# Using Markdown in LLM Apps

Markdown is become the **dominant** format in LLM apps recently, it is also the only tool for custom HTML within a streamlit app, also note that when you use the copy button in Bard or ChatGPT it gives you text in markdown due to its many advantages.

**[Textbook: Markdown Guide](https://dl.icdst.org/pdfs/files3/c79990b0b853932d36ddc117ce2503e3.pdf)**


**Advantages of Markdown for LLM Apps:**

* **Simplicity and Readability:** Markdown is easy to learn and write, making it accessible for both developers and non-technical users. This simplifies communication and collaboration in LLM app development.
* **Structure and Clarity:** Markdown provides basic formatting options like headings, lists, and code blocks, which can effectively structure content and enhance clarity within LLM apps. This is particularly helpful for presenting generated text, instructions, or user interfaces.
* **Compatibility and Portability:** Markdown files are plain text files with simple formatting tags, making them compatible with various platforms and tools. This allows easy integration with different components of an LLM app and simplifies sharing data across platforms.
* **Focus on Content:** Markdown emphasizes the content itself over intricate visual formatting, aligning well with the primary focus of LLM apps on language and information processing.
* **Potential for Extension:** While basic, Markdown can be extended with plugins and libraries to incorporate richer formatting elements when needed.

**However, there are also limitations to consider:**

* **Limited Formatting:** Markdown lacks the ability to represent complex layout or visual design elements, which might be essential for certain LLM apps.
* **Not Ideal for Visual Content:** It's not the best format for displaying multimedia content like images or videos, which might be relevant for some LLM apps.
* **Inconsistent Handling by LLMs:** Some LLM models might not always interpret Markdown syntax perfectly, leading to inconsistencies in formatting within app responses.

**Overall, Markdown plays a valuable role in some LLM apps by providing a simple, accessible, and structured way to present information and instructions. However, its suitability depends on the specific needs and complexity of the app.**

Here are some examples of LLM apps where Markdown is commonly used:

* **Interactive chatbots:** Markdown can be used to format chatbot responses, including instructions, prompts, and generated text, making them more readable and engaging.
* **Text-based creative tools:** Apps like AI writing assistants or music composition tools might use Markdown to present prompts, options, and generated outputs in a clear and organized manner.
* **Educational and research applications:** LLM apps used for summarizing text or generating reports might leverage Markdown for structuring the output and highlighting important information.

Ultimately, the choice of format for LLM apps depends on various factors, and Markdown remains a valuable option where simplicity, accessibility, and clear information presentation are key priorities.

**[Show Markdown in Streamlit](https://docs.streamlit.io/library/api-reference/text/st.markdown)**

Markdown has several uses within a streamlit application. As the only tool for custom HTML within a streamlit app, you can use it to flexibly insert rich content into your application.

[Detailed Discussion on Using Markdown in Streamlit](https://pmbaumgartner.github.io/streamlitopedia/markdown.html)

Here are some of the most popular markdown editors you can embed in your website, categorized by their strengths:

**WYSIWYG editors:**

* **Froala:** Offers a real-time preview and a clean interface. It's lightweight, cross-browser compatible, and supports collaborative editing.
* **SimpleMDE:** Provides a familiar WYSIWYG experience with basic formatting options. It's lightweight, simple to integrate, and offers autosaving and spell checking.
* **StackEdit:** A popular online editor with live preview, version history, and export options. It's easy to embed and offers Markdown learning resources.

**Distraction-free editors:**

* **Typora:** Focuses on a clean writing environment with live preview and automatic Markdown hiding. It's versatile, supports advanced Markdown features, and offers various themes.
* **MarkText:** A distraction-free editor with split-pane preview and real-time Markdown rendering. It's open-source, customizable, and integrates with various plugins.
* **GhostWriter:** Similar to Typora, it hides Markdown for distraction-free writing and offers live preview. It's lightweight, portable, and has several theme options.

**Other noteworthy options:**

* **CodeMirror:** A JavaScript library that allows you to build your own custom Markdown editor with various features. It's highly customizable and powerful but requires more development effort.
* **dillinger.io:** An online WYSIWYG editor with Markdown and HTML export options. It's cloud-based and offers advanced formatting capabilities.
* **turndown:** A JavaScript library that converts HTML to Markdown, allowing you to integrate any existing HTML editor with Markdown support.

**Choosing the right editor depends on your website's needs and preferences:**

* Consider the level of WYSIWYG editing needed.
* Do you prioritize focus and distraction-free writing?
* What level of customization is required?
* What features like collaborative editing or export options are important?

**For further comparisons and reviews, check out these resources:**

* A collection of awesome markdown editors: [https://github.com/mundimark/awesome-markdown-editors](https://github.com/mundimark/awesome-markdown-editors)
* Comparison of WYSIWYG markdown editors: [https://www.bestjquery.com/demo/jquery-wysiwyg-editor/](https://www.bestjquery.com/demo/jquery-wysiwyg-editor/)
* The 10 Best Markdown Editors of 2023: [https://www.shopify.com/partners/blog/10-of-the-best-markdown-editors](https://www.shopify.com/partners/blog/10-of-the-best-markdown-editors)


 **Here are some of the most popular React-based Markdown editors that integrate well with Next.js:**

**1. Slate.js:**

- **Highly customizable:** Build versatile editors with fine-grained control over features and UI.
- **Framework-agnostic:** Works with React, Vue, and other frameworks.
- **Steeper learning curve:** Requires more effort for configuration and setup.

**2. react-markdown:**

- **Simple and lightweight:** Straightforward to use and efficient for basic Markdown rendering.
- **Server-side rendering (SSR) support:** Works seamlessly with Next.js for SEO and performance.
- **Limited editing capabilities:** Focuses on rendering rather than editing features.

**3. react-mde:**

- **Feature-rich WYSIWYG:** Offers a familiar editing experience with toolbars and buttons.
- **Customizable:** Customize toolbar options and styling.
- **Actively maintained:** Regularly updated with new features and bug fixes.

**4. react-draft-wysiwyg:**

- **Powerful WYSIWYG:** Based on Facebook's Draft.js, supports rich text editing and custom styling.
- **Customizable:** Tailor the editing experience with plugins and extensions.
- **Potential performance overhead:** Can be resource-intensive for large content blocks.

**5. Tiptap:**

- **Modern and extensible:** Proactive community and a wide range of extensions.
- **Focus on content blocks:** Ideal for structured content creation.
- **Active development:** New features and improvements frequently added.

**Additional Options:**

- **react-quill:** Integrates Quill.js, a popular WYSIWYG editor, into React.
- **MDX:** Allows embedding JSX components within Markdown, unlocking interactive content creation.

**Choosing the Right Editor:**

- **Customization needs:** Consider the level of control required over features and look and feel.
- **WYSIWYG vs. distraction-free:** Decide based on user preferences and editing style.
- **Performance:** Evaluate potential performance impact for large content blocks.
- **Maintainability:** Choose a well-maintained editor with active development.

**Recommendations:**

- **For extensive customization and control:** Slate.js
- **For simplicity and SSR compatibility:** react-markdown
- **For a feature-rich WYSIWYG experience:** react-mde or react-draft-wysiwyg
- **For block-based editing and flexibility:** Tiptap

**Best Practices:**

- **Experiment with different editors:** Test several options to find the best fit for your project.
- **Consider server-side rendering (SSR):** Ensure compatibility with Next.js for SEO and performance.
- **Prioritize user experience:** Choose an editor that aligns with your users' editing preferences.


## Example Prompts which require response in JSON and Markdown 

**Here are prompts demonstrating how to specify JSON format with Markdown fields using examples and JSON Schema:**

**Prompt 1: Generating Product Descriptions**

**Prompt:**

> Please generate a product description in JSON format, following this schema:
>
> ```json
> {
>   "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#",
>   "type": "object",
>   "properties": {
>     "name": { "type": "string" },
>     "description": { "type": "string" },  // Markdown field
>     "features": { "type": "array", "items": { "type": "string" } }
>   },
>   "required": ["name", "description"]
> }
>
> Here are examples of valid responses:
>
> ```json
> { "name": "Ergonomic Chair", "description": "# Super comfortable for long work hours\n* Lumbar support\n* Adjustable height", "features": ["Mesh back", "Adjustable armrests"] }
> ```
>
> **Key Point:** Indicate Markdown fields with comments or descriptive property names.

**Prompt 2: Summarizing a News Article**

**Prompt:**

> Summarize this news article in JSON format, including these fields:
>
> - title (string)
> - summary (Markdown string)
> - key_points (array of strings)
>
> Here's an example of a valid response:
>
> ```json
> { "title": "NASA's New Space Telescope Reveals Stunning Images", "summary": "## Breathtaking Views of Distant Galaxies\n* Webb telescope captures unprecedented images\n* Provides new insights into early universe", "key_points": ["Galaxies shown in unprecedented detail", "Insights into star formation"] }
> 

**Prompt 3: Generating a Creative Story**

**Prompt:**

> Write a short story about a robot who falls in love with a human. Format your response as JSON with these fields:
>
> - title (string)
> - content (Markdown string)
> - author (string)
> - genre (string)
>
> Here's an example of a valid response:
>
> json
> { "title": "The Robot's Heart", "content": "## A Tale of Unexpected Love\n*Once upon a time, in a world of gleaming chrome and buzzing circuits, there lived a robot named...*", "author": "Bard", "genre": "Science Fiction" }
> 

**Specifying Markdown Fields:**

- **JSON Schema:** Markdown fields can be designated using a custom format property (e.g., "format": "markdown") or descriptive property names.
- **Examples:** Explicitly show Markdown formatting in example responses.
- **Comments:** Add comments within prompts to clarify Markdown expectations.

**Additional Tips:**

- Use clear and concise language in prompts.
- Provide multiple examples to illustrate formatting variations.
- Test responses to ensure they meet formatting requirements.
- Consider using a Markdown validation library to enforce consistency.


 **Python Markdown validation libraries:**

**Popular Libraries:**

- **Markdown** ([https://python-markdown.github.io/](https://python-markdown.github.io/)):
    - Parses Markdown to HTML, allowing validation during parsing.
    - Not specifically designed for validation, but can be used for basic checks.
- **markdown-it-py** ([https://github.com/executablebooks/markdown-it-py](https://github.com/executablebooks/markdown-it-py)):
    - Python port of the popular JavaScript library markdown-it.
    - Offers a plugin system for custom validation rules.
- **mistletoe** ([https://github.com/miyuchina/mistletoe](https://github.com/miyuchina/mistletoe)):
    - Python-native library with a focus on CommonMark compliance.
    - Provides strict validation and supports custom extensions.
- **markdown-link-check** ([https://github.com/tcort/markdown-link-check](https://github.com/tcort/markdown-link-check)):
    - Specializes in checking for broken links in Markdown documents.

**Most Used Libraries:**

- **Markdown:** Most popular for general Markdown parsing and basic validation.
- **markdown-it-py:** Gaining popularity for its flexibility and plugin system.

**Tutorial Using Markdown:**

**Installation:**

```bash
pip install markdown
```

**Basic Validation:**

```python
import markdown

markdown_text = "# This is a heading\n\nThis is some text with [a link](https://www.example.com)."

html = markdown.markdown(markdown_text)

if html:
    print("Markdown is valid.")
else:
    print("Markdown is invalid.")
```

**Advanced Validation (Custom Extensions):**

```python
import markdown
from markdown.extensions import Extension

class MyExtension(Extension):
    def extendMarkdown(self, md):
        # Add custom validation rules here

markdown_text = "# This is a heading"
markdown.markdown(markdown_text, extensions=[MyExtension()])
```

**Choosing the Right Library:**

- Consider project requirements, desired validation features, and familiarity with libraries.
- For basic validation and parsing, Markdown often suffices.
- For more flexibility and custom validation rules, explore markdown-it-py or mistletoe.
- For specific tasks like link checking, use specialized libraries like markdown-link-check.

**Additional Tips:**

- Combine validation with linting tools for comprehensive Markdown quality checks.
- Consider using a Markdown editor with built-in validation for real-time feedback.


 **Here's a comprehensive response on Markdown linting tools in Python:**

**Markdown Linting Tools**

- **Identify potential errors, inconsistencies, and style issues in Markdown documents.**
- **Encourage adherence to best practices and maintain readability.**

**Popular Python Tools:**

1. **markdownlint** ([https://github.com/markdownlint/markdownlint](https://github.com/markdownlint/markdownlint)):
    - Rule-based linter with comprehensive checks for syntax, style, and conventions.
    - Widely used and customizable with plugins.

2. **mdl** ([https://github.com/mivok/markdownlint](https://github.com/mivok/markdownlint)):
    - Similar to markdownlint, focused on CommonMark compliance.
    - Offers a subset of rules and supports configuration files.

3. **vale** ([https://github.com/ValeLint/vale](https://github.com/ValeLint/vale)):
    - Multi-language linter, including Markdown support.
    - Emphasizes accessibility and style consistency.

4. **proselint** ([https://github.com/amperser/proselint](https://github.com/amperser/proselint)):
    - Designed for prose-heavy documents, including Markdown.
    - Checks for readability, style issues, and common errors.

5. **textlint** ([https://github.com/textlint/textlint](https://github.com/textlint/textlint)):
    - Highly customizable linter framework for various text formats, including Markdown.
    - Offers a wide range of plugins for specific checks.

**Using markdownlint:**

1. **Installation:**
   ```bash
   pip install markdownlint
   ```

2. **Basic Linting:**
   ```bash
   markdownlint markdown_file.md
   ```

3. **Configuration (Optional):**
   - Create a `.markdownlint.json` file to specify rules and options.

**Additional Tips:**

- **Integration:** Integrate linters into editors for real-time feedback.
- **Customization:** Tailor linting rules to project style guides.
- **Combination:** Use multiple linters for comprehensive checks.
- **Continuous Integration:** Incorporate linting into CI/CD pipelines for automated quality control.






