Mark passages without changing Markdown
Select text to highlight it, add a note, or attach an image. Reading-mode annotations save separately, and the translucent toolbar can move between the bottom center and right corner.
MARKDOWN READER · DESKTOP + WEB
LumaReader
NO INSTALLATION
Try the reading interface in your browser
Open up to 3 documents. Get Desktop for folder libraries and PDF export.
Free website embed
Developer ID signed · Notarized by Apple
Unsigned · SmartScreen or “Unknown publisher” may appear
AppImage · Make executable to run
Universal app · Apple silicon + Intel · DMG
64-bit Windows · Setup installer
AppImage · Tested on Ubuntu 22.04 x64
Ubuntu 22.04 / 24.04 · .deb download
Ubuntu 22.04 / 24.04 · .deb download
Free desktop download · Version 1.4.2 · macOS, Windows, and Linux
Download activity
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Desktop downloads counted since v1.1.0; Linux included from v1.3.0.WHAT IT SOLVES
Local Markdown reading and editing for individual developers.
Open project documentation and development notes from their existing folders. Read comfortably, edit formatted text directly, or show Markdown beside a preview. Your files stay on your own computer.
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Work from your project folders
Open a Markdown file or choose a folder. Keep the existing structure, search file and folder names, and switch between documents in the sidebar.
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A comfortable reading layout
Read headings, tables, code, and diagrams as a formatted document. Adjust text size, reading mode, palette, and light or dark appearance to suit your screen.
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Write directly in the document
Click to edit text and tables without working around Markdown symbols. Turn on Show Markdown when you want source and preview together; text wraps while deliberate scrolling keeps the panes in sync.
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Keep control of your documents
Reading and editing need no account or document upload. Creating a Web share link sends a temporary copy to the share service for 30 days; remote images may contact their hosts.
VERSION HISTORY
Version 1.4.2 update details
Include highlights in your PDF
Choose whether to include highlights when exporting. Preview the result before saving; your original Markdown remains unchanged.
A simpler editing toolbar
Edit uses a centered text label. Desktop Settings menus and the panel stay in sync; source editing, comparison preview and save actions keep stable positions.
WEB EDITION
Open Markdown in the browser
The LumaReader reading and editing interface now runs directly in the browser. Files are read locally without upload; folder libraries, downloads, and PDF export remain desktop-only.
Open LumaReader Web- Open up to three documentsOpen or drag in Markdown and plain-text files, then remove them individually when you want to make room for another document.
- Complete reading controlsFour reading modes, 22 palettes, 11 languages, outlines, media, source view, and dark mode are included.
- Edit and share MarkdownEdit formatted text directly, or turn on Show Markdown for source and preview. Then create a link that opens the current Markdown in LumaReader Web.
DETAILED FEATURES
LumaReader feature details
Supported formats, folder navigation, reading modes, rendering, editing, and interface settings are listed below.
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01
Markdown, text, and desktop code files
- Markdown · on by default.md, .markdown, .mkd, .mdx
- Plain text · opt in.txt, .log
- Code · Desktop · opt in.py, .c, .h, .cpp, .hpp, .js, .ts
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02
Folder library, search, and sidebar navigation
Each desktop document shows its containing folder in the sidebar. Search file and folder names together to expand matching results, refresh the library, and check scanning or read-access notices when something is missing.
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03
Vertical, horizontal, and paged reading modes
Use vertical, horizontal, or paged reading. Vertical text wraps to the available width; wide tables and code can scroll within their own blocks. Paged navigation supports left/right and up/down page turns.
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04
Extended Markdown rendering
Render tables, task lists, alerts, highlighted code, KaTeX mathematics, Mermaid diagrams, footnotes, emoji, abbreviations, superscript, subscript, and reusable local includes.
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05
Create, edit, preview, and save Markdown
Create a .md in your chosen folder and edit its formatted text directly. Enable Show Markdown to work beside a preview. The Format menu explains each tool, tables have editable cells, and formatting supports undo. Unsaved changes require confirmation before leaving.
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06
Export the rendered document as PDF
Enable Export PDF in Settings. Export an A4 PDF with code, tables, diagrams, mathematics, and images. Choose a footer name and colored frame independently, or leave both off for plain white pages. Successful exports remember your choices. Add <!-- lumareader:pagebreak --> on its own line for a page break.
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07
Local documents and interface settings
The Settings gear brings together 11 interface languages, light and dark modes, 22 palettes, and controls for hiding individual toolbar features. Preferences stay saved, and the first-launch guide shows where to adjust them.
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08
Open Markdown in the desktop app
On macOS and Windows, choose LumaReader from Open With for .md, .markdown, .mkd, and .mdx. On Linux, run the AppImage and open a file or folder inside the app. Each file opens in an editable window, up to eight at a time. Default-app choices remain in your operating system settings.