---
title: "01 The Editor"
canonical_url: https://mdflow.cz/share/c/h0L7MvX5Cy5sST3qPnApqHOmrQ36JTVy169qJMtDMya9Kc30zm04cg9OuPSSPwvj/3e67a2af-7882-4ac3-8530-993fe21bf253
md_url: https://mdflow.cz/share/c/h0L7MvX5Cy5sST3qPnApqHOmrQ36JTVy169qJMtDMya9Kc30zm04cg9OuPSSPwvj/3e67a2af-7882-4ac3-8530-993fe21bf253.md
visibility: public
---

# The Editor

MDflow's editor runs in your browser and is built on Monaco — the same editor engine that powers VS Code. There is no desktop application to install.

## The three views

Every document opens with a view switcher offering three ways to work:

- **Edit** — the markdown source on its own. Best for focused writing.
- **Split** — source on the left, live rendered preview on the right, updating as you type.
- **Preview** — the clean rendered document, the way a reader sees it.

On narrow screens, Split automatically simplifies to a single pane, since there isn't room for two.

## The document title

The title is editable directly in the editor header — click it and type. You can also rename from the sidebar. Either way, if the new title already exists in the same folder, MDflow appends ` (2)`, ` (3)` and so on rather than rejecting it or overwriting.

## Saving

- **Save button**, or `Cmd+S` on macOS / `Ctrl+S` on Windows and Linux.
- An **unsaved-changes indicator** is visible whenever your text differs from what is on the server.
- Your **browser warns you** before you close or navigate away from a page with unsaved changes.
- **Discard** restores the last saved server version, abandoning your local edits.

On Pro, **autosave** can be enabled per document. See [05 Saving, Autosave and Drafts](/doc/681a938a-ae3f-42cb-9b1e-5450722ac952).

## Focus mode

Focus mode hides the sidebar and the document toolbar, leaving only the editor on screen. Useful for long-form writing when the navigation is a distraction.

## Markdown help

A built-in help panel shows practical examples of the supported syntax. It is quicker than leaving the app to look something up. The full list is in [02 Markdown Syntax Reference](/doc/aebe9231-8a9b-49d6-9940-1efb2353284e).

## Typewriter sounds

The desktop editor can play optional typewriter sound feedback as you type. It is off by default, toggled on or off in the editor, and the preference is remembered per browser.

## Themes

The editor follows your system's light or dark appearance automatically. There is no manual theme toggle — set your operating system's appearance and MDflow matches it.

## The sidebar

- **Resizable** on desktop by dragging its edge, with your chosen width remembered in the browser.
- **Keyboard accessible** — the resize handle can be operated without a mouse.
- **Collapsible drawer** on tablet and mobile.

## Working on mobile

The layout is responsive, and editing and preview both work on a phone. A one-time hint explains that the desktop experience is richer — most notably, **image upload is desktop-only**. Mobile readers and writers can view uploaded images, but cannot add them.

If you want a native mobile experience, see [02 iOS App](/doc/0a35e506-d632-4f07-aa6a-1d19a5ab3940).