Writer, the macOS Markdown editor built specifically for Vim enthusiasts and developers, just got a major upgrade. Version 2.0 isn’t just a patch; it’s a complete reimagining of the “minimalist workspace.”
Built with love by Emran Hossain, Writer continues to bridge the gap between high-speed coding workflows and clean, disposable note-taking.
Download View Project on Github
Write with AI (Open-Source Power) #
Writing documentation shouldn’t be a chore. With the new Write with AI mode, you can leverage the power of Open-router and various open-source LLMs.
Cost-Effective: Use your own API keys to access powerful models for free or at cost.
The Future: While currently focused on generating new content, upcoming updates will include “Contextual Awareness,” allowing the AI to edit, subtract, or refine your existing notes.
Long-Awaited: File Search #
Better late than never! You can now instantly navigate your “brain dumps” with a robust file search, making those “disposable” notes easy to retrieve when they suddenly become important.
A Fresh Coat of Paint #
The UI has been completely redesigned. I’ve introduced a new color scheme and UI components that are optimized for long-form writing. Whether you prefer Light or Dark mode, the experience is now much more “soothing for the eye.”
🛠 Why Use Writer? #
Writer isn’t trying to be a bloated “second brain” app. It’s built for the Vim enthusiast who needs a fast, LSP-equipped environment for:
DSA/LeetCode Practice: Use built-in code completions and syntax highlighting.
Disposable Notes: Perfect for quick thoughts that don’t need a permanent home in high-level documentation.
Technical Documentation: Seamlessly mix Markdown, code blocks, and diagrams.
“Most note-taking apps don’t fit into what I do as a developer. I made a minimal markdown writer that is suitable for disposable work, powered by Vim motions.” — Emran Hossain
What Writer Can Become: The “Agent Command Center” #
If you lean into this connection, Writer evolves from a “disposable note app” into a Strategic Instruction Layer.
The “Prompt-as-File” Workflow #
Instead of typing long prompts into a chat box every time, you write them in Writer. Because Writer has Vim motions and LSP, you can refactor your AI instructions with the same precision you use to refactor code.
From “Disposable Notes” to “Context Chunks” #
Since you mentioned Writer is for “brain dumps,” these are actually the most valuable data points for a personal AI.
Future Vision: Imagine an “Export to Context” button where your scattered Markdown notes are automatically indexed for your local LLM or Agent, allowing it to “know” your workflow without you ever having to explain it.
Mermaid.js as AI Visual Logic #
AI agents are great at writing code but sometimes struggle with complex logic flows. By having Mermaid.js built-in, you can ask the AI: “Analyze my logic in this diagram and find the bottleneck.” Writer then becomes a visual debugger for your thoughts.