Milkdown
A plugin-based markdown editor framework where you type rich text and see formatted output.
- Stars
- 12k
- Forks
- 563
- Licence
- MIT
- Language
- TypeScript
- Last update
- 4 days ago
- Type
- Library
What it is
Milkdown is a TypeScript framework for building WYSIWYG markdown editors, meaning the text looks formatted as you write it instead of showing raw markdown symbols. It is built on ProseMirror and remark and is organized around plugins. The README says it is inspired by the Typora editor. It is aimed at developers who want to add a markdown-style editor to their own web application.
- Embed a WYSIWYG markdown editor inside a content management page
- Build a custom editor with specific plugins added to the core
- Create a document editing experience that stores content as markdown
Great for
- Developers adding a rich markdown editing box to a web app
- Teams that want an editor extended through plugins
- TypeScript developers comfortable with ProseMirror-style editors
Not ideal for
- Non-programmers wanting a ready-made note-taking app, since this is a framework rather than an end-user app
- Projects needing a simple drop-in widget with minimal setup, since the plugin model adds a learning curve
How to get it
- 1
Install with a package manager
You'll need: Node.js · npm or another JavaScript package manager
Install core package (from npm package names in README badges)
npm install @milkdown/core - 2
Run it
- Install the core package with your package manager.
- Follow the official documentation at milkdown.dev to create an editor instance.
- Add the plugins you need for your editing features.
- 3
Get the most out of it
- Use the official documentation site at milkdown.dev for setup and API details
- Check the project's milestones and TODO board to see planned work
- Join the Discord community for help with questions
Downloads
Strengths
- Plugin-driven design lets you add or swap features
- Built on established libraries ProseMirror and remark
- MIT licensed with an active repository and about 12,000 stars
Trade-offs
- README is brief on setup details; most guidance is on the external documentation site
- Requires familiarity with TypeScript and editor concepts to use effectively
How it compares
| Project | Stars | Type | Level | Updated | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| milkdown (this) | 12k | Library | advanced | 4 days ago | Developers adding a rich markdown editing box to a web app |
| tiptap | 38.9k | Library | intermediate | 4 days ago | Developers building a custom text editor into a web product |
| lexical | 24k | Library | intermediate | 4 days ago | Developers adding a rich text editor to a web app |
| trix | 20k | Library | intermediate | 9 days ago | Developers adding a rich text box to a Rails or other web app |
| tui.editor | 18k | Library | intermediate | 2.3 years ago | Web developers who want an embeddable Markdown editor in their own site or app |
| pell | 12k | Library | beginner | 2.5 years ago | Web developers who need a simple rich text box in a form or admin page |
Stats synced from GitHub. The assessment above was drafted with AI from the project's README on 2026-10-29 and may miss recent changes — check the README before relying on a command. MIT licence: free to use, modify and distribute, including commercially, as long as you keep the copyright notice.