Convert Typst to MD

Why Convert Typst to MD?

Converting Typst to MD (Markdown) format connects your professionally typeset content with the most widely used file format for web-based writing and documentation. The .md extension is instantly recognized by GitHub, GitLab, documentation frameworks, and virtually every developer tool. By converting your Typst documents to .md files, you create content ready for immediate use across the software development ecosystem.

The .md file extension has become synonymous with readable, portable documentation. Every GitHub repository expects a README.md, every documentation site processes .md files, and every note-taking application imports them. Converting your Typst content to .md format ensures maximum compatibility with these platforms, preserving your headings, formatting, code blocks, and lists in the universally understood Markdown syntax.

For teams that use Typst for formal documents but need web-friendly documentation, the Typst-to-MD conversion provides an efficient workflow. Write your detailed technical content in Typst with its powerful features like math typesetting and scripting, then convert to .md for distribution through documentation sites, README files, and collaborative platforms where Markdown is the expected format.

The conversion handles Typst's syntax differences automatically. Typst's = headings become # headings, *bold* becomes **bold**, _italic_ becomes *italic*, and #table() constructs become pipe-style Markdown tables. Mathematical expressions are preserved in LaTeX-compatible notation that platforms like GitHub and Obsidian can render natively.

Key Benefits of Converting Typst to MD:

• GitHub Ready: Create README.md and documentation files directly from Typst content
• Documentation Sites: Feed content to MkDocs, Docusaurus, and other .md-based platforms
• Universal Recognition: The .md extension is understood by every developer tool
• Note-Taking Import: Import into Obsidian, Notion, Joplin, and other MD-based apps
• Blog Publishing: Use with Jekyll, Hugo, or any static site generator
• Team Collaboration: Share content in a format everyone can edit
• Version Control: Track changes easily with git diff on plain text .md files

Practical Examples

Example 1: GitHub README from Project Documentation

Input Typst file (readme.typ):

= MyLib
A *fast* and _lightweight_ library
for data processing.

== Installation
```bash
pip install mylib
```

== Quick Start
#table(
  columns: 2,
  [Function], [Description],
  [parse()], [Parse input data],
  [transform()], [Apply transforms],
  [export()], [Export results],
)

Output MD file (readme.md):

# MyLib
A **fast** and *lightweight* library
for data processing.

## Installation
```bash
pip install mylib
```

## Quick Start
| Function    | Description      |
|-------------|------------------|
| parse()     | Parse input data |
| transform() | Apply transforms |
| export()    | Export results   |

Example 2: Technical Notes for Obsidian

Input Typst file (notes.typ):

= Algorithm Analysis
== Big-O Notation
The *time complexity* describes how
runtime scales with input size $n$.

=== Common Complexities
+ $O(1)$ -- Constant
+ $O(log n)$ -- Logarithmic
+ $O(n)$ -- Linear
+ $O(n log n)$ -- Linearithmic
+ $O(n^2)$ -- Quadratic

Output MD file (notes.md):

# Algorithm Analysis
## Big-O Notation
The **time complexity** describes how
runtime scales with input size $n$.

### Common Complexities
1. $O(1)$ -- Constant
2. $O(\log n)$ -- Logarithmic
3. $O(n)$ -- Linear
4. $O(n \log n)$ -- Linearithmic
5. $O(n^2)$ -- Quadratic

Example 3: API Documentation for MkDocs

Input Typst file (api.typ):

= API Reference
== Authentication
All requests require an *API key*
in the `Authorization` header.

== Endpoints
=== GET /users
Returns a list of _all users_.

=== POST /users
Creates a new user.
Required fields:
- `name` (string)
- `email` (string)
- `role` (string, optional)

Output MD file (api.md):

# API Reference
## Authentication
All requests require an **API key**
in the `Authorization` header.

## Endpoints
### GET /users
Returns a list of *all users*.

### POST /users
Creates a new user.
Required fields:
- `name` (string)
- `email` (string)
- `role` (string, optional)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the difference between MD and Markdown?

A: MD and Markdown refer to the same format. ".md" is simply the standard file extension for Markdown files. When you see README.md, docs.md, or notes.md, these are all Markdown files. The .md extension is universally recognized by GitHub, documentation tools, and text editors as indicating Markdown-formatted content.

Q: Will the .md output work on GitHub?

A: Yes! GitHub renders .md files automatically with full support for headings, bold, italic, links, images, tables, code blocks, and even math expressions. The converted .md file can be used directly as a README.md, wiki page, or documentation file in any GitHub repository.

Q: How are Typst math expressions handled in MD?

A: Typst math expressions are converted to LaTeX-style notation wrapped in $ delimiters. Many MD renderers including GitHub, GitLab, Obsidian, and MathJax-enabled sites support this notation. Inline math uses single $...$ and display math uses $$...$$ blocks.

Q: Can I use the .md file with static site generators?

A: Absolutely. The converted .md file works with all major static site generators including Jekyll, Hugo, Gatsby, MkDocs, Docusaurus, and Eleventy. These tools process .md files into HTML pages automatically, making it easy to publish your Typst content as a website.

Q: How are Typst tables converted to MD tables?

A: Typst's #table() function is converted to GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) pipe tables. Headers are separated by dashes, and columns are separated by pipes. This format is supported by GitHub, GitLab, and most Markdown renderers. Complex table features like cell merging are simplified.

Q: What happens to Typst scripting in the MD output?

A: Typst scripting constructs (#let, #if, #for) are resolved during conversion. The MD output contains only the final rendered content, not the scripting code. Variables are expanded to their values, conditionals are resolved, and loops produce their iterated output.

Q: Can I import the .md file into Obsidian?

A: Yes, Obsidian natively reads .md files from your filesystem. Simply place the converted .md file in your Obsidian vault folder and it will appear as a note. Headings, links, lists, code blocks, and math expressions are all rendered correctly in Obsidian's preview mode.

Q: Is there any content loss when converting Typst to MD?

A: Some Typst features have no direct MD equivalent. Page layout settings (#set page), font configurations (#set text), figure numbering, and advanced styling rules are not preserved in Markdown. However, all textual content, headings, lists, tables, code blocks, links, and basic formatting are faithfully converted.