Mdpdf a 2k line C CLI to convert Markdown to tiny PDFs

  • Hacker News

Mdpdf is a command-line tool written in C that converts Markdown files into small, styled PDFs.

  • Published: Apr 9, 2026
  • First seen: Apr 9, 2026

AI Summary

Mdpdf is a command-line tool written in C that converts Markdown files into small, styled PDFs.

Best for

Developers / Technical users

Why it matters

Provides a simple, code-based solution for generating well-styled, compact PDFs from Markdown, inspired by the desire for GitHub-like Readme styling.

Key Features

  • Markdown to PDF conversion
  • Command-line interface (CLI)
  • Small PDF output
  • Styled PDF output
  • Written in C

Use Cases

  • Generating documentation PDFs
  • Creating styled PDFs from Markdown content
  • Batch PDF generation
  • Integrating PDF creation into development workflows

Why Now

Mdpdf is gaining attention now due to its recent appearance on Hacker News, highlighting a simple C CLI tool for converting Markdown to small, well-styled PDFs, reminiscent of GitHub Readmes.

Community Signals

Trend score

2.5

24h momentum

Rising

Hacker News points

11

Rising

Facts / Signals / Inference / Unknowns

Facts

  • Listed on Hacker News as "Mdpdf a 2k line C CLI to convert Markdown to tiny PDFs".
  • Source description: I have always searched for a simple tool which can convert a MD document to a well styled small PDF, just like a GitHub Readme. This was inspired by TinyPDF https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46316968 I also used th....
  • Source publish date is 2026-04-09.
  • Description: I have always searched for a simple tool which can convert a MD document to a well styled small PDF, just like a GitHub Readme. This was inspired by TinyPDF https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46316968 I also used th....
  • GitHub repository is linked as schicho/mdpdf.
  • Primary public product URL is https://github.com/schicho/mdpdf.

Signals

  • Hacker News mention is recent (2026-04-09).
  • A public GitHub repo is available for direct technical review.
  • Primary discovery source is Hacker News.

Inference

  • Public code access can lower evaluation friction for developer audiences.

Unknowns

  • Documentation is not explicitly linked in the current allowed evidence set.
  • No tagline is stored on the current product record.
  • Pricing details are not explicitly linked in the current allowed evidence set.
  • Recent changelog or release history is not explicitly linked in the current allowed evidence set.
  • Release cadence cannot be confirmed unless a changelog or release link is explicitly provided.

Evidence Snapshots

Mdpdf a 2k line C CLI to convert Markdown to tiny PDFs

Listed on Hacker News as "Mdpdf a 2k line C CLI to convert Markdown to tiny PDFs".

Mdpdf a 2k line C CLI to convert Markdown to tiny PDFs GitHub repository

GitHub repository is linked as schicho/mdpdf.

Mdpdf a 2k line C CLI to convert Markdown to tiny PDFs official profile

Primary public product URL is https://github.com/schicho/mdpdf.

Alternatives / Related

Original Sources