# Markdown Editors for grapho

This document covers recommended markdown editors for use with grapho across desktop and mobile platforms.

## Recommended: md (PWA)

**URL:** https://md-ashy.vercel.app

A lightweight, browser-based markdown editor that works on both desktop and mobile.

### Features
- WYSIWYG editing with inline markdown transformation
- Source mode toggle for raw editing
- Offline support via PWA (installable as app)
- Dark theme
- File drag-and-drop support
- Share documents via compressed URL links
- GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) support including tables and task lists
- Syntax highlighting for code blocks
- Keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+S to download, Ctrl+B/I for formatting)

### Why It's Good for grapho
- Works on any device with a browser
- Can be installed as a PWA on mobile home screen
- No account required
- Files stay local (privacy-first)
- Can edit files from Syncthing-synced folders

### Setup
1. Visit https://md-ashy.vercel.app
2. Click the install prompt (or use browser menu > "Add to Home Screen")
3. Open markdown files from your synced folders

---

## Desktop Editors

### MarkText (Recommended for Desktop)
**Open Source** | **Cross-platform** | [GitHub](https://github.com/marktext/marktext)

A simple, elegant markdown editor with real-time preview.

**Pros:**
- Clean, distraction-free interface
- WYSIWYG preview (like Typora, but free)
- Multiple editing modes: Source, Typewriter, Focus
- Six themes (light/dark variants)
- Supports CommonMark, GFM, and Pandoc markdown
- Diagrams (flowcharts, sequence, Gantt via Mermaid)
- Math expressions via KaTeX
- Auto-save and file recovery

**Cons:**
- Last release was March 2022 (minimally maintained)
- No mobile version

**Best for:** Writers who want a polished, free Typora alternative.

---

### Visual Studio Code
**Open Source** | **Cross-platform** | [Website](https://code.visualstudio.com)

The developer's Swiss Army knife with excellent markdown support.

**Pros:**
- Built-in markdown preview
- Extensive extension ecosystem (markdownlint, Markdown All in One, etc.)
- Git integration built-in
- Works with any programming workflow
- Highly customizable

**Cons:**
- Resource-heavy for just markdown editing
- Can feel like overkill for simple notes

**Best for:** Developers who want one editor for code and notes.

---

### Obsidian
**Freemium** | **Cross-platform** | [Website](https://obsidian.md)

A powerful knowledge base that works on local markdown files.

**Pros:**
- Bidirectional linking between notes
- Graph view of note connections
- Extensive plugin ecosystem (900+ plugins)
- Local-first, privacy-focused
- Mobile apps (iOS/Android)
- Sync available (paid) or use Syncthing

**Cons:**
- Not fully open source (free for personal use)
- Learning curve for advanced features
- Can become complex with too many plugins

**Best for:** Building a personal knowledge base / "second brain".

---

### Zettlr
**Open Source** | **Cross-platform** | [Website](https://www.zettlr.com)

Built for academics and researchers.

**Pros:**
- Built-in citation management (Zotero integration)
- Footnotes and LaTeX support
- Zettelkasten method support
- Export to PDF, Word, LaTeX via Pandoc
- Focus on long-form writing

**Cons:**
- No mobile app
- Steeper learning curve
- Requires Pandoc for some exports

**Best for:** Academic writing, research papers, thesis work.

---

### Joplin
**Open Source** | **Cross-platform** | [Website](https://joplinapp.org)

Note-taking with sync and mobile apps.

**Pros:**
- End-to-end encryption
- Mobile apps (iOS/Android)
- Sync with Nextcloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV
- Import from Evernote
- Notebooks and tagging
- Web clipper extension

**Cons:**
- Notes stored in SQLite database, not plain files
- Can be resource-intensive
- Less suited for power users who want plain markdown

**Best for:** Evernote replacement with cross-platform sync.

---

## Mobile Editors

### Markor (Android)
**Open Source** | [GitHub](https://github.com/gsantner/markor)

The best open-source markdown editor for Android.

**Pros:**
- Works with any folder (including Syncthing)
- No account required
- Supports markdown, todo.txt, and more
- Offline-first

**Best for:** grapho users on Android.

### iA Writer (iOS/Android)
**Paid** | [Website](https://ia.net/writer)

Premium minimalist writing experience.

**Pros:**
- Beautiful, distraction-free interface
- Works with iCloud/Dropbox folders
- Focus mode highlights current sentence

**Cons:**
- Paid app
- File management less flexible than Markor

**Best for:** iOS users who value polish.

### Obsidian Mobile (iOS/Android)
**Free** | [Website](https://obsidian.md)

Mobile companion to Obsidian desktop.

**Pros:**
- Full Obsidian features on mobile
- Sync via iCloud, Obsidian Sync, or Syncthing

**Best for:** Existing Obsidian users.

---

## Recommendation for grapho Users

### Simple Setup (Recommended)
1. **Desktop:** MarkText or VS Code
2. **Mobile:** md PWA (https://md-ashy.vercel.app) or Markor (Android)
3. **Sync:** Syncthing (already part of grapho)

### Power User Setup
1. **Desktop:** Obsidian with Syncthing sync
2. **Mobile:** Obsidian Mobile
3. **Notes in:** `~/.nb/` or a dedicated Syncthing folder

### Academic Setup
1. **Desktop:** Zettlr with Zotero
2. **Mobile:** md PWA for quick edits
3. **Export:** Pandoc for final documents

---

## Integration with grapho

All recommended editors work with plain markdown files, which means:

1. Store notes in an `nb` notebook or Syncthing folder
2. Edit with any editor on any device
3. Changes sync automatically via Syncthing
4. Backup happens via restic

Example workflow:
```bash
# Create a note with nb
nb add "Meeting notes"

# Edit in your preferred editor
marktext ~/.nb/home/meeting-notes.md

# Or on mobile, open the same file via Syncthing folder
# Sync happens automatically
grapho sync
```

## Sources

- [MarkText GitHub](https://github.com/marktext/marktext)
- [Obsidian](https://obsidian.md)
- [Zettlr](https://www.zettlr.com)
- [Joplin](https://joplinapp.org)
- [awesome-markdown-editors](https://github.com/mundimark/awesome-markdown-editors)
- [Markdown Guide Tools](https://www.markdownguide.org/tools/)