Frequently Asked Questions

What languages does SnippetsLab support?

Presently, SnippetsLab supports over 580 language and text formats. For a full list, please refer to Supported Languages.

Can I use Markdown for technical documentation in SnippetsLab?

Absolutely. SnippetsLab has full support for Markdown–including side-by-side preview, rich text formatting, syntax highlighted code blocks, diagrams, LaTeX/MathJax, and more–making it an excellent tool for technical documentations. To learn more about Markdown support, refer to Markdown Snippets.

Why don’t I see SnippetsLab in my iCloud Drive folder?

Unlike apps like Pages or TextEdit, SnippetsLab doesn’t create an entry in the “iCloud Drive” folder in Finder. This is because SnippetsLab uses a single library format rather than a “documents” architecture, similar to the Notes or Calendar app.

How can I set a default language for new snippets?

To set a default language for a folder, right-click on the folder in the sidebar and choose the desired language from Default Language submenu.

To set an app-wide default language, go to Settings > General, and select an option from Default Language.

Can I add or request new languages for SnippetsLab?

Users can’t directly add custom languages. Since SnippetsLab utilizes the open source project Pygments for syntax highlighting, contributing to Pygments is the best way. These additions will be included in future SnippetsLab updates.

How do I mix languages in a single snippet?

Special languages are available for common use cases, such as “HTML+PHP” and “JavaScript+PHP.” You can also:

Use fragments to add multiple tabs in different languages to a single snippet. To learn more, please refer to Snippets and Fragments.
Create Markdown snippets and include code blocks with different languages. To learn more about the extensive Markdown support available in SnippetsLab, refer to Markdown Snippets.

Can I assign a tag to multiple snippets at once?

Yes. Select all snippets you wish to tag, and drag them to the desired tag in the sidebar.

Why don’t my local images show in Markdown snippets?

Local image URLs aren’t supported directly in Markdown due to Apple’s sandboxing restrictions, as SnippetsLab does not have access to arbitrary files in the system. Instead, add images and other files as Attachments.

Can I hide SnippetsLab from the Dock?

Yes. Navigate to Settings > Assistant, and select Hide dock icon. However, please note that due to technical limitations, when the Dock icon is hidden, the menu bar for SnippetsLab will also become unavailable.

How do I migrate my library between the Mac App Store and Setapp versions?

The Mac App Store and Setapp versions are technically separate apps, therefore the data will not automatically sync between each other with iCloud. To migrate your library, export a copy of the library in SnippetsLab Library format from one version and import it into the other.

Can I import data from external sources?

SnippetsLab supports imports from Quiver, CodeBox, Gist, and any JSON file conforming to the supported format. For more information on JSON import, refer to JSON Import Format Specification.

Does SnippetsLab support both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs?

Yes. SnippetsLab is a universal application and runs natively on both Intel and Apple Silicon (arm64) systems.

Will SnippetsLab run on older versions of macOS?

SnippetsLab supports the three most recent major releases of macOS. This allows us to more readily adopt new features and enhancements from the latest macOS updates, ensuring the best user experience and app performance.

Users with older macOS versions can still use SnippetsLab, but they may not receive the latest updates or have access to newer features.

Is there a plan for an iOS version of SnippetsLab?

As of now, SnippetsLab is exclusively available for macOS. While we are always exploring new ways to enhance the user experience, there is currently no confirmed plan for releasing an iOS/iPadOS version of SnippetsLab. However, with growing interest and frequent requests regarding the iOS/iPadOS version, we are considering this for potential future development.

Can I download SnippetsLab from outside the Mac App Store?

Currently, SnippetsLab is only available through the Mac App Store and Setapp.

Why is SnippetsLab now free? Is the app still actively maintained?

By making the app free, we hope to bring SnippetsLab to a wider audience, allowing more developers—especially students—to discover and enjoy it. This change also lets us focus on polishing the app without the distractions that often accompany monetization. SnippetsLab will continue to receive updates, with no changes to the development roadmap.

Will there be paid features, subscriptions, sponsorships, or ads in the future?

No.

I purchased SnippetsLab in the past. Can I get a refund now that it is free?

Your support has been instrumental in shaping SnippetsLab into what it is today, and for that I am deeply grateful. As such, however, there is no plan to offer refunds for past purchases due to this change. Please note that refunds are still generally available and is handled directly by Apple.

I’ve been enjoying the app and would like to support its development.

This is not a question, but thank you! Your continued use and feedback are the best ways to support its development. Sharing the app with others or leaving a review on the App Store would also mean a lot.