AI and development
Prepare prompts, code, and error logs
Organize reusable prompt context, fenced code blocks, terminal output, and temporary Markdown before copying it into another tool.
Explore the AI prompt scratchpad workflowNative macOS floating scratchpad
Capture ideas
without switching away.
OverPad keeps a lightweight Markdown editor one click away—above your coding, browsing, writing, and full-screen workflows.
Version 1.3 · Available for Mac only
macOSNative Mac application
19 themes3 light and 16 dark
8 languagesLocalized interface
Local savingNo account required
What OverPad is
A scratchpad that stays close.
OverPad is a native macOS app for quickly capturing and organizing temporary text. It launches as a draggable 48×48 pt floating orb instead of a traditional main window. Click the orb to open the Markdown editor; close the editor to return to the unobtrusive orb without quitting the app.
It is designed for developers, writers, researchers, and anyone who needs a place for code snippets, prompts, error logs, links, checklists, meeting notes, or draft text while another app remains visible.
中文简介：OverPad 是一款 macOS 原生悬浮 Markdown 草稿本。点击常驻悬浮球即可记录和整理文字，支持多笔记、代码高亮、19 套配色、8 种界面语言与本地自动保存，适合编程、浏览、写作和整理 AI 上下文。
Use cases
Two focused ways to keep working without losing context.
OverPad is a general-purpose Markdown scratchpad. These guides show how its existing features fit common Mac workflows.
Full-screen work
Keep notes across Spaces
Use the draggable orb and floating editor alongside coding, browsing, writing, and native macOS full-screen apps.
Explore the floating notes workflowCore features
Fast enough for fragments. Capable enough for real work.
One-click access
Drag the floating orb anywhere on screen, then click it to open the editor beside your current work.
Cross-Space workflow
The floating panels can join every desktop Space and are designed to assist native macOS full-screen workflows.
Multiple notes
Create, switch, and delete multiple notes. Titles come from the first line and notes are ordered by recent use.
Markdown and code
Edit portable Markdown source with live styling, GFM features, fenced code blocks, and syntax highlighting.
Readable your way
Choose a custom font, adjust the base size, and zoom from 60% to 240% using familiar Command shortcuts.
19 color themes
Switch between three light and sixteen dark palettes; the orb, editor, Markdown, and code colors update together.
Eight UI languages
Use English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, French, or German.
Automatic local saving
Notes and key preferences are saved on your Mac and restored on relaunch. There is no manual Save button.
Low-distraction presence
OverPad runs without a traditional Dock window and can temporarily collapse into the macOS menu bar.
Screenshots
Built to live alongside your work.
Good to know
Clear scope. No mystery features.
- Notes remain editable as plain, portable Markdown source.
- OverPad has no built-in AI generation, chat, summarization, or translation.
- There is currently no iCloud sync, account system, collaboration, or web version.
- OverPad is not a clipboard-history manager or a full knowledge-base app.
- The app currently supports macOS only.
Your scratchpad stays on your Mac.
OverPad does not require an account and does not include advertising, analytics, tracking, or cloud sync. Notes and preferences are stored locally by the app.
Frequently asked questions
OverPad, in plain terms.
What is OverPad?
OverPad is a native floating Markdown scratchpad for macOS. It stays available as a draggable orb and opens into a lightweight editor for notes, code snippets, prompts, logs, and temporary text.
Does OverPad send notes to the cloud?
No. Notes and preferences are stored locally on your Mac. OverPad does not provide accounts, cloud sync, analytics, advertising, or tracking.
Does OverPad include AI features?
No. It does not generate, summarize, translate, or upload content with AI. OverPad is useful for manually preparing clean Markdown context that you can copy into the AI tool of your choice.
Does OverPad support Markdown and code?
Yes. It supports live styling for common Markdown and GFM syntax, plus fenced code blocks with syntax highlighting for commonly used languages such as Swift, C#, JSON, JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, and Bash.
Which platforms does OverPad support?
OverPad is currently available only for macOS through the Mac App Store. There is no iPhone, iPad, Windows, Android, or web version at this time.
Keep the next thought within reach.
Open a lightweight scratchpad without leaving the app, Space, or full-screen workflow already in front of you.