Open-source Markdown typesetting system that outputs papers, slides, docs, or websites from one source file via a single .doctype directive.
Key Takeaways
Single .doctype {paged|plain|docs|slides} switch targets LaTeX/Typst, Notion/Obsidian, GitBook/Docusaurus, or Beamer output modes from one authoring format.
Turing-complete scripting lets you define reusable .function blocks with named parameters, enabling template-style content reuse without external tooling.
Live reactive preview compiles on keystroke, positioning it as a faster feedback loop than LaTeX or Typst.
Replaces six or more separate tools depending on output mode: LaTeX, Typst, Notion, Obsidian, GitBook, MkDocs, VitePress, Beamer, Google Slides.
Fully open-source with no boilerplate setup required beyond writing Markdown plus Quarkdown extensions.
Hacker News Comment Review
Commenters flagged a notable gap: MyST (mystmd.org) is absent from the comparison table, and at least one commenter considers it the emerging Markdown standard for scientific publishing.
Practical demand surfaced for CV/resume output as a missing .doctype, with version control over .docx cited as the core motivation, not just aesthetics.
Notable Comments
@runningmike: Flags MyST as the missing comparison; calls it “the new markdown standard to be” for structured docs.
@spidermonkey23: Wants a CV doctype specifically for git-friendly version control as a replacement for Word.
