Installing MarkdownPad on macOS
MarkdownPad is currently unsigned — it hasn't been notarized with Apple yet. This means macOS Gatekeeper will block it on first launch. Here's how to open it safely.
Download & Install
Download the DMG
Get the latest .dmg file from the website or checkout. Choose the right version for your Mac:
- MarkdownPad-x.x.x-arm64.dmg — Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4)
- MarkdownPad-x.x.x.dmg — Intel Macs
Not sure? Apple menu → About This Mac → look for "Chip" (Apple Silicon) or "Processor" (Intel).
Open the DMG and drag to Applications
Double-click the downloaded .dmg file. Drag the MarkdownPad icon into the Applications folder shortcut.
Eject the DMG
Right-click the MarkdownPad disk icon on your desktop (or in Finder sidebar) and choose Eject. You can also delete the .dmg file from Downloads — you won't need it again.
Opening the app (first time only)
Right-click the app
Open Finder → Applications, find MarkdownPad, then right-click (or Control-click) on it and choose Open from the context menu.
Click "Open" in the dialog
macOS will show a warning dialog saying the app is from an unidentified developer. Click the Open button.
This dialog only appears once. After this, MarkdownPad will open normally like any other app — double-click, Spotlight, Dock, etc.
On macOS 15 Sequoia or later
Apple tightened Gatekeeper in Sequoia. If right-click → Open doesn't show the "Open" button, use System Settings instead:
Try to open the app normally
Double-click MarkdownPad. macOS will block it — that's expected. Click Done (not "Move to Trash").
Go to System Settings
Open System Settings → Privacy & Security. Scroll down to the Security section. You'll see a message: "MarkdownPad was blocked from use because it is not from an identified developer."
Click "Open Anyway"
Click Open Anyway, then authenticate with your password or Touch ID. MarkdownPad will launch and be remembered for the future.
Terminal alternative
If you prefer the command line, you can remove the quarantine attribute that macOS sets on downloaded files:
After running this, the app opens normally with a double-click. No dialogs, no System Settings needed.
Updates
For now, updates are manual — download the latest DMG and replace the app in your Applications folder. Your files and settings are stored separately and won't be affected.
Auto-updates will be enabled once the app is signed and notarized.
Uninstall
Drag MarkdownPad from Applications to the Trash. That's it — the app doesn't install background services, kernel extensions, or system files.
FAQ
Is the app safe?
Yes. "Unsigned" means Apple hasn't verified the developer identity — it says nothing about the app's safety. MarkdownPad is open source; you can inspect every line of code on GitHub.
Will I need to do this every time?
No. The right-click → Open (or System Settings → Open Anyway) step is a one-time thing. After that, the app opens like any other.
"MarkdownPad is damaged and can't be opened"
This usually means the quarantine attribute is still set. Run the terminal command above:
Will the app be signed eventually?
Yes — once the project is sustainable enough to justify the $99/year Apple Developer Program fee. Signed builds will enable auto-updates and remove the Gatekeeper warnings entirely.
What macOS versions are supported?
macOS 13 Ventura and later. Both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs are supported with native builds.