Markdown-native navi alternative
cheatmd is a documentation-first command runner for developers who want their cheat sheets to be regular Markdown files.
If you like the concept of terminal tools like navi but prefer a more Markdown-native documentation workflow, cheatmd focuses on freeform notes, full-text search, and reusable command modules.
Why use cheatmd?
navi is an excellent command picker and TUI launcher with a focused cheatsheet syntax. cheatmd takes a different approach: standard Markdown is the source of truth.
Instead of maintaining tool-specific metadata formats, your cheat sheets serve directly as readable documentation, DevOps runbooks, workspace configuration checklists, or personal developer references.
Key differences
Standard Markdown files
cheatmd reads regular Markdown files directly. Your command snippets remain readable and render cleanly in terminal readers, Obsidian vaults, GitHub repositories, and IDE file viewers.
Notes and commands together
Write explanations, headings, bullet lists, and long-form troubleshooting notes alongside the commands you actually run. There is no separate cheat-sheet format between the documentation and execution.
Full-content search
cheatmd indexes the underlying file text. Long CLI commands, descriptive headers, and background technical context stay searchable, even when the terminal UI shows a compact preview.
Reusable command modules
cheatmd supports reusable snippets, nested modules, and chained variables as part of the core workflow.
When cheatmd is a good fit
- ✔ You want terminal cheat sheets written as standard Markdown
- ✔ You need command notes that render cleanly in GitHub or Obsidian
- ✔ You prefer documentation and executable commands in the same file
When navi may still be a better fit
- → You prefer a dedicated command picker with a focused cheatsheet syntax
- → You do not need files to double as standard Markdown documents
- → You want access to an established community collection of cheats
Summary
cheatmd is a Markdown-native navi alternative for developers who want their command-line snippets, notes, and documentation to live together in plain Markdown files.