# Kito Writer Help

Kito Writer is a focused Markdown editor and reader for macOS. Write, navigate long documents, and create clean Reader output while keeping your Markdown files on your Mac.

## Create, open, and save documents

- Choose **File > New** to create a document.
- Choose **File > Open** to open a Markdown file.
- Use **File > Save** to choose a name and location for a new document.

## Work with multiple documents

Open additional Markdown files and Kito Writer groups them into tabs in the same document window when possible. Select a tab to return to that document with its own view, Outline, and Focus Mode state.

Choose **Window > Show Tab Bar** to show the tab strip or **Window > Show All Tabs** for an overview.

## Write and format

Use the formatting bar or the **Format** menu for headings, bold, italic, strikethrough, lists, links, quotes, code, tables, and images.

### Task lists

1. Write or select one or more lines and choose **Task List**.
2. Place the insertion point in a task and choose **Task List** again to switch between open and completed.
3. Select several task items to update them together.

## Switch between Editor, Split, and Reader

- **Editor** keeps the writing canvas in focus.
- **Split** shows the source and rendered result together.
- **Reader** shows the rendered document.

Use the controls in the window toolbar or choose a mode from the **View** menu.

## Navigate with the Outline

Choose **View > Show Outline** or select the Outline button in the window toolbar. The Outline lists document headings in order and shows their levels.

- Select a heading to move to it in the Editor. In Split, the Editor and Reader move together.
- With keyboard focus in the Outline, use the Up and Down Arrow keys to move between headings and press Return to open one.
- In a narrower window, the Outline appears over the document. Use the same toolbar button or choose **View > Hide Outline** to close it.

## Focus on writing

Choose **View > Focus Mode** to hide the Outline button and bottom formatting controls for the current document tab. The **Editor**, **Split**, and **Reader** controls stay visible so you can switch views while writing. Formatting commands and keyboard shortcuts remain available from the **Format** menu.

Choose **View > Focus Mode** again to restore the controls. New document windows start with Focus Mode off.

## Add local images

Select the image button in the formatting bar and choose **Choose Local Image**, or drag an image into the editor. Kito Writer stores a copy in an `.assets` folder beside the Markdown document. The first time, choose the document's folder to grant access. Your original image stays unchanged.

Choose **Image from URL** from the image button when you want to insert a Markdown image reference to an online image instead.

## Print and export

- Choose **File > Print** to print the Reader version of the document.
- Choose **File > Export > PDF** to save the Reader version as a PDF.
- Choose **File > Export > TXT** to save the Reader text as a plain-text file.

Printing and exporting do not change the Markdown document or its current writing view.

## Appearance

Choose **View > Appearance** to use the system, light, or dark appearance.

## More help

Visit [Kito Studio](https://kitostudio.com/) for product information and updates.
