CotEditor for MAC
Free, open-source plain-text editor made for Mac: fast to launch, with syntax highlighting for 60+ languages and powerful find and replace.
CotEditor Overview
CotEditor is a lightweight plain-text editor made just for macOS. It looks and behaves the way a Mac app should, and it launches so quickly that you can start writing the moment you need to. It is equally good for notes, code and plain text files: syntax highlighting covers more than 60 languages, such as HTML, PHP, Python, Ruby and Markdown, and a powerful find and replace uses regular expressions. Every setting, including syntax definitions and themes, lives in a normal settings window, with no configuration files to edit.
CotEditor is free and open source; its source code is released under the Apache License 2.0. It is available from its website and free on the Mac App Store. The current version, 7.1.2, needs macOS 26 or later; older versions for macOS 10.13 through macOS 15 are listed on the CotEditor website. A cot command-line tool lets you open files from the Terminal.
Key Features
CotEditor is light and neat, yet powerful.
- Syntax highlighting: more than 60 languages built in, and you can add your own.
- Find and replace: powerful searches with the ICU regular expression engine.
- Auto backup: your unsaved work is saved automatically while you edit.
- Outline menu: jump to headings, functions and other marked lines.
- Split editor: see different parts of a document side by side.
- Character inspector: view the Unicode details of any character.
- Scriptable: write macros in Python, Ruby, Perl, PHP, shell, AppleScript or JavaScript.
- Encodings: accurate encoding detection, incompatible-character checks and vertical text.
What’s New in Version 7.1.2
CotEditor 7.1.2 adds a theme and fixes security issues.
- New Classic (Dark) theme
- The search field is focused when you open the folder find pane
- Better Swift syntax highlighting
- Fixed two security issues with the cot command and app restarts from specially crafted paths
- New windows inherit the last window size again when the size is set to Auto
CotEditor FAQ
Is CotEditor free?
Yes. CotEditor is free and open source, with its source code under the Apache License 2.0. It is also free on the Mac App Store.
Which macOS version does CotEditor need?
CotEditor 7.1.2 needs macOS 26 or later. The CotEditor website lists older versions for macOS 10.13 through macOS 15.
Is CotEditor good for programming?
Yes, for light coding. It highlights more than 60 languages, has an outline menu and regular-expression search, and opens instantly. It is not a full IDE.
Which languages does CotEditor highlight?
More than 60 come built in, including HTML, PHP, Python, Ruby, Swift and Markdown, and you can create your own syntax definitions.
Does CotEditor save my work automatically?
Yes. It backs up your documents automatically while you edit, so you do not lose unsaved changes.
Can I open files from the Terminal?
Yes. CotEditor includes a cot command-line tool for opening files from the Terminal.
Can CotEditor handle different text encodings?
Yes. It detects encodings accurately, lets you switch encoding, and lists characters that cannot be saved in the chosen encoding.
Does CotEditor support vertical text?
Yes. You can switch a document to vertical text orientation, which is useful for Japanese and other East Asian writing.
Can I install CotEditor with Homebrew?
Yes. Run brew install --cask coteditor.
Where does the CotEditor download on coteditor.FULLMAC.app come from?
The download button leads to the official CotEditor website at https://coteditor.com/. coteditor.FULLMAC.app does not change or repackage the app.
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