grapho/docs/MARKDOWN-EDITORS.md

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

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Desktop Editors

MarkText (Recommended for Desktop)

Open Source | Cross-platform | GitHub

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.

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Visual Studio Code

Open Source | Cross-platform | Website

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.

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Obsidian

Freemium | Cross-platform | Website

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".

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Zettlr

Open Source | Cross-platform | Website

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.

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Joplin

Open Source | Cross-platform | Website

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.

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Mobile Editors

Markor (Android)

Open Source | GitHub

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

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

Mobile companion to Obsidian desktop.

Pros:

• Full Obsidian features on mobile
• Sync via iCloud, Obsidian Sync, or Syncthing

Best for: Existing Obsidian users.

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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

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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:

# 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
• Obsidian
• Zettlr
• Joplin
• awesome-markdown-editors
• Markdown Guide Tools