Glow
Read Markdown files in the command line with Glow, which renders the formatted document in the terminal.
About Glow
Glow is a terminal-based Markdown reader. Running it without arguments opens a text interface that finds Markdown files in the current directory and below, or in the local Git repository, and displays them with a pager using less-like keystrokes.
It also formats Markdown from a file, standard input, GitHub or GitLab path, or HTTP URL. Users can set wrap width, page output, select dark, light, or custom JSON styles, and store defaults in a glow.yml configuration file.
Key features
- Opens TUI to browse local Markdown files when run without arguments
- Finds Markdown files in subdirectories or local Git repository
- Renders files, stdin input, GitHub/GitLab paths, and HTTP URLs
- Sets maximum output wrap width with -w flag
- Shows output in pager with -p flag, defaults to less -r
- Applies dark, light, or custom JSON stylesheet with -s
Best for: People who need to read Markdown documentation directly in the terminal.
Good for
- Open source code available in the GitHub repository
- Installable through many system package managers and prebuilt binaries
- Detects terminal background to select dark or light style
Glow at a glance
- Category
- Software & Utilities › Text Editors
- Type
- Open-source project
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Open source
- Yes · Source code
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
Guides for Text Editors
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Glow FAQ
How do I browse local Markdown files with Glow?
Run glow without arguments. It searches the current directory and below, or the Git repository if you are in one.
How do I read a file from GitHub or HTTP?
Pass the source as the argument, for example glow github.com/charmbracelet/glow or glow https://host.tld/file.md.
How do I save default settings?
Run glow config to open glow.yml in your $EDITOR, where you can set style, pager, width, and mouse options.
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