The Notepad

The Notepad is a free, open-source Windows text editor that keeps the speed of classic Notepad while adding dependable tabs, a calm note navigator, and desktop sticky notes.

The repository currently contains an alpha-quality native Windows build. It is useful for contributor testing, but it is not yet a signed or Store-certified public release.

What the alpha implements

• ordinary plain-text files: create, multi-select open, edit, save, and Save As;
• keyboard-accessible tabs, recently closed tabs, and separate Notes and Stickies views;
• UTF-8, UTF-8 BOM, UTF-16 LE/BE, and CRLF/LF/CR preservation;
• clear dirty state, external-change protection, and atomic file writes;
• find, replace, go to line, undo/redo, word wrap, zoom, and printing;
• automatic local recovery for open and unsaved work;
• desktop sticky windows that share the editor's live note model;
• sticky move, resize, hide/show, Keep on top, and visible-monitor recovery;
• double-clicking a sticky header to reopen it in the full editor;
• single-instance activation, a notification-area control, close-to-tray behavior, and an optional per-user Start with Windows setting;
• no account, ads, telemetry, or required network connection.

The current release gates are documented below rather than hidden behind a "ready" label: the packages are unsigned, Store identity is still a placeholder, and clean-machine, performance, Narrator, scaling, IME, and multi-monitor certification remain to be completed.

Build and test

The primary solution targets .NET 10 on Windows:

dotnet restore .\TheNotepad.sln
dotnet build .\TheNotepad.sln -c Release --no-restore
dotnet run --project .\native\tests\TheNotepad.Tests.csproj -c Release --no-build

.\native\build.ps1 remains as a package-free compatibility check using the Windows inbox C# compiler and WPF assemblies. CI runs both paths.

Contributor run, packaging, and verification commands are in native/README.md and native/packaging/README.md.

Project layout

• native/ — the Windows application, document engine, tests, and packaging templates;
• scripts/ — portable/MSIX staging and release-verification scripts;
• docs/ — architecture decisions, performance guidance, and release gates.

The longer product direction remains in PRODUCT_PLAN.md.

License

The Notepad is licensed under the Mozilla Public License 2.0.