The full prefix set.

20 prefix characters. From everyday basics to advanced power tools.

01

The basics

#

Heading

Creates a section heading. Everything below it groups under that heading on the right.

+

Task

Adds an unchecked task. Tasks float to the top of their section on the right.

-

Done

Checks off a task by fuzzy-matching its name. Also removes questions, highlights, and sections.

!

Highlight

Marks a line as important. Rendered bold and prominent on the right.

?

Question

Flags a line as a question. Rendered in italics on the right so open questions stay visible.

"

Quote

Wraps a line in a styled blockquote with a left border.

*

Bullet

Creates a bullet point. Multiple bullets form a list under the nearest heading.

@

Image

Embeds an image or video from a file path, URL, or dropped file.

02

The advanced set

%

Numbered

Creates a numbered list item. Auto-numbered on the right side.

`

Code

Starts a code line with syntax highlighting. Add a language hint for coloring (e.g. `swift or `c# Title `).

=

Math

Evaluates a math expression inline. Supports unit conversions, variable assignment, and built-in constants (pi, e).

:

Timer

Starts a countdown timer. Notifies when done. Supports multi-phase timers (e.g. 5m work, 5m rest).

;

Loop Timer

Starts a looping timer that restarts automatically when it finishes.

&

Table

Creates a table row. Use | to separate columns. First row becomes the header.

$

Stock

Tracks a live stock price. Use $TICKER in math lines to calculate with market values.

>

Move

Moves a task or section here by fuzzy-matching. Use a pipe to send to a specific section (e.g. > +fix | Home).

/

Comment

A private note that only appears on the left side. Never rendered on the right.

~

Divider

Draws a horizontal rule. Completions and moves cannot cross it. Add a label to center text on the rule.

^

Find & Replace

Searches content above. Add | replacement to replace all matches.

\

Escape

Makes the rest of the line plain text. Bypasses all prefix parsing.

03

Quick Capture

Two shortcuts to capture from any app, even full-screen ones. One grabs your clipboard instantly. The other opens a floating bar to type, paste, or drag content into.

Ctrl+Option+.

Clipboard grab

Instantly appends whatever is on your clipboard to the current note. No window, no prompt.

Ctrl+Option+Shift+.

Text entry bar

Opens a floating bar to type, paste, or drag content. Start with a prefix character and the bar adapts in real time.

Click a prefix to see how the bar responds

! Review slides for Monday
!

Beyond prefixes

Quick Capture. Jot something down from any app with a keyboard shortcut.
Dual-pane editor. Write on the left, read the organized version on the right.
15 themes. 7 light and 8 dark themes with hand-picked colors.
Export. Send notes and tasks to 15+ destinations including Obsidian, Notion, Things, and Todoist.
Multiple notes. Switch between notes with titles and search.
Automation. Control Mudlark via the mudlark:// URL scheme and Apple Shortcuts.
Customizable shortcuts. Rebind keyboard shortcuts and change prefix characters.
Print. Print your notes with proper formatting.
Reader mode. Toggle a rendered-only view of your note.
Named blocks. Group lines into named blocks for easier organization.
Inline formatting. *Italic*, **bold**, and `code` within any line.
Window pinning. Pin Mudlark above other windows to keep it always visible.
Custom callouts. Define custom line types with their own prefix, icon, color, and style.
Smart typography. Auto-converts arrows, symbols, fractions, smart quotes, and more.
Indentation. Up to 5 levels of nesting for bullets and numbered lists.
Category customization. Reorder and hide item categories in the rendered pane.
Note pinning. Pin notes to protect them from auto-cleanup.
Cheat sheet. Built-in reference for all prefix characters and syntax (⌘/).

Mudlark is free to try.

macOS 14+ · Apple Silicon and Intel