What Markdown Features Does Markpad Support?

Markpad supports standard GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) with syntax-highlighted code blocks, plus KaTeX math, native Mermaid diagrams, and extended syntax such as wikilinks, embeds, and GitHub-style callouts. It also adds editing aids: a floating table-of-contents outline, heading folding, heading completion for links, a customizable formatting toolbar, and a synchronized split view. These features are available in the desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Core Markdown and Preview

Markpad renders standard GFM, so the syntax you already use in GitHub READMEs and issues works without conversion. Code blocks get syntax highlighting in the preview.

The editor is built on Monaco, the same editor engine behind VS Code, with Vim keybindings available. Editing and preview run side by side and stay in sync line for line, so the preview reflects your position as you scroll.

Math and Diagrams

• KaTeX renders mathematical formulas.
• Mermaid diagrams are supported natively, so flowchart and diagram blocks render in the preview rather than appearing as plain code.

If your documents include formulas or diagrams, this removes the need to export to another tool just to check rendering.

Extended Syntax

Beyond standard GFM, Markpad adds:

These are extensions, so documents relying only on standard Markdown remain portable to other GFM viewers.

Editing Aids

• Floating outline: a table-of-contents navigation panel that follows your scroll position, useful in long documents.
• Heading folding: collapse sections to focus on one part of a document.
• Smart completions: heading completion when writing links, reducing broken anchors.
• Formatting toolbar: customizable, for users who prefer buttons over typing syntax.
• Zen mode and themes: a distraction-free mode, plus VS Code theme imports.

Practical Considerations

• Platform: native desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux. There is no indication of a browser-based version, so plan on installing it locally.
• Installation: the site lists a Chocolatey command, choco install markpad-app, for Windows; macOS and Linux builds are also listed.
• Privacy: the project states zero telemetry and is open source, which matters if you handle sensitive notes.
• File handling: tabs, multi-window sessions, session restoration, and automatic reload when a file changes on disk support editing files that other tools also modify.

Is It the Right Fit?

Choose Markpad if you want a lightweight desktop Markdown editor with live GFM preview and you need math, diagrams, or wiki-style linking in the same tool. If you only need plain-text notes with no rendering, a simpler notepad-style editor will do. If you need to collaborate in a browser or publish directly to the web, check whether those workflows exist before adopting it—the available information covers local editing, preview, HTML export, and print-to-PDF, not online collaboration.