Show HN: I spent 10 months building a Markdown editor for Mac, iOS and web
A new Markdown editor, 'Beauty', aims to hit the sweet spot between simplicity and powerful features for Mac, iOS, and web users, receiving enthusiastic praise from the HN community for its polished WYSIWYG experience. Built over 10 months, its technical implementation of a custom contenteditable editor and local file storage addresses common frustrations with existing note-taking applications. The developer's transparent approach to its development and lack of immediate monetization strategy also resonated positively with users.
The Lowdown
Thiago Peres launched 'Beauty', a new Markdown editor that promises a 'Greco-Roman' aesthetic and a powerful, local-first writing experience across Mac, iOS, and the web. Developed over 10 months, Beauty aims to solve common frustrations with existing note-taking apps by offering a clean, live-rendering interface where the markdown looks finished as you type.
- Live Rendering: Markdown, including complex elements like tables (draggable/resizable), KaTeX math, and Mermaid diagrams, renders in place as you type.
- Local-First Storage: Notes are stored as plain
.mdfiles in a folder, allowing access and editing with other applications. Each note retains 200 versions. - Cross-Platform & Sync: Available on Mac, iPhone, and in the browser (without an account). It features peer-to-peer sync over WebRTC for shared notes, where the server only handles room IDs.
- Technical Endeavor: The author highlighted the significant effort (around 1,000 commits) in building a custom
contenteditableeditor without letting the browser restructure the document, promising to open-source novel approaches. - Revenue Model: The editor is free with no ads; an optional subscription provides iCloud sync.
Beauty stands out by prioritizing a seamless writing experience, local file control, and a meticulously crafted UI, aiming to be a refreshingly straightforward yet powerful tool for users.
The Gossip
Praises and Pleasurable Prose
Commenters overwhelmingly lauded 'Beauty' for its clean UI, intuitive writing experience, and its ability to strike a balance between simplicity and powerful features. Many expressed that it successfully addressed shortcomings found in popular alternatives like Apple Notes, Notion, and Obsidian, with one user even joking about a 'Nobel Prize' for getting notes 'right'. The design and smooth interaction were frequently highlighted as key strengths.
Monetization Musings
A common thread in the discussion revolved around the app's revenue model and sustainability. Users inquired about the business strategy, to which the author candidly responded that 'Beauty' is primarily a 'creative outlet and a sandbox to try ideas.' An optional in-app purchase for iCloud sync was added more as a test than a primary income stream, with the author noting that the lack of strict commercial constraints might ironically lead to longer-term development.
Feature Fanfare
Early users quickly engaged with the editor, offering initial impressions and suggesting potential enhancements. While appreciating features like flowchart support and the overall design, some comments included requests for more customization, such as additional color options for the interface, and new elements like callouts with customizable colors. These suggestions indicate a high level of user engagement and interest in the product's future development.