Show local images in spaceMD

A Markdown file can refer to an image stored in the same project, for example images/diagram.png. The macOS sandbox gives Quick Look access to the selected Markdown file, but not automatically to its neighbouring images. spaceMD therefore asks you to grant access to a folder before it displays local images from that folder.

Folder access is optional. Text still renders when no folder is granted, and the missing image position remains visible as a placeholder.

Before you grant access

Check that the Markdown link points to a local file, not an http:// or https:// address. spaceMD deliberately blocks remote images and tracking pixels.

Choose the smallest useful folder. If one project folder contains the Markdown document and its images subfolder, grant that project folder. There is usually no reason to grant your entire home folder.

Add a folder

1. Open spaceMD settings with Command-Comma.
2. Find Folders for images.
3. Choose Add.
4. Select the folder that contains the document and the referenced images.
5. Choose Grant Access.
6. Wait while spaceMD prepares the eligible images.
7. Close and reopen the Quick Look preview, or reopen the document in the viewer.

The image is ready when it appears in place of the placeholder. The permission applies only to folders listed in spaceMD settings.

What spaceMD stores

spaceMD stores a security-scoped bookmark for each folder you approve. This lets macOS remember the local permission. To make images available to the Quick Look extension, the app creates hard links or local copies inside its shared app container.

The mirror has two limits:

• 8 MB for a single image
• 300 MB for all mirrored images together

Hidden folders and app packages are skipped. The mirror remains on your Mac. spaceMD does not upload the document, folder or images to Corebird.

Remove folder access

1. Open spaceMD settings.
2. Find the folder under Folders for images.
3. Choose the remove control beside it.
4. Wait for the local image mirror to update.
5. Reopen the document to confirm that images from that folder are now placeholders.

Images no longer covered by any granted folder are removed from the local mirror during synchronisation. Removing access does not delete the original images or Markdown files.

If it does not work

The image remains a placeholder: Confirm that its file is inside the granted folder and that the Markdown path points to the correct name. File names and subfolder names must match the local file.

Only a large image is missing: Check its file size. Images larger than 8 MB are not added to the mirror. Reduce a copy of the image and update the Markdown reference if appropriate.

New images stop appearing: The mirror may have reached the 300 MB total limit. Remove folder permissions that are no longer needed, then grant only the relevant project folder.

A remote image is missing: This is expected. spaceMD does not fetch remote images, even when the Mac is online. Download a permitted local copy and reference it from the document if you need it in the preview.

When asking for support, use a small test document and a non-confidential test image. Remove personal names and private paths from screenshots. More details about local processing are available in the spaceMD privacy policy.