zufuliu/notepad4

★ 4,633C++Audience · vibe coderComplexity · 1/5LicenseSetup · easy

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((Notepad4))
    Languages
      Python JS HTML CSS
      Go Rust Swift TypeScript
      MATLAB Julia Assembly
      Config Formats
    Editor Features
      Syntax Highlighting
      Code Folding
      Auto Completion
      Bracket Auto Close
    Navigation
      matepath Browser
      Folder Navigation
    Distribution
      Single Executable
      32bit 64bit ARM64
      No Installer Needed

mindmap root((Notepad4)) Languages Python JS HTML CSS Go Rust Swift TypeScript MATLAB Julia Assembly Config Formats Editor Features Syntax Highlighting Code Folding Auto Completion Bracket Auto Close Navigation matepath Browser Folder Navigation Distribution Single Executable 32bit 64bit ARM64 No Installer Needed

Click or tap to explore — scroll the page freely

Things people build with this

USE CASE 1

Replace Windows Notepad with a smarter editor that colors code and suggests completions without installing a full IDE

USE CASE 2

Quickly view and edit config files, scripts, or code in dozens of formats with no setup required

USE CASE 3

Browse and edit files in a project folder using the built-in file browser without switching to another app

USE CASE 4

Use on low-resource or older Windows machines where a full editor like VS Code feels heavy

Tech stack

C++ScintillaWindows APIARM64Win32

Getting it running

Difficulty · easy Time to first run · 5min

Download a single .exe from the GitHub Releases page (32-bit, 64-bit, or ARM64). No installer needed, just run it. Portable and self-contained.

BSD 3-Clause, free to use, modify, and share as long as you keep the copyright notice. No restrictions on commercial use.

In plain English

Notepad4 is a lightweight text editor for Windows, built as a modernized and significantly expanded successor to the older Notepad2 and Notepad2-mod editors. If you have ever wished Windows Notepad could understand code, color it by type, and help you write it faster, Notepad4 is that upgrade. The editor supports syntax highlighting and code folding for an unusually long list of programming and markup languages. That list includes familiar names like Python, Java, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Go, Kotlin, Rust, Swift, TypeScript, and dozens more, along with configuration formats, assembly languages, and scientific tools like MATLAB and Julia. Coloring and folding mean the editor visually groups and highlights different parts of a file so it is easier to scan and read. Beyond just coloring text, Notepad4 offers auto-completion for words and function names, which can suggest what you are typing before you finish. It also auto-closes brackets and quotes, adjusts indentation automatically, and can show color previews directly in the editor when you type a color value in CSS or similar files. A built-in file browser called matepath lets you navigate folders without leaving the editor. The project is Windows-only and ships as a single executable with no installer required. Pre-built versions for 32-bit, 64-bit, and ARM64 Windows are available on the project's releases page and from automated build pipelines. It uses the BSD 3-Clause license, which means you can use and redistribute it freely with minimal restrictions. Notepad4 does not try to be a full development environment. It has no project management, no debugger, and no plugin marketplace. It is a fast-loading, capable text editor that happens to know about hundreds of file formats, suited for anyone who wants something more capable than the default Windows editor without the weight of a full coding application.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1

I have Notepad4 open with a Python file. How do I use its auto-completion and code folding features to navigate and edit the file more efficiently?

Prompt 2

I want to set Notepad4 as my default text editor on Windows for .js.html, and .css files. Walk me through the steps.

Prompt 3

I downloaded the Notepad4 single executable. How do I configure it to remember my preferred theme, font size, and indentation settings?

Prompt 4

I'm editing a CSS file in Notepad4 and want to use its color preview feature. How do I enable it and what color formats does it support?

Prompt 5

How does Notepad4 compare to Notepad++ for someone who just wants a fast, lightweight code-aware editor on Windows?

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