Frequently Asked Questions

What languages does SnippetsLab support?

SnippetsLab supports more than 600 languages and text formats. For the full list, including the languages that support automatic detection and code formatting, see Supported Languages.

Can I use Markdown for technical documentation in SnippetsLab?

Yes. SnippetsLab supports Markdown with side-by-side preview, formatting shortcuts, syntax-highlighted code blocks, Mermaid diagrams, and math formulas with MathJax. For details on each feature, see Markdown Snippets.

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

SnippetsLab doesn’t create a folder in iCloud Drive. Like Notes and Calendar, it keeps a single library in iCloud and syncs it in the background.

Why can’t I turn on iCloud Sync?

iCloud Sync requires that you’re signed in to your Apple Account and that iCloud Drive is turned on in System Settings. For the full requirements and what to do about common error messages, see iCloud Sync.

How do I recover deleted or missing snippets?

First, check the Trash in the sidebar. Deleted snippets stay there until you empty the Trash. For how to put a snippet back, see Trash.

If the snippet isn’t in the Trash, look for it in a backup. SnippetsLab backs up your library automatically. Go to Settings > Advanced, click Browse and Restore, select a backup from before the snippet went missing, and click Show Contents. You can then find the snippet and copy its content. To return your whole library to the state of a backup, click Restore Selected instead. For more about backups, see Managing Backups.

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

Go to Settings > General, click the Default Language pop-up menu, and choose a language. To set a different default for a folder, Control-click the folder and choose from the Default Language submenu. For how the two defaults work together, see Default Language.

Can I add or request new languages for SnippetsLab?

SnippetsLab doesn’t support adding custom languages. It uses the open-source library Pygments for syntax highlighting and regularly pulls in upstream updates. To add support for a new language, consider contributing a lexer directly to the Pygments project.

How do I mix languages in a single snippet?

For common combinations such as HTML and PHP, choose a combined language such as HTML+PHP. Alternatively:

Use fragments to give each part of a snippet its own language. For how fragments work, see Snippets and Fragments.
Use a Markdown snippet with code blocks in different languages. For the code block syntax and other Markdown features, see Markdown Snippets.

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

Yes. Select the snippets and drag them onto the tag in the sidebar.

Can I change keyboard shortcuts?

Yes. To change the shortcut for any SnippetsLab command in the menu bar, add an app shortcut in System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > App Shortcuts. For instructions, see Create keyboard shortcuts for apps in the macOS User Guide.

The shortcuts for Show Main Window and Quick Actions are set in Settings > General, and the shortcut for Show Assistant is set in Settings > Assistant. For the default shortcuts, see Keyboard Shortcuts.

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

For your security, macOS limits which files an App Store app can read, so Markdown links to arbitrary local files aren’t supported. Add images as attachments instead.

Can I import data from external sources?

Yes. SnippetsLab imports from Quiver, CodeBox, GitHub gists, and plain text files, including Markdown and source code files. For any other source, convert the data to the JSON format described in JSON Import Format Specification and import the JSON file.

Can I use SnippetsLab with AI agents or from scripts?

Yes. SnippetsLab offers two ways to use your library from outside the app:

MCP server: AI agents that support the Model Context Protocol (MCP) can search your library, read snippets, and save new snippets. This is the best option for most users, because the server is optimized for agents and doesn’t require shell access.
Command-line tool: lab provides the same features from the shell, for your own scripts and for agents that run shell commands. Most commands return JSON output.

For setup instructions and the agent skill, see AI Agents and Command-Line Tools.

Will I be locked into SnippetsLab?

No. Your data belongs to you:

You can access your snippets from outside the app through Alfred, Raycast, and the lab command-line tool, including from your own scripts.
You can export your library as JSON, XML, or plain text files.
Every automatic backup includes a JSON export of your library, so your data stays accessible even without the app.

Does SnippetsLab support Apple silicon and Intel-based Mac computers?

Yes. SnippetsLab is a Universal app, built to run on both Mac computers with Apple silicon and Intel-based Mac computers.

Will SnippetsLab run on earlier versions of macOS?

SnippetsLab supports at least the three most recent major versions of macOS, so that new versions of the app can take advantage of new macOS features. Earlier versions of SnippetsLab may continue to work on earlier versions of macOS, but won’t receive future updates.

Is there a plan for supporting SnippetsLab on other platforms?

SnippetsLab is available exclusively for macOS. There are no immediate plans for an iOS, iPadOS, or Windows version.

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

For detailed instructions, see Migrating from Setapp.

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

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

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.