safari_writer

A retro word processor plus a family of keyboard-first companion tools.

Main goals

• Better notepad
• Can post to Mastodon with spellcheck
• Can be used to read long documents
• Supports feature set of AtariWriter and adjacent applications, including database, image viewer, file browser
• 1980 Retro UI, Retro scripting languages
• Modern features, modern keybindings

Installation

pipx install safari-writer

Usage

You can run the main editor or the companion tools directly:

safari-writer
safari-dos browse C:\work --show-hidden --sort date --descending
safari-dos ls C:\work --sort type
safari-chat
safari-chat docs\index.md
safari-fed --folder Mentions
safari-base address_book.db
safari-reader --library C:\books
safari-repl demo.bas
safari-slides docs\safari_suite_tools.slides.md
safari-view open images\frog.png --mode st --no-dithering
safari-view render images\frog.png --mode 2600 --width 160 --height 192 --output out\frog-2600.png

Most people start with safari-writer and open the other tools from the Main Menu.

Features

• Safari Writer: The core word processor.
  • Keybindings mostly modern, but somewhat influenced by original Atari.
  • Search and replace, word count, and alphabetize.
  • Style codes/printer codes for formatting.
  • Print/export to markdown, ANSI preview, postscript, or PDF.
• Proofreader: A built-in spell checker.
• Mailmerge: Database-driven form letters with a dedicated record editor.
• Safari DOS: A menu-driven way to do file browsing and manipulation, featuring a classic two-pane layout and a "Garbage" bin for file recovery.
• Safari Chat: A "Clippy" style helper based on ELIZA. It answers your questions using the help docs and offers emotional support—no LLMs involved.
• Safari Base: A dBASE-style shell for browsing and updating SQLite-backed address-book style data.
• Safari Fed: A calm, keyboard-driven Mastodon client styled after Pine and retro BBS readers. Queue-based reading, folder metaphors, thread view, and a direct handoff to Safari Writer.
• Safari Reader: A keyboard-first library, catalog, and long-form reading app.
• Safari REPL: A small Atari BASIC REPL and .BAS file runner with Writer handoff for loaded files.
• Safari Slides: A SlideMD presentation viewer with notes and fragment support.
• Safari View: A retro image viewer and renderer with Textual, Tk, and batch render entry points.
• Safari BASIC: The shared Atari BASIC-compatible macro engine used by Safari Writer and Safari Fed.

Current Limitations

• Doesn't support original binary AtariWriter files
• Keybindings still evolving.

Trademarks and stuff

I have no relationship to Atari. This is Safari Writer and has no relationship to Atari.

License is MIT.

Dual licensed with a Shareware license. Dual meaning, you pick which of the two you want to govern our relationship.

Languages / Internationalization

Safari Writer automatically uses your operating system's locale. If you want to run the app in a different language, set the SAFARI_LOCALE environment variable before launching.

Linux / macOS:

SAFARI_LOCALE=eo safari-writer

Windows (PowerShell):

$env:SAFARI_LOCALE="eo"; safari-writer

Windows (Command Prompt):

set SAFARI_LOCALE=eo && safari-writer

You can use a bare language code (eo) or a full IETF tag (eo_EO). If no catalog exists for the full tag, the bare code is tried automatically. If neither is found, the app falls back to English.