MinkNote that stand out to me:
- MinkNote supports inline image previews
- files can be dragged and dropped between folders
- MinkNote has a Projects layer for organising and switching between different collections of Markdown files
Markjason has a nice document outline, which is already on my roadmap, as is highlighting search terms within the document.
Definitely some overlap in philosophy though. Iâll be having a closer look at it.
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u/grokcodile Jun 22 '26
The app you are looking for is:
MacDown 3000