MarkdownMate - Native Markdown Notes for macOS

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Markdown Mate is a lightweight, native Markdown note-taking app for macOS. It was built around a simple idea: your notes should remain your files.

Overview

Markdown Mate works directly with real .md files and folders on your Mac instead of hiding notes inside a private database. This keeps your writing portable, searchable, and compatible with the tools you already use.

The app is designed for a focused Markdown workflow:

• Editor only: Write without preview distractions.
• Preview only: Read rendered Markdown comfortably.
• Split view: Edit and preview side by side when you need both.

Motivation

I wanted a native Markdown app that felt lighter than a full knowledge-base system but more pleasant than editing scattered files manually. Many tools are powerful, but they often introduce databases, sync layers, plugin systems, or abstractions that make simple notes feel heavier than they need to be.

Markdown Mate keeps the model plain: choose a folder, write Markdown, and keep ownership of the files.

Highlights

• Local-first notes: Stores content as standard Markdown files on your computer.
• Native macOS experience: Built with SwiftUI and native system components.
• Fast navigation: Use Quick Open and full-text search to move through notes quickly.
• Flexible reading modes: Switch between editor, preview, and split view with keyboard shortcuts.
• Auto-save: Writes changes directly to disk with configurable behavior.
• Markdown shortcuts: Supports familiar formatting actions like bold, italic, links, and code.
• Offline and private: Works without internet access, accounts, analytics, or tracking.

Who It Helps

• Writers and note-takers who prefer plain Markdown over proprietary formats.
• Developers and technical users who want notes that work well with Git and local tooling.
• Local-first users who want a simple app without accounts, sync requirements, or database lock-in.

Why Files Matter

Because Markdown Mate works with normal files, your notes stay:

• Portable: Move them between folders, drives, editors, and machines.
• Future-proof: Keep readable .md files even if your app preferences change.
• Tool-friendly: Use Git, cloud storage, scripts, search tools, or local AI indexing.
• Accessible: Open the same notes from other Markdown editors whenever needed.

Get Markdown Mate

Feedback and Support

Markdown Mate is built for a small, durable writing workflow. If you have feedback, find a bug, or want to support the project, you can visit the GitHub repository or Ko-fi page.

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