Helbaron keeps your writing as plain .md files on your disk while you work on a page that looks like a finished document: headings, tables, code, math and diagrams render as you type. Open a Word file and keep editing it as Markdown, then export back to .docx or PDF when you need to share. Arabic and English sit side by side in the same document, each paragraph finding its own direction without any settings.
No account. No cloud. Your files stay yours.
Download
New apps can trigger a SmartScreen or Gatekeeper notice the first time. On Windows choose More info → Run anyway; on macOS right-click the app and choose Open.
After installing, Helbaron appears in Open with for .md, .markdown, .txt and .docx files, and in Windows Default apps.
Features
A page, not a text box
- Live preview: headings, lists, tables, images, links, KaTeX math, Mermaid diagrams and callouts render inline; any block opens back to source with a click.
- A single floating toolbar for everyday formatting, with Insert and View menus for the rest.
- Page, split and Markdown views; focus mode, typewriter mode, adjustable page width, text size and line spacing.
Word in, Word out
- Open
.docx files (from the app or straight from Explorer) and keep editing them as Markdown.
- Export to Word, PDF or a standalone web page. Arabic paragraphs stay right-to-left in exported Word files.
Arabic and right-to-left, done properly
- Every paragraph picks its own direction, so mixed Arabic–English documents just work.
- Arabic-tuned typography: proper shaping, no letter-spacing, extra line height for diacritics.
- Search ignores harakat and folds letter variants:
احمد finds أحمد, مدرسه finds مدرسة.
- A full Arabic interface is one switch away (English by default).
Make it yours
- Five interface styles, each with a light and a dark version: Baron, Glass, Slate, Paper and Minimal. Pick one on first launch with a live preview.
- Custom CSS themes with basic Typora theme compatibility.
Your files, your machine
- Plain Markdown files in any folder; file tree, tabs, side-by-side documents, quick open and workspace search.
- Auto-save, version history, local backups and optional WebDAV sync.
- Optional AI writing assistant that works with OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, local models and any OpenAI-compatible endpoint. It is off until you add a provider, and every edit is a preview until you accept it.
Screenshots
How it compares
| Helbaron | Typora | Obsidian | MarkText |
|---|
| Price | Free, open source | Paid after trial | Free, paid add-ons | Free, open source |
| Live preview editing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Word .docx import and export built in | Yes | Export via Pandoc | Via plugins | No |
| Per-paragraph Arabic / RTL direction | Yes | Limited | Limited | Limited |
| Arabic-aware search | Yes | No | No | No |
| Interface styles with light and dark | 5 built in | Themes | Themes | Themes |
| Optional AI with edit previews | Yes | No | Via plugins | No |
FAQ
What is Helbaron?
Helbaron is a free, open-source Markdown editor for Windows, macOS and Linux. You write on a page that looks like a finished document while your work is saved as plain .md files, with Word import/export and first-class Arabic and right-to-left support.
What is the best Markdown editor for Arabic?
Helbaron is built for Arabic and mixed Arabic–English writing: each paragraph picks its own direction automatically, Arabic text gets tuned typography, and search ignores diacritics so احمد finds أحمد.
Is Helbaron free?
Yes. It is free and open source under the AGPL-3.0, with no paid tiers, account or subscription.
Can Helbaron open Word documents?
Yes. It opens .docx files and exports to Word, PDF and HTML. Arabic paragraphs stay right-to-left in exported Word files.
Is Helbaron a free alternative to Typora?
Yes. Like Typora it edits Markdown with live preview, and it is free and open source, with built-in Word import/export and per-paragraph RTL direction.
Does it work offline?
Yes. No account and no cloud; documents are ordinary files on your disk.
Build from source
Requirements: Node.js 24, pnpm 10 and the Rust toolchain (Tauri prerequisites).
git clone https://github.com/Hassan-elbaron/helbaron_md.git
cd helbaron_md
pnpm install
pnpm --filter @helbaron/desktop tauri dev # run the desktop app
pnpm --filter @helbaron/desktop tauri build # build an installer for your system
pnpm -r test # run the test suites
Pushing a tag such as v2.14.0 builds Windows, macOS and Linux installers on GitHub Actions and publishes them to a release.
Roadmap
- Signed Windows and notarized macOS builds
- Arabic spellcheck dictionary
- Richer Word fidelity (comments, tracked changes, page setup)
- More export templates
Ideas and bug reports are welcome in Issues.
Contributing
Pull requests are welcome, from typo fixes to new features. Read CONTRIBUTING.md first, and open an issue before large changes.
If Helbaron is useful to you, a star helps other people find it. ⭐
Credits and license
Created by Hassan Maged Elbaron.
Helbaron is built on Markra, an open-source Markdown editor, and keeps its copyright notices. The source code is licensed under the GNU AGPL-3.0.
The Helbaron name, wordmark and compass logo are trademarks of Hassan Maged Elbaron and are not covered by the code license; see TRADEMARKS.md.
