MD→RT (Markdown to Rich Text)

The easiest way to convert Markdown to Rich Text on macOS!

MD→RT automatically converts Markdown in your clipboard to Rich Text formatting. Copy from anywhere, paste anywhere - it's that simple!

🎯 Overview

Transform your workflow with instant Markdown-to-Rich Text conversion Perfect for developers, writers, and anyone who works with formatted text!

✨ Features

• 🚀 Zero Setup: Install and run - no configuration needed
• 📱 Menubar Integration: Runs quietly in your menu bar
• 🔄 Real-time Monitoring: Watches your clipboard for Markdown content
• 🎯 Smart Detection: Only converts actual Markdown, ignores plain text
• 💾 Preserves Original: Keeps original text as fallback

🚀 Quick Start

Option 1: PyPI Install (recommended):

pipx run convert-md-to-rt

Available logging levels: --quiet, --verbose, --debug

Option 2: From Source:

git clone https://github.com/taazkareem/convert-md-to-rt.git && cd convert-md-to-rt && python3 -m src.md2rt.menubar

Note: Source installation requires rumps to be installed separately: pip install rumps

How to use:

• Copy any Markdown text (like **bold** or # Heading)
• Paste into rich text apps → you'll see formatting!
• Paste into plain text apps → you'll see original Markdown!
• Control via menu bar: Start/Stop/Quit

The app runs quietly in your menu bar and works automatically!

💡 Pro Use Case

• Copy LLM outputs directly into ClickUp task descriptions with formatting
• Easily send Apple Mail with checkmarked lists or code blocks
• Many more

🛠️ Development

How It Works Under The Hood

MD→RT converts Markdown to Rich Text by:

1. Detecting Markdown in clipboard using regex patterns
2. Converting to HTML via external API and built-in parser
3. Adding browser styling for consistent formatting
4. Placing styled HTML in clipboard (preserving original Markdown)
5. Rich Text apps render the HTML as formatted text

Note: End users see Rich Text, not HTML - the conversion is seamless.

Prerequisites

• Python 3.9+
• macOS (required for clipboard access)

Setup

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/taazkareem/convert-md-to-rt.git
cd convert-md-to-rt

# Create virtual environment
python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate

# Install dependencies
pip install -r requirements.txt

# Install development dependencies
pip install -e ".[dev]"

Running Tests

pytest

Project Structure

src/md2rt/
├── __init__.py
├── menubar.py          # Main menubar app (consolidated)
├── detector.py         # Markdown detection logic
├── converter.py        # Markdown to HTML conversion
├── clipboard.py        # Clipboard operations
└── runner.py           # Command-line runner

🤝 Contributing

This is an open-source project! Contributions are welcome:

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch
3. Make your changes
4. Add tests if applicable
5. Submit a pull request

🙏 Acknowledgments

• Conversion Powered by Switchlabs
• ClickUp One app to replace them all