Whether you're jotting down a quick idea, drafting a technical document, or formatting meeting notes in Markdown, a good online notepad should get out of your way. No login screen, no subscription prompt — just an empty page and a cursor.
The WebDesks Scratchpad is a free browser-based notepad with three modes: plain text writing, live Markdown preview, and syntax-highlighted code view. Your notes save automatically to your browser and stay completely private — nothing is ever sent to a server.
Try it now: Open the WebDesks Scratchpad — no account, no download, works in any modern browser.
What Is a Markdown Scratchpad?
Markdown is a lightweight writing syntax that lets you format text using plain characters. Type **bold** and it renders as bold. Type # Heading and it becomes a large headline. The result is readable plain text that also renders beautifully as formatted HTML.
A Markdown scratchpad combines a plain-text editor with a real-time preview panel. You write on one side and see the formatted output on the other — or toggle between the two. It's the fastest way to write structured notes without touching a mouse or a toolbar.
Three Modes in One Editor
The WebDesks Scratchpad ships with three editing modes, switchable from the toolbar:
Plain-text writing mode
A distraction-free textarea for stream-of-consciousness writing, quick notes, drafts, and brainstorming. No formatting distractions, just words.
Live Markdown preview
Renders your Markdown in real time — headings, bold, italics, bullet lists, numbered lists, blockquotes, tables, and inline code. Powered by the same GitHub-flavored Markdown spec used by developers worldwide.
Syntax-highlighted code view
Switch to code mode with language selection (JavaScript, Python, HTML, CSS, SQL, and more). The editor highlights syntax using highlight.js with a dark theme — perfect for storing code snippets or reviewing scripts.
Common Markdown Syntax Cheat Sheet
If you're new to Markdown, here's a quick reference for the most-used formatting. The Scratchpad supports all of these:
How to Use the WebDesks Scratchpad
- Navigate to the Scratchpad — click the file-text icon in the sidebar or go directly to webdesks.app/#scratchpad.
- Start typing — your content is auto-saved to localStorage every few seconds.
- Switch to Preview mode — click the "Preview" button in the toolbar to see your Markdown rendered.
- Use Code mode — click "Code," select your programming language from the dropdown, and paste or type your snippet.
- Share your note — hit the Share button to copy a shareable URL encoding your note text (no server involved; the note is encoded in the URL itself).
- Check your word count — hover over the bottom-right corner to see a live word count.
Privacy note: Your notes never leave your device. There's no account sync, no cloud backup, and no telemetry. Clearing your browser data will erase your notes, so copy important content elsewhere if you need it long-term.
Who Is an Online Notepad Best For?
A browser-based notepad with Markdown support fills a specific gap between "too simple" (basic sticky notes) and "too heavy" (full word processors or synced note apps). It's ideal for:
Developers and technical writers
Quickly draft README sections, document an API response, or store code snippets with syntax highlighting — without opening a separate IDE.
Students and researchers
Take lecture notes in plain text, then switch to Preview mode to see them formatted. Export by copying and pasting into any document editor.
Remote workers on shared or temporary machines
On a work computer or library PC where you can't install software? A browser notepad works anywhere, leaves nothing behind after closing the tab.
Writers and bloggers
Draft posts in Markdown and preview them instantly. Most publishing platforms (Ghost, Notion, Substack) accept Markdown — write once, paste anywhere.
Online Notepad vs. Desktop Editors: When to Use Each
| Feature | WebDesks Scratchpad | VS Code / Obsidian | Google Docs |
|---|---|---|---|
| No install required | ✔ Yes | ✘ Install needed | ✔ Yes |
| No account required | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✘ Google account |
| Markdown support | ✔ Full preview | ✔ Full preview | ✘ No |
| Code syntax highlighting | ✔ Yes | ✔ Advanced | ✘ No |
| Works offline | ✔ PWA | ✔ Yes | ✘ Limited |
| Notes private (no server) | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✘ Cloud stored |
| Cross-device sync | ✘ Local only | ✔ With plugins | ✔ Yes |
The Scratchpad wins on zero-friction access: open a browser tab and start writing. It can't replace a full editor for large projects, but for quick thoughts and structured notes, it's faster than any alternative.
5 Productivity Workflows Using the Scratchpad
1. Meeting notes → formatted document
During a meeting, type raw notes in Write mode. Afterward, switch to Preview to review a clean formatted version. Copy and paste into your team's wiki or email.
2. Temporary code storage
Working across multiple files and need to hold a snippet temporarily? Switch to Code mode, paste it, select the language — then retrieve it when you need it. Faster than a chat message to yourself.
3. Daily brain dump
Open the Scratchpad first thing each morning. Write everything on your mind — tasks, ideas, worries — in plain text. Clear the mental noise before starting structured work.
4. Draft before committing
Before writing a GitHub issue, Slack message, or email, draft it here first. The Markdown preview lets you confirm formatting before copying it over.
5. Paired with the Pomodoro Timer
Use the Pomodoro Timer alongside the Scratchpad. At the end of each focus session, write a two-sentence summary of what you accomplished. Over weeks, you'll have a searchable log of your work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the online notepad really free?
Yes. The WebDesks Scratchpad is completely free with no subscription tier, no account, and no hidden charges.
Are my notes saved automatically?
Yes. The Scratchpad auto-saves to your browser's localStorage. Notes persist between sessions — even if you close the tab — as long as you don't clear browser data or switch browsers.
Can I use the notepad offline?
Yes. WebDesks is a Progressive Web App (PWA). After your first visit, the Scratchpad is cached and works without an internet connection.
Does it support tables in Markdown?
Yes. GitHub-flavored Markdown tables are fully supported. Type a GFM table in Write mode, switch to Preview, and you'll see a formatted table.
Can I export my notes?
Select all (Ctrl+A), copy, and paste into any text editor, document, or email. The Share button encodes your note into a URL you can send to others — they see your note when they open the link, and it's decoded entirely client-side.
What happens to my notes if I use a different browser?
Notes are stored per-browser in localStorage. They don't sync across devices or browsers. For cross-device notes, paste important content into your preferred note-taking app after drafting here.