DotMD

Product Introduction

1. Definition: DotMD is a native macOS application that functions as a Markdown viewer, editor, and a collaborative review platform for AI-generated content. It integrates with AI agents via the Model Context Protocol (MCP), positioning it as a specialized tool for the AI-assisted documentation and specification workflow.
2. Core Value Proposition: It exists to solve the friction in reviewing and refining documents created by AI agents like Claude Code or Codex. Instead of a chaotic back-and-forth in a chat interface, DotMD provides a structured, line-by-line review process akin to a code pull request, ensuring precision, accountability, and version control for AI-authored content. Its core value is bringing developer-grade review tooling to AI-generated text.

Main Features

1. AI Agent Review Workflow: This is the core feature. An AI agent (e.g., Claude Code) writes a Markdown file and uses the MCP request_review tool to send it to DotMD. The file appears in a "Needs You" section. Users can select specific text passages, add inline comments (⌥⌘M), and send feedback. The agent reads these line-specific comments, edits the file directly, and presents changes as a diff (red for old, green for new) right next to the original comment. The user then accepts or rejects each change individually.
2. MCP Server Integration: DotMD runs a local MCP server (on http://127.0.0.1:8089/mcp). This allows any MCP-compatible AI desktop agent (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, VS Code with extensions) to discover, read, write, and request reviews for files within the user's open DotMD workspace. All communication is localhost-only, ensuring data privacy.
3. Advanced Markdown Editor & Viewer: As a foundation, it's a full-featured Markdown app. It renders GitHub-flavored Markdown including tables, code blocks with syntax highlighting, Mermaid diagrams, KaTeX math formulas, callouts, and footnotes. The Pro version adds a live-preview editor (⌘E) with synchronized scrolling between source and preview, instant saving, and powerful file management with tabs, workspace folders, and cross-file search (⇧⌘F).
4. Version History & File Management: DotMD automatically maintains a version history every time a file is changed, whether by a human or an AI agent. Users can compare any two versions, restore specific sections, or revert the entire file. Combined with the "Recent Requests" log that tracks all MCP activity, this provides full auditability for AI-assisted edits.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: The inefficiency and lack of precision in reviewing AI-generated documents within chat interfaces. In chat, you quote vague blocks of text, the agent often rewrites large, unrelated sections, and tracking what changed between versions is nearly impossible.
2. Target Audience: Technical Writers drafting documentation with AI; Product Managers & Founders reviewing AI-generated product specs and PRDs; Software Developers & Engineers collaborating with AI on technical plans, architecture documents, and code documentation; Solopreneurs & Content Creators who use AI for drafting and need a structured editing process.
3. Use Cases: Reviewing and approving a software module specification written by Claude Code; Iterating on a product launch plan generated by Codex; Using one AI agent (e.g., Claude Code) to review and comment on a draft written by another (e.g., Cursor), with the human acting as the final moderator; Maintaining version-controlled, AI-edited documentation for a project.

Unique Advantages

1. Strengths & Limitations (Pros & Cons):

   • Pros:
     • Precision: Line-specific comments and inline diffs eliminate ambiguity in AI feedback.
     • Workflow Control: Mimics proven code review (PR) workflows, giving the human final approval over every AI change.
     • Privacy-First: All data (files, MCP traffic) stays on the local Mac. AI actions use either on-device Apple Intelligence or the user's own API keys.
     • Powerful Foundation: It's a genuinely excellent, fast Markdown reader and editor even without the AI features.
   • Cons:
     • Platform Lock-in: Exclusively for macOS 14+, excluding Windows and Linux users.
     • Agent Dependency: Requires an external, MCP-compatible AI desktop agent (like Claude Code) to utilize its core review feature. It is not a standalone AI writer.
     • Local Focus: The MCP server is local-only, meaning collaborative review with other human team members is not a built-in feature; it's designed for human-AI interaction.

2. Key Alternatives & Differentiation:

   • Standard Markdown Editors (Obsidian, Typora): These are excellent for writing and viewing but lack any native integration for structured review with AI agents. The workflow would involve manual copy-pasting to/from a chat client.
   • AI Chat Clients (Claude Desktop, Cursor Chat): These are where the AI documents are typically generated. DotMD differentiates by pulling the document out of the chat for a dedicated, focused review environment with versioning and precise feedback, then pushing it back for the agent to edit.
   • VS Code with MCP Extensions: VS Code can be configured as an MCP client. DotMD's differentiation is its purpose-built, opinionated UI for the review workflow (Needs You sidebar, inline comment diffs, one-click accept) and its superior, dedicated Markdown rendering experience, which is more streamlined than configuring multiple VS Code extensions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How does DotMD's review process differ from reviewing in an AI chat? In a chat, you provide feedback on a copied paragraph, and the AI's subsequent rewrite makes it difficult to see the exact changes. DotMD ties your comment to specific lines, the AI's fix is displayed as a precise diff (red/green strikethrough) at that location, and you accept or reject each change individually, with a full version history—mirroring a code review for documents.
2. Which AI agents are compatible with DotMD? DotMD works with any AI agent that supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP) as a client. This includes Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, and Visual Studio Code with MCP extensions. Connection is via a single localhost URL (http://127.0.0.1:8089/mcp) in the agent's settings.
3. Can I use DotMD without an AI agent or subscription? Yes. DotMD is a free, fully-featured Markdown viewer. You can open and read any .md file with rendered diagrams, math, and code for free. The Pro subscription (which includes a 3-day trial) unlocks the editor, AI review features, MCP server, version history, search, and export functions.
4. Where does the AI processing happen when using DotMD? DotMD itself does not process AI prompts. For "AI Actions" (like Summarize or Explain), you choose a provider: it runs either on-device using Apple Intelligence or uses your own API key with services like OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google Gemini. For the review workflow, the AI processing is done by your connected external agent (e.g., Claude Code).
5. Is my data sent to DotMD's servers? No. All your files, comments, and version history are stored locally on your Mac. The MCP server runs only on your local machine. When using AI actions with your own API key, the text is sent directly from your Mac to the provider you selected, not through DotMD's infrastructure.