# MiaoYan

> Lightweight macOS Markdown editor in Swift. Local-first, supports LaTeX and Mermaid.

MiaoYan is an open source project by [Tw93](https://tw93.fun) with 8.2K GitHub stars. MiaoYan (妙言) is a native macOS Markdown editor built with Swift and AppKit. It focuses on simplicity and speed, with local file storage, syntax highlighting, LaTeX math rendering, and Mermaid diagram support.

Latest release: V3.5.1 (2026-05-03)

## Key Features

- Native macOS app, no Electron
- Local-first file storage
- LaTeX math rendering
- Mermaid diagram support
- Syntax highlighting for 100+ languages
- Dark mode and custom themes

## Alternatives Comparison

MiaoYan is often compared to: Typora, Obsidian, Bear, iA Writer, MacDown.

MiaoYan is a native macOS app (Swift + AppKit), so it launches instantly and uses minimal memory. Unlike Typora it is open source. Unlike Obsidian it does not use Electron. Trade-off: macOS only, no plugin system.

## When to Use

- lightweight markdown editor for macOS
- Typora open source alternative
- local-first notes without cloud lock-in
- native macOS note app without Electron
- markdown editor with LaTeX support

## FAQ

**Does MiaoYan sync across devices?**

MiaoYan stores files locally by default. You can point it at an iCloud Drive or Dropbox folder for cross-device sync.

**How does MiaoYan compare to Typora or Obsidian?**

MiaoYan is a native macOS app (Swift + AppKit), so it launches instantly and uses minimal memory. Unlike Typora it is open source. Unlike Obsidian it does not use Electron. Trade-off: macOS only, no plugin system.

**Does MiaoYan support WYSIWYG editing?**

MiaoYan uses a split-pane approach: source editing on the left, live preview on the right. It is not a block-based WYSIWYG editor. The source view has syntax highlighting for Markdown, LaTeX, and Mermaid.

**What file formats does MiaoYan support?**

MiaoYan reads and writes standard .md (Markdown) files. It also renders LaTeX math blocks and Mermaid diagrams inline. Export to PDF and HTML is supported.

**Can I use MiaoYan for programming notes with code blocks?**

Yes. MiaoYan supports fenced code blocks with syntax highlighting for 100+ languages. The monospace rendering is clean and fast.

## Links

- GitHub: https://github.com/tw93/MiaoYan
- Author: [Tw93](https://tw93.fun)
- All projects: https://tw93.fun/api/projects.json
- Full knowledge base: https://tw93.fun/llms-full.txt