First Export

This guide walks you through creating your first PDF export with Markdown PDF.

Basic Export

1. Open any Markdown file in Zed

2. Open the assistant panel (Cmd+Enter / Ctrl+Enter)

3. Type:

   Export this file to PDF

4. The PDF will be created next to your source file

That's it! The extension handles everything automatically.

Export with Options

You can specify options directly in your prompt:

Export this file to PDF in landscape orientation

Export to docs/output.pdf with the monokai theme

Export with header and footer showing page numbers

Add a Header and Footer

To add a structured header and footer, use front matter:

---
title: My Document
pdf:
  header:
    height: 15mm
    center_text: "{title}"
    right_text: "{date:yyyy-MM-dd}"
  footer:
    center_text: "Page {page} of {pages}"
---

# My Document

Content goes here...

Then export normally:

Export this file to PDF

Output Location

By default, PDFs are saved next to the source file:

docs/
├── report.md
└── report.pdf    ← Generated here

To specify a different location:

Export to build/output.pdf

Or configure a default output directory in settings:

{
  "context_servers": {
    "markdown-pdf": {
      "settings": {
        "output_directory": "./build"
      }
    }
  }
}

Open After Export

To automatically open the PDF after export:

{
  "context_servers": {
    "markdown-pdf": {
      "settings": {
        "open_after_export": true
      }
    }
  }
}

Or ask the assistant:

Export this file to PDF and open it

Syntax Highlighting

Code blocks are automatically syntax-highlighted using the github.css theme. To change the theme:

Export with the atom-one-dark theme

Or set a default in settings:

{
  "context_servers": {
    "markdown-pdf": {
      "settings": {
        "highlight_style": "atom-one-dark.css"
      }
    }
  }
}

Verify Your Setup

If something doesn't work, run the diagnostic tool:

Run doctor_markdown_pdf

This shows:

• Chromium availability and version
• Current settings
• Server directory path

Next Steps

• Header & Footer — Add professional headers and footers
• Placeholders — Use dynamic content
• Examples — Copy-paste ready configurations