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Markdown-native editing authority

docs/research/concepts/markdown-native-editing-authority.md

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Markdown-native editing authority

Definition

This is the reference used when deciding how a markdown-native editing surface should feel while the user is typing and navigating rich markdown content.

It is not just about parser correctness. It is about editing intent:

  • paragraph creation
  • line-break handling
  • link and image interaction
  • markdown-source expansion
  • markdown-native keyboard ownership

Current research conclusion

For Plate's markdown-native lane, Typora is the strongest practical authority.

Why:

  • it is explicitly markdown-first
  • it exposes a wide documented behavior surface
  • it covers more than serialization
  • it gives real product behavior for interactive markdown editing

Limits

Typora is strong, but not universal.

It is weaker for:

  • some destructive edge-key details
  • broad document-style table feel
  • collaboration and review surfaces
  • block-editor-native constructs with no markdown-native counterpart

Those need other sources or explicit Plate-owned decisions.

Use

Use this concept when a question is:

  • "what should markdown-native editing feel like?"
  • "who owns this markdown-native interaction?"
  • "is this parser-only, or real editing law?"