Makedown – A Markdown powered Makefile alternative
`makedown` allows you to organise your shell scripts in one or several markdown files, by mix and matching different scripting languages for various commands and needs. zsh/bash/sh, python, javascript or anything else available on your system. Handy for replacing one-line-based package.json scripts or shell-based Makefiles. One can also write documentation and explanations to various commands in the same `.md` file. Most editors highlight correctly most languages in the markdown code blocks, even when you use several scripting languages. Here is a demo .md file…
In plain words
Makedown is a tool that lets developers organize shell scripts in markdown files instead of traditional Makefiles or package.json scripts. It supports multiple scripting languages including bash, Python, JavaScript, and others, allowing users to mix languages as needed for different commands. Documentation and explanations can be written alongside code in the same markdown file, with proper syntax highlighting in most editors.
written from the facts on this page · September 2026
From the sources
In the maker’s words, at launch
`makedown` allows you to organise your shell scripts in one or several markdown files, by mix and matching different scripting languages for various commands and needs. zsh/bash/sh, python, javascript or anything else available on your system. Handy for replacing one-line-based package.json scripts or shell-based Makefiles. One can also write documentation and explanations to various commands in the same `.md` file. Most editors highlight correctly most languages in the markdown code blocks, even when you use several scripting languages. Here is a demo .md file https://github.com/tzador/makedown/blob/main/DEMO.md More information available in the https://github.com/tzador/makedown/blob/main/README.md Provided the following `example.md` in the root of your project, the defined commands are available to run from any of the projects subfolders: --- Start of example.md --- # hello Prints "Hello" to `stdout` using Zsh. ```zsh echo "Hello" ``` # world Just prints "World" to `stdout` using JavaScript. ```js console.log("World"); ``` # weather-tomorrow Prints the weather for tomorrow to `stdout` using Zsh. ```zsh curl wttr.in/tomorrow ``` # generate-password Prints a random password to `stdout` using Python. ```python import random import string length = 16 characters = string.ascii_letters + string.digits + string.punctuation password = ''.join(random.choice(characters) for _ in range(length)) print(password) ``` --- End of example.md --- You can run any of the commands from anywhere in the project, just by typing `makedown a-command-name` or a shorter `m a-command-name`. $ makedown --help hello - Prints "Hello" to `stdout` using Zsh. world - Just prints "World" to `stdout` using JavaScript. weather-tomorrow - Prints the weather for tomorrow to `stdout` using Zsh. generate-password - Prints a random password to `stdout` using Python. $ makedown hello Hello $ makedown world World $ m weather-tomorrow Sunshine # prints more details actually $ m generate-password 4444444444444444 $ m generate-password --help Prints a random password to `stdout` using Python. The commands have simple syntax, they start with a header with a link and stop when the next header starts. Like so: # [a-command-name]() A short description. Some documentation. ```bash some command ``` You can use other interpreters, like `python`, `node`, `ruby`, etc. You can also use a custom interpreter specified using hashbang, like: # [run-deno-script]() Runs a script using the Deno interpreter. Deno has to be installed on your system. ```typescript #!/usr/bin/env deno run const message: string = "hello, world"; console.log(message); ``` All the .md files in the current directory and all the parents are examined when looking for commands. Would be very grateful for any suggestions or other feedback. Thank you.
More dev tools this month
the category →
Open-source GTM skills for technical founders
Dev tools · 29d ago · gtmcofounder.com
OpenTrailPaper is open-source bike computer firmware for the LilyGO T5S3 4.7" E-Paper PRO. It supports offline maps, GPX routes, FIT recording and Bluetooth sensors.
Dev tools · 1d ago · opentrailpaper.com
Launched alongside, October 2024
the whole month →
Softr for Notion▲925Turn Notion databases into portals & apps with no code
Dev tools · 2024 · softr.io
One inbox for all your work discussions
Work · 2024 · generalcollaboration.com