Frequently Asked Questions

What languages does SnippetsLab support?

SnippetsLab currently supports over 600 languages and text formats. For a complete list, please refer to Supported Languages.

Can I use Markdown for technical documentation in SnippetsLab?

Absolutely. SnippetsLab offers comprehensive Markdown support—including side-by-side preview, rich text formatting, syntax-highlighted code blocks, diagrams, LaTeX/MathJax, and more. This makes it an excellent tool for technical documentation. To learn more, refer to Markdown Snippets.

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

Unlike document-based apps such as Pages or TextEdit, SnippetsLab does not create a visible folder in iCloud Drive. Instead, it uses a single-library architecture similar to Apple Notes or Calendar to sync your data seamlessly in the background.

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

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

To set a global default language, go to Settings > General and select an option under Default Language.

Can I add or request new languages for SnippetsLab?

Users cannot directly add custom languages. SnippetsLab relies on the open-source library Pygments for syntax highlighting. The best way to add a new language is to contribute to the Pygments project directly; upstream changes are regularly incorporated into SnippetsLab updates.

How do I mix languages in a single snippet?

For common combinations like HTML and PHP, special language modes (e.g., “HTML+PHP”) are available. Alternatively, you can:

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

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

Yes. Simply select all the snippets you wish to tag and drag them onto the desired tag in the sidebar.

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

Local image or file links are not supported in Markdown due to macOS sandboxing restrictions, which prevent SnippetsLab from accessing arbitrary files on your system. Instead, add images as Attachments.

Can I import data from external sources?

SnippetsLab supports importing from Quiver, CodeBox, GitHub Gist, and JSON files that conform to the supported format. For details on the JSON format, see JSON Import Format Specification.

Will I be locked into SnippetsLab?

No. We believe your data belongs to you, and we ensure you are never locked in:

Integration: SnippetsLab works with productivity tools like Alfred and Raycast, giving you access to your snippets from outside the app. For power users, the lab command-line tool enables deep integration into custom workflows, scripts, and other external tooling.
Export Options: You can export your library to various formats, including JSON, XML, and plain text.
Automatic Backups: SnippetsLab automatically backs up your library. These backups include a standard JSON export, ensuring you always have full access to your data—even in the unlikely event that the app becomes unavailable.

Does SnippetsLab support both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs?

Yes. SnippetsLab is a Universal app that runs natively on both Apple Silicon and Intel-based Macs.

Will SnippetsLab run on older versions of macOS?

SnippetsLab supports the three most recent major versions of macOS. This policy allows us to adopt the latest system features and ensure optimal performance. While older versions of the app may continue to work on older macOS releases, they will not receive new updates or features.

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

SnippetsLab is currently exclusive to macOS. While there are no immediate plans for an iOS or iPadOS version, we are aware of the strong interest from our community and are considering it for future development.

How do I migrate my library from Setapp to the Mac App Store version?

See Migrating from Setapp for detailed instructions on migrating your library from the Setapp version to the Mac App Store version.

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

No, SnippetsLab is available exclusively through the Mac App Store.

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

We made SnippetsLab free to reach a wider audience and allow more developers—especially students—to benefit from it. This approach allows us to focus purely on improving the app without the complexities of monetization. SnippetsLab is actively maintained and will continue to receive feature updates and bug fixes.

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

No.

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

Thank you! The best way to support development is to continue using the app and providing feedback. Sharing SnippetsLab with others or leaving a review on the Mac App Store is also greatly appreciated.