MacMD Viewer
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Features

Built for the read-side of AI workflows

Your agents write markdown. MacMD Viewer reads it. Native macOS app built for one thing: rendering the .md files Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, and Copilot ship back. No editor, no bloat.

1 active Mac · One-time purchase · Taxes may apply at checkout.After payment, get your license key and download link. Your key is also emailed. No account needed.No free trial · 14-day money-back guarantee.
QuickLook Extension

Preview without opening

Press Space on any .md file in Finder. See it rendered instantly with headings, code blocks, tables, and diagrams. Works in Spotlight and Open dialogs too.

How QuickLook works →
Mermaid Diagrams

Diagrams that just work

Flowcharts, sequence diagrams, state machines, Gantt charts, pie charts, and more. Write them in standard Mermaid syntax inside fenced code blocks. No plugins, no config.

See supported diagram types →

All of this — Quick Look, Mermaid, live reload, and offline viewing — in one $19.99 purchase.

1 active Mac · One-time purchase · Taxes may apply at checkout.After payment, get your license key and download link. Your key is also emailed. No account needed.No free trial · 14-day money-back guarantee.
Syntax Highlighting

Code that looks right

Every fenced code block rendered with proper syntax highlighting. Supports every major language: JavaScript, Python, Swift, Rust, Go, and dozens more. Follows your system theme automatically.

See a rendered code block →
Live Reload

Edit elsewhere, see here

File watching built in. Edit in VS Code, Vim, Zed, or whatever you like. Changes appear instantly. Your editor stays yours; MacMD Viewer handles the reading.

See it in a Claude Code workflow →
Dark Mode

Matches your Mac

Pick a theme once; the matching light or dark variant follows your macOS appearance automatically, no manual toggle. Every element adapts: text, code blocks, diagrams.

Read the paired-themes release notes →
Table of Contents

Navigate long documents

An auto-generated sidebar table of contents appears for any document with headings. Click to jump. Highlights your current position as you scroll. Collapsible when you want more reading space.

Zoom Controls

Read at your size

⌘+ and ⌘− scale the rendered output from 50% to 300%; ⌘0 resets it. Great for presentations, accessibility, or just reading comfort.

Watch the zoom demo →
URL Scheme

Open files from anywhere

Use the markdownviewer:// URL scheme to open any Markdown file from shell scripts, Alfred workflows, Raycast, or other apps. Fits into the automation you already have.

Read the URL scheme docs →
Native vs Electron

Why a native app beats an Electron one

FeatureMacMD Viewer (native)Electron apps
Dedicated read-only viewerYesVaries
QuickLook in FinderYesNo
Mermaid diagramsYesVaries
SubscriptionNoVaries
FAQ

Feature questions, answered

Does MacMD Viewer preview Markdown files in Finder?

Yes. The QuickLook extension lets you press Space on any .md file in Finder to see it rendered — headings, code blocks, tables, and Mermaid diagrams — without opening the app. It also works in Spotlight results and Open/Save dialogs.

Does MacMD Viewer render Mermaid diagrams without plugins?

Yes. Flowcharts, sequence diagrams, state machines, Gantt charts, and pie charts render inline from standard Mermaid syntax in fenced code blocks — no plugins and no configuration.

Does the preview update when I edit a file in another editor?

Yes. Live file watching is built in. Edit a .md file in VS Code, Vim, Zed, or any editor, and MacMD Viewer re-renders the preview automatically. Your editor stays yours; MacMD Viewer handles the reading.

Can MacMD Viewer edit Markdown, or only read it?

It is a read-only viewer by design. MacMD Viewer renders Markdown for reading and never modifies your files — you keep your favorite editor for writing.

Does MacMD Viewer support dark mode and syntax highlighting?

Yes. It follows your macOS light or dark system appearance automatically, and every fenced code block is syntax-highlighted across major languages including JavaScript, Python, Swift, Rust, and Go.

Is every feature included in the $19.99 price?

Yes. MacMD Viewer is a one-time $19.99 purchase with every feature included — QuickLook, Mermaid, live reload, dark mode, and more. No subscription and no add-ons.

Related reading

Every feature. One price.

$19.99 one-time. Every feature included. No subscription.

1 active Mac · One-time purchase · Taxes may apply at checkout.After payment, get your license key and download link. Your key is also emailed. No account needed.No free trial · 14-day money-back guarantee.Already purchased? Download here →

Compare with Typora, MacDown, Marked 2, or MarkText. See the full side-by-side comparison hub, read the best Markdown viewers for Mac, or start from the MD viewer for Mac overview. Pairing MacMD Viewer with Claude Code, Cursor, or another agent? The AI coding tool integration docs cover the one-command setup.