Chapter 1: Introduction to Panwriter

Panwriter is an open-source markdown editor with a live preview feature that bears a striking resemblance to Apostrophe. While both apps are free, the question remains: can Panwriter distinguish itself as a top-tier writing tool? This post will explore that.

Panwriter is completely free and compatible with a range of devices, including macOS, Windows, and Linux. It can be easily installed through various package managers such as Homebrew for Mac and Snap for Linux. For those seeking access to its full suite of features, installing Pandoc is recommended, and we will delve into its significance shortly.

Chapter 2: User Interface Overview

Let’s examine Panwriter’s interface. You will quickly notice its similarities to Apostrophe.

To the left, the markdown editor is located, while the preview window is on the right, depending on your configuration.

Setting up Panwriter is even more straightforward than Apostrophe. The top bar that allows you to manipulate the GUI only appears when you hover over it with your mouse.

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Chapter 3: Limitations of Panwriter

Despite its advantages, Panwriter has a couple of significant drawbacks compared to Apostrophe. For one, it does not support drag-and-drop functionality for images; instead, you must input them using markdown syntax: . Additionally, it lacks a word count feature or any similar metrics.

Another issue is that the preview window tends to shift upward with each new line added in the editor, which can be quite distracting. To be candid, my experience with Panwriter has not been enjoyable.

Chapter 4: The Power of Pandoc

Nevertheless, there is a notable strength of Panwriter that may appeal to some users—its integration with Pandoc.

Pandoc significantly enhances Panwriter’s capabilities by offering a wide array of export options. It supports various lightweight markup formats such as Markdown, Emacs, and Textile, and it can handle HTML4 and HTML5. Notably, it also allows for the export and import of eBooks, along with support for LaTeX. Below is a comprehensive look at the numerous export possibilities that Pandoc adds to Panwriter:

While Panwriter has its merits, it may not be the ideal writing tool for everyone. If your work frequently involves LaTeX or switching between different file formats, it might be worth considering. Personally, however, I do not see myself transitioning to Panwriter for my writing needs on Linux, especially in comparison to Ulysses and its seamless integration with Medium.

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