Inkwell

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FAQ ​

Is Inkwell free? ​

Yes. The full editor is free forever: all themes, workspace file tree, Mermaid diagrams, LaTeX math, command palette, custom themes, templates, version history, focus mode, typewriter mode, and find & replace. No account required. No trial period.

PDF and HTML export require a one-time $19 Pro license. That's the only paid feature.

Does Inkwell work without internet? ​

Completely. Inkwell has no cloud component. It doesn't phone home, doesn't sync, doesn't check for updates in the background. It does not connect to any server during normal use. Your files stay on your machine.

Even the Pro license works offline. It's a signed file stored locally — no server validation needed.

What operating systems does Inkwell support? ​

Windows, macOS, and Linux. All three platforms ship from the same Tauri v2 / Rust codebase.

Install options:

  • Windows: Microsoft Store, winget install 4Worlds.Inkwell, Scoop, or direct download
  • macOS: DMG from GitHub Releases (unsigned — run xattr -cr /Applications/Inkwell.app after install, then open normally)
  • Linux: AUR (yay -S inkwell-bin), .deb, or binary from GitHub Releases

How big is Inkwell? ​

40 MB or less, depending on platform. It launches in under a second. No installer, no dependencies — download, extract, run.

How is Inkwell different from Obsidian? ​

Inkwell is a focused writing tool, not a knowledge management system. No plugins, no graph view, no configuration rabbit holes. Open it, write, close it.

Obsidian is excellent at what it does — linking notes, building a knowledge graph, extending with community plugins. If that's what you need, use Obsidian. We list it in our Gallery because we respect it.

Inkwell is for people who want to write without managing a system. One file, one editor, one export.

How is Inkwell different from Typora? ​

Both are markdown editors with clean interfaces. Key differences:

  • Pricing: Inkwell has a free tier. Typora is $14.99 with no free version.
  • Updates: Inkwell ships features regularly (v1.4 shipped March 2026 with custom themes, command palette, Typst PDF export). Typora's update cadence is slower.
  • Preview style: Typora uses inline (WYSIWYG) preview. Inkwell uses split-view (editor + preview side by side).
  • PDF export: Inkwell uses the Typst typesetting engine for professional PDF output. No browser dependency.
  • Both support: Mermaid diagrams, LaTeX math, themes, and code highlighting.

Full comparison →

How is Inkwell different from iA Writer? ​

iA Writer is a premium minimalist writing app focused on distraction-free prose. Inkwell is more technical:

  • Mermaid diagrams and LaTeX math — iA Writer doesn't support these.
  • Custom themes — Inkwell has a built-in theme creator with live preview.
  • Workspace file tree — navigate your project without leaving the editor.
  • Pricing: iA Writer is $49.99. Inkwell is free (Pro exports are $19).
  • Platform: iA Writer doesn't support Linux. Inkwell does.

Full comparison →

Can Inkwell export to PDF? ​

Yes, with a Pro license. Inkwell uses the Typst typesetting engine — a modern alternative to LaTeX — for PDF export. This means:

  • Professional typography with proper font embedding
  • Chapter breaks on ## headings
  • Code blocks with syntax highlighting
  • LaTeX math rendered correctly
  • No browser dependency (unlike Electron-based editors that print via Chrome)

HTML export is also included with Pro.

Does the Pro license expire? ​

Never. One payment, yours forever. Your license is a signed file on your machine. No server validation needed. No annual renewal. No "plan."

If 4Worlds disappears tomorrow, Inkwell keeps working. Your license keeps working. That's the point.

Can I use Inkwell on multiple machines? ​

Yes. Your license file works on any machine you own. Copy it to your new computer and you're done.

Does Inkwell support Mermaid diagrams? ​

Yes. Type a fenced code block with the mermaid language tag and the preview renders it live. Flowcharts, sequence diagrams, class diagrams, Gantt charts, and more. No plugin required — it's built in.

When you export to PDF or HTML (Pro), Mermaid diagrams are rendered as SVGs.

Does Inkwell support LaTeX math? ​

Yes. Inline math with $...$ and display math with $$...$$. Rendered via KaTeX in the preview. When you export to HTML, KaTeX fonts are included via CDN. In PDF export, math is rendered natively by the Typst engine.

Does Inkwell have a command palette? ​

Yes. Press Ctrl+K (or Cmd+K on macOS) to open it. Fuzzy search across all 22+ actions — toggle focus mode, switch themes, open settings, export, and more. Every action shows its keyboard shortcut.

Does Inkwell collect any data? ​

No. Zero telemetry, zero analytics, zero tracking. Inkwell never connects to any server during normal use. We don't know who our users are, how often they open the app, or what they write. That's by design.

Is Inkwell open source? ​

No. Inkwell is closed-source. We use GitHub for distribution (releases, issue tracking, discussions), not as a source repository. The binaries are unsigned on macOS and Linux. The Windows Store version is signed by Microsoft.

What happens if 4Worlds shuts down? ​

Inkwell keeps working. It's a standalone binary with no server dependency. Your license is a local file. Your documents are local files. Nothing about Inkwell requires us to exist. If we disappear, your editor and your files don't.

Where can I get help? ​