Markdown, at your fingertips.
Write directly in Markdown with native text selection, Find, familiar formatting shortcuts, and Undo. The source stays yours.
A quieter place
to write.
A native Markdown editor for Mac. Your words, your local files, and a clear view of what you’re creating.
macOS 14 or later · Apple silicon & Intel
Room for your next idea.
From the first outline to the final paragraph, keep your writing close and the tools within reach.
A workspace that feels like home.
Open a real folder. Move between document tabs, jump to a heading, or find a phrase across your workspace.
See the shape of your words.
Switch between source, split view, and preview. Tables, highlighted code, math, and Mermaid diagrams bring a document into focus.
Ordinary files. Lasting freedom.
Save standard Markdown files in folders you choose. Keep working with Finder, Git, and the other tools you already use.
Give your images a place.
Paste or drag images into local assets. Inspect references and run upload, download, or migration tasks with providers you configure.
Settle into your own rhythm.
Choose light, dark, or system appearance, with six accent options. The editor and preview share a coordinated palette.
Markdown with room to grow.
CommonMark and GitHub Flavored Markdown form the foundation. Choose Standard, GitHub, or Typora profiles for the extensions your document needs.
Everyday writing
- Headings & paragraphs
- Lists & task lists
- Block quotes
- Bold, italic & strikethrough
- Links & images
Technical documents
- Fenced & inline code
- Tables
- Front Matter recognition
- Math with KaTeX
- Mermaid diagrams
Profile extensions
- Footnotes & GitHub alerts
- Known emoji shortcodes
- Bare URL links
- Highlight, subscript & superscript
- Table of contents
Extensions vary by profile. Preview supports a sanitized subset of HTML; full compatibility with other editors is not promised. Front Matter is recognized in the source and omitted from preview.
A simple start.
The first release puts writing first. Commercial features will follow in a separate version.
V1 · First release
Free
Planned for the first release
- No Asterdown account
- No subscription in V1
- No payment or trial timer in V1
macOS 14 or later · Apple silicon & Intel
Looking ahead to V2
The planned model is a 15-day full trial, followed by a one-time purchase with no subscription. This is a future plan, not a trial or purchase available today. Final regional prices will appear in the App Store.
Distribution is planned through the Mac App Store, outside the mainland China storefront. A public download link has not yet been announced.
Pricing & availabilityA few things to know.
Straight answers before you start.
What is Asterdown?
Asterdown is a native Markdown editor for macOS, built around source editing, local folder workspaces, and a separate rich preview.
Which Macs are supported?
The app targets macOS 14 or later, with a Universal build for Apple silicon and Intel. There is no iOS, Windows, or web editor in the current product.
Where are my files stored?
In the files and folders you open on your Mac. Asterdown uses your folder permission and keeps Markdown files as the source of truth. It does not move your documents into a private vault.
Can I use these files in another editor?
Yes. Documents are ordinary Markdown files. Rendering of profile-specific extensions can vary between editors.
Do I need an account or a subscription?
The current app has no Asterdown account or payment system. V1 is planned as free; the future V2 plan is a trial and a one-time purchase, without a subscription.
Does it work offline?
Local editing and bundled code highlighting, math, and Mermaid preview work offline. Remote images and transfers to configured image providers need a connection.
Are changes saved automatically?
Save with Command-S. Closing an edited document asks you to save, discard, or cancel. The current app does not provide autosave or recovery of unsaved text after a crash.
Which languages are available?
English, 简体中文, 繁體中文, 日本語, and 한국어. The app can follow your system language or use a language you select.
How can I get help?
The official Support page provides common answers and guidance for preparing a bug report or feature request.