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Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python (now Linux runtime) (notepadexe.com)

41 points by krzyzanowskim ↗ HN
I recently released version 1.4 of Notepad.exe, my editor built for macOS. The goal of the app is to let you prototype ideas in Swift or Python with minimal setup - write code, hit Run, skip project scaffolding.

This release adds support for a Linux runtime/subsystem, so you can write on macOS and execute snippets in a Linux environment.

I’d love to hear any feedback or answer any questions: would a tool like this fit your workflow? What friction remains?

17 comments

[ 81.8 ms ] story [ 684 ms ] thread
terhechte
Hey Marcin :) Really dig this. A much friendlier alternative to Swift development than having to use the monstrosity that is Xcode. Especially for people that want to get something done quickly. The Linux support is also really cool. The Xcode-alternatives market is really starved, so I'm very happy this exists. It's possible to configure VSCode to support Swift, but that's a lot of configuration and messing around.

When Vim bindings? ;)

lnxg33k1
This seems like the celebration of misunderstandings, an .exe app for mac os, called notepad but code editor, and can run and design UI
toinewx
the name is obviously a pun/joke, and the website is also trying to be humorous.

but I don't think it helps your product by now. It looks you built something that is actually useful and the pun/joke is not needed anymore. same for your website, I think the humorous part is distracting.

I think you should pick a unique name, the joke is no longer needed.

bofadeez
"stop fighting with your IDE" wow it's like reading my mind. All I do is fight with IDEs 24/7
rsaz
Looks really good and I'll definitely be trying it out. Is there anywhere laying out what features are paywalled? "Free Ride" says "Core functionality", but I can't find what that means specifically.

Also does this support having a plugged-in device as a Run target like Xcode does? Or is it only simulator?

ngcc_hk
Not sure I got the use case as a decade old occasional developer. Tbh the life time one is ok. But it is another tool chain. Just wonder why I want to add to my workflow especially if it is just receipts and we need Xcode as the oven. And the linux part … can the code run in Wsl?
bmandale
> image-rendering: pixelated;

I suppose this is a bit of humour as well?

internet2000
Time to get a better name. The name is the friction remaining that stops me from adopting this.
rubymamis
It crashes on my Mac when it starts up (Macbook Air M4 running Sequoia).
kristianp
Does it use Apple's on-device models for the AI?

Does Swift have UI capabilities on Linux?

hu3
I love it. Even the name.

I like that it starts instantly for me too.

aaronbrethorst
I really do not understand what this is from skimming the website on my phone. The app name makes it even more confusing.
marvel_boy
Got an error on installation [1] on my mac . Could be because using last version of Xcode(26.1 beta 2?

[1]Termination Reason: Namespace SIGNAL, Code 5 Trace/BPT trap: 5 Terminating Process: exc handler [949]

Thread 0 Crashed:: Dispatch queue: com.apple.main-thread 0 Notepad.exe 0x104681fd4 0x104620000 + 401364 1 Notepad.exe 0x104681e04 0x104620000 + 400900 2 Foundation 0x1872b951c -[NSObject(NSKeyValueCoding) valueForKey:] + 280 3 Foundation 0x1872b93ac -[NSObject(NSKeyValueCoding) valueForKeyPath:] + 220 4 AppKit 0x189c25e58 -[NSBinder valueForBinding:resolveMarkersToPlaceholders:] + 124 5 AppKit 0x189c25c18 -[NSValueBinder

kristianp
Are there capabilities to add other programming languages, for example via plugins/scripting?
BChass
Works great for a few mins and then crashes on macOs
BChass
This license does not include updates to future major versions - so another $99 when v2 comes around. This is an interesting Lifetime License model...