CyberWriter
a .md editor built on Apple's (barely-used) on-device AI
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What is CyberWriter?
cyberWriter is a native macOS Markdown editor (macOS 15+) built entirely in SwiftUI with zero external dependencies. It transforms Markdown, HTML, CSS, and Mermaid into publication-ready PDFs, Word docs, and HTML with live preview. The app features an integrated AI workspace supporting Apple Intelligence (on-device, macOS 26+) or bring-your-own-model options including Ollama, LM Studio, Claude, OpenRouter, and any OpenAI-compatible endpoint. Users can chat with their entire vault as context using RAG and embeddings.
The file vault system allows opening any folder of Markdown files as a vault with full Obsidian compatibility. It includes [[wikilinks]] with hover preview, backlinks panel, tags as styled pills, image embeds using ![[syntax]], 12+ callout block types, and an interactive 3D knowledge graph visualizing file connections with force-directed physics. The app supports 16 Mermaid diagram types (flowchart, sequence, class, gantt, pie, ER, mindmap, timeline, git graph, XY chart, C4, sankey, quadrant, kanban, tree map) with live preview rendering.
cyberWriter is designed for writers, developers, researchers, and anyone creating professional documents without complexity. It supports LaTeX math rendering via KaTeX (inline and display equations), hex color picker with inline swatches, voice notes with on-device transcription, media embeds (audio, video, PDFs, CSV, YouTube), slideshows, and flash cards with SM-2 spaced repetition. The app offers 5 built-in preview themes (Academic, Modern, Sepia, Night, Synthetic Editorial) plus custom theme creation.
Key productivity features include Focus Mode, command palette with 90+ commands, auto table of contents, document map with zoomable page grid, enhanced find & replace with line numbers, outline sidebar, drag-and-drop images, and custom templates. Export options include PDF with pixel-perfect formatting, DOCX via pure Swift OOXML (no Pandoc), standalone HTML with embedded media, plain text, and extended Markdown.
CyberWriter pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
cyberWriter offers a 7-day free trial with full feature access. After the trial, it uses a lifetime license model with no subscription - one-time purchase includes every feature and free updates. The app is available on the Mac App Store. There is also a bundle option called 'The Architect's Toolkit' combining devPad, cyberWriter, and Anubis Pro for $217.99 (discounted from individual prices). All features including AI workspace (bring your own model), vault support, knowledge graph, Mermaid diagrams, LaTeX, themes, focus mode, and export to PDF/DOCX/HTML are included in the lifetime license.
CyberWriter pros
- Native macOS app built entirely in SwiftUI
- Zero external dependencies - no Pandoc or LaTeX install needed
- Live PDF preview updates in real-time as you type
- Apple Intelligence support on macOS 26+ with no API keys required
- Vault system compatible with Obsidian on same folder
- Interactive 3D knowledge graph with force-directed physics
- 16 Mermaid diagram types with live preview and theme-aware colors
- KaTeX renders LaTeX math natively inline and display
- Stream AI responses directly into editor at cursor
- Chat with entire vault as context using RAG and embeddings
- Voice notes with on-device transcription and live dictation
- Media embeds for audio, video, PDFs, CSV, YouTube inline
- Slideshows and flash cards with SM-2 spaced repetition
- 5 built-in preview themes plus unlimited custom themes
- Export to PDF, DOCX, HTML, Markdown, and plain text
- Hex color picker with inline swatches and option-click editing
- Focus Mode removes all UI chrome for distraction-free writing
- Command palette with 90+ searchable commands
- Document map shows zoomable grid of all PDF pages
- Enhanced Find & Replace with line numbers and context preview
CyberWriter cons
- macOS 15+ required only - no Windows or Linux version
- Apple Intelligence features require macOS 26+
- Multilingual support is English-only currently
- Only 7MB app size but requires Mac App Store purchase
- No subscription option - lifetime license only may be expensive upfront
- No web version or mobile app available
- API keys still needed for cloud models (Claude, OpenRouter)
- Accessibility features not yet indicated on App Store
Frequently asked questions about CyberWriter
Do I need to install Pandoc or LaTeX to use cyberWriter?
No. cyberWriter has zero external dependencies. KaTeX renders math natively, Mermaid renders diagrams to SVG, and all export happens inside the sandboxed macOS app with nothing to install.
Does cyberWriter work with Obsidian vaults?
Yes. cyberWriter works alongside Obsidian on the same vault. It offers full compatibility with Obsidian-style vaults, supporting wikilinks, backlinks, tags, callouts, and image embeds using the same ![[syntax]].
What AI models can I use with cyberWriter?
On macOS 26+, Apple Intelligence works out of the box with no API keys or setup. You can also connect local models (Ollama, LM Studio, MLX, vLLM) or cloud APIs (Claude native Anthropic API, OpenRouter with free and paid models, any OpenAI-compatible endpoint).
How does the knowledge graph work?
The knowledge graph visualizes every link between your notes in a force-directed physics simulation. Nodes scale by connection count, edges light up on hover, and the graph orbits in a slow drift. You can click nodes to open files, double-click to reset layout, pop it into a floating window, and use Tour Mode to cycle through nodes automatically.
What export formats are supported?
cyberWriter exports to PDF (publication-ready with themed backgrounds), DOCX (pure Swift OOXML, no Pandoc), HTML (standalone with embedded media), Markdown (extended with inline CSS and vault-style backlinks), and plain text. Diagrams render as SVG in PDF, PNG in DOCX, and interactive in HTML.
Can I use cyberWriter for voice notes and dictation?
Yes. The mic button in the toolbar offers three modes: record audio only (saves .m4a to vault), record and auto-transcribe (on-device speech recognition), and live dictation (text appears in real-time without saving audio). All use on-device speech recognition for privacy.
How do flash cards work in cyberWriter?
Flash cards use ??? to separate question from answer in your document. Click or Space to reveal the answer, then rate with keys 1-4. SM-2 spaced repetition tracks what you know - cards you struggle with come back sooner. Progress saves per-document and persists between sessions.
What themes are available for preview and export?
Five built-in themes: Academic (white, formal for papers/theses), Modern (white, clean for tech docs), Sepia (warm cream for long-form reading), Night (dark gray for reduced eye strain), and Synthetic Editorial (deep navy modern dark). You can also create unlimited custom themes with full control over colors, fonts, and typography.
Do I need an account or cloud sync to use cyberWriter?
No accounts required. cyberWriter is privacy-first with zero data collection. iCloud sync is optional if you want it. Your files stay local in whatever folder you open as a vault, and the app does not collect any data.
What keyboard shortcuts are essential for cyberWriter?
Key shortcuts include: ⌘1 (Editor only), ⌘2 (Split view), ⌘3 (Preview only), ⌘P (Toggle PDF preview), ⌘⇧A (AI Workspace), ⌘⇧O (Outline sidebar), ⌘⇧F (Focus Mode), ⌘/ (Command palette with 90+ commands), ⌘B (Bold), ⌘I (Italic), ⌘K (Insert link), ⌘⇧T (Table of Contents), ⌘F (Quick Find), ⌘⌥F (Enhanced Find), ⌘E (Export PDF).