A Clean Page, Nothing Else
Focus Mode strips away everything that isn't your text. No toolbars, no sidebars, no floating panels. Just a clean window with your Markdown and a blinking cursor.
This isn't a "zen mode" bolted onto a complex app. Paper is minimal by design, and Focus Mode takes that philosophy to its logical conclusion: a writing surface that feels like a blank page.
Why Focus Mode Matters
Every visible UI element is a potential distraction. Word counts, formatting buttons, file trees, and notifications all compete for your attention. Focus Mode removes them so your brain can do one thing: write.
Fewer visual elements means fewer distractions competing for your attention. Paper's Focus Mode gives you a clean canvas so you can stay in flow longer.
How It Works
- •Toggle with Cmd + Shift + F — Enter or exit Focus Mode instantly
- •Full-screen optional — Use Focus Mode in a window or go full-screen
- •Keyboard-first — All essential commands work via keyboard shortcuts
- •Escape to exit — Press Escape or the shortcut to return to normal view
Perfect For
- •Long-form writing — Blog posts, documentation, and drafts
- •Quick notes — Capture ideas without visual clutter
- •Editing sessions — Review and revise without distractions
- •Presentations — Show your writing on screen without app chrome
Native macOS Experience
Focus Mode uses standard macOS window behaviors. It works with Spaces, Split View, and Stage Manager. Your muscle memory from other Mac apps transfers directly.
Because Paper is built with Swift and AppKit (not Electron), Focus Mode is instant. There's no loading state, no animation lag — just immediate, clean writing.