1. Introduction

This document accompanies you on the direct path to working with adoc Studio. It explains the structure of the app, introduces the commands and provides many tips for a deeper introduction to the documentation with adoc Studio.

In addition, the source code of this documentation gives you an example of how to set up a project in adoc Studio. The user manual can be called up in adoc Studio via the main menu Help  User manual.

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  • External links are marked with a arrow .

  • Links within the document appear as underlined hyperlinks.

  • Keys and buttons look like this: Yes

  • Menu commands are displayed as: File  Export  Products.

  • Keyboard shortcuts are shown like this: ^+⌘+E.

  • References to an interface element in the app and the associated inputs appear in this style.

1.1. Welcome to adoc Studio

adocstudio

Use adoc Studio to create technical documentation efficiently and in a structured way. The app supports you in creating comprehensive, clearly organized documents.

After launch, the cursor is positioned in the editor. The preview reflects every change immediately.

adoc Studio is available on Mac, iPad, and iPhone with a consistent interface.

adoc Studio is an integrated writing environment based on the markup language AsciiDoc. Use it to create documents in HTML and PDF format, as well as websites.

Markup language

Many users are familiar with Microsoft Word or a comparable text editor. In recent years, however, markup languages such as Markdown have become widespread. Unlike traditional word processors, these programs do not display the document in a print-like view as Microsoft Word or Apple Pages do. Instead, you write the text in a structured syntax and then convert it to the desired output format. The effort required varies depending on the tool.

AsciiDoc

adoc Studio is based on AsciiDoc, an established markup language. The Eclipse Foundation standardizes the AsciiDoc language specification (https://asciidoc-wg.eclipse.org), providing a future-proof foundation. AsciiDoc offers beginners an accessible entry point and provides advanced users with a comprehensive feature set.

Integrated writing environment

An efficient and productive working environment requires an app that integrates all essential functions. In adoc Studio, you organize your projects, write texts, and see the result in the preview. Export finished documents either individually or as products.

adoc Studio offers extensive customization options. You control the appearance of the editor and choose a suitable output style. adoc Studio includes several styles, and new styles are published regularly at the website.

With adoc Studio, you focus entirely on the structure and content of your documents. Emphasize important statements, highlight passages, and insert emojis 🙂 as needed. The separation of source text and preview lets you produce documents in different styles, formats, and with conditional content.

1.2. New Features in adoc Studio

This document uses labels such as v3 and v4 to highlight attributes, features, or macros introduced in a specific version. The most recent versions are listed below in reverse order.

adoc Studio 4 from April 14, 2026

  • adoc Studio is now available in a free version and a Pro version.

  • Subscribers of v3 automatically receive the Pro version.

The free version includes all features required to create HTML documentation:

  • The interface is divided into project management, editor, and preview.

  • adoc Coach is fully integrated and makes learning AsciiDoc easier.

  • The preview displays HTML and PDF documents.

  • Export is available as HTML.

The paid version adds these new features with the update:

adoc Studio 3 from April 23, 2025

  • Pro Adjust image resolutions and reduce file sizes

  • Pro Project dictionaries for your team

  • Pro Command-line tool for automation

  • Pro Apple Shortcuts for automation

  • Drag-and-drop functionality

  • Sort project files

  • Set default style

  • New product style: Manual

  • SF Symbols for icon macros

  • Embed in existing HTML pages

adoc Studio 2 from January 30, 2025

  • AsciiDoc callouts

  • Anchors on inline elements

  • Subtitles for HTML and PDF exports

  • Support for AsciiDoc bibliographies

  • Icon macros including syntax completion

  • New product style: Light

adoc Studio 1 from June 12, 2024

  • First public version

1.3. What Is a Markup Language?

The term markup originates from typography and refers to the highlighting of parts of text. This includes:

  • different font variants such as italic and bold,

  • small caps,

  • uppercase letters (ALL CAPS),

  • letter spacing,

  • underlining, or

  • coloring text, as well as

  • different font sizes and styles.

Handwritten markings in manuscripts were also part of this tradition (Wikipedia). These techniques were transferred to software, giving rise to modern markup languages.

Markdown is a well-known example of a markup language. It is based on plain text, meaning letters without formatting. Additional markers indicate the structure and meaning of the text, for example through headings, bold or italic type, and links.

A markup language uses plain text, supplemented by markers that identify parts of the text semantically. There are numerous markup languages, which should not be confused with word processing programs such as Microsoft Word. Examples include:

  • HTML: the language of the internet, widely used but often cumbersome to handle.

  • TeX/LaTeX: a popular typesetting system, rarely used in business and difficult to learn.

  • Markdown: a lean markup language, suitable for short and structured texts; markers define headings, bold or italic type, and links.

AsciiDoc was chosen because of the limitations of other languages:

AsciiDoc is a mature, lightweight, and semantic markup language, developed specifically for technical documentation. It is suitable for all structured texts. A detailed comparison of Markdown and AsciiDoc provides additional information.

With over 10 million downloads (Asciidoctor History), broad support is available.

At ProjectWizards, all manuals and public documents have been created in this format since 2007.

1.4. Comparing Word, Pages, or Google Docs

When you choose between adoc Studio and a WYSIWYG word processing program such as Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, or Google Docs, the following points are relevant:

WYSIWYG has stood for "What you see is what you get" since the 1990s. The term describes the principle of outputting documents exactly as they appear on screen. In practice, this promise is often not fully delivered.

  1. Separation of content and presentation: Text-based markup languages separate content and presentation consistently. This keeps formatting consistent across different documents. At the same time, you can adjust the visual appearance centrally and uniformly.

  2. Portability: Text-based markup languages are universal and cross-platform. You can edit texts on any device and operating system, even without special software for the target format.

  3. Version control: Markup languages are compatible with version control systems such as Git. You can track, compare, and collaboratively review changes.

  4. Reusability: A document written in a markup language can be converted to different formats, for example HTML for websites, PDF for print, or EPUB for e-books.

  5. Adaptability: Text-based markup languages offer high flexibility. You can customize content, appearance, and behavior in targeted ways, including functions that traditional word processors often only support in a limited fashion.

  6. Automation: Scripts and tools enable automated generation and publication of projects. This saves time and reduces errors, particularly with extensive documentation.

  7. Stability and longevity: Text-based markup languages are considered stable over the long term. Unlike proprietary file formats, they do not change with every new software version.

1.5. Installation

Download adoc Studio from the appropriate App Store for your Mac or your iPad or iPhone.

If you are reading this text in adoc Studio, the installation is complete.

System Requirements

The minimum requirements for adoc Studio are:

  • Mac: macOS 15 (Sequoia)

  • iPad: iPadOS 18

  • iPhone: iOS 18

1.6. Versions, Trial Period, and Licensing

subscription

Since version 4, adoc Studio is available in two editions:

Community edition

Free of charge. Includes the core features.

Pro edition

Extends the Community edition with additional features for professional and commercial use.

A comparison of features is available here. An additional edition is available for organizations:

Enterprise edition

Provides the same functionality as the Pro edition and additionally covers specific topics related to billing and services.

Every subscription, regardless of the chosen plan, provides access to adoc Studio on all personal devices (macOS and iOS).

When you launch adoc Studio for the first time, a dialog appears for selecting the desired edition. During the 14-day trial period, all Pro features are fully available.

After the trial period, you can subscribe monthly or annually. The annual subscription offers a price advantage.

Without a subscription, adoc Studio remains available as the Community edition. Existing projects are retained. Pro features are not available.