Markdown, projects and context — on Mac

Write. Organize. Prepare what’s next.

Your ideas, plans and notes take shape in Markdown files. Balise helps you read them, edit them visually and keep them organized, then choose the context to share with a coding agent like Codex.

Balise requires macOS 26.4 or later, a Mac that supports Apple Intelligence, and Apple Intelligence turned on. If the local model is still downloading, Balise asks you to wait.

From your first notes to the next task

Write Markdown visually

Capture an idea, develop a plan, add headings, lists or tables. Your document takes shape as you write. Switch to the source whenever you need to work directly with the Markdown.

Organize your project’s documents

Open your folder and find your way through the documents with summaries generated on your Mac using Apple Intelligence. Arrange your Markdown files in a Kanban view to keep track of priorities and decide what comes next.

Choose your agent’s context

Select the documents relevant to the next task. Copy context gathers their available summaries and local file links. Paste the result into your coding agent: you choose what to bring to its attention.

Make room for the other files in your project

Work with CSV and TSV data

Browse your data in a grid, correct a value and check the source when needed. A code like 01234 keeps its leading zero. Diagnostics help you spot issues before preparing the data for another tool.

Shape your Mermaid diagrams

Describe a process or the relationships in a project. Edit your diagram visually, with its Mermaid source close at hand. Editing options follow the diagram’s syntax; the engine calculates the layout.

Read Markdown in the Finder

Looking for a note or reviewing a plan? Select the file in the Finder and press the space bar. Quick Look shows the formatted document before you even open it in Balise.

Tools to keep your documents moving

From the first note to the next revision, keep your files at the center of the work.

Find an idea in your folder

Search the files in your workspace. Results show an excerpt and its location to help you pick up where you left off.

Fill in document properties

Edit the title, date or tags in dedicated fields. Balise updates the Markdown metadata without asking you to write YAML.

Keep track of your links

See a document’s links and the files that link back to it. Spot missing links and images as you maintain your project’s documentation.

Reorganize your writing

Split a long document by its headings or rename a file along with its links. A preview lets you review the changes before applying them.

Add code, formulas and images

Build an explanation with highlighted code blocks, equations or Mermaid diagrams. Local images can travel with the document in its resource folder.

Explore connections on a whiteboard

Arrange files and excerpts as you think through your project. You create the relationships between cards; removing a card does not delete the file it refers to.

Get your data ready for the next step

Inspect columns, trim unwanted spaces or spot duplicates. Repairs and conversions include a preview and produce a copy.

Bring data into your document

Copy a range of cells as a Markdown table. Check the columns and headers in the preview before adding it to your notes.

Import into new documents

Turn a DOCX or PDF into a Markdown draft, or XLSX and ODS data into CSV. The original file stays in place and keeps its format.

Review versions of your work

Browse local history and compare changes. If another tool modifies the same file, Balise helps you examine the conflict before continuing.

Find the command you need

Open the palette with ⇧⌘P to find a command, file or setting. Keep frequently used locations in your favorites.

Prepare image series with Studio

Balise Studio pairs a data table with a Markdown prompt. Generation uses an external provider, with your key, a budget and confirmation before spending. Availability will be detailed at launch.

Before you begin