What is Markdown Lab?
Markdown is a lightweight markup language created by John Gruber in 2004. It allows you to write formatted text using plain text syntax that is easy to read and write. Markdown is widely used for documentation (README files), content management systems, note-taking apps, and static site generators. Markdown Lab provides a real-time editor with live preview, supporting GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) including tables, task lists, syntax highlighting, and more.
Why Use This Tool?
Writing documentation and content in Markdown requires instant feedback to ensure formatting is correct. Common needs include: previewing how README files will render on GitHub, converting Markdown to HTML for web publishing, testing table layouts and code blocks, and creating exportable documents. Markdown Lab provides real-time preview as you type, eliminating the commit-and-check workflow for GitHub README files and ensuring your Markdown renders exactly as intended.
How to Use Markdown Lab
- Type or paste Markdown in the left editor pane
- See live HTML preview updating in real-time on the right
- Use toolbar buttons for common formatting (bold, italic, links, code)
- Insert tables, images, and code blocks with syntax templates
- Export as HTML, copy rendered content, or download as Markdown file
- Toggle between split view, editor only, or preview only modes
Features
- Real-time live preview with instant rendering
- GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) support
- Syntax highlighting for 100+ programming languages
- Table editor with visual table creation
- Task list support with clickable checkboxes
- Auto-linking URLs and email addresses
- Emoji support with :shortcode: syntax
- HTML export with embedded styles
- Dark mode for comfortable editing
Common Use Cases
- Documentation: Write and preview README files before committing
- Blogging: Draft blog posts with live formatting preview
- Note-taking: Create structured notes with headers and lists
- Technical Writing: Author documentation with code examples
- Content Creation: Prepare content for CMS platforms like Ghost or Hugo
Tips & Best Practices
- ✓ Use reference-style links [text][ref] for cleaner source when linking multiple times
- ✓ Indent code blocks with 4 spaces or use triple backticks with language identifier
- ✓ GitHub supports task lists: - [ ] unchecked, - [x] checked
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✓ Use and
HTML tags for collapsible sections on GitHub
How It Compares to Alternatives
StackEdit and Dillinger are popular online Markdown editors but require accounts for cloud sync. Markdown Lab works instantly with no signup, supports offline use, and never uploads your content. Unlike VS Code's preview, Markdown Lab provides a dedicated distraction-free writing environment with export options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I preview Markdown online?
Type or paste Markdown in the editor and see live HTML preview on the right. Supports GitHub Flavored Markdown including tables, task lists, and syntax highlighting.
Can I export Markdown to HTML?
Click "Export HTML" to download your rendered Markdown as a standalone HTML file with embedded styles. Perfect for documentation or email content.
Does it support code syntax highlighting?
Yes! Wrap code in triple backticks with a language identifier (```javascript) and it renders with syntax highlighting for 100+ programming languages.
Ready to Get Started?
Use Markdown Lab for free - no registration required.
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