Markdown Viewer Linux| 7 Powerful Tools You Must Try Today



Markdown Viewer Linux| Markdown is a straightforward markup language that allows you to format text with simple typing. It is often used for documentation, README files, and even blogs.



While Markdown is helpful, sometimes you need to control how it is viewed and rendered, which can be especially difficult on Linux systems. This guide will provide a complete overview of Markdown viewers on Linux systems, from basic outlines to advanced concepts.



What is Markdown?



A Brief Introduction



Markdown is a formatting language that enables users to write using an easy-to-read and easy-to-write syntactic structure. It can be transformed into HTML, which makes it ideal for websites, blogs, and other content management systems.



One of Markdown's main benefits is that, unlike other markup languages like HTML, it is structured to be readable in its raw form.



For example, here’s how you might write a heading in Markdown:



markdownCopyEdit# This is a Heading


And a list:



markdownCopyEdit- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3


This simplicity makes Markdown incredibly popular among developers and writers.



 



Why Do You Need a Markdown Viewer?



While Markdown is easy to write and manage, viewing it in its raw form on a Linux terminal or a text editor is often not visually appealing. A Markdown viewer provides a graphical interface to render the plain text into a formatted output, similar to how it would appear on a website.



There are several reasons why you might need a Markdown viewer:




  1. Easier Reading: Viewing raw Markdown syntax can be confusing, especially for long documents. A viewer renders it in a human-readable format.


  2. Faster Workflow: Instead of switching between a text editor and a browser, you can use a Markdown viewer to see how your document will look immediately.


  3. Error Checking: A Markdown viewer helps you catch formatting issues that may not be apparent in the raw text.


  4. Customization: Many Markdown viewers allow customization of themes and rendering options, making them suitable for different needs and preferences.



Must read my this post: Free Markdown Viewer Mac| 7 Powerful Tools You Must Try



Typora




Short Description




Typora is one of the most popular Markdown editors and viewers. It has a clean, distraction-free interface that allows you to view and edit your Markdown documents simultaneously. Typora's "What You See Is What You Get" (WYSIWYG) editing feature renders the document as you type.



Key Features:



Live Preview: See a rendered version of your Markdown as you type.



Support for standard Markdown features: tables, footnotes, math, diagrams, and more.



Themes: Typora has built-in themes and allows you to create custom themes.



Cross-platform: Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.



How to Install Typora on Linux:




  1. Download the .deb or .rpm package from Typora’s official website.


  2. For Ubuntu/Debian-based distributions, use the following command to install:bashCopyEditsudo dpkg -i typora.deb


  3. For Fedora or CentOS, use:bashCopyEditsudo rpm -i typora.rpm



Conclusion



Typora is a powerful, feature-rich Markdown viewer and editor that is easy to use. It is an excellent choice for Linux users.






Mark Text



Overview



Mark Text is another popular Markdown editor focusing on simplicity and ease of use. It features a side-by-side Markdown editor and live preview, which is great for users who need to see the rendered output while editing the document.



Key Features:




  • Multi-Platform: Available on Linux, macOS, and Windows.


  • Instant Preview: Markdown rendering happens instantly in the right panel.


  • Support for Markdown Extensions: It supports footnotes, math blocks, diagrams, etc.


  • Open Source: Mark Text is free and open-source, making it an excellent choice for Linux users who prefer open-source software.



How to Install Mark Text on Linux:




  1. Download the .AppImage or .deb file from the official GitHub page.


  2. For .AppImage, make it executable with the following command:bashCopyEditchmod +x marktext-x.x.x-x.AppImage


  3. For .deb, install it via:bashCopyEditsudo dpkg -i marktext.deb



Conclusion



Mark Text is a versatile and easy-to-use Markdown viewer that stands out due to its simplicity and open-source nature.






Vim with Markdown Plugin



Overview



For users who prefer terminal-based solutions, Vim is a fantastic option for viewing Markdown files. You can turn Vim into a powerful Markdown viewer and editor with the right plugin.



Key Features:




  • Lightweight: Vim runs directly in the terminal, so it’s quick and efficient.


  • Customizable: You can install plugins to extend Vim’s functionality.


  • Syntax Highlighting: With the Markdown plugin, Vim highlights syntax for better readability.



How to Set Up Vim for Markdown:




  1. Install the necessary plugin. For instance, using vim-markdown:bashCopyEditgit clone https://github.com/preservim/vim-markdown.git ~/.vim/pack/plugins/start/vim-markdown


  2. You can also install a live preview plugin like Glow for a more graphical approach:bashCopyEditsudo apt install glow


  3. Open your Markdown file in Vim and view it with the help of plugins.



Conclusion



Vim with Markdown plugins is perfect for advanced users who prefer a terminal-based solution. It’s lightweight, customizable, and fast.






Glow



Overview



Glow is a terminal-based Markdown viewer that renders Markdown documents in the terminal. Its clean and readable output makes it ideal for users who want to avoid graphical applications.



Key Features:




  • Terminal-based: View Markdown directly in the terminal.


  • Interactive Navigation: This allows you to scroll through the document with ease.


  • Fast Rendering: It’s quick and lightweight.


  • Customizable Themes: Glow supports various themes for customization.



How to Install Glow:




  1. On Ubuntu, install Glow using the package manage:bashCopyEditsudo apt install glow


  2. Once installed, you can view a Markdown file by running bashCopyEditglow filename.md



Conclusion



Glow is a perfect option for terminal users who want a simple and efficient way to view Markdown documents without switching to a graphical environment.






Remarkable



Overview



Remarkable is a feature-packed, open-source Markdown editor and viewer for Linux. Its clean interface, multiple themes, and live preview make it especially useful for writing and reviewing long-form documents.



Key Features:




  • Live Preview: See the rendered output in real time.


  • Cross-Platform: Available on Linux, macOS, and Windows.


  • Syntax Highlighting: Help identify different parts of the document.


  • Export Options: Export your document to PDF, HTML, or other formats.



How to Install Remarkable:




  1. Download the .deb package from the Remarkable website.


  2. IPleaseinstall it using:bashCopyEditsudo dpkg -i remarkable.deb



Conclusion



Remarkable is an excellent open-source Markdown viewer with a rich feature set. It is beneficial for Linux users who need advanced editing and viewing capabilities.





What is the best Markdown viewer for Linux?


The best Markdown viewer for Linux depends on your needs. If you want a graphical interface with live preview, Typora or Mark Text are excellent options. For terminal-based solutions, Glow or Vim with plugins is ideal. If you're looking for an open-source solution, Remarkable is an excellent choice.



Can I view Markdown files in the terminal?


Yes, you can use terminal-based viewers like Glow or Vim with Markdown plugins to view Markdown files directly in the terminal.



Is Typora free?


Typora was free during its beta phase but has since transitioned to a paid model. Due to its advanced features, many users still consider it an excellent investment.



Can I edit and view Markdown in the same app?


Yes, applications like Typora, Mark Text, and Remarkable allow you to edit and view Markdown in real-time.



Are there any Markdown viewers that support GitHub-flavored Markdown?


Many Markdown viewers, such as Typora, Mark Text, and Remarkable, support GitHub-flavored Markdown, which includes additional features like tables, task lists, and more.




Conclusion



Whether you’re a developer, writer, or anyone working with Markdown, having a good viewer can significantly enhance your productivity.



Linux offers many options, from simple terminal-based tools like Glow to full-featured graphical applications like Typora and Mark Text. Each option has strengths, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs and workflow.