MDReader is a fast, lightweight, Markdown reader built from the ground up for the Apollo V4 platform and enhanced Amiga systems.
Created to make reading documentation, project READMEs, developer notes, and technical manuals comfortable directly on your Amiga desktop, MDReader delivers instant file loading, smooth scrolling, and zero screen tearing.
Access & Downloads
- Compiled Binaries: Available for subscribers of Vampire's Lair on Ko-fi.
Why MDReader?
Most modern software documentation is written in Markdown, but reading it on classic or NG Amigas usually meant either firing up heavy web browsers or converting files to AmigaGuide or plain text.
MDReader is built as a native Amiga RTG application. It talks directly to the hardware using SAGA chunky modes and 64-bit AMMX vector instructions, rendering styled headings, code blocks, blockquotes, and lists in full color with zero lag.
Highlighted Features
- Tear-Free SAGA Chunky Graphics: Rendered via an off-screen back buffer and flipped with AMMX-accelerated blits. Clean, flicker-free drawing whether scrolling fast or opening dialogs.
- 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit Screenmodes: Runs comfortably on 8-bit chunky (with full 256-color palette control) as well as 16-bit and 32-bit truecolor screens. Switch screen resolutions and depths on the fly via the menu without restarting.
- Instant Text Engine: Powered by an internal piece-table text buffer. Large multi-megabyte markdown files load in milliseconds without heavy memory overhead.
- Search & Navigation:
- Find (
RAmiga + S): Interactive search requester with Next and Previous match buttons. - Goto Line (
RAmiga + G): Jump straight to any line number. - Match Highlighting: When jumping or searching, the destination line is highlighted with an accent bar so you never lose your place.
- Find (
- 13 Built-in Themes
- Rich Markdown Formatting:
- Headings (H1, H2, H3): Distinct sizes and accent colors.
- Code Blocks: Formatted in monospaced font with distinct syntax box backgrounds.
- Blockquotes & Lists: Indented styling with vertical quote bars and bullets.
- Horizontal Rules: Clean thematic separators.
- Line Numbers Gutter: Toggle line numbers on or off anytime with line wrapping awareness.
- Workbench & CLI Friendly: Launch it from Workbench with an ASL file requester or directly from the AmigaShell (
MDReader Documentation.md). - Persistent Preferences: Saves your chosen theme, screen resolution, font sizes, and line-number settings to
ENVARC:MDReader.prefs.
Keyboard & Mouse Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Up / Down | Scroll one line |
| Mouse Wheel | Scroll 3 lines |
| Shift + Up / Down | Page Up / Page Down |
| Ctrl + Up / Down | Jump to Top / End of document |
| Left / Right | Horizontal pan |
| RAmiga + O or O | Open Document requester |
| RAmiga + S or S | Find text (Search requester) |
| RAmiga + G or G | Goto line requester |
| RAmiga + Q | Quit application |
| Scrollbar Drag | Smooth position tracking |
System Requirements
- System: AmigaOS 3.1+ or ApolloOS
- Graphics: SAGA chunky RTG screenmode (CyberGraphics)
- CPU: Motorola 68080 (Apollo V4)