The wait is over
Notepad++ became the default text editor for a generation of Windows developers — fast, honest, keyboard-first, no ceremony. And for just as long, Mac and Linux users lived with a shrug: use something else, or fire up Wine, or keep a Windows VM just to open a log file the way their fingers already know.
npp-x is that long-awaited cross-platform port — not a half-remembered clone, and not “VS Code with the menus renamed.” It’s a native desktop editor (Tauri 2 + Rust + React + Monaco) rebuilt from Notepad++ 8.8.1 evidence: menus, shortcuts, macros, tools, and the workflows you already have in muscle memory — running on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
If you ever said “I wish N++ just worked on my Mac / Fedora box,” this is that wish, shipped.
[!NOTE]
npp-x is inspired by and reconstructed from Notepad++ — it is not an official Don Ho / Notepad++ project. Where behavior still differs, we’re closing the gap in the open.
Why npp-x
| Classic Notepad++ | npp-x |
|---|
| Platforms | Windows-first | Linux · macOS · Windows as equals |
| Engine | Scintilla | Monaco — modern highlighting, multi-cursor DNA |
| Shell | Win32 UI | Native Tauri window + OS dialogs / FS |
| Themes | Style Configurator + community packs | Theme Store — install from file or git URL |
| Plugins | Native DLL plugins (Windows ABI) | Plugin Store — portable JSON/git packages everywhere |
| Extensibility | C++ / NPP plugin API | Lightweight nppx host API + sandboxed contributions |
| Design | Classic Win32 chrome | 2026 dense IDE chrome — slate #0F172A + run-green #22C55E |
| Lineage | Closed source core | Reconstruction notes from REA on N++ 8.8.1 |
What we deliberately do better
- Truly cross-platform — one app identity, three OSes; no “Linux someday.”
- Stores, not scavenger hunts — themes and plugins from a file or a git URL.
- Familiar N++ surface — File / Edit / Search / View / Encoding / Language / Settings / Tools / Macro / Run / Plugins, shaped from real N++ menus & shortcuts.
- Modern editor core — Monaco instead of fighting Scintilla packaging on every Unix.
- Ship-ready packaging — GitHub Actions for Apple Silicon, Intel Mac, Windows x64, Linux x64 — plus auto-update from Releases.
- Open contribution path — JSON theme/plugin packages anyone can publish.
Highlights
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|
| Session restore | Open 100 files, edit freely, don’t hit Save — quit and come back: every tab and unsaved buffer is still there. |
| Per-tab undo | Each document keeps its own undo stack — like N++, not one global history. |
| Find & Replace | N++-grade: Normal / Extended / Regex, Count, Find All, Mark, Replace All in open docs. |
| Diff tabs | Top Diff menu → Compare Tabs or Clipboard — opens a real tab, not a stuck overlay. |
| HTML / CSV / Markdown preview | On by default. Split with the editor first; Full when you want. Mermaid in Markdown. |
| Export PDF | From any preview (HTML, CSV table, MD + diagrams). macOS writes a PDF after the save dialog; other platforms use the print dialog → Save as PDF. |
| Quick preview | Paste HTML / MD / CSV into a buffer → one-click Open preview chip. |
| Open with npp-x | Desktop registers .txt .csv .html .md — make it your default opener in the OS. |
| Theme & Plugin stores | Install from file or git URL in one click. |
| Auto-update + notes | Help → Check for Updates shows the full release notes; About ships the brand story. |
| Optional fun plugins | YouTube corner PiP + Type Runner buddy (draggable; off by default). |
| 2026 chrome | Dense slate IDE UI, Plus Jakarta Sans, run-green accent, click-stable menus. |
What’s new in 0.1.11
- macOS Export PDF no longer freezes the app; Release Actions version input syncs the app binary
- From 0.1.10: ⌘Q quits (⌃Q comments); Export PDF saves without the WKWebView print dialog
Full notes: docs/RELEASE_NOTES.md.
[!TIP]
Session restore is on by default. Desktop survives quit/relaunch; the browser host uses localStorage + IndexedDB (large unsaved buffers can use noticeable storage). Toggle anytime: Settings → Remember session for next launch.
Brand
npp-x — Notepad++ muscle memory, everywhere you actually work.
| Signal | Spec |
|---|
| Accent | Run-green #22C55E on slate #0F172A |
| Logo plate | Forest #15803D — flat nˣ mark (public/logo.svg) |
| Type | UI: Plus Jakarta Sans · Editor: JetBrains Mono |
| Mood | Precise, fast, familiar, no fluff |
The mark is a bold lowercase n (notepad / N++ lineage) plus an accent x (cross-platform). Keep the green plate on light and dark surfaces — don’t gray-invert, stretch, or recolor outside the palette.
Full voice, messaging pillars, and logo rules: docs/brand-guidelines.md.
Try online
Live site: https://npp-x.npp-x.workers.dev/ — menus, Monaco, HTML/CSV/Markdown preview, Diff tabs, Find & Replace, PDF export via print, and session restore (no native FS / Open-with in the browser).
Every visit opens an Online mode dialog with Download + Continue in browser. Also: Help → Download desktop…
Getting started
Download
Grab the latest build from Releases:
| Platform | Asset |
|---|
| macOS Apple Silicon | npp-x_*_aarch64.dmg |
| macOS Intel | npp-x_*_x64.dmg |
| Windows x64 | .msi / .exe |
| Linux x64 | .AppImage / .deb |
[!IMPORTANT]
macOS (Sequoia / 15+): builds are ad-hoc signed, not Apple-notarized. Control-click → Open no longer bypasses Gatekeeper.
- Drag
npp-x.app into Applications, double-click once → Done / Cancel (not Trash).
- System Settings → Privacy & Security → scroll to the bottom → Open Anyway.
- Or Terminal:
xattr -cr /Applications/npp-x.app && open /Applications/npp-x.app
Full guide: docs/MACOS-OPEN.md. Releases also ship Open-npp-x.command.
Run from source
Prerequisites: Node.js 20+, Rust stable. Linux needs WebKitGTK (Tauri prerequisites).
git clone https://github.com/arun-prasad-t/npp-x.git
cd npp-x
npm install
npm run tauri dev
Frontend-only (no native FS):
npm run dev
| Command | Purpose |
|---|
npm run tauri dev | Full desktop app |
npm run build | Typecheck + frontend bundle |
npm run tauri build | Local package for current OS |
CI ships all platforms on a v* tag or Actions → Release. Updater details: docs/UPDATES.md.
Docs
CODEOWNER: @arun-prasad-t
FAQ
Is this official Notepad++?
No. Independent MIT project. Notepad++ is a trademark of its respective owners.
Why Monaco instead of Scintilla?
Cross-platform packaging and a modern editor core without fighting Scintilla on every Unix — while keeping the N++ surface familiar.
Does session restore work in the browser?
Yes — via localStorage / IndexedDB. Turn it off in Settings if you want a clean slate.
How do updates work?
Desktop builds check Releases after launch. Help → Check for Updates always shows the latest release notes (and offers install when you’re behind). Browser host shows the same notes and links to Downloads.
Can I open .md / .csv / .html by double-click?
Yes on desktop installs — set npp-x as the default app (Help → File types & default app…). Then use the preview chip or Plugins menu; Export PDF from the preview toolbar.
Still stuck? Check troubleshooting or open an issue.
Troubleshooting
