openleaf

The minimalist web-based editor

openleaf is a minimalist, browser-based rich text editor that lets you start writing instantly without signup, downloads, or configuration. Just go to any URL and start typing!

Check it out: openleaf.xyz/info

How It Works

• Visit any link like openleaf.xyz/anything-you-want
• Start typing immediately
• The content automatically saves as you type
• Share the URL with others or return later to continue

Features

Markdown Syntax

openleaf supports markdown shortcuts for quick formatting (type the symbol then press space to activate):

• Type # for a large heading
• Type ## for a medium heading
• Type ### for a small heading
• Type - for bullet points
• Type 1. for numbered lists
• Type > for blockquotes
• Type [] or [x] for checklist items
• Type [text](url) to create links
• Type ` around text (like `code`) for inline code formatting
• Type ``` and press Space for code block
• Type --- for a horizontal divider
• Type $ around text (like $ equation=inline $) for inline equations
• Type $$ around text (like $$ equation=block $$) for block equations

Command Menu

Press / to access the command menu with all available formatting options:

• Headings (3 levels)
• Lists (numbered, bulleted, checklist)
• Tables
• Quotes
• Text alignment
• Code blocks
• Mathematical expressions
• And more!

Tables

Create tables easily by either:

• Type /table and select from the menu
• Or type /NxM where N and M are any numbers (like /3x4, /2x6, etc.) to instantly create a table with that many rows and columns

Links

Create links easily in multiple ways:

• Type [text](url) using markdown syntax
• Type any URL, such as https://openleaf.xyz or www.openleaf.xyz, to have it automatically detected as a link
• Select text and paste a URL (Cmd+V or Ctrl+V) to turn the selected text into a link

Code Blocks

Format code with syntax highlighting:

• Type ``` and press Space to create a code block
• Access code blocks via the command menu
• View line numbers for easier reference

Equations

Create mathematical expressions using LaTeX syntax:

• Click or press Enter to select an equation
• Double click or press Enter while in select mode to edit an equation
• Press Enter or click outside to save the changes
• Supports both inline and block equations

Checklists

Keep track of tasks with checkable lists:

• Create a minimalist editor
• Make it work without signup with a simple url
• Add Markdown support
• Add table support
• Open-source it
• Fix bugs
• Add more features!

Philosophy

openleaf is designed with simplicity in mind:

The best tool is the one that gets out of your way.

The goal is to provide a writing space that's instantly available when needed, without barriers or complexity. Sometimes all you need is a quick place to jot down thoughts or draft something up.

Privacy & Security

By design, openleaf is open and accessible. This means:

• Anyone with the URL can view and edit your content
• Nothing is private by default
• Choose obscure URLs for reduced discoverability
• Don't store sensitive information
• For extra security, clear the editor content after you're done if you don't want others to access it later

Use Cases

Perfect for:

• Quick notes while browsing
• Drafting emails or messages
• Temporary information sharing
• Collaborative brainstorming
• Instant document creation

Not ideal for:

• Private/confidential information
• Long-term document storage

Project Status

openleaf is currently in beta with known bugs and limitations. Development continues as time permits, with priority given to critical issues and frequently requested features. Please use the GitHub repository to report any bugs you encounter.

Contribute to openleaf

This project is open source under the MIT license. Contributions and feedback are welcome on GitHub!

• 🐛 Found a bug? Open an issue
• 💡 Have a feature idea? Share it with us
• 💻 Want to contribute code? Check out our guidelines
• ⭐ Enjoying openleaf? Spread the word or star us on GitHub!

Technical Details

openleaf is built with:

• Lexical - Meta's open-sourced text editor framework
• Next.js - Full stack React framework with TypeScript
• Tailwind CSS - For styling
• DynamoDB - For storage

Feature Roadmap

Feature	Status
Enhanced UI	Developing
Advanced Formatting Options	Developing
Private Notes	Planned
Media Support	Planned
Encrypted Notes	Exploring
Real-time Collaboration	Exploring
Document History	Exploring
Self-Hosting	Exploring
Export Options	Considering
CMS Integration	Considering

Installation

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/AashishRichhariya/openleaf.git

# Navigate to the project directory
cd openleaf

# Install dependencies
pnpm install

# Run the development server
pnpm dev