A WYSIWYG word processor in Python
Hi all, Finding a good data structure for a word processor is a difficult problem. My notebook diaries on the problem go back 25 years when I was frustrated with using Word for my diploma thesis - it was slow and unstable at that time. I ended up getting pretty hooked on the problem. Right now I’m taking a professional break and decided to finally use the time to push these ideas further, and build MiniWord — a WYSIWYG word processor in Python. My goal is to have a native, non-HTML-based editor that stays simple, fast, and is hackable. So far I am focusing on getting the fundamentals right.…
In plain words
MiniWord is a native word processor built in Python that offers real-time WYSIWYG editing without relying on HTML or embedded browsers. It supports styles, images, tables, markdown, and Python plugins, while maintaining a clean, human-readable file format designed for version control and AI compatibility. The tool prioritizes simplicity, speed, and hackability, making it suitable for developers and users who want a lightweight alternative to traditional word processors.
written from the facts on this page · September 2026
From the sources
In the maker’s words, at launch
Hi all, Finding a good data structure for a word processor is a difficult problem. My notebook diaries on the problem go back 25 years when I was frustrated with using Word for my diploma thesis - it was slow and unstable at that time. I ended up getting pretty hooked on the problem. Right now I’m taking a professional break and decided to finally use the time to push these ideas further, and build MiniWord — a WYSIWYG word processor in Python. My goal is to have a native, non-HTML-based editor that stays simple, fast, and is hackable. So far I am focusing on getting the fundamentals right. What is working yet is: - Real WYSIWYG editing (no HTML layer, no embedded browser) with styles, images and tables. - Clean, simple file format (human-readable, diff-friendly, git-friendly, AI-friendly) - Markdown support - Support for Python-plugins Things that I found: - B-tree structures are perfect for holding rich text data - A simple text-based file format is incredibly useful — you can diff documents, version them, and even process them with AI tools quite naturally What I’d love feedback on: - Where do you see real use cases for something like this? - What would be missing for you to take it seriously as a tool or platform? - What kinds of plugins or extensions would actually be worth building? Happy about any thoughts — positive or critical. Greetings
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