Version 1.4 is here. Full Linux support is now built into Notepad.exe. Write Swift code on your Mac, run it on Linux. Everything handled automatically. It just works.

Why I Built This

Developing for Linux on a Mac has always been painful. You either SSH into a Linux box, manually manage VMs, or keep a separate Linux machine around for testing. None of these options are great when you're writing Swift for server-side development or Python scripts for Linux deployment.

Now you write your code in Notepad.exe and hit run. Behind the scenes there's cross-compilation, VM management, toolchain setup - but you don't see any of it. You just see your code running on Linux.

What Actually Works

• Cross-compile Swift projects targeting Linux right from macOS
• Swift toolchains and Linux SDKs download and install automatically when needed
• Your code runs in actual Linux environments with smart caching
• Python works too - not just Swift
• Code completion and error detection work for Linux projects

Platform Management

The notes library now shows which platform each note targets. There's a platform column with icons for macOS, iOS, and Linux. You can filter, sort, and manage your notes by platform. The SDK browser lets you manage Linux SDKs alongside your other toolchains.

When you're juggling code across three platforms, you need to know at a glance what's what.

Editor and UI Improvements

Syntax highlighting got smarter. Code completion got a visual refresh with better layout and spacing. Menus have icons now. Toolbar got new symbols for Linux and platform indicators. Tables have better spacing. You can rename notes from the menu instead of clicking into the inspector.

Bunch of polish that makes the app feel tighter overall.

The Technical Side

This was a beast to build. Container lifecycle management, intelligent caching, cross-compilation toolchain resolution, automatic SDK installation - there's a lot happening behind that "run" button. But you shouldn't have to think about any of it.

The whole point is that it works transparently. You write code, you run code. The platform details are there if you need them, invisible if you don't.

What This Enables

Server-side Swift development without leaving your Mac. Python scripting for Linux deployment. Cross-platform testing without maintaining multiple machines. Experimenting with how the same code behaves on macOS versus Linux side-by-side.

This is what I always wanted cross-platform development to feel like.

Version 1.4 is available now. If you've been waiting for Linux support, here it is.

/Marcin

The headline is Coding Intelligence - AI built right into the editor. It doesn't just autocomplete; it understands the flow of your code so you can move faster and spend less time thinking about syntax.

Another big step in 1.3 is App Distribution. For the first time, you can export a fully functional macOS application right from Notepad.exe. It's the first version of this feature, and already powerful enough to package up your work into something you can run and share on your own machine.

I also improved support for Swift and Python. You can open, edit, and highlight those files with better clarity, and even update packages without leaving the app.

On the personal side, themes got an upgrade. You can choose from more built-in styles or load your own. And if you like to tweak every detail, you can even swap the app icon right from settings.

The rest of 1.3 is all about polish: a cleaner interface, smarter text handling, better troubleshooting tools, and a long list of fixes for little annoyances.

For me, this release marks a shift: Notepad.exe is starting to feel less like just an editor and more like a coding companion - one that can now even build apps for you.

Grab it now at notepadexe.com. And if you've got feedback, drop it on the public issue tracker - I'd love to hear from you.

/Marcin

OK so funny story. I kept getting emails. "When Python?" "Add Python!" "I'll pay double for Python support." Every. Single. Day.

Fine. You win. 🐍

What's New

• Write Python. Run Python. That's it.
• pip stuff works (numpy, pandas, whatever you need)
• Output shows up instantly, like it should
• No virtual environments to mess with

Look, I get it. Sometimes you need to quickly parse some JSON. Or maybe you're prototyping that data thing before building the real version in Swift. Or you just like snakes. Whatever. Now you can do it without opening another tool.

But Why Though

I was debugging some server logs last week. Needed a quick Python script to parse them. Opened PyCharm. Waited. Created a project. Set up the interpreter. Configured the... you know what? Screw it. I added Python to Notepad.exe instead.

Took me three weeks of coffee-fueled coding sessions. Worth it? When I can switch between Swift and Python in the same window without any setup BS? Yeah, actually.

Swift Still Lives Here

Before anyone panics - Swift is still the main thing. iOS simulators, SwiftUI, all that good stuff. Python just moved into the spare room. They seem to get along fine.

The Nerdy Details

Syntax highlighting works. Autocomplete is decent (not perfect, but decent). Error squiggles show up where they should. pip packages download automatically when you import them - this part was annoying to build but I think you'll like it.

Oh, and your Swift notes don't know Python exists. They're in separate sandboxes. No weird conflicts or whatever.

Known Issues

- Sometimes pip takes a second on first import. Deal with it. - TensorFlow is massive and might make things sluggish. You've been warned. - No, I'm not adding Jupyter notebook support. Stop asking.

Version 1.2 is live. Go nuts.

Version 1.1 is here, and iOS runtime is finally working perfectly. You can now run iOS development sessions with their own simulators. Each note gets its own little sandbox to play in.

What Actually Works Now

You can build SwiftUI apps (with enhanced SwiftUI support), work with UIKit, or experiment with any iOS API that catches your interest. Same zero-setup philosophy as always - just write code and hit run.

The simulator spins up automatically. No configuration, no project setup, no wondering if you forgot to check some box in Xcode. It just works.

About Tomorrow...

WWDC25 starts tomorrow. Honestly, the timing couldn't be better.

While everyone else is creating new Xcode projects and fighting with build settings to try the new APIs, you can literally just open a note and start experimenting. That's... actually kind of nice.

Quick Thanks

Before I forget - thank you for the ongoing support since the first launch. Your feedback has been incredibly helpful, and I've been squashing bugs based on what you've reported. Keep it coming - it's making Notepad.exe better for everyone.

Speaking of feedback, this fantastic review by FatBobMan perfectly captures what Notepad.exe is all about: "Lightweight, Practical, Restrained, and Focused." They really get the vision of making Swift programming as straightforward as possible.

So Many Fixes and Improvements

There are countless bug fixes and improvements in 1.1 - too many to list here. The AI integration got better, SwiftPM support is more solid, and a bunch of other stuff too. If you tried Notepad.exe before and it wasn't quite right for you, maybe give 1.1 another shot.

The Boring Technical Stuff

Your existing macOS code sessions still work exactly the same. Now you can also create iOS development sessions. Compare how the same Swift code behaves on different platforms if that's your thing.

Honestly?

iOS runtime was by far the most requested feature. If you've been waiting because macOS-only wasn't enough - wait no more.

If you're already using Notepad.exe, this just makes your workflow better. If you're not, maybe give it a shot.

Download it here and see what happens.

After months of late nights, countless cups of coffee, and more debugging sessions than I care to admit, I'm thrilled to finally share Notepad.exe 1.0 with all of you! This project has been a labor of love, born from a frustration I've faced daily as a Swift developer.

Have you ever wanted to quickly test a Swift idea without firing up Xcode and creating an entire project? Or found yourself needing a lightweight environment to experiment with code snippets that you could organize and reference later? That's exactly why I built Notepad.exe - to bridge the gap between heavyweight IDEs and basic text editors.

Swift Ideas, Executed Simply

The Story Behind the Name

I've been asked about the name quite a bit already. Yes, it's a bit of a playful nod to Windows' classic text editor, but with a twist - this notepad actually executes your code! I wanted something that felt familiar and unpretentious, while hinting at the app's core functionality.

"It's essentially a notepad that can execute your code. I wanted something that would feel lightweight and familiar, but with the power to actually run the code you're writing."

The concept is simple: treat code snippets like notes. Write them, organize them, tag them, and run them with minimal friction. No project setup, no build configurations to fiddle with - just write Swift and see it work.

What Makes Notepad.exe Special?

While building this app, I focused on creating features I personally wanted in my daily workflow:

• Swift-First Approach: Everything is optimized for Swift, from code completion to syntax highlighting
• Library-Based Organization: Your snippets live in a searchable, taggable library that makes finding past work a breeze
• Floating Notes: Pop out your notes to hover above other apps - perfect for referencing code while working elsewhere
• Swift Package Manager Integration: Import and use external packages directly in your snippets
• Local AI Assistance: Get helpful code suggestions while keeping your code private - all processing happens on your Mac
• Tear-off Sticky Notes: Create quick throwaway notes that stay out of your library when you need them

What's Next for Notepad.exe

Version 1.0 is just the beginning! I'm already working on the roadmap for future updates, including:

• Enhanced macOS runtime capabilities for testing UI components
• iOS development tools and simulators
• More robust sharing options for code snippets
• Additional theme customization
• Exploring deployment options for other platforms
• And features based on your feedback!

I'm releasing version 1.0 now because it already delivers real value to Swift developers, but I see this as the foundation of something that will continue to grow and evolve with your input.

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I'm incredibly excited to see how you'll use Notepad.exe in your own Swift development workflow. Please share your experiences, suggestions, and feedback - they'll directly shape the future of this tool.

Try It Yourself

Notepad.exe is available now in several options to suit different needs. I've also made sure to include special provisions for educational use - students and teachers can use Notepad.exe for free for non-commercial educational purposes.

Ready to experience Notepad.exe? Visit the purchase page to get your copy and start coding with this new approach to Swift development.