EdgeMark
Open-source Markdown notes in macOS side panel – always one edge away
AI Summary
EdgeMark is a native macOS app that provides a Markdown notes panel at the screen edge. With edge activation, CodeMirror 6 WYSIWYG editor, and local storage as .md files, it offers an open-source alternative to SideNotes. Notes remain under your control and can be used with any editor or sync service.
✓ Pros
- + Fully open-source with local .md files – complete data control
- + Elegant edge activation with floating panel on all virtual desktops
- + WYSIWYG Markdown editor with slash commands and keyboard shortcuts
✗ Cons
- − Only available for macOS – no Windows or Linux support
- − Still a relatively young project with fewer features than established alternatives
Use Cases
- → Retrieve quick notes during work with a mouse gesture at the screen edge
- → Create Markdown documentation with WYSIWYG editor and save as .md files
- → Manage task lists and to-do lists with task list support
- → Capture code snippets and technical notes with syntax highlighting
Who is it for?
For macOS users looking for a fast, privacy-friendly Markdown notes solution with side panel access and full control over their files.
Tags
What is EdgeMark?
EdgeMark is a native macOS app that provides a floating Markdown notes panel at the edge of the screen. Activation works by mouse gesture: move the cursor to the screen edge and the panel slides in. It stays visible across all virtual desktops and disappears again when not needed. EdgeMark saves notes as ordinary .md files stored locally on the machine. No proprietary format, no mandatory cloud sync. Any editor or sync service can read and process these files. The project is fully open source and available on GitHub.
Core features
- Edge activation: The panel opens via mouse gesture at the screen edge and floats above all Spaces.
- WYSIWYG Markdown editor built on CodeMirror 6: Formatting is rendered inline, with slash commands and keyboard shortcuts speeding up input.
- Local
.mdfiles: Notes are saved as plain-text Markdown on your own drive, compatible with Obsidian, iCloud, Dropbox, or any other workflow. - Task list support: To-do lists can be created and checked off directly in the panel.
- Syntax highlighting: Code snippets are rendered correctly, making EdgeMark useful for technical notes as well.
Who is EdgeMark for?
EdgeMark is aimed at macOS users who want to capture notes quickly while working, without bringing a separate app to the foreground. It is particularly useful for developers who want code snippets, task lists, or documentation fragments within easy reach. Users who want to integrate their notes into an existing Markdown workflow (such as iCloud sync or a personal Git repository) benefit from the open file format. EdgeMark does not run on Windows or Linux.
Context & alternatives
EdgeMark occupies the same niche as SideNotes, which also offers a side panel for macOS notes. The key difference: SideNotes is commercial and proprietary. EdgeMark stores all data as readable .md files and can be compiled and customized by the user. The project is still young, and the feature set is accordingly limited. Users looking for a mature productivity system with many integrations will run into missing features. Those who want a lean tool that fits into a Markdown-centered workflow without vendor lock-in will find exactly that in EdgeMark.
