Resources

Guides, compatibility information, and developer resources for Notepad++ on macOS.

Installation Guide

Getting Notepad++ running on your Mac is straightforward:

  1. Download the latest DMG from the Download page
  2. Open the .dmg file — a new Finder window will appear
  3. Drag the Notepad++ icon into the Applications folder
  4. Launch Notepad++ from your Applications folder, Dock, or Spotlight (Cmd+Space, type "Notepad++")

First Launch Security

Notepad++ for macOS is now officially notarized by Apple.

macOS Compatibility

Notepad++ for macOS is built as a Universal Binary, supporting both Apple Silicon and Intel processors.

Apple Silicon (M1–M4) Native ARM64 — full speed, no Rosetta
Intel (x86_64) Native Intel binary included
macOS 11+ (Big Sur) Minimum supported version

Performance Notes

  • Apple Silicon: Native ARM64 code runs without any translation layer. Expect instant launch times and minimal memory footprint.
  • Intel Macs: Runs natively on Intel processors. Performance is comparable to the Windows version on equivalent hardware.
  • Large Files: Notepad++ handles files up to several hundred megabytes efficiently thanks to Scintilla's optimized rendering pipeline.
  • Retina / HiDPI: Full support for high-resolution displays with crisp text rendering at all zoom levels.

Plugin Development

Notepad++ for macOS supports plugins through a compatibility layer that bridges the Windows plugin API to macOS. Here's what developers need to know:

Key Differences from Windows

  • Dynamic Libraries: Plugins are compiled as .dylib (macOS dynamic library) instead of .dll files
  • Plugin Directory: Plugins are installed to ~/.notepad++/plugins/
  • API Compatibility: The Notepad++ Message Interface (NPPM_*) messages are supported. Win32-specific calls are mapped to macOS equivalents where possible
  • UI Framework: Plugins that create custom UI should use native macOS APIs (Cocoa/AppKit) instead of Win32 dialogs
  • Architecture: Plugins must be compiled as Universal Binaries (ARM64 + x86_64) for broad compatibility

Changes Applied for macOS

  • Win32 API layer replaced with Cocoa/AppKit framework
  • Scintilla rendering uses Core Graphics instead of GDI
  • File system operations use POSIX/Foundation APIs
  • Menu and keyboard handling follows macOS Human Interface Guidelines
  • Drag-and-drop uses macOS pasteboard services
  • Native macOS font rendering with Core Text
  • Document-based app architecture for proper macOS integration

Plugin development documentation and a macOS plugin template will be published as this project matures. In the meantime, refer to the Notepad++ Plugin documentation for API reference.

Configuration & Data Locations

On macOS, Notepad++ stores all configuration and data under a single dot-directory in your home folder:

  • Root Config Directory: ~/.notepad++/
  • Plugins: ~/.notepad++/plugins/
  • Themes: ~/.notepad++/themes/
  • User Defined Languages: ~/.notepad++/userDefineLangs/
  • Backup Files: ~/.notepad++/backup/
  • Session Files: ~/.notepad++/sessions/

This makes it easy to back up or migrate your configuration — just copy the ~/.notepad++ directory.