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Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python (now Linux runtime)

https://notepadexe.com/

I recently released version 1.4 of Notepad.exe, my editor built for macOS. The goal of the app is to let you prototype ideas in Swift or Python with minimal setup - write code, hit Run, skip project scaffolding.

This release adds support for a Linux runtime/subsystem, so you can write on macOS and execute snippets in a Linux environment.

I’d love to hear any feedback or answer any questions: would a tool like this fit your workflow? What friction remains?

( 50 comments | 2 points | on HN )
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by terhechte on Sunday October 19, 2025 @01:52PM (#45636265)
Hey Marcin :) Really dig this. A much friendlier alternative to Swift development than having to use the monstrosity that is Xcode. Especially for people that want to get something done quickly. The Linux support is also really cool. The Xcode-alternatives market is really starved, so I'm very happy this exists. It's possible to configure VSCode to support Swift, but that's a lot of configuration and messing around.

When Vim bindings? ;)

Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by frizlab on Sunday October 19, 2025 @02:45PM (#45636796)
> but that's a lot of configuration and messing around.

Maybe I’m missing something but the last time I did this I clicked “install” on the official Swift VSCode extension and that was it. Not a lot of messing around needed, for me at least!

Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by krzyzanowskim on Sunday October 19, 2025 @02:14PM (#45636496)
it works really great with https://kindavim.app/ which adds vim everywhere. problem solved.
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by 4b11b4 on Sunday October 19, 2025 @03:16PM (#45637041)
I also stumbled upon https://github.com/FelixKratz/SketchyVim but haven't used it yet, though I am using JankyBorders
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by zahlman on Sunday October 19, 2025 @04:02PM (#45637446)
Is there anything like this for Linux? Or at least for individual UI systems (GTK etc.)?
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by dinkleberg on Sunday October 19, 2025 @03:56PM (#45637391)
Thanks for sharing! Not sure why I never looked for something like this as I’ve tried to inject vim everywhere I can.
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by lnxg33k1 on Sunday October 19, 2025 @02:05PM (#45636403)
This seems like the celebration of misunderstandings, an .exe app for mac os, called notepad but code editor, and can run and design UI
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by krzyzanowskim on Sunday October 19, 2025 @05:22PM (#45638112)
it is a coding Notepad that also execute the code
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by toinewx on Sunday October 19, 2025 @02:06PM (#45636412)
the name is obviously a pun/joke, and the website is also trying to be humorous.

but I don't think it helps your product by now. It looks you built something that is actually useful and the pun/joke is not needed anymore. same for your website, I think the humorous part is distracting.

I think you should pick a unique name, the joke is no longer needed.

Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by jmkni on Sunday October 19, 2025 @03:23PM (#45637100)
Yeah I just found that title confusing
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by krzyzanowskim on Sunday October 19, 2025 @02:18PM (#45636527)
I don't disagree necessarily. I also love the name with all my heart
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by electroly on Sunday October 19, 2025 @04:10PM (#45637519)
You should keep it if you love it, but understand that the name is limiting the project's reach. Not all projects are aiming for reach, but this appears to be a serious useful tool that you're charging for, not some toy. The name is stopping people from understanding the project and is limiting your income.
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by dfabulich on Sunday October 19, 2025 @03:05PM (#45636957)
Why do you love the name?
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by unkeen on Sunday October 19, 2025 @03:08PM (#45636982)
Because computering is missing out on whimsical fun in every way nowadays!
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by nipperkinfeet on Sunday October 19, 2025 @02:08PM (#45636438)
The element that provokes the most laughter is the punch hole in the MacBook screen.
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by InsideOutSanta on Sunday October 19, 2025 @04:43PM (#45637779)
Can somebody explain the joke to me? Isn't notepad.exe just the file name of the notepad executable on Windows?
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by bofadeez on Sunday October 19, 2025 @02:30PM (#45636661)
"stop fighting with your IDE" wow it's like reading my mind. All I do is fight with IDEs 24/7
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by krzyzanowskim on Sunday October 19, 2025 @02:45PM (#45636798)
yes. same!
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by rsaz on Sunday October 19, 2025 @02:33PM (#45636684)
Looks really good and I'll definitely be trying it out. Is there anywhere laying out what features are paywalled? "Free Ride" says "Core functionality", but I can't find what that means specifically.

Also does this support having a plugged-in device as a Run target like Xcode does? Or is it only simulator?

Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by krzyzanowskim on Sunday October 19, 2025 @02:45PM (#45636795)
I should not give you advice against my interest. "run" is paywalled after some time.

the plugged-in device is not supported as of today.

Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by ngcc_hk on Sunday October 19, 2025 @03:06PM (#45636968)
Not sure I got the use case as a decade old occasional developer. Tbh the life time one is ok. But it is another tool chain. Just wonder why I want to add to my workflow especially if it is just receipts and we need Xcode as the oven. And the linux part … can the code run in Wsl?
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by krzyzanowskim on Sunday October 19, 2025 @03:12PM (#45637018)
ackckcually, technically Xcode is spare, but for the convenience and due to Mac/iOS SDK distribution licensing, that's the only way to obtain the SDK on the machine. Linux runs in a lightweight VM.
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by mouse_ on Sunday October 19, 2025 @03:20PM (#45637081)
Don't name it that
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by krzyzanowskim on Sunday October 19, 2025 @03:29PM (#45637144)
if Microsoft can name a plain text editor Visual Studio, I can name mine Notepad.exe
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by dadrock on Sunday October 19, 2025 @03:37PM (#45637213)
You can name your band Nervanna, but it's lame AF. Be your own thing.
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by krzyzanowskim on Sunday October 19, 2025 @03:48PM (#45637332)
The contest for a name, that is not lame AF, just started
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by joenot443 on Sunday October 19, 2025 @04:05PM (#45637468)
How about Protopad? It's a notepad for prototypes, right?

I agree with the others - the naming doesn't seem super aligned with the product itself.

Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by hu3 on Sunday October 19, 2025 @04:36PM (#45637714)
How about stop trying to tell others how they should call their projects?
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by joenot443 on Sunday October 19, 2025 @04:48PM (#45637829)
The OP suggested a contest; that was merely my entry :)
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by bmandale on Sunday October 19, 2025 @03:24PM (#45637114)
> image-rendering: pixelated;

I suppose this is a bit of humour as well?

Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by krzyzanowskim on Sunday October 19, 2025 @03:39PM (#45637232)
yes! but that's leftover from the previous version of the site that was pixelated
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by internet2000 on Sunday October 19, 2025 @03:49PM (#45637343)
Time to get a better name. The name is the friction remaining that stops me from adopting this.
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by jamwil on Sunday October 19, 2025 @04:25PM (#45637632)
Ya. Bit of a shame. It’s OP’s choice of course and I get that it’s kitschy or whatever but I think he’s leaving money on the table as a commercial product.

If it were actually funny I think I’d feel different, but ironically calling a native mac app ‘exe’ just feels like a bad punchline that’s not going to land with anyone who understands the value proposition of the app in the first place.

Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by krzyzanowskim on Sunday October 19, 2025 @04:35PM (#45637710)
there is open contest for different name. mind to chime in?
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by jamwil on Sunday October 19, 2025 @04:48PM (#45637830)
Personally I think dropping the exe and just calling it notepad is the obvious low-hanging fruit. I like the nostalgic aesthetic—it’s refreshing in this age of cookie-cutter tailwindcss splash pages, but exe is just quite confusing.
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by jamwil on Sunday October 19, 2025 @05:02PM (#45637952)
Or ‘notepad.app’ would quite clearly convey that it is an editor in the spirit of notepad but for macOS.
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by krzyzanowskim on Sunday October 19, 2025 @04:53PM (#45637868)
Notepad++ is already taken. that's sad
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by rubymamis on Sunday October 19, 2025 @03:55PM (#45637379)
It crashes on my Mac when it starts up (Macbook Air M4 running Sequoia).
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by jhbadger on Sunday October 19, 2025 @04:05PM (#45637473)
Same here with MacBook Pro M1 Sequoia 15.6.1
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by krzyzanowskim on Sunday October 19, 2025 @04:20PM (#45637594)
that's not great, mind drop me an email on support? update: hotfix in making
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by jhbadger on Sunday October 19, 2025 @08:20PM (#45639159)
The updated build now works on my system, fyi.
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by kristianp on Sunday October 19, 2025 @04:08PM (#45637496)
Does it use Apple's on-device models for the AI?

Does Swift have UI capabilities on Linux?

Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by krzyzanowskim on Sunday October 19, 2025 @04:19PM (#45637586)
> Apple's on-device models for the AI?

no. Apple on-device models are not suitable for such a task. It uses a different model (I don't stick to one model in particular, as it may change)

> Does Swift have UI capabilities on Linux?

No. there are projects inspired by SwiftUI: https://github.com/stackotter/swift-cross-ui or https://git.aparoksha.dev/aparoksha/adwaita-swift (GNOME)

Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by hu3 on Sunday October 19, 2025 @04:34PM (#45637707)
I love it. Even the name.

I like that it starts instantly for me too.

Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by aaronbrethorst on Sunday October 19, 2025 @04:45PM (#45637797)
I really do not understand what this is from skimming the website on my phone. The app name makes it even more confusing.
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by marvel_boy on Sunday October 19, 2025 @06:12PM (#45638512)
Got an error on installation [1] on my mac . Could be because using last version of Xcode(26.1 beta 2?

[1]Termination Reason: Namespace SIGNAL, Code 5 Trace/BPT trap: 5 Terminating Process: exc handler [949]

Thread 0 Crashed:: Dispatch queue: com.apple.main-thread 0 Notepad.exe 0x104681fd4 0x104620000 + 401364 1 Notepad.exe 0x104681e04 0x104620000 + 400900 2 Foundation 0x1872b951c -[NSObject(NSKeyValueCoding) valueForKey:] + 280 3 Foundation 0x1872b93ac -[NSObject(NSKeyValueCoding) valueForKeyPath:] + 220 4 AppKit 0x189c25e58 -[NSBinder valueForBinding:resolveMarkersToPlaceholders:] + 124 5 AppKit 0x189c25c18 -[NSValueBinder

Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by krzyzanowskim on Sunday October 19, 2025 @06:35PM (#45638654)
dont see it in crash logs so far. Drop me email with whathever you have, I'll try to trace it down. Make sure you download latest build.
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by kristianp on Sunday October 19, 2025 @07:21PM (#45638905)
Are there capabilities to add other programming languages, for example via plugins/scripting?
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by BChass on Sunday October 19, 2025 @11:32PM (#45639991)
Works great for a few mins and then crashes on macOs
Re:Show HN: Notepad.exe – macOS editor for Swift and Python ... by BChass on Monday October 20, 2025 @10:11PM (#45651702)
This license does not include updates to future major versions - so another $99 when v2 comes around. This is an interesting Lifetime License model...