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Guide · Open source

How to use MarkText: install, write Markdown and export

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

MarkText is a free, open-source desktop editor for writing Markdown on Linux, macOS and Windows. It shows formatted output as you type, so you do not have to switch between raw code and a rendered view. This guide covers installing it, the main writing features, focus modes and exporting your documents.

MarkTextmarktext/marktext · ★ 63.5k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Install MarkText. Choose the installer for your system from the release page, or use Homebrew, Chocolatey or Winget as shown in the README.
  2. 2Open the app. Launch MarkText and create a new document.
  3. 3Write in Markdown. Type Markdown and watch the realtime preview render headings, lists and emphasis as you go.
  4. 4Choose an editing mode. Switch to Typewriter, Focus or Source Code mode depending on how you want to write.
  5. 5Add extras. Use math with KaTeX, front matter, emojis or images pasted from the clipboard where needed.
  6. 6Export. Export the finished document to HTML or PDF.

How do you install MarkText on macOS, Windows or Linux?

MarkText is a download-and-install desktop app. On macOS it requires macOS 13 (Ventura) or later. Universal builds are not published, so choose the arm64 or x64 installer that matches your Mac. You can download the .dmg from the release page or use Homebrew Cask if you already have Homebrew installed.

On Windows it requires Windows 10 or 11, with x64 and arm64 installers published. Run the setup wizard and choose whether to install per-user or machine wide. You can also install it with Chocolatey or Winget. On Linux, follow the installation instructions linked from the project's documentation.

  • macOS: download the .dmg from the GitHub releases page, or use Homebrew Cask
  • Windows: run the setup wizard, or use Chocolatey or Winget
  • Linux: follow the Linux installation instructions on the MarkText website
  • Any system: binaries are listed on the release page
brew install --cask mark-text choco install marktext winget install marktext

How do you write Markdown in MarkText's realtime preview?

Open MarkText and start typing. The realtime preview (described in the project as WYSIWYG) renders your Markdown as you write, so headings, lists and emphasis appear formatted without a separate preview pane. The project also supports paragraph and inline style shortcuts to speed up writing.

MarkText follows the CommonMark and GitHub Flavored Markdown specifications, and selectively supports Pandoc Markdown. If you need Source Code mode to see the raw text directly, it is available as one of the editing modes.

  • Realtime preview shows formatted output while you type
  • Supports CommonMark and GitHub Flavored Markdown
  • Selective support for Pandoc Markdown
  • Inline style shortcuts and paragraph shortcuts

How do you use focus and typewriter modes?

MarkText includes several editing modes for writing without distraction. Typewriter mode and Focus mode are the two writing aids named in the project's feature list, alongside Source Code mode for working with raw Markdown.

Themes such as Cadmium Light and Material Dark change how the editor looks. The project documents themes on its website.

  • Typewriter mode
  • Focus mode
  • Source Code mode
  • Themes: Cadmium Light, Material Dark and others

How do you add math, front matter and images?

MarkText supports Markdown extensions including math expressions rendered with KaTeX, front matter, and emojis. This is useful for technical notes and blog posts that need equations or metadata at the top of the file.

You can paste images directly from the clipboard into your document.

  • Math expressions using KaTeX
  • Front matter
  • Emojis
  • Paste images directly from the clipboard

How do you export a document to HTML or PDF?

MarkText can output your document as HTML or PDF files. Use the export options in the app to create either format from your Markdown file. The README does not describe the export menu steps in detail, so check the app's own menus for exact labels.

  • HTML export
  • PDF export

What people use it for

  • Writing notes and articles in Markdown with a clean, minimal editor
  • Drafting blog posts with a distraction-free focus or typewriter mode
  • Writing technical documents that include KaTeX math expressions
  • Keeping documents with front matter for static site or publishing workflows
  • Exporting Markdown drafts to HTML or PDF for sharing

Frequently asked questions

Is MarkText free?

MarkText is released under the MIT licence, and the project is open source. The README does not list prices, so the licence is the main terms to check.

Does MarkText work on Windows 11?

Yes. The README says Windows 10 or 11 is required, with x64 and arm64 installers published. Choose the one that matches your machine.

What are the system requirements for MarkText on Mac?

The README says macOS 13 (Ventura) or later is required. Universal builds are not published, so pick the arm64 or x64 installer.

How do I install MarkText with Homebrew?

Run brew install --cask mark-text. You need Homebrew installed first. On Windows you can use choco install marktext or winget install marktext.

Can MarkText export to PDF?

Yes. The project states that MarkText can output HTML and PDF files from your document.

What are good alternatives to MarkText?

The project lists Typora, Obsidian, Zettlr and Ghostwriter as comparable tools. MarkText is a focused editor, so pick Obsidian if you need linking and note management, which the README does not mention for MarkText.

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Our verdict

MarkText suits people who write notes or articles in Markdown and want a free, minimal desktop editor with realtime preview, focus aids, KaTeX math and HTML or PDF export. It is a poor fit if you need a web-based or cloud-synced editor, a full note system with linking and databases, or you run an operating system older than macOS 13 or Windows 10.

Install options & downloads