Export & Zen Mode

Ariv includes tools for getting your notes out of the app and for getting deeper into your writing. Export lets you share notes in standard formats, while Zen Mode strips away the interface so you can focus on the words.

Export

Export lets you save the current note in various formats for sharing, printing, or archiving outside of Ariv.

How to export

Open the Export dropdown from the editor toolbar. Select your desired format and Ariv will generate the exported file.

Supported formats

Ariv supports common formats that cover most sharing and backup scenarios. Since your notes are already plain Markdown files, exporting is about converting them into formats that others can easily consume — even if they don’t use Ariv or any Markdown tool.

Tip

Because Ariv stores notes as plain Markdown files on your filesystem, you always have direct access to your data. Export is most useful when you need a formatted version (like PDF) or when sharing with someone who doesn’t work in Markdown.

Export from the Toolbox

You can also access export options through the Toolbox, which provides the same functionality in a different location. Use whichever access point fits your workflow.

Zen Mode

Zen Mode is a distraction-free writing environment that hides everything except the note itself. No sidebars, no toolbars, no status bar — just you and your words on a clean canvas.

What Zen Mode hides

• Sidebars — Both the file tree and the right sidebar disappear
• Toolbar — The editor toolbar is hidden
• Status bar — The bottom status bar is removed
• Tabs — The tab bar is hidden, leaving only the current note

The result is a full-screen writing surface with maximum space for your content.

Activating Zen Mode

You can toggle Zen Mode in two ways:

1. Command Palette — Open the command palette (Cmd+P / Ctrl+P) and search for “Zen Mode”
2. Toolbar — Click the Zen Mode button in the editor toolbar (before it’s hidden)

To exit Zen Mode, use the same methods. The command palette is always accessible, even in Zen Mode, so you can always get back.

Note

Your note content and cursor position are preserved when entering and exiting Zen Mode. Nothing is lost — it’s purely a visual change.

When to use Zen Mode

• Long-form writing. When you’re drafting an article, essay, or long document and need sustained focus.
• Journaling. Strip away the interface and let your thoughts flow without visual clutter.
• Deep focus sessions. When you need to concentrate on a single note without the temptation to jump between files.
• Presentations. If you’re presenting notes to someone, Zen Mode provides a clean, readable view.

Tip

Pair Zen Mode with a focus timer (like a Pomodoro timer) for deep writing sessions. The combination of a clean interface and time-boxed focus can dramatically improve writing output.

Formatting Toolbar

Ariv includes an optional formatting toolbar that appears above the editor. It provides clickable buttons for common Markdown formatting:

• Bold, Italic, Strikethrough
• Headings (H1 through H6)
• Lists (bullet, numbered, checkbox)
• Links and images
• Code (inline and blocks)
• Blockquotes

Enabling the Formatting Toolbar

The toolbar is off by default. To enable it:

1. Open Settings
2. Navigate to Editor
3. Enable Formatting Toolbar (editor.showToolbar)

Who it’s for

The formatting toolbar is designed for users who prefer clicking over memorizing Markdown syntax or keyboard shortcuts. It’s especially helpful if you’re:

• New to Markdown and still learning the syntax
• Working on a device where keyboard shortcuts are less convenient
• Quickly formatting content without thinking about syntax

Note

The formatting toolbar applies standard Markdown syntax to your text. It doesn’t use any proprietary formatting — everything it produces is plain Markdown that works anywhere.

Experienced Markdown users may prefer to keep the toolbar hidden and use keyboard shortcuts instead, preserving a cleaner editor interface.

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Related: Split View — Work with two notes side by side | Toolbox — Additional tools including export access | Search — Find notes and commands via the command palette