Split view speeds verification
Keep source and rendered output together so review decisions happen faster.
Core Features
Fast, lightweight, and opinionated about technical documentation.
A product experience optimized for reading, with a viewer-first approach.
KatanA provides a simple and fast environment for reading technical documents, including Markdown and diagrams.
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Fast and lightweight
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Mermaid (including ZenUML) / PlantUML / Draw.io support
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Viewer-first design
Core Philosophy
A fast and lightweight environment for reading documents
It treats Markdown viewing, diagram rendering, and workspace navigation as a seamless, high-speed flow.
outcomes
Feature outcomes
Diagrams stay in the same reading flow
Mermaid (including ZenUML), PlantUML, and Draw.io do not force context switching to other tools.
Workspace context stays intact
Move across related docs without losing architecture discussion continuity.
diagram reality
Diagram setup reality
| Renderer | Requirement | Operational note |
|---|---|---|
| Mermaid | No extra setup | Includes ZenUML sequence diagrams |
| PlantUML | Java required | Allow plantuml.jar fetch in app |
| Draw.io | No extra setup | Rendered in normal document flow |
search flow
Search and reading flow
A practical path from finding a file to landing on the exact evidence line.
1. Filename search
Find candidate documents quickly across the workspace tree.
2. Full-text search
Filter by exact terms and narrow down to relevant passages.
3. Heading jump
Jump directly to the right section using structural anchors.
4. Match highlight
Land with visible highlights so the target context is immediately clear.
export use cases
Export in real workflows
- Attach rendered docs to review comments.
- Share PNG evidence with non-KatanA stakeholders.
- Include exported visuals in reports and status updates.
Focus on reading, not tool switching
For engineers, time spent reading specifications and ADRs is critical. KatanA is purpose-built to prioritize this reading experience.
Fast and lightweight workspace
Prioritizing responsive performance, it delivers a smooth experience that doesn't interrupt your thoughts even when opening large documents.
Native Diagram Support
Native support for Mermaid (including ZenUML), PlantUML, and Draw.io. Architecture diagrams are seamlessly rendered in the same context as text.
Native .drawio File Preview
In addition to Markdown, open .drawio files directly in KatanA for instant previewing. Verify architecture diagrams quickly without launching a dedicated editor.
Cross-Workspace Navigation
Just open the project root to access documents from the file tree. Move smoothly between related specifications and design docs.
Built for daily engineering work
Going beyond a simple viewer to support your daily engineering output.
High-Fidelity Export
Export entire documents as high-resolution PNG/JPG images, in addition to HTML and PDF. Beautifully share outcomes with non-engineering stakeholders.
Integrated App Updates
Features an advanced continuous improvement cycle as a desktop app, including changelog views and built-in update detection.
Localized UI
Ships with native multilingual UI support, including English and Japanese, blending naturally into the linguistic environment of teams worldwide.
Markdown Linter & Diff Review
Automatically detects Markdown formatting errors and lets you verify changes side-by-side in a Diff Review before applying them. Unify formatting safely and easily.
Intuitive File Management
Organize your workspace naturally by dragging and dropping files and folders in the explorer, along with comprehensive context menu operations.
Upcoming Features
This roadmap focuses on unreleased areas that will extend the review workflow next.
AI-assisted document generation
Handle additions to existing docs, new Markdown generation, and template-driven writing from the same workflow.
Multilingual review assistance
Review translations and wording differences while preserving the context visible on screen.
Diagram creation assistance
Connect the flow of reading Mermaid (including ZenUML), PlantUML, and .drawio files to AI-assisted diagram generation and updates.