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As of 2026
Productivity
Revenue: 0-$100k ARR
Instant markdown previews in macOS Finder.
Overview
Marked QL is a lightweight macOS Quick Look extension that renders formatted Markdown files instantly within Finder. Powered by the Apex processor, it transforms raw text documents into styled HTML previews featuring math equations, Mermaid diagrams, and code syntax highlighting. The app operates independently while serving as an efficient companion tool to the full Marked 3 application.
Funding status: Bootstrapped
Revenue source: One-time purchase
Customer type: B2C
Pricing: One-time payment
Tech stack: Swift, Objective-C, Quick Look Framework, Apex Markdown Engine
Platform: Web
Integrations: macOS Finder, Quick Look, Terminal, Marked 3
Founder story
Marked QL was created by independent developer and long-time Mac utility author Brett Terpstra to solve the limitations of default macOS text handling. Responding to years of user requests for native Markdown Quick Look capabilities, the developer built a fast, dedicated preview extension powered by the modern Apex parsing engine.
What it does
- - Renders rich, formatted Markdown previews directly inside macOS Finder upon pressing the spacebar
- - Supports multiple Markdown syntaxes and flavors including CommonMark, GFM, MultiMarkdown, and Kramdown
- - Handles complex document elements such as Mermaid diagrams, MathJax equations, tables, and task lists
- - Allows customization of preview styles, themes, and processing behaviors via dedicated app settings.
Who it's for
- Mac Power Users
- Writers & Bloggers
- Software Developers
- Researchers & Academics
Why it works
- Leverages the high-performance Apex processing engine to deliver fast rendering speeds even for dense documents
- Provides a straightforward one-time purchase model on the Mac App Store without recurring subscription friction
- Eliminates the need to open a separate editor just to inspect document contents and structural formatting
- Integrates natively into macOS system protocols for seamless file inspection from both Finder and Terminal.
Growth strategies
- Product Hunt community launch targeting productivity enthusiasts and Mac power users
- Content marketing via developer blog tutorials detailing Quick Look configurations and terminal hooks
- Word- of-mouth recommendations among writers and engineers looking to upgrade default text previews
- Ecosystem cross- promotion with the established Marked 3 preview application user base
Alternatives
Comparison overview
- Default macOS Quick Look displays Markdown files as unformatted plain text or raw monospace dumps.
- Marked QL renders fully styled HTML previews complete with syntax highlighting, diagrams, and math equations straight inside Finder.