DotMD

DotMD is a Mac Markdown reader and editor that lets developers, product managers, and technical writers review AI-agent edits in context. It turns passage-level comments into visible diffs that reviewers can accept or return.

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Who it's for

Developers using Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, or another MCP client to write Markdown specs and plans they need to review.
Product managers reviewing agent-written product specs and plans, with feedback tied to specific passages.
Technical writers who work in Markdown folders and want to review agent changes alongside the document.

Not the right fit if…

People using Windows or Linux: DotMD is a Mac app and requires macOS 14 or later.
Teams that need agent review without a paid plan: the free tier is for reading, while reviewing is a Pro feature.

How it fits your workflow

Open a Markdown file or folder in DotMD, or connect an MCP-compatible agent so it can submit a draft for review. The agent can write a spec or plan as a Markdown file and send it to DotMD.

Select a passage, add a comment, and send it to the agent. The agent reads the comments, edits the file, and reports back; DotMD shows the old and new text as a diff beside the relevant comment.

Accept or reopen changes, and use version history to compare, revert a block, or restore the file. The MCP server runs locally while DotMD is open.

Pricing

Free: Free indefinitely for reading rendered Markdown, folders, tabs, Quick Look, diagrams, formulas, and code. Reviewing and Pro editing features require Pro.

Free

· Read rendered Markdown
· Open folders and use tabs and Quick Look
· View diagrams, formulas, and code

Pro · Yearly

$19.99 per year

· Review with agents
· Edit with live preview
· Agents over MCP
· Version history and search

Pro · Lifetime

$49.99 once

· Everything in Pro
· All future updates

Prices checked on Oct 23, 2026 from the vendor's site. They can change; confirm before you buy.

Key features

Passage-level agent review: Select text, attach a comment to the passage and its line numbers, and send it to an agent. The agent can read the comments, edit the file, and report back.
Inline change review: Agent edits appear in the document alongside the comment they address, with old and new text shown as a diff. Reviewers can accept, reopen, or send changes back.
MCP server for agents: DotMD's MCP server lets compatible agents open files, show plans or specs, read comments, and submit drafts for review. The server listens on localhost and runs while DotMD is open.
Markdown rendering: Renders tables, highlighted code, Mermaid diagrams, KaTeX formulas, callouts, footnotes, and front matter.
Live-preview editor: Edit Markdown with text and rendered preview side by side. Clicking rendered content jumps to its source, and edits are saved to the file as you type.
Version history: Keeps a version when the file changes, including changes by the user, an agent, or git. Compare versions, revert a block, or restore a file.

Works with

Claude Code
Codex
Cursor
Visual Studio Code and other MCP clients
Apple Intelligence
OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, DeepSeek, and xAI
iCloud

Limitations to know

DotMD is a Mac app and requires macOS 14 or later.
Reviewing and the listed Pro features require a Pro plan; the free tier is for reading.
The MCP server runs while DotMD is open, unless Start with DotMD is enabled in its MCP settings.
The agent review workflow is for Markdown files.

Alternatives to consider

SkillDocs
Choose it if your team needs collaborative, real-time editing and presence for Markdown skills, rather than DotMD's Mac-based review workflow for agent-written documents.

Compare DotMD side by side

Getting started

claude mcp add --transport http dotmd http://127.0.0.1:8089/mcp

Mac running macOS 14 or later.

Download and open DotMD on a Mac.
Open a Markdown file or folder; start the Pro trial inside DotMD to use review features.
Turn on the MCP server in Settings → MCP.
Add the MCP server URL to an agent's MCP settings, then have the agent submit a Markdown file for review.

Frequently asked questions

Is DotMD a Markdown viewer or an editor?

Both. Reading rendered Markdown is free. DotMD Pro adds the editor with live preview, comments and reviews, agents over MCP, version history, search, and export.

Which agents work with DotMD?

The site says any MCP client can connect, including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Visual Studio Code, and others.

Does DotMD work with Claude Code?

Yes. The supplied command is `claude mcp add --transport http dotmd http://127.0.0.1:8089/mcp`. Claude Code can then submit plans and specs for review, read comments, and fix them.

Can I review a Claude Code plan or spec in DotMD?

Yes, when the agent writes it as a Markdown file. You can comment on passages and have the agent address the comments, or have it submit the file for review and wait for your response.

Do I need an account?

No. The site says there are no accounts and that files, comments, and history stay on the Mac. The purchase is tied to an anonymous ID that syncs through iCloud.

Does the agent need DotMD to be open?

Yes. DotMD runs the MCP server while it is open. Settings → MCP → Start with DotMD keeps it ready.

Where do the AI actions run?

They run on the Mac with Apple Intelligence or use the user's API key for a chosen provider. The site says the text goes directly from the Mac to that provider, with no DotMD server in between.

Can I get a refund?

For App Store purchases, refunds are handled through Apple. For direct purchases, contact support within 14 days for a refund through Paddle. The yearly plan has a 3-day free trial.

Is the App Store version different from the direct download?

The site says they are the same app with the same price and Pro features. The direct version updates itself, while the App Store version updates through the App Store; a purchase from either works in both.