Open .md files on Mac
Open .md files as documents, not source code.
To open a Markdown file on Mac, you can read the raw source in a text editor, use an editor preview, or open it in a dedicated Markdown viewer. Imark renders the file immediately and can become the default app for .md files.
macOS 14+ · 5.8 MB
Updated
Three ways to open a Markdown file
The best method depends on whether you want to edit the syntax or read the rendered result.
TextEdit
Opens the raw plain text. It is quick, but you see hashes, asterisks, pipes, and code fences.
A code editor preview
VS Code, Cursor, and similar editors can place a rendered preview beside the source while you write.
A Markdown viewer
Imark opens the file as a clean document, follows external edits, and keeps the editor out of the reading experience.
Make Imark the default app for .md files
Select a Markdown file in Finder and press Command-I. Under Open with, choose Imark, then click Change All. Future .md files open in Imark when you double-click them.
Keep writing in your preferred editor
Imark is a reader, so it does not replace Cursor, VS Code, Zed, or your terminal editor. Leave the document open in Imark while you write elsewhere; the rendered view follows each save and keeps your reading position.
Read technical Markdown accurately
GitHub-flavored tables, task lists, syntax-highlighted code, Mermaid diagrams, KaTeX maths, local images, outlines, find, tabs, and PDF printing are available in one Mac-focused viewer.
Questions
What people want to know.
What is an .md file?
An .md file is a plain-text document written with Markdown syntax. The source remains readable, and a Markdown renderer turns the syntax into headings, lists, links, tables, and other formatting.
Can Preview open Markdown files on Mac?
Apple Preview does not provide a full Markdown renderer. You can use a dedicated viewer or a Finder Quick Look extension instead.
Will Imark change my Markdown file?
Reading does not change the file. Imark writes only when you add an Imark comment, and that note is stored as an HTML comment inside the document.
Keep exploring Imark
Markdown Quick Look for Mac
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Annotate Markdown Files with Inline Comments
Select a phrase, add a comment, and keep the note inside the Markdown file. Imark annotations travel with the document without a cloud service.
Read the guideChoose a Markdown app
Best Markdown Viewer for Mac: What to Look For
Choose the best Markdown viewer for Mac by comparing reading, editing, Quick Look, Mermaid, maths, privacy, live reload, and annotation workflows.
Read the guideRead Markdown like a document.
Download Imark for a focused Markdown viewer built for Mac, Finder, and local files.
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