Setup & Installation
Or with the ClawHub CLI, for registry-managed skill folders outside a full OpenClaw workspace:
Version History
- Added a new Troubleshooting section covering access restrictions, Safari caching issues, and macOS open quirks. - Clarified Notes with guidance on not starting the server with a file path, drag-and-drop support, and that all dependencies are bundled locally.
What This Skill Does
A local server that renders markdown files in a browser with live reload on save. Designed for AI pair-editing sessions where an agent writes or edits .md files and the user sees updates instantly. No external services or accounts required.
Unlike editor plugins that require specific IDE setup, this works with any AI agent and any browser via a simple local HTTP server with zero npm dependencies.
When to use it
- Previewing AI-generated documentation as it's being written
- Reviewing README edits in real time during a coding session
- Watching multiple markdown files side by side in separate tabs
- Rendering Mermaid diagrams and KaTeX math while editing
- Checking GitHub Flavored Markdown formatting before committing
Example Workflow
Here's how your AI assistant might use this skill in practice.
User asks: open my project README in the markdown viewer
- 1Check if mdview server is running on 127.0.0.1:3000
- 2Start mdview in the background if not already running
- 3Construct the view URL with the absolute path to README.md
- 4Open the URL in the default browser using the OS-appropriate command
Browser tab opens showing README.md with live reload; subsequent saves to the file re-render the page automatically