tab pad ← tabpad.app

markdown guide

tab pad understands plain-text markdown as you type. the syntax stays visible on the line you're editing and quietly fades everywhere else — so your notes read clean but stay portable plain text.

tip: formatting applies as soon as you move to another line. everything below works in day notes, margins, and the scratchpad.

checkboxes

type [] followed by a space — it becomes a real checkbox you can tick on any day, even weeks later.

you typeyou get
[] call the bank - [x] book flights
call the bank
book flights

Enter continues the list with a fresh checkbox · Enter on an empty one ends the list · Tab / Shift+Tab indent and outdent

headings

start a line with 1–4 # marks and a space. fewer marks = bigger heading.

you typeyou get
# big day ## morning ### details
big day
morning
details

lists

start a line with - and a space for bullets, or a number and a period for numbered lists.

you typeyou get
- peaches - sourdough 1. preheat oven 2. forget about it
peaches
sourdough
1. preheat oven
2. forget about it

Enter continues the list (numbers count up on their own) · Tab indents for nesting

emphasis

wrap words in asterisks or tildes. select text first and the shortcut wraps it for you.

you typeyou get
**bold** and *italic* ~~changed my mind~~ `inline code`
bold and italic
changed my mind
inline code

⌘B bold · ⌘I italic (Ctrl on windows)

links

label in square brackets, address in parentheses.

you typeyou get
[that recipe](https://example.com)

quotes & dividers

start a line with > for a quote. three dashes on their own line draw a divider.

you typeyou get
> plans are worthless, > but planning is everything ---
plans are worthless,
but planning is everything

keyboard shortcuts

⌘K / Ctrl+Kjump to any date — "friday", "nov 12", "two weeks ago"
Shift+↑ / Shift+↓next / previous day (when you're not inside a note)
Tab / Shift+Tabindent / outdent a list item
⌘B / ⌘Ibold / italic
Entercontinue the current list; on an empty item, end the list