For the .md files AI gives you

How to open a .md file

Drop a .md file onto the box below. Vela Docs renders it as a clean, formatted document in your browser. Free, no install, no signup. Edit any text inline, leave comments, or share a link.

Drop a file or click to upload
Up to 1 MB · stays in your browser

That's it. The Markdown is now a readable document. Files stay in your browser until you click Share.

The 30-second way to open a Markdown file

  1. 01

    Open Vela Docs

    Visit docs.vela.partners in any modern browser. Nothing to install.

  2. 02

    Drop the .md file

    Drag the file onto the page, or click to pick one. It renders as a formatted document.

  3. 03

    Read, edit, or share

    Edit text inline. Highlight a sentence to leave a comment. Click Share to send the link.

Vela Docs vs. the desktop Markdown apps

Obsidian, Typora, and VS Code are all great Markdown editors, but each requires an install and none of them share like Google Docs. Here's how they compare for the common case: opening a .md file from an AI and sending it to a colleague.

 Vela DocsObsidianTyporaVS Code
Freeyesyesnoyes
No installyesnonono
Renders Markdownyesyesyespreview panepreview pane
Share link with commentsyesnonono
Real-time co-editingyesnonovia Live Sharevia Live Share
Works on iPhone / iPadyespaidpaidnono

Common questions

What is a .md file?
.md is the file extension for Markdown. Markdown is a way of writing formatted text using plain characters: # for a heading, * for a list item, **bold** for bold, etc. AI assistants like ChatGPT, Claude, and Notion AI default to Markdown for any text response that has structure (headings, lists, tables). It's a great format for the AI to write but a confusing one to open if you're not a developer.
Why does my .md file show as raw text in Notepad?
Notepad and TextEdit show the underlying Markdown syntax — the asterisks, hash marks, and brackets — because they're plain-text editors. To see the file rendered (with proper headings, bold, and lists), you need a Markdown viewer. Drop the file onto Vela Docs above and you'll see it formatted properly.
How do I open a .md file on a Mac?
Two ways. Either drop the file onto Vela Docs above (free, no install), or install a desktop Markdown app like Obsidian or Typora. The browser path is faster and lets you share the link with someone else.
How do I open a .md file on Windows?
Same as Mac: drop the file onto Vela Docs in any browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox). Right-clicking the .md file in File Explorer and choosing "Open with > Notepad" will show raw Markdown, not the rendered version, so use the browser.
Can I open a .md file in Word?
Word will open the file but show the raw Markdown syntax as plain text. Word doesn't natively render Markdown. To see formatting, use a Markdown-aware tool (browser viewer like Vela Docs, or a desktop Markdown app).
ChatGPT gave me a .md file. Now what?
Drop it onto Vela Docs above. The file renders as a normal-looking document with headings, lists, and bold/italic. You can edit any text inline, leave comments on a sentence, or click Share to send the link to a teammate — like Google Docs, but for the Markdown files AI tools produce.
Do I need an account?
No, not for opening or editing. Drop a file, edit it, download the result — no signup. You only sign in (Google or magic-link email) when you click Share, at which point the file is uploaded to the server so collaborators can join.
What's the difference between Vela Docs, Obsidian, and HackMD?
Obsidian is a desktop app focused on personal knowledge bases. HackMD is a collaborative web editor that requires an account for both authoring and viewing. Vela Docs is the no-install, no-signup option: drop a file, edit it, share the link. Use Obsidian if you want a local notes vault, HackMD if you live inside HackMD already, Vela Docs if you just received a .md file from an AI and want to read or share it.

Got an HTML file instead? See how to open a .html file.

Or jump straight to the editor.