Markside, Markdown Viewer and Editor, by Eric Yang (zhuge.app), is a Chrome extension that turns the browser into a local Markdown review and editing workspace for users working with AI-generated documentation. It renders full Markdown content including tables, task lists and footnotes, and shows inline Mermaid diagrams while offering folder navigation and a keyboard-driven quick switcher. Developers and technical writers who need fast, private inspection of READMEs and specs benefit from staying inside the browser rather than opening a full IDE.

Renders local Markdown with zero-latency in the browser

Markside opens and renders local .md files instantly, letting you drag a file into a Chrome tab to view it without server round-trips. The renderer supports headings, tables, task lists and footnotes, and it processes inline Mermaid diagrams so flowcharts and sequences appear inline. To load local files you must enable the extension's file-URL permission, after which rendering happens in-page with no external uploads.

Built-in editor and navigation speed simple edits

The extension includes a CodeMirror 6 editor with automatic disk saving, toggled via Ctrl+E, so edits persist to your local copy. Navigation aids include a file tree sidebar, an auto-generated document outline, and a Quick Switcher (Cmd+P/Ctrl+P) for fuzzy searching across opened folders. Syntax-highlighted code blocks include one-click copy, and YAML frontmatter is shown as a compact summary table for quick inspection.

Local-first design preserves privacy and keeps data offline

The tool uses a local-first model, requiring no account, using no servers and collecting no telemetry, which keeps documentation on your machine. The developer targets Chromium-based browsers, so the extension runs in Chrome and other compatible browsers. That local posture makes the app suitable for sensitive or AI-generated docs where you want to avoid cloud transfers or third-party storage.

Optimized for quick reviews rather than full project editing

Markside is positioned as a lightweight alternative to opening full IDEs or dedicated apps, aiming at fast review of AI-produced plans and READMEs. It fits users who want minimal context switching and keyboard-driven navigation. For sustained project work or collaborative, server-backed authoring, keep a full editor or repository workflow for commits and history; use this extension as a rapid review layer.

Practical browser tool for focused, local Markdown review

Markside is a practical option for developers and technical writers who prioritize rapid, in-browser review of local documentation and want to avoid heavier tools for quick checks. The trade-off is that it is not intended as a collaborative, server-backed authoring platform. For everyday use, treat the extension as a review layer: open repository folders in the browser for fast verification, then perform full edits in your primary editor.