Markdown (MD)
Markdown is a plain-text format for headings, lists, links, and code that stays readable to humans and easy for models to generate.
Many AI tools default to Markdown because it streams well, diffs cleanly, and converts to HTML, docs, or slides with minimal friction.
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What it means
Markdown is structured text without heavy syntax: `#` for headings, `-` for bullets, fenced blocks for code, and links in `[label](url)` form.
Why designers should care
Markdown output needs rendering rules: typography, code blocks, tables, and export paths (copy, PDF, Notion) so AI drafts feel like product content, not a terminal dump.
Example
A PRD copilot streams Markdown sections; the editor renders headings live, collapses completed sections, and exports to Confluence with preserved hierarchy.
Common mistakes
- • Rendering Markdown as unstyled monospace in chat with no hierarchy.
- • Broken tables or code fences that truncate mid-stream without recovery.
- • No “view raw” toggle when users need to paste into other Markdown tools.