[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":1032},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-post:en:\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fwhat-is-markdown-file-how-to-open":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"author":6,"body":7,"category":1005,"date":1006,"description":1007,"extension":1008,"image":1009,"imageAlt":1010,"meta":1011,"navigation":1012,"path":1013,"seo":1014,"stem":1015,"tags":1016,"translationKey":1017,"__hash__":1018,"html":1019,"bodyMarkdown":1020,"translations":1021,"previous":1028,"next":1016},"blog\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002F7.what-is-markdown-file-how-to-open.md","What Is a Markdown File (.md) and How Do You Open It?","Antoine Frankart",{"type":8,"value":9,"toc":978},"minimark",[10,19,22,25,58,64,69,79,82,157,164,174,177,181,187,193,213,220,240,244,247,325,332,335,340,343,346,360,364,367,369,383,386,390,393,397,404,416,419,422,426,432,435,443,446,460,464,467,487,490,493,496,522,539,543,546,560,563,576,591,595,601,607,613,616,620,626,632,643,646,650,656,659,706,713,726,740,744,748,751,755,764,768,774,781,785,790,794,797,801,804,807,811,816,819,833,836,840,949,952,955,958,967,974],[11,12,13,14,18],"p",{},"You've just downloaded a ",[15,16,17],"code",{},"README.md"," file. You double-click it and, instead of a formatted document, you see hashes, asterisks, and brackets. The file isn't corrupted. Your app is simply showing its source instead of its rendered output.",[11,20,21],{},"This is the most common source of confusion with Markdown files: the same file can look like plain text in an editor, then become a properly structured document in a Markdown reader.",[11,23,24],{},"If you want to get straight to the point:",[26,27,28,42,52],"ul",{},[29,30,31,35,36,41],"li",{},[32,33,34],"strong",{},"to display copied Markdown",", paste it into the ",[37,38,40],"a",{"href":39},"\u002Fen\u002Fmarkdown-viewer","free reader on Fude.md",";",[29,43,44,51],{},[32,45,46,47,50],{},"to read and organize local ",[15,48,49],{},".md"," files",", use the Fude app;",[29,53,54,57],{},[32,55,56],{},"to edit their source",", open them in a text or code editor.",[11,59,60,61,63],{},"In this guide, I'll explain what a ",[15,62,49],{}," file actually contains, how to open one on Mac and Windows, and which tool to choose depending on whether you want to read, edit, or publish it.",[65,66,68],"h2",{"id":67},"_1-what-is-a-markdown-file","1. What is a Markdown file?",[11,70,71,72,74,75,78],{},"A Markdown file is a text file that uses lightweight syntax to describe its structure. It usually has the ",[15,73,49],{}," extension, although you may also see ",[15,76,77],{},".markdown",".",[11,80,81],{},"Here is what its raw content looks like:",[83,84,89],"pre",{"className":85,"code":86,"language":87,"meta":88,"style":88},"language-markdown shiki shiki-themes github-light github-dark","# Installation guide\n\nWelcome to the project documentation.\n\n## Prerequisites\n\n- Node.js 24\n- pnpm\n- A terminal\n\nRead the [full documentation](https:\u002F\u002Fexample.com) before you begin.\n","markdown","",[15,90,91,99,106,112,117,123,128,134,140,146,151],{"__ignoreMap":88},[92,93,96],"span",{"class":94,"line":95},"line",1,[92,97,98],{},"# Installation guide\n",[92,100,102],{"class":94,"line":101},2,[92,103,105],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":104},true,"\n",[92,107,109],{"class":94,"line":108},3,[92,110,111],{},"Welcome to the project documentation.\n",[92,113,115],{"class":94,"line":114},4,[92,116,105],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":104},[92,118,120],{"class":94,"line":119},5,[92,121,122],{},"## Prerequisites\n",[92,124,126],{"class":94,"line":125},6,[92,127,105],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":104},[92,129,131],{"class":94,"line":130},7,[92,132,133],{},"- Node.js 24\n",[92,135,137],{"class":94,"line":136},8,[92,138,139],{},"- pnpm\n",[92,141,143],{"class":94,"line":142},9,[92,144,145],{},"- A terminal\n",[92,147,149],{"class":94,"line":148},10,[92,150,105],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":104},[92,152,154],{"class":94,"line":153},11,[92,155,156],{},"Read the [full documentation](https:\u002F\u002Fexample.com) before you begin.\n",[11,158,159,160,163],{},"In a text editor, you see those exact characters. In a Markdown reader, the first ",[15,161,162],{},"#"," becomes a large heading, the hyphens become a list, and the text inside brackets becomes a clickable link.",[11,165,166,167,170,171,173],{},"The important point is that formatting isn't stored the way it is in a Word file. A ",[15,168,169],{},".docx"," file contains a complex internal structure compressed together with its styles and metadata. A ",[15,172,49],{}," file remains readable text. The software that opens it interprets the Markdown characters and builds the visual output.",[11,175,176],{},"That makes the format useful for storing and sharing content. Even without a specialized app, you can always open the file and read what it contains.",[65,178,180],{"id":179},"_2-what-are-md-files-used-for","2. What are .md files used for?",[11,182,183,184,186],{},"The best-known Markdown file is probably ",[15,185,17],{},". On GitHub, it introduces a project, explains how to install it, and documents how it works. But the format is no longer limited to code repositories.",[11,188,189,190,192],{},"You will find ",[15,191,49],{}," files in many different contexts:",[26,194,195,198,201,204,207,210],{},[29,196,197],{},"technical documentation and knowledge bases;",[29,199,200],{},"personal notes and personal knowledge management systems;",[29,202,203],{},"blogs built with Nuxt Content, Astro, Hugo, or Jekyll;",[29,205,206],{},"product specs, meeting notes, and project journals;",[29,208,209],{},"answers generated by ChatGPT, Claude, and other AI assistants;",[29,211,212],{},"instruction files used by development agents.",[11,214,215,216,78],{},"This adoption isn't accidental. Markdown preserves the document's structure without making the raw text painful to read. I explore that relationship in more detail in the article about ",[37,217,219],{"href":218},"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fwhy-ai-responds-in-markdown","why AI responds in Markdown",[11,221,222,223,225,226,230,231,230,235,239],{},"A ",[15,224,49],{}," file can also contain ",[37,227,229],{"href":228},"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-create-links-in-markdown","links",", ",[37,232,234],{"href":233},"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-add-images-in-markdown","images",[37,236,238],{"href":237},"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fmarkdown-table-complete-guide-with-examples","tables",", code blocks, and horizontal rules. The available features still depend on the renderer you use.",[65,241,243],{"id":242},"_3-which-tool-should-you-use-to-open-a-markdown-file","3. Which tool should you use to open a Markdown file?",[11,245,246],{},"Technically, almost any text editor can open a Markdown file. But \"open\" can describe two very different results.",[248,249,250,266],"table",{},[251,252,253],"thead",{},[254,255,256,260,263],"tr",{},[257,258,259],"th",{},"Your goal",[257,261,262],{},"Type of tool",[257,264,265],{},"What you see",[267,268,269,281,292,303,314],"tbody",{},[254,270,271,275,278],{},[272,273,274],"td",{},"Read the content quickly",[272,276,277],{},"Text editor",[272,279,280],{},"The source with its Markdown characters",[254,282,283,286,289],{},[272,284,285],{},"Read a formatted document",[272,287,288],{},"Markdown reader",[272,290,291],{},"Rendered headings, lists, links, and images",[254,293,294,297,300],{},[272,295,296],{},"Modify the file",[272,298,299],{},"Markdown editor",[272,301,302],{},"The source, often with a preview",[254,304,305,308,311],{},[272,306,307],{},"Work on technical documentation",[272,309,310],{},"Code editor",[272,312,313],{},"The source, syntax highlighting, and a separate preview",[254,315,316,319,322],{},[272,317,318],{},"Read a public README",[272,320,321],{},"GitHub or GitLab",[272,323,324],{},"The document rendered by the platform",[11,326,327,328,331],{},"If you see ",[15,329,330],{},"# Heading"," instead of a visual heading, your file is open. You are simply looking at source mode.",[11,333,334],{},"It is a bit like opening a web page in a code editor instead of a browser. The file is the same, but the tool isn't showing you the same layer.",[336,337,339],"h3",{"id":338},"a-markdown-reader-for-reading","A Markdown reader for reading",[11,341,342],{},"A reader prioritizes the rendered output: typography, line length, navigation between sections, tables, images, and code blocks. It hides the syntax so you can focus on the content.",[11,344,345],{},"It is the right choice when you want to:",[26,347,348,351,354,357],{},[29,349,350],{},"review documentation;",[29,352,353],{},"read long notes;",[29,355,356],{},"go through answers produced by an AI;",[29,358,359],{},"present a document to someone who doesn't need to edit it.",[336,361,363],{"id":362},"a-markdown-editor-for-writing","A Markdown editor for writing",[11,365,366],{},"An editor prioritizes input. It displays the syntax, often provides autocomplete, and may include a live preview.",[11,368,345],{},[26,370,371,374,377,380],{},[29,372,373],{},"write or correct the document;",[29,375,376],{},"control links and image paths precisely;",[29,378,379],{},"work with Git;",[29,381,382],{},"write documentation inside a code project.",[11,384,385],{},"Some tools try to do both. That works well for quick edits, but an editor interface is rarely as comfortable as a dedicated reading mode.",[65,387,389],{"id":388},"_4-reading-markdown-with-fude-two-needs-two-tools","4. Reading Markdown with Fude: two needs, two tools",[11,391,392],{},"Fude gives you two ways to read Markdown. They use the same rendering engine, but they start with different kinds of content.",[336,394,396],{"id":395},"display-copied-markdown-for-free-on-fudemd","Display copied Markdown for free on Fude.md",[11,398,399,400,403],{},"Have you copied a ChatGPT response, a README excerpt, or the content of a note? The ",[37,401,402],{"href":39},"free Markdown reader on Fude.md"," is the shortest path:",[405,406,407,410,413],"ol",{},[29,408,409],{},"Paste the Markdown into the left panel.",[29,411,412],{},"The formatted preview appears immediately on the right.",[29,414,415],{},"Close the tab when you're done.",[11,417,418],{},"The tool works without an account or a file upload. Rendering happens locally in your browser: the content you paste never leaves the tab and isn't stored by Fude. Among other features, it supports tables, syntax-highlighted code blocks, and Mermaid diagrams.",[11,420,421],{},"This option is designed for one-off content that is already on your clipboard. There is nothing to install, and you don't have to send your text to a remote conversion service.",[336,423,425],{"id":424},"open-and-read-md-files-with-the-fude-app","Open and read .md files with the Fude app",[11,427,428,429,431],{},"If your Markdown already exists as files on your drive, the Fude app serves a different need. It opens ",[15,430,49],{}," files as documents with a reading-focused layout, then lets you organize them into projects.",[11,433,434],{},"You no longer have to copy content into a web page manually. Your local files remain the source of truth, and you read them directly from your library. This is better suited to documentation folders, personal notes, specifications, and collections of AI-generated answers that you revisit regularly.",[11,436,437,438,442],{},"That is why I am building ",[37,439,441],{"href":440},"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Ffude-markdown-reader-ai-era","Fude as a Markdown reader centered on reading",", rather than another code editor.",[11,444,445],{},"The distinction is simple:",[26,447,448,454],{},[29,449,450,453],{},[32,451,452],{},"copied Markdown you want to check quickly",": use the free reader on Fude.md;",[29,455,456,459],{},[32,457,458],{},"local Markdown files you want to read and organize",": use the Fude app.",[65,461,463],{"id":462},"_5-how-to-open-a-md-file-on-mac-with-a-pre-installed-app","5. How to open a .md file on Mac with a pre-installed app",[11,465,466],{},"On macOS, you can read the source of a Markdown file with TextEdit:",[405,468,469,475,481],{},[29,470,471,472,474],{},"Right-click the ",[15,473,49],{}," file in Finder.",[29,476,477,478,78],{},"Choose ",[32,479,480],{},"Open With",[29,482,483,484,78],{},"Select ",[32,485,486],{},"TextEdit",[11,488,489],{},"TextEdit displays the text and its formatting characters. That is enough to inspect the content or correct a sentence, but it isn't a true reading view.",[11,491,492],{},"To see the rendered document, open it with a Markdown reader. Headings regain their hierarchy, tables become readable, and images appear in place. That is the difference between reading the document's source code and reading the document itself.",[11,494,495],{},"If you are a developer, Visual Studio Code provides both views:",[405,497,498,504,511],{},[29,499,500,501,503],{},"Open the ",[15,502,49],{}," file in VS Code.",[29,505,506,507,510],{},"Press ",[15,508,509],{},"Shift + Cmd + V"," to open the preview.",[29,512,513,514,517,518,521],{},"Use ",[15,515,516],{},"Cmd + K",", then ",[15,519,520],{},"V",", to keep the source and preview side by side.",[11,523,524,525,527,528,531,532,535,536,78],{},"To associate every ",[15,526,49],{}," file with the same app on Mac, select a file in Finder, open ",[32,529,530],{},"Get Info",", choose the app under ",[32,533,534],{},"Open with",", then click ",[32,537,538],{},"Change All",[65,540,542],{"id":541},"_6-how-to-open-a-md-file-on-windows-with-a-pre-installed-app","6. How to open a .md file on Windows with a pre-installed app",[11,544,545],{},"Windows can open a Markdown file with Notepad:",[405,547,548,551,555],{},[29,549,550],{},"Right-click the file.",[29,552,483,553,78],{},[32,554,534],{},[29,556,477,557,78],{},[32,558,559],{},"Notepad",[11,561,562],{},"Again, you will see the source. Notepad understands the text, but it doesn't turn Markdown syntax into a formatted document.",[11,564,565,566,569,570,517,573,575],{},"For a formatted view, use a Markdown reader or an editor with a preview mode. In Visual Studio Code, open the file and use ",[15,567,568],{},"Ctrl + Shift + V"," to display the rendered output. You can also use ",[15,571,572],{},"Ctrl + K",[15,574,520],{},", to show the preview next to the source.",[11,577,578,579,582,583,586,587,590],{},"If Windows adds ",[15,580,581],{},".txt"," to the filename, make sure file extensions are visible in File Explorer. A file named ",[15,584,585],{},"notes.md.txt"," is still a regular text file as far as the system is concerned. Rename it to ",[15,588,589],{},"notes.md"," so Markdown apps can recognize it correctly.",[65,592,594],{"id":593},"_7-can-you-open-a-markdown-file-in-a-browser","7. Can you open a Markdown file in a browser?",[11,596,597,598,600],{},"A browser can display text, but it doesn't consistently render local Markdown files. Depending on the browser and its configuration, a ",[15,599,49],{}," file may appear as plain text, download automatically, or fail to open as expected.",[11,602,603,604,606],{},"Platforms such as GitHub handle the problem on the server. When you open a ",[15,605,49],{}," file in a repository, GitHub parses its syntax and displays the rendered document. You can then switch to the source view when needed.",[11,608,609,610,612],{},"For a one-off preview, you can also copy the content into the ",[37,611,402],{"href":39},". Unlike a viewer that asks for the complete file, this tool starts with the text you paste and renders it directly in the tab.",[11,614,615],{},"Be careful with viewers that ask you to upload the file. A public README isn't particularly sensitive. A private note, product specification, or document containing confidential information shouldn't be sent to a service unless you understand its privacy and data-retention policies.",[65,617,619],{"id":618},"_8-can-you-open-a-md-file-in-word","8. Can you open a .md file in Word?",[11,621,622,623,625],{},"Word may be able to open the text inside a ",[15,624,49],{}," file, but you shouldn't expect complete and consistent Markdown rendering. Depending on the version, platform, and opening method, you may get raw text or a document whose formatting hasn't been interpreted as expected.",[11,627,628,629,631],{},"If you only need to read or correct the text, a text editor is enough. If you need to deliver a Word document, convert the Markdown to ",[15,630,169],{}," with an appropriate tool, then check the result: complex tables, code blocks, notes, and images often need adjustments.",[11,633,634,635,638,639,642],{},"Renaming ",[15,636,637],{},"report.md"," to ",[15,640,641],{},"report.docx"," doesn't convert the file. It only changes the extension. The content remains Markdown, and Word may treat the file as invalid.",[11,644,645],{},"The same rule applies to PDF: renaming the file doesn't create a PDF. You first need to render the Markdown, then print or export it to the format you need.",[65,647,649],{"id":648},"_9-how-to-create-a-markdown-file","9. How to create a Markdown file",[11,651,652,653,655],{},"You don't need specialized software to create a ",[15,654,49],{}," file. Any editor that can save plain text will work.",[11,657,658],{},"Create a new file with this content:",[83,660,662],{"className":85,"code":661,"language":87,"meta":88,"style":88},"# My first note\n\nHere is a paragraph with some **bold text**.\n\n## To do\n\n- Read the documentation\n- Add an image\n- Share the file\n",[15,663,664,669,673,678,682,687,691,696,701],{"__ignoreMap":88},[92,665,666],{"class":94,"line":95},[92,667,668],{},"# My first note\n",[92,670,671],{"class":94,"line":101},[92,672,105],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":104},[92,674,675],{"class":94,"line":108},[92,676,677],{},"Here is a paragraph with some **bold text**.\n",[92,679,680],{"class":94,"line":114},[92,681,105],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":104},[92,683,684],{"class":94,"line":119},[92,685,686],{},"## To do\n",[92,688,689],{"class":94,"line":125},[92,690,105],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":104},[92,692,693],{"class":94,"line":130},[92,694,695],{},"- Read the documentation\n",[92,697,698],{"class":94,"line":136},[92,699,700],{},"- Add an image\n",[92,702,703],{"class":94,"line":142},[92,704,705],{},"- Share the file\n",[11,707,708,709,712],{},"Save it as ",[15,710,711],{},"my-first-note.md",", preferably with UTF-8 encoding.",[11,714,715,716,719,720,723,724,78],{},"On Mac, TextEdit creates rich-text documents by default in some configurations. Use ",[32,717,718],{},"Format > Make Plain Text"," before saving. On Windows, choose ",[32,721,722],{},"All Files"," in the save dialog if Notepad tries to append ",[15,725,581],{},[11,727,728,729,732,733,736,737,78],{},"You can then open the file in a Markdown reader to check the output. To go further, the blog guides explain how to create ",[37,730,731],{"href":228},"Markdown links",", add ",[37,734,735],{"href":233},"local or remote images",", and build ",[37,738,739],{"href":237},"Markdown tables",[65,741,743],{"id":742},"_10-troubleshooting-common-problems","10. Troubleshooting common problems",[336,745,747],{"id":746},"i-see-hashes-and-asterisks","\"I see hashes and asterisks\"",[11,749,750],{},"You are looking at the file's source. Open it in a Markdown reader or enable your editor's preview mode.",[336,752,754],{"id":753},"my-file-is-named-documentmdtxt","\"My file is named document.md.txt\"",[11,756,757,758,760,761,78],{},"The editor added the ",[15,759,581],{}," extension. Make extensions visible in Finder or File Explorer, then rename the file to ",[15,762,763],{},"document.md",[336,765,767],{"id":766},"the-images-dont-appear","\"The images don't appear\"",[11,769,770,771,773],{},"A Markdown file usually doesn't contain the images themselves. It contains their paths. If you move only the ",[15,772,49],{}," file without the related image folder, relative references break.",[11,775,776,777,780],{},"Check the path and filename casing. The guide to ",[37,778,779],{"href":233},"images in Markdown"," covers relative paths, formats, and differences between Mac and GitHub.",[336,782,784],{"id":783},"the-links-arent-clickable","\"The links aren't clickable\"",[11,786,787,788,78],{},"A plain-text editor doesn't necessarily turn links into interactive elements. Switch to preview mode or use a reader. If the link is still broken in the rendered output, check its syntax in the guide to ",[37,789,731],{"href":228},[336,791,793],{"id":792},"accented-characters-look-wrong","\"Accented characters look wrong\"",[11,795,796],{},"The file probably uses a different encoding than the app expects. Save it again as UTF-8, the most portable encoding for Markdown files.",[336,798,800],{"id":799},"the-output-changes-between-apps","\"The output changes between apps\"",[11,802,803],{},"Markdown has several variants. CommonMark defines a shared foundation, while GitHub Flavored Markdown adds features including tables, task lists, and strikethrough. Other tools support footnotes, Mermaid diagrams, or frontmatter.",[11,805,806],{},"The text remains readable everywhere, but extensions aren't always rendered in the same way. If your document needs to work in several tools, test it in each one and favor standard syntax.",[336,808,810],{"id":809},"is-a-markdown-file-safe","Is a Markdown file safe?",[11,812,222,813,815],{},[15,814,49],{}," file is text: opening one doesn't launch a program the way an executable would. That doesn't mean you should ignore every risk.",[11,817,818],{},"A Markdown document can contain:",[26,820,821,824,827,830],{},[29,822,823],{},"links to malicious websites;",[29,825,826],{},"remote images that disclose a request to an external server;",[29,828,829],{},"raw HTML, if the renderer allows it;",[29,831,832],{},"dangerous instructions to copy into a terminal.",[11,834,835],{},"Use a renderer that filters untrusted HTML, check where links lead, and never run a command only because it appears in a README. The format is simple, but its content can still require your attention.",[65,837,839],{"id":838},"_11-quick-reference","11. Quick reference",[248,841,842,852],{},[251,843,844],{},[254,845,846,849],{},[257,847,848],{},"Question",[257,850,851],{},"Short answer",[267,853,854,865,873,881,892,900,908,916,924,932],{},[254,855,856,862],{},[272,857,858,859,861],{},"What is a ",[15,860,49],{}," file?",[272,863,864],{},"A text file structured with Markdown syntax.",[254,866,867,870],{},[272,868,869],{},"What program can open it?",[272,871,872],{},"Any text editor; use a Markdown reader for rendered output.",[254,874,875,878],{},[272,876,877],{},"How do I display copied Markdown?",[272,879,880],{},"Paste it into the free reader on Fude.md; rendering stays local in your browser.",[254,882,883,889],{},[272,884,885,886,888],{},"How do I read local ",[15,887,49],{}," files?",[272,890,891],{},"Open them in the Fude app to read and organize them.",[254,893,894,897],{},[272,895,896],{},"Can I open one on Mac?",[272,898,899],{},"Yes, with TextEdit for the source or a reader for rendered output.",[254,901,902,905],{},[272,903,904],{},"Can I open one on Windows?",[272,906,907],{},"Yes, with Notepad for the source or a reader for rendered output.",[254,909,910,913],{},[272,911,912],{},"Can I open one in a browser?",[272,914,915],{},"Yes, but native rendering isn't guaranteed. Use GitHub or a web reader.",[254,917,918,921],{},[272,919,920],{},"Can I open one in Word?",[272,922,923],{},"Often as text, but not as reliable rendered Markdown.",[254,925,926,929],{},[272,927,928],{},"Can I convert one to PDF or DOCX?",[272,930,931],{},"Yes, with a conversion tool or a print\u002Fexport feature.",[254,933,934,943],{},[272,935,936,937,939,940,942],{},"Are ",[15,938,49],{}," and ",[15,941,77],{}," equivalent?",[272,944,945,946,948],{},"They generally represent the same format; ",[15,947,49],{}," is more common.",[950,951],"hr",{},[11,953,954],{},"A Markdown file isn't mysterious. It is a text document where a few characters provide structure. The main difficulty is choosing the right app: an editor shows the source, while a reader shows the document.",[11,956,957],{},"I find that distinction even more important with AI. We produce more and more notes, reports, and documentation in Markdown, yet we often continue reading them in interfaces designed for writing code. The file is portable; the reading experience still depends on the tool.",[11,959,960,961,963,964,966],{},"To check rendered content immediately, use the ",[37,962,402],{"href":39},". And if you want an app designed to organize and read your local ",[15,965,49],{}," files, you can join the private beta.",[11,968,969,970],{},"📌 ",[37,971,973],{"href":972},"\u002Fen#download","Download Fude",[975,976,977],"style",{},"html .default .shiki span {color: var(--shiki-default);background: var(--shiki-default-bg);font-style: var(--shiki-default-font-style);font-weight: var(--shiki-default-font-weight);text-decoration: var(--shiki-default-text-decoration);}html .shiki span {color: var(--shiki-default);background: var(--shiki-default-bg);font-style: var(--shiki-default-font-style);font-weight: var(--shiki-default-font-weight);text-decoration: var(--shiki-default-text-decoration);}html .dark .shiki span {color: var(--shiki-dark);background: var(--shiki-dark-bg);font-style: var(--shiki-dark-font-style);font-weight: var(--shiki-dark-font-weight);text-decoration: var(--shiki-dark-text-decoration);}html.dark .shiki span {color: var(--shiki-dark);background: var(--shiki-dark-bg);font-style: var(--shiki-dark-font-style);font-weight: var(--shiki-dark-font-weight);text-decoration: var(--shiki-dark-text-decoration);}",{"title":88,"searchDepth":101,"depth":101,"links":979},[980,981,982,986,990,991,992,993,994,995,1004],{"id":67,"depth":101,"text":68},{"id":179,"depth":101,"text":180},{"id":242,"depth":101,"text":243,"children":983},[984,985],{"id":338,"depth":108,"text":339},{"id":362,"depth":108,"text":363},{"id":388,"depth":101,"text":389,"children":987},[988,989],{"id":395,"depth":108,"text":396},{"id":424,"depth":108,"text":425},{"id":462,"depth":101,"text":463},{"id":541,"depth":101,"text":542},{"id":593,"depth":101,"text":594},{"id":618,"depth":101,"text":619},{"id":648,"depth":101,"text":649},{"id":742,"depth":101,"text":743,"children":996},[997,998,999,1000,1001,1002,1003],{"id":746,"depth":108,"text":747},{"id":753,"depth":108,"text":754},{"id":766,"depth":108,"text":767},{"id":783,"depth":108,"text":784},{"id":792,"depth":108,"text":793},{"id":799,"depth":108,"text":800},{"id":809,"depth":108,"text":810},{"id":838,"depth":101,"text":839},"markdown-viewers-tools","2026-07-20","Learn what a Markdown file contains, how to open a .md file on Mac, Windows, or in a browser, and which tool to choose for reading or editing it.","md","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fblog7","A Markdown file opened in a rendered reader",{},false,"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fwhat-is-markdown-file-how-to-open",{"title":5,"description":1007},"en\u002Fblog\u002F7.what-is-markdown-file-how-to-open",null,"markdown-file-how-to-open","A1XixbldNMs2csYh14R4zjucwY-aSZSkv2hi59rbZvM","\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"2\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"1\" data-fude-source-end=\"26\">You've just downloaded a \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"26\" data-fude-source-end=\"37\">README.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"37\" data-fude-source-end=\"238\"> file. You double-click it and, instead of a formatted document, you see hashes, asterisks, and brackets. The file isn't corrupted. Your app is simply showing its source instead of its rendered output.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"4\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"240\" data-fude-source-end=\"422\">This is the most common source of confusion with Markdown files: the same file can look like plain text in an editor, then become a properly structured document in a Markdown reader.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"6\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"424\" data-fude-source-end=\"465\">If you want to get straight to the point:\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul data-fude-source-line=\"8\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"471\" data-fude-source-end=\"497\">to display copied Markdown\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"499\" data-fude-source-end=\"519\">, paste it into the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fmarkdown-viewer\" data-fude-link-kind=\"unsupported\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"520\" data-fude-source-end=\"542\">free reader on Fude.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"564\" data-fude-source-end=\"565\">;\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"570\" data-fude-source-end=\"597\">to read and organize local \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"597\" data-fude-source-end=\"602\">.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"602\" data-fude-source-end=\"608\"> files\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"610\" data-fude-source-end=\"629\">, use the Fude app;\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"634\" data-fude-source-end=\"654\">to edit their source\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"656\" data-fude-source-end=\"693\">, open them in a text or code editor.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"12\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"695\" data-fude-source-end=\"730\">In this guide, I'll explain what a \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"730\" data-fude-source-end=\"735\">.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"735\" data-fude-source-end=\"880\"> file actually contains, how to open one on Mac and Windows, and which tool to choose depending on whether you want to read, edit, or publish it.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"user-content-1-what-is-a-markdown-file\" data-fude-source-line=\"14\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"885\" data-fude-source-end=\"912\">1. What is a Markdown file?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"16\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"914\" data-fude-source-end=\"1020\">A Markdown file is a text file that uses lightweight syntax to describe its structure. It usually has the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"1020\" data-fude-source-end=\"1025\">.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"1025\" data-fude-source-end=\"1063\"> extension, although you may also see \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"1063\" data-fude-source-end=\"1074\">.markdown\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"1074\" data-fude-source-end=\"1075\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"18\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"1077\" data-fude-source-end=\"1117\">Here is what its raw content looks like:\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cpre style=\"background-color:var(--fude-code-background, var(--color-code-bg));color:var(--fude-code-foreground, var(--color-code-text))\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"shiki fude-code-theme fude-code-block\" data-language=\"markdown\" data-fude-code-block-start=\"1131\" data-fude-code-block-end=\"1312\" data-fude-source-line=\"20\">\u003Ccode class=\"language-markdown\" data-language=\"markdown\" data-fude-code-block-start=\"1131\" data-fude-code-block-end=\"1312\">\u003Cspan class=\"line\">\u003Cspan style=\"color:var(--fude-code-foreground, var(--color-code-text))\"># Installation guide\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fspan>\n\u003Cspan class=\"line\">\u003C\u002Fspan>\n\u003Cspan class=\"line\">\u003Cspan style=\"color:var(--fude-code-foreground, var(--color-code-text))\">Welcome to the project documentation.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fspan>\n\u003Cspan class=\"line\">\u003C\u002Fspan>\n\u003Cspan class=\"line\">\u003Cspan style=\"color:var(--fude-code-foreground, var(--color-code-text))\">## Prerequisites\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fspan>\n\u003Cspan class=\"line\">\u003C\u002Fspan>\n\u003Cspan class=\"line\">\u003Cspan style=\"color:var(--fude-code-foreground, var(--color-code-text))\">- Node.js 24\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fspan>\n\u003Cspan class=\"line\">\u003Cspan style=\"color:var(--fude-code-foreground, var(--color-code-text))\">- pnpm\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fspan>\n\u003Cspan class=\"line\">\u003Cspan style=\"color:var(--fude-code-foreground, var(--color-code-text))\">- A terminal\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fspan>\n\u003Cspan class=\"line\">\u003C\u002Fspan>\n\u003Cspan class=\"line\">\u003Cspan style=\"color:var(--fude-code-foreground, var(--color-code-text))\">Read the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"color:var(--fude-code-token-link)\">[\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"color:var(--fude-code-token-keyword, color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-accent-primary) 68%, var(--color-code-text) 32%))\">full documentation\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"color:var(--fude-code-token-link)\">](https:\u002F\u002Fexample.com)\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"color:var(--fude-code-foreground, var(--color-code-text))\"> before you begin.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003C\u002Fpre>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"34\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"1318\" data-fude-source-end=\"1400\">In a text editor, you see those exact characters. In a Markdown reader, the first \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"1400\" data-fude-source-end=\"1403\">#\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"1403\" data-fude-source-end=\"1510\"> becomes a large heading, the hyphens become a list, and the text inside brackets becomes a clickable link.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"36\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"1512\" data-fude-source-end=\"1596\">The important point is that formatting isn't stored the way it is in a Word file. A \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"1596\" data-fude-source-end=\"1603\">.docx\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"1603\" data-fude-source-end=\"1699\"> file contains a complex internal structure compressed together with its styles and metadata. A \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"1699\" data-fude-source-end=\"1704\">.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"1704\" data-fude-source-end=\"1824\"> file remains readable text. The software that opens it interprets the Markdown characters and builds the visual output.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"38\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"1826\" data-fude-source-end=\"1975\">That makes the format useful for storing and sharing content. Even without a specialized app, you can always open the file and read what it contains.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"user-content-2-what-are-md-files-used-for\" data-fude-source-line=\"40\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"1980\" data-fude-source-end=\"2011\">2. What are .md files used for?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"42\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"2013\" data-fude-source-end=\"2054\">The best-known Markdown file is probably \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"2054\" data-fude-source-end=\"2065\">README.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"2065\" data-fude-source-end=\"2216\">. On GitHub, it introduces a project, explains how to install it, and documents how it works. But the format is no longer limited to code repositories.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"44\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"2218\" data-fude-source-end=\"2232\">You will find \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"2232\" data-fude-source-end=\"2237\">.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"2237\" data-fude-source-end=\"2271\"> files in many different contexts:\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul data-fude-source-line=\"46\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"2275\" data-fude-source-end=\"2319\">technical documentation and knowledge bases;\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"2322\" data-fude-source-end=\"2379\">personal notes and personal knowledge management systems;\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"2382\" data-fude-source-end=\"2436\">blogs built with Nuxt Content, Astro, Hugo, or Jekyll;\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"2439\" data-fude-source-end=\"2490\">product specs, meeting notes, and project journals;\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"2493\" data-fude-source-end=\"2555\">answers generated by ChatGPT, Claude, and other AI assistants;\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"2558\" data-fude-source-end=\"2603\">instruction files used by development agents.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"53\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"2605\" data-fude-source-end=\"2790\">This adoption isn't accidental. Markdown preserves the document's structure without making the raw text painful to read. I explore that relationship in more detail in the article about \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fwhy-ai-responds-in-markdown\" data-fude-link-kind=\"unsupported\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"2791\" data-fude-source-end=\"2818\">why AI responds in Markdown\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"2857\" data-fude-source-end=\"2858\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"55\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"2860\" data-fude-source-end=\"2862\">A \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"2862\" data-fude-source-end=\"2867\">.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"2867\" data-fude-source-end=\"2890\"> file can also contain \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-create-links-in-markdown\" data-fude-link-kind=\"unsupported\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"2891\" data-fude-source-end=\"2896\">links\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"2939\" data-fude-source-end=\"2941\">, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-add-images-in-markdown\" data-fude-link-kind=\"unsupported\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"2942\" data-fude-source-end=\"2948\">images\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"2989\" data-fude-source-end=\"2991\">, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fmarkdown-table-complete-guide-with-examples\" data-fude-link-kind=\"unsupported\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"2992\" data-fude-source-end=\"2998\">tables\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3053\" data-fude-source-end=\"3150\">, code blocks, and horizontal rules. The available features still depend on the renderer you use.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"user-content-3-which-tool-should-you-use-to-open-a-markdown-file\" data-fude-source-line=\"57\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3155\" data-fude-source-end=\"3208\">3. Which tool should you use to open a Markdown file?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"59\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3210\" data-fude-source-end=\"3323\">Technically, almost any text editor can open a Markdown file. But \"open\" can describe two very different results.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ctable data-fude-source-line=\"61\">\n\u003Cthead>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Cth>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3327\" data-fude-source-end=\"3336\">Your goal\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fth>\n\u003Cth>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3339\" data-fude-source-end=\"3351\">Type of tool\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fth>\n\u003Cth>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3354\" data-fude-source-end=\"3366\">What you see\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fth>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Fthead>\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3391\" data-fude-source-end=\"3415\">Read the content quickly\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3418\" data-fude-source-end=\"3429\">Text editor\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3432\" data-fude-source-end=\"3471\">The source with its Markdown characters\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3476\" data-fude-source-end=\"3501\">Read a formatted document\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3504\" data-fude-source-end=\"3519\">Markdown reader\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3522\" data-fude-source-end=\"3565\">Rendered headings, lists, links, and images\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3570\" data-fude-source-end=\"3585\">Modify the file\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3588\" data-fude-source-end=\"3603\">Markdown editor\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3606\" data-fude-source-end=\"3638\">The source, often with a preview\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3643\" data-fude-source-end=\"3674\">Work on technical documentation\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3677\" data-fude-source-end=\"3688\">Code editor\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3691\" data-fude-source-end=\"3746\">The source, syntax highlighting, and a separate preview\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3751\" data-fude-source-end=\"3771\">Read a public README\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3774\" data-fude-source-end=\"3790\">GitHub or GitLab\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3793\" data-fude-source-end=\"3830\">The document rendered by the platform\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"69\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3834\" data-fude-source-end=\"3845\">If you see \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3845\" data-fude-source-end=\"3856\"># Heading\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3856\" data-fude-source-end=\"3943\"> instead of a visual heading, your file is open. You are simply looking at source mode.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"71\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"3945\" data-fude-source-end=\"4088\">It is a bit like opening a web page in a code editor instead of a browser. The file is the same, but the tool isn't showing you the same layer.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"user-content-a-markdown-reader-for-reading\" data-fude-source-line=\"73\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"4094\" data-fude-source-end=\"4123\">A Markdown reader for reading\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"75\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"4125\" data-fude-source-end=\"4306\">A reader prioritizes the rendered output: typography, line length, navigation between sections, tables, images, and code blocks. It hides the syntax so you can focus on the content.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"77\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"4308\" data-fude-source-end=\"4348\">It is the right choice when you want to:\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul data-fude-source-line=\"79\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"4352\" data-fude-source-end=\"4373\">review documentation;\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"4376\" data-fude-source-end=\"4392\">read long notes;\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"4395\" data-fude-source-end=\"4432\">go through answers produced by an AI;\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"4435\" data-fude-source-end=\"4493\">present a document to someone who doesn't need to edit it.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"user-content-a-markdown-editor-for-writing\" data-fude-source-line=\"84\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"4499\" data-fude-source-end=\"4528\">A Markdown editor for writing\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"86\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"4530\" data-fude-source-end=\"4643\">An editor prioritizes input. It displays the syntax, often provides autocomplete, and may include a live preview.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"88\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"4645\" data-fude-source-end=\"4685\">It is the right choice when you want to:\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul data-fude-source-line=\"90\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"4689\" data-fude-source-end=\"4719\">write or correct the document;\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"4722\" data-fude-source-end=\"4762\">control links and image paths precisely;\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"4765\" data-fude-source-end=\"4779\">work with Git;\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"4782\" data-fude-source-end=\"4824\">write documentation inside a code project.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"95\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"4826\" data-fude-source-end=\"4963\">Some tools try to do both. That works well for quick edits, but an editor interface is rarely as comfortable as a dedicated reading mode.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"user-content-4-reading-markdown-with-fude-two-needs-two-tools\" data-fude-source-line=\"97\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"4968\" data-fude-source-end=\"5019\">4. Reading Markdown with Fude: two needs, two tools\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"99\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"5021\" data-fude-source-end=\"5146\">Fude gives you two ways to read Markdown. They use the same rendering engine, but they start with different kinds of content.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"user-content-display-copied-markdown-for-free-on-fudemd\" data-fude-source-line=\"101\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"5152\" data-fude-source-end=\"5195\">Display copied Markdown for free on Fude.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"103\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"5197\" data-fude-source-end=\"5281\">Have you copied a ChatGPT response, a README excerpt, or the content of a note? The \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fmarkdown-viewer\" data-fude-link-kind=\"unsupported\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"5282\" data-fude-source-end=\"5313\">free Markdown reader on Fude.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"5335\" data-fude-source-end=\"5357\"> is the shortest path:\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Col data-fude-source-line=\"105\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"5362\" data-fude-source-end=\"5401\">Paste the Markdown into the left panel.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"5405\" data-fude-source-end=\"5460\">The formatted preview appears immediately on the right.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"5464\" data-fude-source-end=\"5495\">Close the tab when you're done.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"109\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"5497\" data-fude-source-end=\"5756\">The tool works without an account or a file upload. Rendering happens locally in your browser: the content you paste never leaves the tab and isn't stored by Fude. Among other features, it supports tables, syntax-highlighted code blocks, and Mermaid diagrams.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"111\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"5758\" data-fude-source-end=\"5934\">This option is designed for one-off content that is already on your clipboard. There is nothing to install, and you don't have to send your text to a remote conversion service.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"user-content-open-and-read-md-files-with-the-fude-app\" data-fude-source-line=\"113\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"5940\" data-fude-source-end=\"5981\">Open and read .md files with the Fude app\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"115\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"5983\" data-fude-source-end=\"6086\">If your Markdown already exists as files on your drive, the Fude app serves a different need. It opens \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"6086\" data-fude-source-end=\"6091\">.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"6091\" data-fude-source-end=\"6184\"> files as documents with a reading-focused layout, then lets you organize them into projects.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"117\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"6186\" data-fude-source-end=\"6485\">You no longer have to copy content into a web page manually. Your local files remain the source of truth, and you read them directly from your library. This is better suited to documentation folders, personal notes, specifications, and collections of AI-generated answers that you revisit regularly.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"119\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"6487\" data-fude-source-end=\"6513\">That is why I am building \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Ffude-markdown-reader-ai-era\" data-fude-link-kind=\"unsupported\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"6514\" data-fude-source-end=\"6559\">Fude as a Markdown reader centered on reading\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"6598\" data-fude-source-end=\"6632\">, rather than another code editor.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"121\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"6634\" data-fude-source-end=\"6660\">The distinction is simple:\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul data-fude-source-line=\"123\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"6666\" data-fude-source-end=\"6707\">copied Markdown you want to check quickly\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"6709\" data-fude-source-end=\"6742\">: use the free reader on Fude.md;\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"6747\" data-fude-source-end=\"6797\">local Markdown files you want to read and organize\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"6799\" data-fude-source-end=\"6818\">: use the Fude app.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"user-content-5-how-to-open-a-md-file-on-mac-with-a-pre-installed-app\" data-fude-source-line=\"126\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"6823\" data-fude-source-end=\"6880\">5. How to open a .md file on Mac with a pre-installed app\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"128\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"6882\" data-fude-source-end=\"6949\">On macOS, you can read the source of a Markdown file with TextEdit:\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Col data-fude-source-line=\"130\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"6954\" data-fude-source-end=\"6970\">Right-click the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"6970\" data-fude-source-end=\"6975\">.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"6975\" data-fude-source-end=\"6991\"> file in Finder.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"6995\" data-fude-source-end=\"7002\">Choose \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7004\" data-fude-source-end=\"7013\">Open With\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7015\" data-fude-source-end=\"7016\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7020\" data-fude-source-end=\"7027\">Select \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7029\" data-fude-source-end=\"7037\">TextEdit\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7039\" data-fude-source-end=\"7040\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"134\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7042\" data-fude-source-end=\"7194\">TextEdit displays the text and its formatting characters. That is enough to inspect the content or correct a sentence, but it isn't a true reading view.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"136\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7196\" data-fude-source-end=\"7441\">To see the rendered document, open it with a Markdown reader. Headings regain their hierarchy, tables become readable, and images appear in place. That is the difference between reading the document's source code and reading the document itself.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"138\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7443\" data-fude-source-end=\"7506\">If you are a developer, Visual Studio Code provides both views:\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Col data-fude-source-line=\"140\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7511\" data-fude-source-end=\"7520\">Open the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7520\" data-fude-source-end=\"7525\">.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7525\" data-fude-source-end=\"7542\"> file in VS Code.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7546\" data-fude-source-end=\"7552\">Press \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7552\" data-fude-source-end=\"7569\">Shift + Cmd + V\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7569\" data-fude-source-end=\"7590\"> to open the preview.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7594\" data-fude-source-end=\"7598\">Use \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7598\" data-fude-source-end=\"7607\">Cmd + K\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7607\" data-fude-source-end=\"7614\">, then \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7614\" data-fude-source-end=\"7617\">V\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7617\" data-fude-source-end=\"7663\">, to keep the source and preview side by side.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"144\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7665\" data-fude-source-end=\"7684\">To associate every \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7684\" data-fude-source-end=\"7689\">.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7689\" data-fude-source-end=\"7751\"> file with the same app on Mac, select a file in Finder, open \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7753\" data-fude-source-end=\"7761\">Get Info\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7763\" data-fude-source-end=\"7786\">, choose the app under \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7788\" data-fude-source-end=\"7797\">Open with\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7799\" data-fude-source-end=\"7812\">, then click \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7814\" data-fude-source-end=\"7824\">Change All\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7826\" data-fude-source-end=\"7827\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"user-content-6-how-to-open-a-md-file-on-windows-with-a-pre-installed-app\" data-fude-source-line=\"146\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7832\" data-fude-source-end=\"7893\">6. How to open a .md file on Windows with a pre-installed app\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"148\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7895\" data-fude-source-end=\"7941\">Windows can open a Markdown file with Notepad:\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Col data-fude-source-line=\"150\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7946\" data-fude-source-end=\"7967\">Right-click the file.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7971\" data-fude-source-end=\"7978\">Select \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7980\" data-fude-source-end=\"7989\">Open with\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7991\" data-fude-source-end=\"7992\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"7996\" data-fude-source-end=\"8003\">Choose \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"8005\" data-fude-source-end=\"8012\">Notepad\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"8014\" data-fude-source-end=\"8015\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"154\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"8017\" data-fude-source-end=\"8141\">Again, you will see the source. Notepad understands the text, but it doesn't turn Markdown syntax into a formatted document.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"156\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"8143\" data-fude-source-end=\"8266\">For a formatted view, use a Markdown reader or an editor with a preview mode. In Visual Studio Code, open the file and use \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"8266\" data-fude-source-end=\"8284\">Ctrl + Shift + V\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"8284\" data-fude-source-end=\"8334\"> to display the rendered output. You can also use \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"8334\" data-fude-source-end=\"8344\">Ctrl + K\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"8344\" data-fude-source-end=\"8351\">, then \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"8351\" data-fude-source-end=\"8354\">V\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"8354\" data-fude-source-end=\"8395\">, to show the preview next to the source.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"158\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"8397\" data-fude-source-end=\"8413\">If Windows adds \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"8413\" data-fude-source-end=\"8419\">.txt\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"8419\" data-fude-source-end=\"8506\"> to the filename, make sure file extensions are visible in File Explorer. A file named \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"8506\" data-fude-source-end=\"8520\">notes.md.txt\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"8520\" data-fude-source-end=\"8598\"> is still a regular text file as far as the system is concerned. Rename it to \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"8598\" data-fude-source-end=\"8608\">notes.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"8608\" data-fude-source-end=\"8653\"> so Markdown apps can recognize it correctly.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"user-content-7-can-you-open-a-markdown-file-in-a-browser\" data-fude-source-line=\"160\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"8658\" data-fude-source-end=\"8703\">7. Can you open a Markdown file in a browser?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"162\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"8705\" data-fude-source-end=\"8840\">A browser can display text, but it doesn't consistently render local Markdown files. Depending on the browser and its configuration, a \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"8840\" data-fude-source-end=\"8845\">.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"8845\" data-fude-source-end=\"8929\"> file may appear as plain text, download automatically, or fail to open as expected.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"164\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"8931\" data-fude-source-end=\"9006\">Platforms such as GitHub handle the problem on the server. When you open a \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"9006\" data-fude-source-end=\"9011\">.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"9011\" data-fude-source-end=\"9146\"> file in a repository, GitHub parses its syntax and displays the rendered document. You can then switch to the source view when needed.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"166\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"9148\" data-fude-source-end=\"9210\">For a one-off preview, you can also copy the content into the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fmarkdown-viewer\" data-fude-link-kind=\"unsupported\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"9211\" data-fude-source-end=\"9242\">free Markdown reader on Fude.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"9264\" data-fude-source-end=\"9391\">. Unlike a viewer that asks for the complete file, this tool starts with the text you paste and renders it directly in the tab.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"168\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"9393\" data-fude-source-end=\"9676\">Be careful with viewers that ask you to upload the file. A public README isn't particularly sensitive. A private note, product specification, or document containing confidential information shouldn't be sent to a service unless you understand its privacy and data-retention policies.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"user-content-8-can-you-open-a-md-file-in-word\" data-fude-source-line=\"170\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"9681\" data-fude-source-end=\"9716\">8. Can you open a .md file in Word?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"172\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"9718\" data-fude-source-end=\"9761\">Word may be able to open the text inside a \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"9761\" data-fude-source-end=\"9766\">.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"9766\" data-fude-source-end=\"9986\"> file, but you shouldn't expect complete and consistent Markdown rendering. Depending on the version, platform, and opening method, you may get raw text or a document whose formatting hasn't been interpreted as expected.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"174\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"9988\" data-fude-source-end=\"10123\">If you only need to read or correct the text, a text editor is enough. If you need to deliver a Word document, convert the Markdown to \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"10123\" data-fude-source-end=\"10130\">.docx\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"10130\" data-fude-source-end=\"10250\"> with an appropriate tool, then check the result: complex tables, code blocks, notes, and images often need adjustments.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"176\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"10252\" data-fude-source-end=\"10261\">Renaming \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"10261\" data-fude-source-end=\"10272\">report.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"10272\" data-fude-source-end=\"10276\"> to \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"10276\" data-fude-source-end=\"10289\">report.docx\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"10289\" data-fude-source-end=\"10416\"> doesn't convert the file. It only changes the extension. The content remains Markdown, and Word may treat the file as invalid.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"178\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"10418\" data-fude-source-end=\"10574\">The same rule applies to PDF: renaming the file doesn't create a PDF. You first need to render the Markdown, then print or export it to the format you need.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"user-content-9-how-to-create-a-markdown-file\" data-fude-source-line=\"180\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"10579\" data-fude-source-end=\"10611\">9. How to create a Markdown file\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"182\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"10613\" data-fude-source-end=\"10661\">You don't need specialized software to create a \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"10661\" data-fude-source-end=\"10666\">.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"10666\" data-fude-source-end=\"10719\"> file. Any editor that can save plain text will work.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"184\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"10721\" data-fude-source-end=\"10757\">Create a new file with this content:\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cpre style=\"background-color:var(--fude-code-background, var(--color-code-bg));color:var(--fude-code-foreground, var(--color-code-text))\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"shiki fude-code-theme fude-code-block\" data-language=\"markdown\" data-fude-code-block-start=\"10771\" data-fude-code-block-end=\"10900\" data-fude-source-line=\"186\">\u003Ccode class=\"language-markdown\" data-language=\"markdown\" data-fude-code-block-start=\"10771\" data-fude-code-block-end=\"10900\">\u003Cspan class=\"line\">\u003Cspan style=\"color:var(--fude-code-foreground, var(--color-code-text))\"># My first note\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fspan>\n\u003Cspan class=\"line\">\u003C\u002Fspan>\n\u003Cspan class=\"line\">\u003Cspan style=\"color:var(--fude-code-foreground, var(--color-code-text))\">Here is a paragraph with some **bold text**.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fspan>\n\u003Cspan class=\"line\">\u003C\u002Fspan>\n\u003Cspan class=\"line\">\u003Cspan style=\"color:var(--fude-code-foreground, var(--color-code-text))\">## To do\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fspan>\n\u003Cspan class=\"line\">\u003C\u002Fspan>\n\u003Cspan class=\"line\">\u003Cspan style=\"color:var(--fude-code-foreground, var(--color-code-text))\">- Read the documentation\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fspan>\n\u003Cspan class=\"line\">\u003Cspan style=\"color:var(--fude-code-foreground, var(--color-code-text))\">- Add an image\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fspan>\n\u003Cspan class=\"line\">\u003Cspan style=\"color:var(--fude-code-foreground, var(--color-code-text))\">- Share the file\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003C\u002Fpre>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"198\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"10906\" data-fude-source-end=\"10917\">Save it as \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"10917\" data-fude-source-end=\"10935\">my-first-note.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"10935\" data-fude-source-end=\"10968\">, preferably with UTF-8 encoding.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"200\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"10970\" data-fude-source-end=\"11054\">On Mac, TextEdit creates rich-text documents by default in some configurations. Use \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11056\" data-fude-source-end=\"11080\">Format > Make Plain Text\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11082\" data-fude-source-end=\"11117\"> before saving. On Windows, choose \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11119\" data-fude-source-end=\"11128\">All Files\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11130\" data-fude-source-end=\"11177\"> in the save dialog if Notepad tries to append \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11177\" data-fude-source-end=\"11183\">.txt\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11183\" data-fude-source-end=\"11184\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"202\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11186\" data-fude-source-end=\"11308\">You can then open the file in a Markdown reader to check the output. To go further, the blog guides explain how to create \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-create-links-in-markdown\" data-fude-link-kind=\"unsupported\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11309\" data-fude-source-end=\"11323\">Markdown links\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11366\" data-fude-source-end=\"11372\">, add \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-add-images-in-markdown\" data-fude-link-kind=\"unsupported\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11373\" data-fude-source-end=\"11395\">local or remote images\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11436\" data-fude-source-end=\"11448\">, and build \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fmarkdown-table-complete-guide-with-examples\" data-fude-link-kind=\"unsupported\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11449\" data-fude-source-end=\"11464\">Markdown tables\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11519\" data-fude-source-end=\"11520\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"user-content-10-troubleshooting-common-problems\" data-fude-source-line=\"204\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11525\" data-fude-source-end=\"11560\">10. Troubleshooting common problems\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"user-content-i-see-hashes-and-asterisks\" data-fude-source-line=\"206\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11566\" data-fude-source-end=\"11594\">\"I see hashes and asterisks\"\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"208\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11596\" data-fude-source-end=\"11700\">You are looking at the file's source. Open it in a Markdown reader or enable your editor's preview mode.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"user-content-my-file-is-named-documentmdtxt\" data-fude-source-line=\"210\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11706\" data-fude-source-end=\"11740\">\"My file is named document.md.txt\"\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"212\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11742\" data-fude-source-end=\"11763\">The editor added the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11763\" data-fude-source-end=\"11769\">.txt\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11769\" data-fude-source-end=\"11857\"> extension. Make extensions visible in Finder or File Explorer, then rename the file to \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11857\" data-fude-source-end=\"11870\">document.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11870\" data-fude-source-end=\"11871\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"user-content-the-images-dont-appear\" data-fude-source-line=\"214\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11877\" data-fude-source-end=\"11902\">\"The images don't appear\"\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"216\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"11904\" data-fude-source-end=\"12013\">A Markdown file usually doesn't contain the images themselves. It contains their paths. If you move only the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"12013\" data-fude-source-end=\"12018\">.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"12018\" data-fude-source-end=\"12084\"> file without the related image folder, relative references break.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"218\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"12086\" data-fude-source-end=\"12135\">Check the path and filename casing. The guide to \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-add-images-in-markdown\" data-fude-link-kind=\"unsupported\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"12136\" data-fude-source-end=\"12154\">images in Markdown\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"12195\" data-fude-source-end=\"12267\"> covers relative paths, formats, and differences between Mac and GitHub.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"user-content-the-links-arent-clickable\" data-fude-source-line=\"220\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"12273\" data-fude-source-end=\"12301\">\"The links aren't clickable\"\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"222\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"12303\" data-fude-source-end=\"12506\">A plain-text editor doesn't necessarily turn links into interactive elements. Switch to preview mode or use a reader. If the link is still broken in the rendered output, check its syntax in the guide to \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-create-links-in-markdown\" data-fude-link-kind=\"unsupported\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"12507\" data-fude-source-end=\"12521\">Markdown links\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"12564\" data-fude-source-end=\"12565\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"user-content-accented-characters-look-wrong\" data-fude-source-line=\"224\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"12571\" data-fude-source-end=\"12603\">\"Accented characters look wrong\"\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"226\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"12605\" data-fude-source-end=\"12741\">The file probably uses a different encoding than the app expects. Save it again as UTF-8, the most portable encoding for Markdown files.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"user-content-the-output-changes-between-apps\" data-fude-source-line=\"228\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"12747\" data-fude-source-end=\"12780\">\"The output changes between apps\"\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"230\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"12782\" data-fude-source-end=\"13011\">Markdown has several variants. CommonMark defines a shared foundation, while GitHub Flavored Markdown adds features including tables, task lists, and strikethrough. Other tools support footnotes, Mermaid diagrams, or frontmatter.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"232\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"13013\" data-fude-source-end=\"13201\">The text remains readable everywhere, but extensions aren't always rendered in the same way. If your document needs to work in several tools, test it in each one and favor standard syntax.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"user-content-is-a-markdown-file-safe\" data-fude-source-line=\"234\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"13207\" data-fude-source-end=\"13231\">Is a Markdown file safe?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"236\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"13233\" data-fude-source-end=\"13235\">A \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"13235\" data-fude-source-end=\"13240\">.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"13240\" data-fude-source-end=\"13368\"> file is text: opening one doesn't launch a program the way an executable would. That doesn't mean you should ignore every risk.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"238\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"13370\" data-fude-source-end=\"13402\">A Markdown document can contain:\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul data-fude-source-line=\"240\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"13406\" data-fude-source-end=\"13434\">links to malicious websites;\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"13437\" data-fude-source-end=\"13497\">remote images that disclose a request to an external server;\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"13500\" data-fude-source-end=\"13536\">raw HTML, if the renderer allows it;\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"13539\" data-fude-source-end=\"13586\">dangerous instructions to copy into a terminal.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"245\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"13588\" data-fude-source-end=\"13788\">Use a renderer that filters untrusted HTML, check where links lead, and never run a command only because it appears in a README. The format is simple, but its content can still require your attention.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"user-content-11-quick-reference\" data-fude-source-line=\"247\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"13793\" data-fude-source-end=\"13812\">11. Quick reference\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Ctable data-fude-source-line=\"249\">\n\u003Cthead>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Cth>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"13816\" data-fude-source-end=\"13824\">Question\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fth>\n\u003Cth>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"13827\" data-fude-source-end=\"13839\">Short answer\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fth>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Fthead>\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"13858\" data-fude-source-end=\"13868\">What is a \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"13868\" data-fude-source-end=\"13873\">.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"13873\" data-fude-source-end=\"13879\"> file?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"13882\" data-fude-source-end=\"13926\">A text file structured with Markdown syntax.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"13931\" data-fude-source-end=\"13956\">What program can open it?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"13959\" data-fude-source-end=\"14018\">Any text editor; use a Markdown reader for rendered output.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14023\" data-fude-source-end=\"14056\">How do I display copied Markdown?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14059\" data-fude-source-end=\"14139\">Paste it into the free reader on Fude.md; rendering stays local in your browser.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14144\" data-fude-source-end=\"14164\">How do I read local \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14164\" data-fude-source-end=\"14169\">.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14169\" data-fude-source-end=\"14176\"> files?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14179\" data-fude-source-end=\"14231\">Open them in the Fude app to read and organize them.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14236\" data-fude-source-end=\"14258\">Can I open one on Mac?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14261\" data-fude-source-end=\"14327\">Yes, with TextEdit for the source or a reader for rendered output.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14332\" data-fude-source-end=\"14358\">Can I open one on Windows?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14361\" data-fude-source-end=\"14426\">Yes, with Notepad for the source or a reader for rendered output.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14431\" data-fude-source-end=\"14459\">Can I open one in a browser?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14462\" data-fude-source-end=\"14533\">Yes, but native rendering isn't guaranteed. Use GitHub or a web reader.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14538\" data-fude-source-end=\"14561\">Can I open one in Word?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14564\" data-fude-source-end=\"14617\">Often as text, but not as reliable rendered Markdown.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14622\" data-fude-source-end=\"14655\">Can I convert one to PDF or DOCX?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14658\" data-fude-source-end=\"14712\">Yes, with a conversion tool or a print\u002Fexport feature.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14717\" data-fude-source-end=\"14721\">Are \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14721\" data-fude-source-end=\"14726\">.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14726\" data-fude-source-end=\"14731\"> and \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14731\" data-fude-source-end=\"14742\">.markdown\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14742\" data-fude-source-end=\"14754\"> equivalent?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14757\" data-fude-source-end=\"14799\">They generally represent the same format; \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14799\" data-fude-source-end=\"14804\">.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14804\" data-fude-source-end=\"14820\"> is more common.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Chr data-fude-source-line=\"262\">\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"264\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"14829\" data-fude-source-end=\"15036\">A Markdown file isn't mysterious. It is a text document where a few characters provide structure. The main difficulty is choosing the right app: an editor shows the source, while a reader shows the document.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"266\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"15038\" data-fude-source-end=\"15310\">I find that distinction even more important with AI. We produce more and more notes, reports, and documentation in Markdown, yet we often continue reading them in interfaces designed for writing code. The file is portable; the reading experience still depends on the tool.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"268\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"15312\" data-fude-source-end=\"15359\">To check rendered content immediately, use the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fmarkdown-viewer\" data-fude-link-kind=\"unsupported\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"15360\" data-fude-source-end=\"15391\">free Markdown reader on Fude.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"15413\" data-fude-source-end=\"15479\">. And if you want an app designed to organize and read your local \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ccode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"15479\" data-fude-source-end=\"15484\">.md\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"15484\" data-fude-source-end=\"15522\"> files, you can join the private beta.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-fude-source-line=\"270\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"15524\" data-fude-source-end=\"15526\">📌 \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen#download\" data-fude-link-kind=\"unsupported\">\u003Cspan data-fude-source-start=\"15527\" data-fude-source-end=\"15540\">Download Fude\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>","\nYou've just downloaded a `README.md` file. You double-click it and, instead of a formatted document, you see hashes, asterisks, and brackets. The file isn't corrupted. Your app is simply showing its source instead of its rendered output.\n\nThis is the most common source of confusion with Markdown files: the same file can look like plain text in an editor, then become a properly structured document in a Markdown reader.\n\nIf you want to get straight to the point:\n\n- **to display copied Markdown**, paste it into the [free reader on Fude.md](\u002Fen\u002Fmarkdown-viewer);\n- **to read and organize local `.md` files**, use the Fude app;\n- **to edit their source**, open them in a text or code editor.\n\nIn this guide, I'll explain what a `.md` file actually contains, how to open one on Mac and Windows, and which tool to choose depending on whether you want to read, edit, or publish it.\n\n## 1. What is a Markdown file?\n\nA Markdown file is a text file that uses lightweight syntax to describe its structure. It usually has the `.md` extension, although you may also see `.markdown`.\n\nHere is what its raw content looks like:\n\n```markdown\n# Installation guide\n\nWelcome to the project documentation.\n\n## Prerequisites\n\n- Node.js 24\n- pnpm\n- A terminal\n\nRead the [full documentation](https:\u002F\u002Fexample.com) before you begin.\n```\n\nIn a text editor, you see those exact characters. In a Markdown reader, the first `#` becomes a large heading, the hyphens become a list, and the text inside brackets becomes a clickable link.\n\nThe important point is that formatting isn't stored the way it is in a Word file. A `.docx` file contains a complex internal structure compressed together with its styles and metadata. A `.md` file remains readable text. The software that opens it interprets the Markdown characters and builds the visual output.\n\nThat makes the format useful for storing and sharing content. Even without a specialized app, you can always open the file and read what it contains.\n\n## 2. What are .md files used for?\n\nThe best-known Markdown file is probably `README.md`. On GitHub, it introduces a project, explains how to install it, and documents how it works. But the format is no longer limited to code repositories.\n\nYou will find `.md` files in many different contexts:\n\n- technical documentation and knowledge bases;\n- personal notes and personal knowledge management systems;\n- blogs built with Nuxt Content, Astro, Hugo, or Jekyll;\n- product specs, meeting notes, and project journals;\n- answers generated by ChatGPT, Claude, and other AI assistants;\n- instruction files used by development agents.\n\nThis adoption isn't accidental. Markdown preserves the document's structure without making the raw text painful to read. I explore that relationship in more detail in the article about [why AI responds in Markdown](\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fwhy-ai-responds-in-markdown).\n\nA `.md` file can also contain [links](\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-create-links-in-markdown), [images](\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-add-images-in-markdown), [tables](\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fmarkdown-table-complete-guide-with-examples), code blocks, and horizontal rules. The available features still depend on the renderer you use.\n\n## 3. Which tool should you use to open a Markdown file?\n\nTechnically, almost any text editor can open a Markdown file. But \"open\" can describe two very different results.\n\n| Your goal | Type of tool | What you see |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Read the content quickly | Text editor | The source with its Markdown characters |\n| Read a formatted document | Markdown reader | Rendered headings, lists, links, and images |\n| Modify the file | Markdown editor | The source, often with a preview |\n| Work on technical documentation | Code editor | The source, syntax highlighting, and a separate preview |\n| Read a public README | GitHub or GitLab | The document rendered by the platform |\n\nIf you see `# Heading` instead of a visual heading, your file is open. You are simply looking at source mode.\n\nIt is a bit like opening a web page in a code editor instead of a browser. The file is the same, but the tool isn't showing you the same layer.\n\n### A Markdown reader for reading\n\nA reader prioritizes the rendered output: typography, line length, navigation between sections, tables, images, and code blocks. It hides the syntax so you can focus on the content.\n\nIt is the right choice when you want to:\n\n- review documentation;\n- read long notes;\n- go through answers produced by an AI;\n- present a document to someone who doesn't need to edit it.\n\n### A Markdown editor for writing\n\nAn editor prioritizes input. It displays the syntax, often provides autocomplete, and may include a live preview.\n\nIt is the right choice when you want to:\n\n- write or correct the document;\n- control links and image paths precisely;\n- work with Git;\n- write documentation inside a code project.\n\nSome tools try to do both. That works well for quick edits, but an editor interface is rarely as comfortable as a dedicated reading mode.\n\n## 4. Reading Markdown with Fude: two needs, two tools\n\nFude gives you two ways to read Markdown. They use the same rendering engine, but they start with different kinds of content.\n\n### Display copied Markdown for free on Fude.md\n\nHave you copied a ChatGPT response, a README excerpt, or the content of a note? The [free Markdown reader on Fude.md](\u002Fen\u002Fmarkdown-viewer) is the shortest path:\n\n1. Paste the Markdown into the left panel.\n2. The formatted preview appears immediately on the right.\n3. Close the tab when you're done.\n\nThe tool works without an account or a file upload. Rendering happens locally in your browser: the content you paste never leaves the tab and isn't stored by Fude. Among other features, it supports tables, syntax-highlighted code blocks, and Mermaid diagrams.\n\nThis option is designed for one-off content that is already on your clipboard. There is nothing to install, and you don't have to send your text to a remote conversion service.\n\n### Open and read .md files with the Fude app\n\nIf your Markdown already exists as files on your drive, the Fude app serves a different need. It opens `.md` files as documents with a reading-focused layout, then lets you organize them into projects.\n\nYou no longer have to copy content into a web page manually. Your local files remain the source of truth, and you read them directly from your library. This is better suited to documentation folders, personal notes, specifications, and collections of AI-generated answers that you revisit regularly.\n\nThat is why I am building [Fude as a Markdown reader centered on reading](\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Ffude-markdown-reader-ai-era), rather than another code editor.\n\nThe distinction is simple:\n\n- **copied Markdown you want to check quickly**: use the free reader on Fude.md;\n- **local Markdown files you want to read and organize**: use the Fude app.\n\n## 5. How to open a .md file on Mac with a pre-installed app\n\nOn macOS, you can read the source of a Markdown file with TextEdit:\n\n1. Right-click the `.md` file in Finder.\n2. Choose **Open With**.\n3. Select **TextEdit**.\n\nTextEdit displays the text and its formatting characters. That is enough to inspect the content or correct a sentence, but it isn't a true reading view.\n\nTo see the rendered document, open it with a Markdown reader. Headings regain their hierarchy, tables become readable, and images appear in place. That is the difference between reading the document's source code and reading the document itself.\n\nIf you are a developer, Visual Studio Code provides both views:\n\n1. Open the `.md` file in VS Code.\n2. Press `Shift + Cmd + V` to open the preview.\n3. Use `Cmd + K`, then `V`, to keep the source and preview side by side.\n\nTo associate every `.md` file with the same app on Mac, select a file in Finder, open **Get Info**, choose the app under **Open with**, then click **Change All**.\n\n## 6. How to open a .md file on Windows with a pre-installed app\n\nWindows can open a Markdown file with Notepad:\n\n1. Right-click the file.\n2. Select **Open with**.\n3. Choose **Notepad**.\n\nAgain, you will see the source. Notepad understands the text, but it doesn't turn Markdown syntax into a formatted document.\n\nFor a formatted view, use a Markdown reader or an editor with a preview mode. In Visual Studio Code, open the file and use `Ctrl + Shift + V` to display the rendered output. You can also use `Ctrl + K`, then `V`, to show the preview next to the source.\n\nIf Windows adds `.txt` to the filename, make sure file extensions are visible in File Explorer. A file named `notes.md.txt` is still a regular text file as far as the system is concerned. Rename it to `notes.md` so Markdown apps can recognize it correctly.\n\n## 7. Can you open a Markdown file in a browser?\n\nA browser can display text, but it doesn't consistently render local Markdown files. Depending on the browser and its configuration, a `.md` file may appear as plain text, download automatically, or fail to open as expected.\n\nPlatforms such as GitHub handle the problem on the server. When you open a `.md` file in a repository, GitHub parses its syntax and displays the rendered document. You can then switch to the source view when needed.\n\nFor a one-off preview, you can also copy the content into the [free Markdown reader on Fude.md](\u002Fen\u002Fmarkdown-viewer). Unlike a viewer that asks for the complete file, this tool starts with the text you paste and renders it directly in the tab.\n\nBe careful with viewers that ask you to upload the file. A public README isn't particularly sensitive. A private note, product specification, or document containing confidential information shouldn't be sent to a service unless you understand its privacy and data-retention policies.\n\n## 8. Can you open a .md file in Word?\n\nWord may be able to open the text inside a `.md` file, but you shouldn't expect complete and consistent Markdown rendering. Depending on the version, platform, and opening method, you may get raw text or a document whose formatting hasn't been interpreted as expected.\n\nIf you only need to read or correct the text, a text editor is enough. If you need to deliver a Word document, convert the Markdown to `.docx` with an appropriate tool, then check the result: complex tables, code blocks, notes, and images often need adjustments.\n\nRenaming `report.md` to `report.docx` doesn't convert the file. It only changes the extension. The content remains Markdown, and Word may treat the file as invalid.\n\nThe same rule applies to PDF: renaming the file doesn't create a PDF. You first need to render the Markdown, then print or export it to the format you need.\n\n## 9. How to create a Markdown file\n\nYou don't need specialized software to create a `.md` file. Any editor that can save plain text will work.\n\nCreate a new file with this content:\n\n```markdown\n# My first note\n\nHere is a paragraph with some **bold text**.\n\n## To do\n\n- Read the documentation\n- Add an image\n- Share the file\n```\n\nSave it as `my-first-note.md`, preferably with UTF-8 encoding.\n\nOn Mac, TextEdit creates rich-text documents by default in some configurations. Use **Format > Make Plain Text** before saving. On Windows, choose **All Files** in the save dialog if Notepad tries to append `.txt`.\n\nYou can then open the file in a Markdown reader to check the output. To go further, the blog guides explain how to create [Markdown links](\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-create-links-in-markdown), add [local or remote images](\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-add-images-in-markdown), and build [Markdown tables](\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fmarkdown-table-complete-guide-with-examples).\n\n## 10. Troubleshooting common problems\n\n### \"I see hashes and asterisks\"\n\nYou are looking at the file's source. Open it in a Markdown reader or enable your editor's preview mode.\n\n### \"My file is named document.md.txt\"\n\nThe editor added the `.txt` extension. Make extensions visible in Finder or File Explorer, then rename the file to `document.md`.\n\n### \"The images don't appear\"\n\nA Markdown file usually doesn't contain the images themselves. It contains their paths. If you move only the `.md` file without the related image folder, relative references break.\n\nCheck the path and filename casing. The guide to [images in Markdown](\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-add-images-in-markdown) covers relative paths, formats, and differences between Mac and GitHub.\n\n### \"The links aren't clickable\"\n\nA plain-text editor doesn't necessarily turn links into interactive elements. Switch to preview mode or use a reader. If the link is still broken in the rendered output, check its syntax in the guide to [Markdown links](\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-create-links-in-markdown).\n\n### \"Accented characters look wrong\"\n\nThe file probably uses a different encoding than the app expects. Save it again as UTF-8, the most portable encoding for Markdown files.\n\n### \"The output changes between apps\"\n\nMarkdown has several variants. CommonMark defines a shared foundation, while GitHub Flavored Markdown adds features including tables, task lists, and strikethrough. Other tools support footnotes, Mermaid diagrams, or frontmatter.\n\nThe text remains readable everywhere, but extensions aren't always rendered in the same way. If your document needs to work in several tools, test it in each one and favor standard syntax.\n\n### Is a Markdown file safe?\n\nA `.md` file is text: opening one doesn't launch a program the way an executable would. That doesn't mean you should ignore every risk.\n\nA Markdown document can contain:\n\n- links to malicious websites;\n- remote images that disclose a request to an external server;\n- raw HTML, if the renderer allows it;\n- dangerous instructions to copy into a terminal.\n\nUse a renderer that filters untrusted HTML, check where links lead, and never run a command only because it appears in a README. The format is simple, but its content can still require your attention.\n\n## 11. Quick reference\n\n| Question | Short answer |\n| --- | --- |\n| What is a `.md` file? | A text file structured with Markdown syntax. |\n| What program can open it? | Any text editor; use a Markdown reader for rendered output. |\n| How do I display copied Markdown? | Paste it into the free reader on Fude.md; rendering stays local in your browser. |\n| How do I read local `.md` files? | Open them in the Fude app to read and organize them. |\n| Can I open one on Mac? | Yes, with TextEdit for the source or a reader for rendered output. |\n| Can I open one on Windows? | Yes, with Notepad for the source or a reader for rendered output. |\n| Can I open one in a browser? | Yes, but native rendering isn't guaranteed. Use GitHub or a web reader. |\n| Can I open one in Word? | Often as text, but not as reliable rendered Markdown. |\n| Can I convert one to PDF or DOCX? | Yes, with a conversion tool or a print\u002Fexport feature. |\n| Are `.md` and `.markdown` equivalent? | They generally represent the same format; `.md` is more common. |\n\n---\n\nA Markdown file isn't mysterious. It is a text document where a few characters provide structure. The main difficulty is choosing the right app: an editor shows the source, while a reader shows the document.\n\nI find that distinction even more important with AI. We produce more and more notes, reports, and documentation in Markdown, yet we often continue reading them in interfaces designed for writing code. The file is portable; the reading experience still depends on the tool.\n\nTo check rendered content immediately, use the [free Markdown reader on Fude.md](\u002Fen\u002Fmarkdown-viewer). And if you want an app designed to organize and read your local `.md` files, you can join the private beta.\n\n📌 [Download Fude](\u002Fen#download)\n",[1022,1025],{"locale":1023,"slug":1024},"en","what-is-markdown-file-how-to-open",{"locale":1026,"slug":1027},"fr","fichier-markdown-comment-ouvrir",{"title":1029,"path":233,"stem":1030,"description":1031,"children":-1},"How to Add Images in Markdown","en\u002Fblog\u002F6.how-to-add-images-in-markdown","Learn how to add images in Markdown, write useful alt text, use relative paths, resize images, add captions, and handle GitHub, Obsidian, and Fude-specific behavior.",1784584891099]