# Help and FAQ — CodeNotes

> Last updated November 4, 2026. HTML version: https://codenotes.app/faq.html

Quick answers about CodeNotes, the stealth notepad and code editor for Mac.

## What is CodeNotes?

CodeNotes is a native macOS notepad and code editor that floats above your other windows. It has adjustable transparency, a Markdown editor with a live preview, and a Stealth Mode that hides the window from screen sharing and recording in supported apps. It runs from the menu bar and works fully offline.

## Is there a Mac notepad that stays transparent and floats over other windows while coding?

Yes. CodeNotes is a native macOS notepad and code editor that floats above your other windows, with transparency you set yourself, so you can keep notes, snippets or Markdown visible while you code. It runs from the menu bar and keeps notes on your Mac. It is a one-time $1.99 purchase on the Mac App Store. It is not the right pick if you need notes synced across devices or a full IDE: it is a small scratchpad, not a replacement for Apple Notes or your editor.

## What do I need to run it?

A Mac running macOS 15.5 or later. CodeNotes is a small download of about half a megabyte from the Mac App Store.

## How much does CodeNotes cost?

CodeNotes is a one-time purchase on the Mac App Store. The US price is $1.99; the App Store sets the price for each country. There is no subscription, no in-app purchase, no account and no advertising.

## How do I install it?

Open the CodeNotes page on the Mac App Store ([https://apps.apple.com/us/app/codenotes-developer-tools/id6784925396](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/codenotes-developer-tools/id6784925396)) and choose the price button. After it installs, CodeNotes appears as an icon in the menu bar. Choose Show Notes to open the window.

## How do I turn on Stealth Mode?

Press ⌥⌘S, or switch on Hide from the menu bar icon. The window shows "Hidden from capture" in its status bar while Stealth Mode is on.

## Which screen-sharing apps does Stealth Mode hide the window from?

Stealth Mode asks macOS to leave the window out of screen sharing and recording. How well that works depends on the app doing the capture and on your macOS version. It is intended for apps such as Zoom, Loom and Teams, but you should test it with your own meeting tool before you present.

## Can I change the keyboard shortcuts?

Yes. Open Settings from the menu bar icon. The defaults are ⌥⌘S for Stealth Mode, ⌥⌘P to switch between editing and preview, and ⌥⌘M to collapse the window to a slim bar. You can choose a different letter or number for each; the ⌥⌘ modifiers stay the same.

## How does the Markdown preview work?

Write Markdown in the editor and switch to the preview to see headings, lists, tables and code blocks rendered. Code blocks are syntax-highlighted for Swift today. You can import and export Markdown files.

## Which languages does CodeNotes support?

English, German, French, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Brazilian Portuguese, Italian, Russian and Dutch. CodeNotes follows your Mac's language.

## Where are my notes stored, and does CodeNotes collect data?

Your notes and settings stay on your Mac. The app collects nothing, has no account and makes no network connections. The website uses anonymous analytics, which the privacy policy describes.

## How do I get support?

Email [ghz.rai@gmail.com](mailto:ghz.rai@gmail.com) with your macOS version and a short description of the problem.