Rune

Product Introduction

1. Definition: Rune is a native macOS text editor (technical category: desktop software, code editor) built with Swift and AppKit, centered around a single, automatically syncing scratch file stored in iCloud Drive.
2. Core Value Proposition: It exists to provide a frictionless, lossless note-taking and editing experience across multiple Apple silicon Macs. Its core value is automatic, conflict-aware iCloud sync that merges edits instead of overwriting them, combined with Sublime Text-inspired performance and key bindings for quick edits.

Main Features

1. Automatic, Merge-Based iCloud Sync: Rune's primary feature is its intelligent synchronization. Every keystroke is saved to a local recovery journal within 300ms. Changes are uploaded to a dedicated scratch.md file in iCloud Drive. If two Macs edit simultaneously, Rune performs a three-way, line-and-word-level merge. Non-overlapping edits are combined automatically; conflicts are preserved inline with clear markers, allowing the user to choose which version to keep using keyboard shortcuts (⌘1, ⌘2, ⌘3).
2. Plain-Text-First Clipboard Operations: Rune enforces clean text workflows. Standard paste (⌘V) strips all formatting. Paste Clean (⌥⇧⌘V) additionally removes invisible characters and normalizes spaces. Clean Clipboard (⌃⌥⌘V) is a system-wide service that sanitizes the clipboard content in any application. Append to Scratch adds clipboard or selected text to the end of scratch.md without switching apps.
3. Sublime Text Parity for Quick Edits: Rune mimics Sublime Text's efficiency for developers and writers. It includes syntax highlighting for 33 languages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Go, etc.) using tree-sitter, supports multiple carets and selections, and uses Sublime's default keymap. It features a minimap, fast fuzzy file finding (⌘P), and preserves original file encodings and line endings. The "Show Scratch" global hotkey (⌥Space) toggles the editor window from anywhere.
4. Native macOS Integration & Transparency: As a native Mac app, Rune offers a menu bar icon showing sync status, reopens all tabs after a quit, and includes a command-line tool (rune). It provides detailed, real-time sync diagnostics in the status line (e.g., "Saved," "Uploaded," "On disk") and maintains a 30-day local history and a full sync log for troubleshooting.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: Data loss and sync conflicts when using a simple text file across multiple devices. Traditional cloud storage (Dropbox, iCloud Drive) can cause overwrites or create confusing duplicate files.
2. Pain Point: Context switching and workflow interruption when needing to quickly jot down notes, ideas, or code snippets while working in other applications.
3. Target Audience: Apple-centric professionals like software developers, system administrators, writers, and researchers who use multiple Macs (e.g., a Mac Studio and a MacBook Air) and need a reliable, always-available scratchpad. It's ideal for users who value Sublime Text/VSCode-like editing features but desire a simpler, sync-focused tool.
4. Use Cases: Capturing meeting notes or terminal commands on one Mac and having them instantly available on another. Maintaining a shared, constantly updated project TODO or log file across a team's Macs. Quickly editing configuration files or scripts with robust syntax highlighting and multi-caret support.

Unique Advantages

1. Strengths & Limitations (Pros & Cons):

   • Pros: Unparalleled sync conflict resolution that preserves all data; true real-time save-as-you-type with crash protection; exceptional performance (fast launch, low CPU/memory footprint); deep, thoughtful macOS integration (menu bar, services, CLI); no telemetry or external accounts; one-time purchase license.
   • Cons: Exclusively for macOS 27+ on Apple silicon, locking out Intel Mac and Windows/Linux users. Reliant entirely on iCloud Drive, which can be a limitation in restricted corporate environments. Centered on a single scratch.md file, less suited for managing large multi-file projects compared to full IDEs.

2. Key Alternatives & Differentiation:

   • VS Code with Settings Sync: VS Code is a full-featured, cross-platform IDE. Its sync relies on a Microsoft/GitHub account and syncs settings/extensions, requiring more setup. Rune differentiates with its zero-configuration, file-based iCloud sync and singular focus on being an instantaneous, system-wide scratchpad.
   • Simplenote or Standard Notes: These are cross-platform, cloud-based note apps. They use proprietary sync and often have rich-text features. Rune differentiates by being a native, plain-text-only editor with local file storage, Sublime Text key bindings, and merge-based sync that shows exact conflict diffs.
   • Using ~/Desktop/scratch.md in iCloud Drive with any editor: This is the free alternative. Any conflict will create a duplicate file (e.g., scratch (Conflict).md), requiring manual reconciliation. Rune's core advantage is automating the merge process and presenting conflicts inline, eliminating manual file management.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How does Rune handle sync conflicts compared to iCloud Drive or Dropbox? Unlike standard cloud storage which creates duplicate conflict files or silently chooses a version, Rune performs an automatic three-way merge. If changes overlap, it inserts both versions directly into the text with clear labels (e.g., <<<<<<< Air), allowing you to resolve them instantly with keyboard shortcuts without leaving the editor or losing any data.

2. Can I use Rune to edit files other than the main scratch.md file? Yes. While scratch.md is the central synced file, Rune can open and edit any text file on your system. These files open in tabs, are saved locally, and their state (open tabs, cursor position) is preserved across app restarts. However, automatic iCloud merging is a feature unique to the primary scratch.md file.

3. Is Rune a suitable replacement for Sublime Text or VS Code for coding? Rune is not a full IDE replacement. It lacks features like an integrated debugger, terminal, or extensive plugin ecosystem. It is best as a companion tool for quick notes, editing single scripts/config files, or as a lightning-fast scratchpad. Its value is in its sublime-like editing speed and unique cross-Mac sync for a primary notes file, not in managing large codebases.

4. What happens if I don't have internet access or iCloud Drive is disabled? Rune continues to work locally. All keystrokes are saved instantly to the local recovery journal and disk. The status line will indicate a problem (e.g., "iCloud off"). Once connectivity is restored, pending changes will be uploaded and synced normally. Your data is always safe on the local Mac's disk first.

5. Does the $19 license include future major version updates (e.g., Rune 2.0)? The license includes all updates within the major version 1.x series. Major version upgrades (e.g., to Rune 2.0) would typically require a paid upgrade, which is standard for desktop software with a one-time purchase model. The product page specifies "Updates to Rune 1.x included."