How to efficiently edit Markdown in the github issue tracker?

Question

I like the fact that the github issue tracker supports Markdown. However, I find it relatively unpleasant to actually write Markdown in the github editor. It lacks many of the features of the Markdown editor on StackOverflow.

E.g., it lacks:

• a button to indent multiple lines of code by four spaces
• a button to add quote to the start of each line
• real time markdown preview
• fixed width font
• ability to insert image using imgur
• a confirmation dialog box when you close a browser window when you might otherwise lose your work

In particular, the inability to insert code blocks is probably the feature I miss the most.

Sure, I could write my markdown in a separate editor and then paste it into the github issue tracker, but this is not especially appealing. I could even use the StackOverflow editor if I was careful not to click "Ask Question", but that seems a bit silly.

Question

• Is there anyway of altering the text box in github to incorporate the editing features in StackOverflow?
• Or if it is better to type in another text editor, what's a particularly elegant way of doing that? (e.g., minimum steps, simple to move back and forward, good editor) Perhaps theres a way of clicking a text box and bringing up a Rich Markdown editor which when closed returns the contents to the original text box?

Answer 1

If you are on Windows, you might want to check MarkPad: http://code52.org/DownmarkerWPF/

Disclaimer: I have never used it myself (being on Ubuntu), only read about it watching the code52 project. I know it can edit posts of several blog systems, but I'm not sure if Github is in the list of supported web sources. Its syntax however is supported, for sure.

Answer 2

You should appeal to GitHub to add one. Your argument is sound. Stack Overflow demonstrates editors can be functional, non-intrusive and tasteful.

Meanwhile, there might be a browser extension that does some of this. https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/cpojebknccclkjabfngjlcknonpmhhol