# Markdown viewer

Warp can be used for both editing and viewing rendered Markdown files in a [split pane](https://docs.warp.dev/terminal/windows/split-panes). Any local file with the `.md` or `.markdown` extension is treated as a Markdown file. Remote files are currently not supported. Turning on **Settings** > **Features** > **General** > **Open Markdown files in Warp's Markdown viewer by default** will make the Markdown viewer default, otherwise Markdown files will open in Warp's editor.

### Opening a file link within a block

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="macOS" %}
For any link to a Markdown file within a block, you can open the file in Warp by `CMD`-clicking on the link, from the link tooltip, or the right-click context menu on the link.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Windows" %}
For any link to a Markdown file within a block, you can open the file in Warp by `CTRL`-clicking on the link, from the link tooltip, or the right-click context menu on the link.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Linux" %}
For any link to a Markdown file within a block, you can open the file in Warp by `CTRL`-clicking on the link, from the link tooltip, or the right-click context menu on the link.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

<figure><img src="https://4009768362-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FPsjNxoJ0NFCXW6rRdHH3%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-838cc78bfe78ea51475f75bfdb58e8ac59893755%2Fopen-markdown-viewer.gif?alt=media" alt="Clicking a Markdown file link in the output of ls to open it in Warp"><figcaption><p>Opening a Markdown file in Warp using the link tooltip</p></figcaption></figure>

### Markdown-viewing commands

If you run a Markdown-viewing command like `cat myfile.md`, Warp will show a banner with a button to open the Markdown file.

The following commands are considered Markdown viewers:

* `cat`
* `glow`
* `less`

### Opening a Markdown file from Finder

From Finder, you can open a Markdown file in Warp from the “Open With” menu that appears when right-clicking on the file.

### Toggling between editor and viewer

You can toggle between the Markdown editor and viewer via the pane overflow menu.

<figure><img src="https://4009768362-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FPsjNxoJ0NFCXW6rRdHH3%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-27a4d58bd65e92e65b65913c77a92b2381effc14%2Fmarkdown-raw-rendered-toggle.gif?alt=media" alt="Clicking a Markdown file link in the output of ls to open it in Warp"><figcaption><p>Toggling between editor and viewer</p></figcaption></figure>

## Shell commands in Markdown files

Warp can run shell commands from Markdown code blocks in your active terminal session. Click the run icon `>_` to insert a command into the terminal input.

{% hint style="info" %}
The shell command must be in a code block with three backticks ` ``` ` and not inline code for Warp to treat the code like a runnable command.
{% endhint %}

Markdown shell blocks also support keyboard navigation. There are two ways to enter the keyboard navigation mode:

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="macOS" %}

* Clicking on a shell block.
* Pressing `CMD-UP` or `CMD-DOWN`.

Once a shell block is selected, press `CMD-ENTER` to insert it into the terminal input. You can also use `UP`, `DOWN`, `CMD-UP`, and `CMD-DOWN` to navigate between shell blocks. While the Markdown file is focused, press `CMD-L` to switch focus back to the terminal without inserting a command.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Windows" %}

* Clicking on a shell block.
* Pressing `CTRL-UP` or `CTRL-DOWN`.

Once a shell block is selected, press `CTRL-ENTER` to insert it into the terminal input. You can also use `UP`, `DOWN`, `CTRL-UP`, and `CTRL-DOWN` to navigate between shell blocks. While the Markdown file is focused, press `CTRL-SHIFT-L` to switch focus back to the terminal without inserting a command.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Linux" %}

* Clicking on a shell block.
* Pressing `CTRL-UP` or `CTRL-DOWN`.

Once a shell block is selected, press `CTRL-ENTER` to insert it into the terminal input. You can also use `UP`, `DOWN`, `CTRL-UP`, and `CTRL-DOWN` to navigate between shell blocks. While the Markdown file is focused, press `CTRL-SHIFT-L` to switch focus back to the terminal without inserting a command.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

If the command contains any arguments using the curly brace `{{param}}` syntax, they will be treated as Workflow arguments. Learn more about [Workflows](https://docs.warp.dev/knowledge-and-collaboration/warp-drive/workflows).

<figure><img src="https://4009768362-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FPsjNxoJ0NFCXW6rRdHH3%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-b8c067eeb9cd819702a18393daf9ac863140d279%2Frun-markdown-file-command.gif?alt=media" alt="Demo of running two commands from a Markdown file in Warp"><figcaption><p>Navigating between and running commands in a Markdown file</p></figcaption></figure>

In addition, all shell and code blocks have a copy button to quickly copy the block’s text to the clipboard.

Code blocks without a set language, or one of the following languages, are treated as shell commands: `sh`, `shell`, `bash`, `fish`, `zsh`, `warp-runnable-command`.