Convert RST to MD

Why Convert RST to Markdown?

Converting reStructuredText (RST) documents to Markdown is one of the most common documentation format migrations. While RST excels in the Python ecosystem with Sphinx, Markdown has become the universal language of documentation on the web, supported by virtually every platform.

GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Stack Overflow, Reddit, Discord, and countless other platforms natively render Markdown. By converting your RST documentation to Markdown, you make it instantly accessible to a much wider audience and compatible with many more tools and workflows.

Markdown's simplicity is both its strength and limitation. It's easier to learn and read than RST, making it ideal for collaborative projects where contributors may not be familiar with RST's directive-based syntax. However, some RST features like complex cross-references and autodoc have no direct Markdown equivalent.

The conversion is particularly valuable when migrating from Sphinx documentation to static site generators like Jekyll, Hugo, or Gatsby, or when you want to host documentation on GitHub Pages without the complexity of a Sphinx build process.

Key Benefits of Converting RST to Markdown:

• Universal Platform Support: Works on GitHub, GitLab, and virtually everywhere
• Simpler Syntax: Easier for contributors to learn and use
• Static Site Generators: Direct compatibility with Jekyll, Hugo, Gatsby
• Editor Support: Excellent support in VS Code, Obsidian, Typora
• Wider Audience: More developers know Markdown than RST
• GitHub Pages: Direct deployment without build tools
• Note-Taking Apps: Compatible with Notion, Obsidian, Bear

Practical Examples

Example 1: Basic Document Structure

Input RST file (document.rst):

Getting Started Guide
=====================

Introduction
------------

Welcome to the **project documentation**.
This guide will help you get started.

Installation
------------

Install using pip::

    pip install myproject

.. note::
   Requires Python 3.8 or higher.

Output Markdown file (document.md):

# Getting Started Guide

## Introduction

Welcome to the **project documentation**.
This guide will help you get started.

## Installation

Install using pip:

```bash
pip install myproject
```

> **Note:** Requires Python 3.8 or higher.

Example 2: Code Blocks with Syntax Highlighting

Input RST file (code_example.rst):

API Reference
=============

.. code-block:: python
   :linenos:

   def calculate_total(items):
       """Calculate the total price."""
       return sum(item.price for item in items)

.. warning::
   This function does not handle empty lists.

Output Markdown file (code_example.md):

# API Reference

```python
def calculate_total(items):
    """Calculate the total price."""
    return sum(item.price for item in items)
```

> **Warning:** This function does not handle empty lists.

Example 3: Tables and Links

Input RST file (reference.rst):

Configuration Options
=====================

+---------------+----------+------------------+
| Option        | Default  | Description      |
+===============+==========+==================+
| debug         | false    | Enable debugging |
+---------------+----------+------------------+
| timeout       | 30       | Request timeout  |
+---------------+----------+------------------+

See `Python docs <https://docs.python.org>`_ for more.

Output Markdown file (reference.md):

# Configuration Options

| Option | Default | Description |
|--------|---------|-------------|
| debug | false | Enable debugging |
| timeout | 30 | Request timeout |

See [Python docs](https://docs.python.org) for more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why is Markdown more popular than RST?

A: Markdown's simpler syntax and GitHub's adoption made it the de facto standard for documentation. While RST is more powerful, Markdown's lower learning curve and universal platform support led to its widespread adoption outside the Python ecosystem.

Q: How are RST directives converted to Markdown?

A: RST directives are converted to their closest Markdown equivalents. Code blocks become fenced code blocks, notes and warnings become blockquotes with bold labels, and tables are converted to GFM table syntax. Some complex directives may require manual adjustment.

Q: Will my Sphinx autodoc work after conversion?

A: No, Sphinx autodoc is RST-specific and won't work in Markdown. For Markdown-based API documentation, consider tools like MkDocs with mkdocstrings, or generate documentation separately and include it in your Markdown files.

Q: Which Markdown flavor is used in the output?

A: The converter produces GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM), which is widely supported and includes features like fenced code blocks, tables, task lists, and strikethrough. This format works on GitHub, GitLab, and most Markdown processors.

Q: Can I convert Markdown back to RST?

A: Yes, bidirectional conversion is possible using tools like Pandoc. However, some Markdown extensions may not have direct RST equivalents, and formatting might need adjustment. Use: `pandoc -f markdown -t rst input.md -o output.rst`

Q: How are RST cross-references handled?

A: RST cross-references are converted to standard Markdown links where possible. Internal references like `:ref:` become anchor links, and external references are converted to inline links. Some complex cross-referencing may need manual review.

Q: What about images and figures?

A: RST image and figure directives are converted to Markdown image syntax. Basic attributes like alt text are preserved. Advanced figure options like captions may be converted to text below the image.

Q: Can I use MkDocs instead of Sphinx after conversion?

A: Absolutely! MkDocs is an excellent Markdown-based documentation generator. After converting your RST files to Markdown, you can set up a MkDocs project with similar features to Sphinx, including themes, search, and navigation.