Introduction We have all started a side project with enthusiasm and then abandoned it in the repository graveyard, without touching it for months. This time I decided to break the cycle and create a tool that solved real problems I faced every day as a developer.
The problem My workflow included generating text with language models that arrived as a disaster without structure. The most frustrating thing was not just the format but the lack of control in every subsequent step. Inflexible previews with Arabic text and insufficient RTL support, fixed styles that prevent changing font size or typography for presentations, and tedious manual formatting for headings, lists, and code blocks.
The solution I built Smart Markdown Pro, a local-first markdown editor powered by AI and developed with Next.js App Router, Tailwind CSS, and TypeScript. It is open source and was born as the tool I always wanted to have.
Total preview customization The core of the idea was a preview panel that adapts to your needs. You can toggle between RTL and LTR instantly, adjust the base font size with a slider, and apply any Google Font by adding its reference. The app remembers the fonts used for quick access, improving usability for multilingual documents and presentations.
AI-powered formatting To convert unstructured text into clean markdown, I integrated the OpenAI API and created a Format with AI button that transforms the content into well-structured GFM. The backend securely manages the key and prompt with an API route in Next.js, making it easy to have an integrated intelligent formatting assistant.
Local file management I avoided creating unnecessary accounts by using Zustand with localStorage persistence. The system allows you to create, open, search, and delete documents quickly and privately in the browser, an ideal solution for those who value simplicity and confidentiality.
High-fidelity PDF exports One of the technical challenges was generating PDFs faithful to the design when client libraries failed due to new CSS color formats. The solution was a serverless function with Puppeteer that receives the preview HTML, launches a headless Chrome, applies minimal CSS, and uses the browser's own print-to-PDF function to obtain flawless results.
Learning and satisfaction Building what you really need forces you to think about every detail and is a powerful learning experience. This project was born from real problems and today can serve other developers and teams who need control, speed, and quality in their content generation.
Try it and the code You can try the application at https://smart-markdown-pro.vercel.app/ and explore the repository at https://github.com/Abubakr-Alsheikh/smart-markdown-pro to see implementations and contributions.
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Contact and next step If this type of project inspires you and you have daily annoyances you would like to turn into an application or service, Q2BSTUDIO can help you transform that idea into a real solution. We offer consulting in custom software, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, aws and azure cloud services, business intelligence services, AI agents, and power bi for companies that want to grow with technology.
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