How do I enter and exit the edit mode?

Press F3 in the preview view to enter the built-in editor (split view: edit on the left, live preview on the right). Press F3 again to exit edit mode. You can also choose 'Edit with built-in editor' from the preview menu.

Where are pasted images saved in edit mode?

Press Ctrl+V in edit mode to paste an image or file from the clipboard. The file is saved to a hidden folder named .__assets/ next to the .md file, and a relative path is inserted into the document.

mdpeek Help | Shortcuts, Edit Mode, Tips

Q: How do I open .md files by double-clicking?

Installing mdpeek automatically associates .md files with mdpeek. If it doesn't work, right-click the .md file → Open with → Choose another app → select mdpeek and check 'Always use this app to open .md files'.

Q: Can mdpeek export a document to PDF?

Yes. Open the document and choose 'Export PDF' from the preview menu to export the current document as a PDF file.

Quick Start

Start in three steps

1

Download & install

Download the mdpeek installer (~2 MB) and run it. The setup automatically associates .md files.

2

Double-click any .md file

Double-click a Markdown file and read it like a web page, fully rendered with headings, lists, and tables.

3

Press F3 to edit

Press F3 in reading view to open the built-in editor — type on the left, live preview on the right. Save with Ctrl+S.

🔗File association not working?

If double-clicking a .md file still doesn't open mdpeek, set it manually: right-click the .md file → Open with → Choose another app → select mdpeek and check “Always use this app to open .md files”. You can also use the “file association” button at the bottom-right of the preview. See how to open .md files.

Preview

Preview features & shortcuts

Open & export

Ctrl+O opens a Markdown file. From the top-right menu you can export PDF or favorite the current document.

Reading comfort

Ctrl+↑/Ctrl+↓ adjust font size; Alt+↑/Alt+↓ adjust the content column width.

Theme & color scheme

Switch between dark and light themes in one click, or pick from several Markdown color schemes.

Editing entries

F3 opens the built-in editor; F4 opens the file in an external editor (e.g. VS Code, configurable in settings).

Built-in editor

Edit mode (F3) & full shortcut list

Press F3 for a split view: write Markdown on the left, live preview on the right, with synced scrolling. Press F3 again to exit.

Shortcut	Action	Description
Ctrl+T	Insert table	Insert a Markdown table skeleton
Ctrl+L	Insert link	Insert [text](url) link syntax
Ctrl+I	Insert image	Insert ![alt](path) image syntax
Ctrl+V	Paste image/attachment	Paste a clipboard image or file, saved into the hidden .__assets/ folder
Ctrl+S	Save	Save the document; only refreshes the preview, keeps your editing state
Tab	Expand snippet / insert indent	Type table, link or img and press Tab to expand
Enter	Continue list / indent	Press Enter inside a list item to auto-continue numbering or bullets
F3	Exit edit mode	Return to the normal preview layout

🖼️Paste images / attachments

In edit mode, press Ctrl+V to paste a screenshot or file from the clipboard. It is saved to the hidden .__assets/ folder next to the .md file, and a relative path is inserted. Copy, zip, or share the folder — images travel with the document.

⚡Snippet completion

Type table, link or img and press Tab to expand the Markdown snippet. Inside a list item, Enter auto-continues the list.

FAQ

You may also want to know

How do I open .md files by double-clicking?

Installing mdpeek automatically associates .md files. If it doesn't work, right-click the .md file → Open with → Choose another app → select mdpeek and check “Always use this app”. You can also use the file-association button at the bottom-right of the preview. See how to open .md files.

Why do my .md files open full of # symbols?

That happens when you open the file with a plain-text editor like Notepad — it doesn't render Markdown. Use mdpeek, VS Code preview, Typora, or a similar tool to see the formatted result. See why .md files show symbols.

Can I export to PDF or favorite a document?

Yes. Choose “Export PDF” from the preview menu to export the current document, or “Favorite” to pin it to your favorites for quick access later.

Are my documents uploaded to a server?

No. mdpeek runs entirely locally — all Markdown rendering happens on your machine and file contents are never uploaded, so it's safe for private documents.

More Guides

Start reading Markdown with mdpeek

A 2 MB installer — one-click setup, zero configuration, runs locally. Double-click any .md file to read and edit.

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mdpeek Help