md-viewer is a lightweight markdown viewer built specifically for developers using Claude Code to generate documentation. It provides live-reloading functionality that automatically updates when Claude modifies markdown files, eliminating the need to switch between terminal and editor windows.

Key Features

The tool addresses specific pain points when working with AI-generated documentation:

• Live reload by default: When Claude updates a file, the viewer re-renders automatically without manual refresh
• Independent file watching: Unlike VS Code preview, md-viewer watches files independently without requiring them to be open in an editor
• File explorer sidebar: Browse between documentation files without leaving the viewer
• Mermaid diagram support: Renders architecture diagrams natively when Claude generates them in markdown
• Tabbed interface: Open multiple documents across different projects simultaneously
• Lightweight footprint: Approximately 35 MB, only links libc, and opens instantly

Installation Options

The tool is available through multiple package managers:

# AUR (Arch-based)
yay -S md-viewer-git

Snap
sudo snap install md-viewer
Cargo (Rust)
cargo install md-viewer

Usage

Basic usage is straightforward:

• Open md-viewer on a second monitor or tiled next to your terminal
• Point it at your project's CLAUDE.md file or docs/ folder
• Use md-viewer path/to/file.md or drag and drop files
• No "Open Folder" required - works with individual files

The tool is built with Rust and egui, and currently supports Linux only (both X11 and Wayland). It functions as a read-only companion for AI-assisted development, designed to stay open alongside terminal sessions throughout the workday.