How to Download and Install ghostwriter

Updated

ghostwriter is a free, open-source Markdown editor distributed under the GNU General Public License v3.0. You can download it directly from ghostwriter.kde.org for Windows, Linux, and Mac, and no account or payment is required to use it. The site also lists "Other Platforms" for alternative installation options. The steps below cover how to get it running on each platform and what to check if something goes wrong.

Download ghostwriter for Windows

  1. Go to ghostwriter.kde.org.
  2. Click Download for Windows.
  3. Run the downloaded installer and follow the prompts.
  4. Launch ghostwriter from the Start menu.

Expected result: the editor opens with a clean interface and a live word count at the bottom of the window.

Common snag: if Windows SmartScreen flags the installer, confirm the publisher before proceeding, since the download comes from the official site.

Download ghostwriter for Linux

  1. Go to ghostwriter.kde.org.
  2. Click Download for Linux.
  3. Install using the package format offered on the site (for example, a distribution package or AppImage-style download).
  4. Start ghostwriter from your application menu or by running it from the terminal.

Expected result: ghostwriter appears in your applications list and opens to a blank document.

Common snag: some distributions may require enabling a repository or installing dependencies first. If the package manager reports missing libraries, install them and retry.

Download ghostwriter for Mac

  1. Go to ghostwriter.kde.org.
  2. Click Download for Mac.
  3. Open the downloaded disk image and drag ghostwriter into your Applications folder.
  4. Launch it from Applications.

Expected result: the editor opens and you can immediately start typing in Markdown.

Common snag: macOS may block an app from an unidentified developer. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security and allow the app, then relaunch.

Other platforms

The site provides an Other Platforms link alongside the three main download buttons. Use it if you are on a system not covered by the Windows, Linux, or Mac buttons, or if you prefer a different installation method than the default one offered for your OS.

What you get after installing

Once installed, ghostwriter works without any sign-in. Key features you can use right away include:

  • Distraction-free writing with a full-screen mode and clean interface
  • Markdown support so you can write now and format later
  • Live preview that renders your Markdown as HTML, optimized for large documents
  • Navigation sidebar with a document outline; press Ctrl + J to jump to a section by keyboard
  • Focus Mode, enabled from the lower-right corner, which fades everything except the current text (configurable to line, sentence, paragraph, or three lines)
  • Document and Session Statistics tabs with live counts beyond the word count
  • Export to multiple formats via Pandoc, MultiMarkdown, and commonmark
  • Hemingway Mode, which disables backspace and delete for a typewriter-style drafting experience
  • Drag-and-drop images to create image URLs in your Markdown
  • MathJax equations through Pandoc
  • Autosave and file backup options
  • Built-in cheat sheet — press F1 to open it in the sidebar

Verifying the installation

After launching, check that:

  1. The window opens with the editor and a live word count visible at the bottom.
  2. Pressing F1 brings up the Markdown cheat sheet in the sidebar.
  3. The Focus and Hemingway buttons appear in the lower-right corner of the editor.

If all three work, the installation is complete and functional.

Common installation questions

Do I need to create an account? No. The site does not require an account to download or use ghostwriter.

Is it really free? Yes. ghostwriter is distributed under the GNU General Public License v3.0. The site lists PayPal as a payment platform, but that is separate from downloading the software — the download itself does not require payment.

Which version should I pick? Choose the button matching your operating system. If your OS is not listed, use the Other Platforms link.

What if the app won't launch? On Windows, check SmartScreen; on macOS, check Privacy & Security settings; on Linux, check for missing dependencies reported by your package manager.