Prosaic

Product Introduction

1. Definition: Prosaic is a terminal-based markdown editor designed as a minimalist writing environment for authors, journalists, and content creators. It operates exclusively within command-line interfaces (CLI), leveraging plain-text Markdown files for content creation.
2. Core Value Proposition: Prosaic eliminates digital distractions and feature bloat, offering writers a telemetry-free, cost-free writing tool focused solely on productivity. Its existence addresses the demand for privacy-first, offline-capable writing software without subscriptions, cloud dependencies, or AI interference.

Main Features

1. Markdown Editor with Live Outline:
   Prosaic parses Markdown syntax in real-time, generating a dynamic document outline that updates as users write. Built with Python and leveraging libraries like rich for terminal rendering, it displays section headers (H1-H6) in a collapsible sidebar. Simultaneously, it tracks live word count and character statistics without disrupting workflow.

2. Focus Mode:
   This feature activates a distraction-free interface by hiding all UI elements except the current paragraph. Implemented via terminal control sequences (ANSI escape codes), it temporarily suspends the outline and metrics panel, isolating the writer’s text in a centered, high-contrast view to combat cognitive overload.

3. Daily Writing Metrics:
   Prosaic logs daily output (words, characters, session duration) to local CSV files stored in ~/.prosaic/stats. Users can generate progress reports via terminal commands, visualizing trends like weekly word counts. Data remains user-owned, with no external servers involved.

4. Git-Ready Plaintext Workflow:
   All documents save as standard .md files in user-specified directories, enabling seamless integration with version control systems like Git. This allows writers to track revisions, branch drafts, or push to remote repositories (e.g., GitHub) using native terminal commands.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: Modern writing apps often include unnecessary features (AI, templates, cloud sync) that increase cognitive load and compromise privacy. Prosaic solves this by delivering a zero-bloat, telemetry-free environment where functionality aligns strictly with writing fundamentals.
2. Target Audience:
   • Terminal-native writers (developers, technical authors) seeking keyboard-driven efficiency.
   • Privacy-focused users avoiding SaaS subscriptions or data harvesting.
   • Minimalists prioritizing speed and simplicity over graphical UIs.
3. Use Cases:
   • Drafting long-form content (books, research papers) with consistent progress tracking.
   • Editing Markdown in low-bandwidth environments (remote servers, travel).
   • Maintaining version history via Git for collaborative or iterative writing.

Unique Advantages

1. Differentiation: Unlike GUI tools like Scrivener or Ulysses, Prosaic requires no mouse interaction, reducing context-switching. Versus web apps (Google Docs), it guarantees offline access, no account requirements, and zero subscription fees. Competitors like Typora lack built-in Git integration and terminal-native workflows.
2. Key Innovation: Prosaic’s terminal-centric architecture uniquely merges writing and development workflows. By treating text as code (Markdown + Git), it enables writers to leverage DevOps practices—branching drafts, diffing revisions, and automating backups—without leaving the CLI.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is Prosaic suitable for non-technical writers?
   Prosaic targets users comfortable with terminal basics (file navigation, commands). Beginners may face a learning curve but benefit from its distraction-free core once configured.

2. How does Prosaic handle document backups?
   Since files are plain Markdown, users implement backups via Git, rsync, or cloud sync tools (Dropbox). Prosaic imposes no proprietary backup systems, ensuring full user control.

3. Can I use Prosaic for collaborative writing?
   Collaboration occurs via Git workflows: co-authors merge changes using pull requests and conflict resolution. Prosaic itself lacks real-time co-editing, prioritizing individual focus.

4. Does Prosaic support exporting to PDF or HTML?
   Export relies on external tools like Pandoc. Prosaic focuses solely on editing, encouraging terminal-based pipelines (e.g., prosaic draft.md | pandoc -o draft.pdf).

5. Is Prosaic compatible with Windows terminals?
   Yes. Prosaic supports Windows Terminal, PowerShell, and CMD via its Python codebase, ensuring cross-platform functionality (macOS, Linux, Windows).