spaceMD FAQ
What is included for free?
The complete spaceMD viewer is free, including search, outline, themes, tabs, printing and PDF export. Formatted Markdown in Finder Quick Look is unlocked with one non-consumable in-app purchase. There is no subscription.
What happens in Quick Look before I unlock it?
The Space bar continues to show the Markdown source as plain text, together with a short explanation of the optional formatted preview. You are not left without a preview.
Does spaceMD edit my files?
No. spaceMD is a viewer. It reads Markdown documents and refreshes the view when your editor saves a change, but it does not write back to the source file.
Which Markdown features are supported?
The renderer supports headings, emphasis, links, lists, task lists, block quotes, tables, footnotes, horizontal rules and fenced code blocks. Common programming languages receive syntax highlighting. YAML frontmatter can be shown as a compact header with title, date and tags.
Which file extensions can spaceMD open?
The current build recognises .md, .markdown, .mdown, .mkd, .mkdn, .mdwn,
.mdtxt and .mdtext as Markdown documents.
Why is a local image missing?
Quick Look receives permission for the selected Markdown file, not automatically for nearby images. Open spaceMD settings and add the folder containing the document and its images under Folders for images. Only grant folders whose contents you want the app to read.
Does spaceMD load remote images?
No. HTTP and HTTPS images and other remote page resources are blocked, including tracking pixels. When you deliberately click a link, it opens in your default browser.
What does “Allow embedded HTML” mean?
Markdown can contain raw HTML. spaceMD shows it as text by default. If you enable embedded HTML, a document can influence more of its own presentation. Leave this setting off for documents you do not trust.
Can I search a document?
Yes, in the viewer. Press Command-F to open search, Command-G for the next result and Shift-Command-G for the previous one.
Can I print or create a PDF?
Yes. The viewer has Print and Save as PDF commands. Output uses a dedicated print style with black text on white and wrapping code blocks.
Why do Markdown files still show their old icon?
macOS uses the icon of the default app for that file type. spaceMD's document icon appears when spaceMD is the default app for Markdown. This does not affect whether Quick Look can show a formatted preview.
Why does Quick Look still show plain text after unlocking?
First make sure spaceMD is installed in the Applications folder and its Quick Look extension is enabled in System Settings. Restart Finder or sign out and back in if macOS is still using a cached provider. The public support article should contain the exact steps for the release build, as development scripts are not suitable instructions for App Store customers.
What happens with a very large document?
Quick Look may shorten documents larger than 4 MB to stay within macOS time and memory limits. Open the file in the spaceMD viewer to read the complete document.
How do I restore the purchase on another Mac?
Open spaceMD settings and choose Restore. The Mac must be signed in to the Apple Account used for the purchase. StoreKit asks Apple for the current entitlement; Corebird does not receive your payment details.
What should I include in a support request?
Include the macOS and spaceMD versions, whether the problem occurs in Quick Look or the viewer, the file extension and the exact message shown. A small replacement document that reproduces the issue is useful. Do not send confidential documents or local images unless they are necessary and you are authorised to share them.