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Measured on six things

A technical alpha app for educators to manage lesson plans using plain markdown files with Obsidian compatibility.

Accessibility

Minimal features for diverse needs, lacking screen reader support, language options, and adaptive interfaces for motor impairments.

Screenshots

1 / 4

PlanWell

About this app

PlanWell.md is a browser-based and macOS application designed specifically for educators who prefer text-based workflows. It leverages Obsidian-compatible markdown files with YAML frontmatter to handle lesson planning, featuring a period-aware engine that automatically generates timeline blocks from notes. The app emphasizes user sovereignty, allowing data synchronization through personal storage like iCloud or git repositories, ensuring full control over content. While currently in technical alpha, it offers a refreshing alternative to proprietary planning software, though it has some rough edges in accessibility and interface polish. Ideal for tech-savvy teachers and markdown enthusiasts, it combines simplicity with powerful automation for educational scheduling.

Key features

1Obsidian-compatible markdown files with YAML frontmatter for maximum portability
2Period-aware engine automatically generates timeline blocks from plain text notes
3Local-first architecture with iCloud and git synchronization options for complete data control

Target customer profile

Drawn from the product itself, not from a survey.

Demographic

Tech-savvy educators and teachers

Pain points

Overly complex planning software, proprietary format lock-in, limited customization options

Primary needs

Text-based workflow flexibility, data portability, minimal learning curve for markdown users

Demographic

Markdown enthusiasts in education

Pain points

Adapting general note-taking apps for lesson planning, manual timeline management

Primary needs

Period-aware automation, Obsidian compatibility, personal storage integration

Demographic

Educators seeking data control and privacy

Pain points

Privacy concerns with cloud-based tools, reliance on external servers for data storage

Primary needs

Local-first data storage, security through personal cloud options like iCloud or git

Scout Review

Written by AI from measured evidence, scored out of 100.

PlanWell.md represents a compelling alternative to traditional lesson planning software for educators who value workflow control and data sovereignty. The combination of markdown simplicity with specialized educational automation creates a unique value proposition that resonates with tech-savvy teachers. While the technical alpha status means you'll encounter some rough edges, particularly in accessibility and interface polish, the core functionality delivers on its promise of combining plain text flexibility with purpose-built planning tools.

Measure by measure

Usability

Excellent for markdown-proficient users with intelligent period-aware timeline generation, but YAML requirements create steep learning curves.

Design

Clean macOS Tahoe aesthetic with minimal clutter, though alpha inconsistencies affect visual coherence and button placement.

Speed

Local-first architecture ensures responsive performance with quick file rendering, though complex YAML processing causes occasional lag.

Security

User-controlled data storage via local files or personal clouds eliminates third-party data risks and server-side privacy concerns.

Accessibility

Minimal features for diverse needs, lacking screen reader support, language options, and adaptive interfaces for motor impairments.

Growth

Strong niche appeal in markdown-education intersection with expansion potential through improved accessibility and platform support.

Improvement areas

Limited accessibility features excluding many educators with disabilities
Steep learning curve for teachers unfamiliar with YAML and advanced markdown
Mobile platform support needed for planning on-the-go in educational settings

Design & Usability

PlanWell.md embraces a clean macOS Tahoe aesthetic that will feel familiar to Apple ecosystem users. The interface features subdued colors and minimal visual clutter, creating a focused environment for lesson planning. Navigation follows an intuitive folder-based structure that mirrors your markdown file organization, making it easy to find and manage your content. The standout feature is the period-aware engine that intelligently parses YAML metadata to automatically generate visual timeline blocks from your plain text notes. This creates a surprisingly seamless transition from writing markdown to viewing organized schedules. However, as a technical alpha, some interface elements feel unfinished - button placements occasionally lack consistency, and the learning curve steepens significantly for educators unfamiliar with YAML schemas or advanced markdown syntax.

Speed & Security

The local-first architecture delivers impressive security benefits - your data remains in markdown files stored either locally or in your chosen cloud service like iCloud or git repositories. This approach eliminates server-side privacy concerns and gives you complete control over your educational content. Performance-wise, the app handles basic operations like file rendering and timeline generation with responsive speed. The browser-based and macOS versions load quickly once initialized, though you might notice occasional lag when processing complex YAML structures or large collections of notes. Since the core functionality doesn't rely on external servers, you won't experience the typical cloud-based slowdowns during peak usage times.

Accessibility & Growth

Accessibility currently represents the app's most significant limitation. The markdown-heavy interface assumes strong visual capability for text navigation, with no mentioned support for screen readers, high-contrast modes, or voice commands. Language options appear confined to English, and the heavy reliance on keyboard shortcuts for advanced functions may challenge users with motor impairments. However, the growth potential is substantial - the niche focus on markdown-fluent educators provides a solid foundation, and expanding platform support to mobile devices along with basic accessibility features could significantly broaden its appeal. The Obsidian compatibility and text-based workflow philosophy position it well in the growing movement toward user-controlled, portable data formats.

Conclusion

If you're an educator already comfortable with markdown workflows or looking to escape the limitations of proprietary planning software, PlanWell.md offers a refreshing approach worth exploring during its development phase. The app's commitment to user control through local file storage and Obsidian compatibility makes it particularly appealing for teachers prioritizing data portability and long-term content accessibility. Give this one a try if you believe lesson planning tools should work with your existing text-based systems rather than forcing you into yet another proprietary ecosystem.

Suggestions for improvement

Implement basic screen reader compatibility and high-contrast mode options to serve visually impaired educators
Add visual YAML schema templates and wizards to reduce the learning curve for non-technical users
Develop iOS and Android companion apps to enable mobile lesson planning and quick reference
Create video tutorials specifically demonstrating the period-aware engine workflow for different subject types

How we score

Alternatives comparison

Named competitors, point by point. Nobody paid to appear here or to be left out.

	PlanWell	Planboard	Planbook	Obsidian
Data Portability & Format	Open markdown files with YAML, full user control	Proprietary format, limited export options	Proprietary format, cloud-dependent	Open markdown files, general purpose
Lesson Planning Specialization	Period-aware engine, timeline automation	Curriculum standards integration	Comprehensive planning features	General note-taking, requires plugins
Platform Availability	Browser & macOS only	Web-based, mobile apps	Web-based platform	Desktop & mobile apps