PDF to Markdown on your Mac
Markdown Ready
Compile PDFs, scanned pages, and document images into durable Markdown you can review, edit, search, archive, and reuse across AI and local workflows.
One-time purchase: $9.99. No subscription.
From PDF to usable text
Still copying pages out of PDFs by hand?
Direct PDF chat is convenient for quick questions. Markdown Ready serves a different need: convert once, keep a reviewable file, and reuse the same output across chat services, local models, notes, wikis, RAG, and archives.
Local Document Compiler
The output remains yours
Convert once
Prepare the source document before using it downstream instead of repeating the same extraction in each chat or service.
Keep the artifact
Save durable Markdown and optional JSON in a folder you choose, alongside the original document.
Reuse anywhere
Move the same inspectable output between chat, local models, notes, wikis, RAG, and archives.
Current Features
Document conversion without a cloud OCR API
PDF and image input
Choose a PDF, JPG/JPEG, PNG, or input folder through macOS file and folder pickers.
Markdown and JSON output
Generate Markdown for review and optional JSON sidecar files for inspection, automation, and downstream workflows.
Two local OCR engines
Choose between GLM-OCR and PaddleOCR-VL for each conversion.
Table options
Turn on the Tables option when table-aware conversion matters.
One-time folder batches
Process supported files directly inside a selected folder once, without traversing subfolders.
Local OCR
Documents are processed locally on Apple Silicon and written to the output folder you choose.
Long-document resilience
PDFs use ten-page chunks, clean-chunk checkpoints, and page issue reports so one difficult page does not normally discard the rest.
Local Processing
Your documents stay on your Mac
Your documents are selected through macOS file and folder pickers and processed locally. Markdown Ready does not upload document contents to a cloud OCR API. The output is written to the folder you choose.
Folder Workflow
One-Time Folder Batches
Choose a folder and press Start to process supported files directly inside it once. The batch is non-recursive: subfolders are not traversed, and Markdown Ready does not watch or poll the folder for later changes.
How It Works
From source file to reviewable output
- Select a PDF, document image, or folder.
- Choose where Markdown Ready should save converted files.
- Pick Markdown and optional JSON output.
- Turn Tables on when structure matters and choose how Existing output is handled.
- Press Start. A folder input runs once over supported top-level files only.
- Use Output to review the saved files before using them downstream.
Important Notes
Local OCR is useful, but still needs review
Performance and power
Large PDFs and folder batches can use sustained CPU/GPU and unified memory on Apple Silicon. For long conversions, keep your Mac connected to power.
Accuracy
OCR is not perfect. Complex tables, formulas, handwriting, historical scans, screenshots, tiny text, and low-quality source images can produce mistakes.
FAQ
Common questions
Does Markdown Ready upload my documents?
No. Markdown Ready processes selected documents locally on your Mac and writes output to the folder you choose. No cloud OCR API is required for model loading or conversion.
Is the output always perfect?
No OCR system is perfect. Markdown Ready is designed to make documents easier to inspect and reuse, but important sections should be reviewed before you rely on the output.
How does folder input work?
Choose a folder under Input and press Start. Markdown Ready processes supported files directly inside that folder once. It does not recurse into subfolders or watch or poll for later changes.
Why not upload the PDF directly to an AI chat?
Direct chat is ideal for quick questions. Markdown Ready is for local processing and durable Markdown/JSON that you can inspect, archive, and reuse across tools.
Does it bypass copyright restrictions?
No. Process only documents you are authorized to use and follow applicable copyright and other laws.