From 17fba729cfa243eee29ecb1d4e43fba3d411fff6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2026 13:31:03 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 1/2] Rewrite AI-sounding copy on the cheat sheet and site

Plainer wording in the cheat sheet hero, closing CTA, tips, FAQ and
support labels, the sample document, empty state, loading skeleton and
meta descriptions. Same facts and features, fewer em-dash asides,
taglines and filler.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01WVKbHBxvZ5orACztnaRUAm
---
 public/manifest.json                          |  2 +-
 .../cheatsheet/components/ClosingCta.tsx      |  8 +--
 src/features/cheatsheet/components/Hero.tsx   |  7 +-
 .../cheatsheet/content/chapters/basics.ts     | 16 ++---
 .../cheatsheet/content/chapters/beyond.ts     | 10 +--
 .../cheatsheet/content/chapters/gfm.ts        |  4 +-
 src/features/cheatsheet/content/faq.ts        |  6 +-
 src/features/cheatsheet/content/support.ts    |  6 +-
 src/features/cheatsheet/data.ts               |  8 +--
 src/features/cheatsheet/seo.ts                |  8 +--
 src/features/workspace/WorkspaceSkeleton.tsx  | 10 +--
 .../workspace/panes/preview/EmptyState.tsx    |  6 +-
 src/features/workspace/state/sample.md        | 64 +++++++++----------
 src/lib/seo.ts                                |  4 +-
 src/routes/index.tsx                          |  4 +-
 15 files changed, 82 insertions(+), 81 deletions(-)

diff --git a/public/manifest.json b/public/manifest.json
index ca83559..58e2374 100644
--- a/public/manifest.json
+++ b/public/manifest.json
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
   "id": "/",
   "name": "RenderMD",
   "short_name": "RenderMD",
-  "description": "Paste, drop or link any markdown and read it beautifully typeset. Private, free, no ads.",
+  "description": "Paste, drop or link a markdown file and read it as a typeset page. Free and private, with no ads.",
   "start_url": "/",
   "scope": "/",
   "display": "standalone",
diff --git a/src/features/cheatsheet/components/ClosingCta.tsx b/src/features/cheatsheet/components/ClosingCta.tsx
index f04f5aa..b978d09 100644
--- a/src/features/cheatsheet/components/ClosingCta.tsx
+++ b/src/features/cheatsheet/components/ClosingCta.tsx
@@ -5,13 +5,13 @@ import { ArrowRight } from 'lucide-react'
 export function ClosingCta() {
   return (
     <aside className="relative overflow-hidden rounded-2xl bg-ink px-8 py-12 text-paper md:px-14 print:hidden">
-      <p className="label-caps text-proof">Now you know the marks</p>
+      <p className="label-caps text-proof">The editor</p>
       <p className="mt-4 max-w-lg font-display text-5xl leading-[1.02] tracking-tight">
-        Go write something worth reading.
+        Write markdown and see it typeset as you go.
       </p>
       <p className="mt-4 max-w-md text-[15px] leading-relaxed text-paper/70">
-        Paste, drop or link any markdown file and RenderMD typesets it instantly — private, free, no
-        ads.
+        Paste, drop or link a markdown file, or start from a blank page. It runs in your browser and
+        it’s free, with no ads.
       </p>
       <Link
         to="/"
diff --git a/src/features/cheatsheet/components/Hero.tsx b/src/features/cheatsheet/components/Hero.tsx
index 06403ac..639893e 100644
--- a/src/features/cheatsheet/components/Hero.tsx
+++ b/src/features/cheatsheet/components/Hero.tsx
@@ -44,16 +44,15 @@ export function Hero({ specimen }: { specimen: Root }) {
         <Breadcrumb />
 
         <p className="mt-14 animate-rise label-caps text-proof [animation-delay:60ms] md:mt-20">
-          The complete reference · {SECTIONS.length} topics · {EXAMPLE_COUNT} live examples
+          {SECTIONS.length} topics · {EXAMPLE_COUNT} editable examples
         </p>
         <h1 className="mt-5 max-w-3xl animate-rise font-display text-[clamp(3.4rem,10vw,8rem)] leading-[0.88] tracking-[-0.02em] text-ink [animation-delay:120ms]">
           Markdown <br />
           <em className="text-ink-3">cheat sheet</em>
         </h1>
         <p className="mt-8 max-w-[34rem] animate-rise text-lg leading-relaxed text-ink-2 [animation-delay:180ms]">
-          Every markdown syntax — CommonMark, GitHub Flavored Markdown, math and diagrams — with
-          examples you can edit and watch render. Nothing here is a mock-up: each one runs through
-          the same renderer as the RenderMD editor.
+          Markdown syntax from CommonMark and GitHub Flavored Markdown, plus math and diagrams. Edit
+          any example to see it re-render. They all use the same renderer as the RenderMD editor.
         </p>
         <div className="relative z-10 mt-9 flex max-w-xl animate-rise flex-col gap-3 [animation-delay:240ms] sm:flex-row print:hidden">
           <SearchBox className="flex-1" />
diff --git a/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/basics.ts b/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/basics.ts
index eb30738..a2ca929 100644
--- a/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/basics.ts
+++ b/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/basics.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ export const basics: CheatsheetChapter = {
   numeral: 'I',
   title: 'The basics',
   intro:
-    'Everything in this chapter is CommonMark, the standard behind almost every markdown renderer. Learn these and you can write markdown anywhere.',
+    'Everything in this chapter is CommonMark, the standard that almost every markdown renderer follows, so it works nearly everywhere.',
   sections: [
     {
       id: 'headings',
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export const basics: CheatsheetChapter = {
       ],
       tips: [
         'Always put a space after the hashes: `#Heading` is just text in most renderers.',
-        'Leave a blank line before and after a heading for maximum compatibility.',
+        'Put a blank line before and after a heading. Some renderers need it.',
         'Every heading gets an anchor you can link to: `[Jump](#headings)` scrolls to a heading called “Headings”.',
       ],
     },
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ export const basics: CheatsheetChapter = {
       title: 'Paragraphs & line breaks',
       support: 'commonmark',
       summary:
-        'Separate paragraphs with a blank line. A single newline is treated as a space — end a line with a backslash (or two spaces) to force a line break.',
+        'Separate paragraphs with a blank line. A single newline is treated as a space. To force a line break, end the line with a backslash (or two spaces).',
       entries: [
         {
           source: lines(
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ export const basics: CheatsheetChapter = {
         },
       ],
       tips: [
-        'Prefer the trailing backslash `\\` over two trailing spaces — spaces are invisible and editors often strip them.',
+        'Prefer the trailing backslash `\\` over two trailing spaces. Spaces are invisible, and editors often strip them.',
         'Don’t indent paragraphs: four leading spaces turn a line into a code block.',
       ],
     },
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ export const basics: CheatsheetChapter = {
       ],
       tips: [
         'Use asterisks inside words: `un*frigging*believable` works, while underscores inside words are ignored so `snake_case_names` stay intact.',
-        'There’s no underline in markdown — use `<ins>underline</ins>` if you really need it.',
+        'Markdown has no underline. If you need one, use `<ins>underline</ins>`.',
       ],
     },
     {
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ export const basics: CheatsheetChapter = {
         },
       ],
       tips: [
-        'The actual numbers don’t matter after the first: `1.` `1.` `1.` renders as 1, 2, 3 — handy for reordering.',
+        'The actual numbers don’t matter after the first: `1.` `1.` `1.` renders as 1, 2, 3, so you can reorder items without renumbering.',
         'Nested items must line up with the *text* of their parent, not the bullet: two spaces after `-`, three after `1.`.',
         'Pick one bullet character per list; switching characters starts a new list.',
       ],
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ export const basics: CheatsheetChapter = {
         { label: 'Section links', source: 'Jump back to [Headings](#headings).' },
       ],
       tips: [
-        'Spaces in URLs break links — encode them as `%20`, or wrap the URL in angle brackets: `[a](<my file.md>)`.',
+        'Spaces in URLs break links. Encode them as `%20`, or wrap the URL in angle brackets: `[a](<my file.md>)`.',
         'Reference definitions can live anywhere in the document and never render.',
       ],
     },
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ export const basics: CheatsheetChapter = {
         },
       ],
       tips: [
-        'Markdown has no syntax for size — use HTML: `<img src="logo.png" width="120" alt="Logo">`.',
+        'Markdown has no syntax for image size, so use HTML: `<img src="logo.png" width="120" alt="Logo">`.',
         'Center an image with `<p align="center"><img src="…"></p>`, as many READMEs do.',
       ],
     },
diff --git a/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/beyond.ts b/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/beyond.ts
index cdd2626..b7c029f 100644
--- a/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/beyond.ts
+++ b/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/beyond.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ export const beyond: CheatsheetChapter = {
   numeral: 'III',
   title: 'Beyond the spec',
   intro:
-    'Math, diagrams, emoji and HTML aren’t part of any markdown standard, but they’re supported by GitHub, GitLab, Obsidian and RenderMD — and they make documents far more expressive.',
+    'Math, diagrams, emoji and HTML aren’t part of any markdown standard, but GitHub, GitLab, Obsidian and RenderMD all support them.',
   sections: [
     {
       id: 'math',
@@ -99,7 +99,9 @@ export const beyond: CheatsheetChapter = {
       title: 'Emoji',
       support: 'extended',
       summary: 'Type an emoji shortcode between colons, or paste the emoji itself.',
-      entries: [{ source: 'Ship it :rocket: — great work :tada: :sparkles: :white_check_mark:' }],
+      entries: [
+        { source: 'Ship it :rocket: Tests pass :white_check_mark: Time to celebrate :tada:' },
+      ],
       tips: ['Shortcodes follow GitHub’s names, the same ones used in GitHub issues and Slack.'],
     },
     {
@@ -131,7 +133,7 @@ export const beyond: CheatsheetChapter = {
         },
       ],
       tips: [
-        'Scripts, styles, event handlers and iframes are removed for safety — on GitHub and in RenderMD alike.',
+        'Scripts, styles, event handlers and iframes are removed for safety, both on GitHub and in RenderMD.',
         '`<mark>` highlights work in RenderMD but are stripped on GitHub.',
       ],
     },
@@ -140,7 +142,7 @@ export const beyond: CheatsheetChapter = {
       title: 'Comments',
       support: 'commonmark',
       summary:
-        'HTML comments are hidden from the rendered page — perfect for notes to yourself or other authors.',
+        'HTML comments don’t appear on the rendered page. Use them for notes to yourself or other authors.',
       entries: [
         {
           source: lines(
diff --git a/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/gfm.ts b/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/gfm.ts
index 70db031..ad98c53 100644
--- a/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/gfm.ts
+++ b/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/gfm.ts
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ export const gfm: CheatsheetChapter = {
         },
       ],
       tips: [
-        'The pipes don’t need to line up — but aligned tables are easier to read in source. RenderMD’s Table button inserts a starter.',
+        'The pipes don’t need to line up, though aligned tables are easier to read in source. RenderMD’s Table button inserts a starter.',
         'Escape a literal pipe inside a cell with `\\|`.',
         'Cells can only hold inline content. Use `<br>` for line breaks; lists and code blocks aren’t allowed.',
       ],
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ export const gfm: CheatsheetChapter = {
         },
       ],
       tips: [
-        'In the RenderMD editor you can tick the boxes right in the preview — the markdown updates itself.',
+        'In the RenderMD editor you can tick the boxes in the preview, and the markdown updates to match.',
       ],
     },
     {
diff --git a/src/features/cheatsheet/content/faq.ts b/src/features/cheatsheet/content/faq.ts
index d131966..0a842e4 100644
--- a/src/features/cheatsheet/content/faq.ts
+++ b/src/features/cheatsheet/content/faq.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ export const FAQ: Array<{ question: string; answer: string }> = [
   {
     question: 'What is markdown?',
     answer:
-      'Markdown is a lightweight way to format plain text. You write `**bold**` or `# Heading` and a renderer turns it into formatted text. It was created by John Gruber in 2004 and is now used everywhere from GitHub READMEs to notes apps, chat tools and documentation sites.',
+      'Markdown is a lightweight way to format plain text. You write `**bold**` or `# Heading` and a renderer turns it into formatted text. John Gruber created it in 2004. Today it’s used in GitHub READMEs, notes apps, chat tools and documentation sites.',
   },
   {
     question: 'What’s the difference between CommonMark and GitHub Flavored Markdown?',
@@ -28,11 +28,11 @@ export const FAQ: Array<{ question: string; answer: string }> = [
   {
     question: 'Can I use HTML in markdown?',
     answer:
-      'Yes — most renderers allow a safe subset of HTML for things markdown can’t express, like `<details>` for collapsible sections, `<kbd>` for keys and `<img width="…">` for sized images. Scripts and event handlers are always removed.',
+      'Yes. Most renderers allow a safe subset of HTML for things markdown can’t express, like `<details>` for collapsible sections, `<kbd>` for keys and `<img width="…">` for sized images. Scripts and event handlers are always removed.',
   },
   {
     question: 'How can I preview a markdown file?',
     answer:
-      'Paste or drop it into [RenderMD](https://www.render-md.com) — it renders instantly in your browser, including tables, math and diagrams, without uploading the file anywhere. You can also open a URL or a GitHub repository directly.',
+      'Paste or drop it into [RenderMD](https://www.render-md.com). It renders in your browser, including tables, math and diagrams, and the file is never uploaded. You can also open a URL or a GitHub repository directly.',
   },
 ]
diff --git a/src/features/cheatsheet/content/support.ts b/src/features/cheatsheet/content/support.ts
index 1be3b07..412cee8 100644
--- a/src/features/cheatsheet/content/support.ts
+++ b/src/features/cheatsheet/content/support.ts
@@ -9,15 +9,15 @@ export const SUPPORT_LABEL: Record<Support, { label: string; description: string
   gfm: {
     label: 'GFM',
     description:
-      'GitHub Flavored Markdown — supported by GitHub, GitLab, Reddit, VS Code and most modern tools.',
+      'GitHub Flavored Markdown — supported by GitHub, GitLab, Reddit, VS Code and many other tools.',
   },
   github: {
     label: 'GitHub',
-    description: 'A GitHub extension, also supported by RenderMD and a growing number of tools.',
+    description: 'A GitHub extension, also supported by RenderMD and some other tools.',
   },
   extended: {
     label: 'Extended',
     description:
-      'Widely supported extension (GitHub, GitLab, Obsidian, RenderMD…) but not part of a spec.',
+      'Not part of any spec, but supported by GitHub, GitLab, Obsidian, RenderMD and others.',
   },
 }
diff --git a/src/features/cheatsheet/data.ts b/src/features/cheatsheet/data.ts
index 584a8d2..43c35f9 100644
--- a/src/features/cheatsheet/data.ts
+++ b/src/features/cheatsheet/data.ts
@@ -11,12 +11,12 @@ import { stripHeadingIds } from '@/features/markdown/engine/hast'
 import { FAQ, SECTIONS } from './content'
 
 /** The hero's specimen, shown as source and as the typeset page. */
-export const HERO_SOURCE = `## Proof, not *promise*
+export const HERO_SOURCE = `## Weekly *notes*
 
-- [x] Typeset in your browser
-- [ ] Ads, trackers, sign-ups
+- [x] Ship the share dialog
+- [ ] Write the changelog
 
-> Write like nobody's rendering.`
+> Review on Friday.`
 
 export type CheatsheetData = {
   hero: Root
diff --git a/src/features/cheatsheet/seo.ts b/src/features/cheatsheet/seo.ts
index 25044e7..3b0e787 100644
--- a/src/features/cheatsheet/seo.ts
+++ b/src/features/cheatsheet/seo.ts
@@ -21,9 +21,9 @@ export const getCheatsheetJsonLd = () => [
     '@context': 'https://schema.org',
     '@type': 'TechArticle',
     headline: 'Markdown Cheat Sheet',
-    alternativeHeadline: 'Every markdown syntax with live, editable examples',
+    alternativeHeadline: 'Markdown syntax with live, editable examples',
     description:
-      'A complete markdown reference: CommonMark basics, GitHub Flavored Markdown, alerts, footnotes, LaTeX math and Mermaid diagrams, each with live rendered examples.',
+      'A markdown reference covering CommonMark basics, GitHub Flavored Markdown, alerts, footnotes, LaTeX math and Mermaid diagrams, each with live rendered examples.',
     image: `${SITE_URL}/og-cheatsheet.png`,
     url: CHEATSHEET_URL,
     inLanguage: 'en',
@@ -63,8 +63,8 @@ export const getCheatsheetJsonLd = () => [
 export const cheatsheetHead = () => ({
   meta: [
     ...seo({
-      title: 'Markdown Cheat Sheet — Complete Syntax Guide with Live Examples | RenderMD',
-      description: `Every markdown syntax in one place: headings, lists, links, images, code, tables, task lists, footnotes, alerts, LaTeX math and Mermaid diagrams — ${EXAMPLE_COUNT} live, editable examples.`,
+      title: 'Markdown Cheat Sheet: Syntax Guide with Live Examples | RenderMD',
+      description: `Markdown syntax in one place: headings, lists, links, images, code, tables, task lists, footnotes, alerts, LaTeX math and Mermaid diagrams, with ${EXAMPLE_COUNT} live, editable examples.`,
       url: CHEATSHEET_URL,
       image: `${SITE_URL}/og-cheatsheet.png`,
       imageAlt: 'The RenderMD markdown cheat sheet',
diff --git a/src/features/workspace/WorkspaceSkeleton.tsx b/src/features/workspace/WorkspaceSkeleton.tsx
index 0e984a8..49bcc67 100644
--- a/src/features/workspace/WorkspaceSkeleton.tsx
+++ b/src/features/workspace/WorkspaceSkeleton.tsx
@@ -13,17 +13,17 @@ export function WorkspaceSkeleton() {
           <div className="h-10 border-b border-rule" />
           <div className="space-y-3 p-8 font-mono text-[13px] text-ink-4">
             <p># A field guide to RenderMD</p>
-            <p>Paste it, drop it, or type it…</p>
+            <p>This page shows what RenderMD can render…</p>
           </div>
         </div>
         <div className="flex-1 overflow-hidden desk-grid px-4 pt-12 md:px-10">
           <div className="mx-auto max-w-[54rem] rounded-[3px] bg-paper px-6 py-12 shadow-paper md:px-16 md:py-16">
             <div className="doc" data-typeset="sans">
-              <h1>Beautiful markdown, rendered instantly.</h1>
+              <h1>Read and write markdown in your browser.</h1>
               <p>
-                Paste it, drop it, or link it — RenderMD typesets any markdown file in your browser.
-                GitHub Flavored Markdown, Mermaid diagrams, LaTeX math, syntax highlighting for 200+
-                languages, private share links and clean PDF export. No ads, no sign-up.
+                Paste, drop or link a markdown file and RenderMD typesets it in your browser. It
+                supports GitHub Flavored Markdown, Mermaid diagrams, LaTeX math, syntax highlighting
+                for 200+ languages, private share links and PDF export. No ads, no sign-up.
               </p>
               <div className="animate-pulse space-y-3 pt-4">
                 <div className="h-4 w-full rounded bg-paper-3" />
diff --git a/src/features/workspace/panes/preview/EmptyState.tsx b/src/features/workspace/panes/preview/EmptyState.tsx
index 8ad3e87..8db99f9 100644
--- a/src/features/workspace/panes/preview/EmptyState.tsx
+++ b/src/features/workspace/panes/preview/EmptyState.tsx
@@ -10,11 +10,11 @@ export function EmptyState() {
   const openDialog = useUiStore((state) => state.openDialog)
   return (
     <div className="flex flex-col items-start py-6">
-      <p className="mb-5 label-caps text-proof">Nothing to render — yet</p>
+      <p className="mb-5 label-caps text-proof">Empty document</p>
       <h2 className="font-display text-[clamp(2.4rem,5vw,3.4rem)] leading-[1.02] tracking-[-0.015em] text-ink">
-        A blank page,
+        Nothing to
         <br />
-        <em className="text-ink-3">full of promise.</em>
+        <em className="text-ink-3">render yet.</em>
       </h2>
       <p className="mt-5 max-w-sm text-[15px] leading-relaxed text-ink-2">
         Start typing in the editor, or bring something in. Files can also be dropped anywhere on
diff --git a/src/features/workspace/state/sample.md b/src/features/workspace/state/sample.md
index a5594dd..7a9c168 100644
--- a/src/features/workspace/state/sample.md
+++ b/src/features/workspace/state/sample.md
@@ -6,18 +6,18 @@ tags: [markdown, typography, sample]
 
 # A field guide to RenderMD
 
-Paste it, drop it, or type it — **any markdown, rendered beautifully.** No ads, no sign-up, and nothing leaves your browser unless you choose to share it.
+This page shows what RenderMD can render. Edit it, or replace it with your own markdown by pasting, dropping a file or typing. There are no ads or sign-ups, and nothing leaves your browser unless you share it.
 
 > [!TIP]
 > Drag a `.md` file anywhere onto this page, paste a GitHub link with <kbd>⌘</kbd> <kbd>K</kbd> → _Open from URL_, or just start typing in the editor. Everything is saved locally as you go.
 
 ![Aurora borealis over snow-capped mountains](https://imagedelivery.net/dUGyBDwDArlYQF97CccBHg/69b78600-3195-42c1-9750-e27bebe26800/public)
 
-## Typography that gets out of the way
+## Text formatting
 
-Mix **bold**, _italic_, ~~struck~~ and <mark>highlighted</mark> text naturally. Use `inline code` for terms like `useDeferredValue`, and footnotes when you need an aside.[^aside] Emoji shortcodes work too :sparkles:
+Mix **bold**, _italic_, ~~struck~~ and <mark>highlighted</mark> text. Use `inline code` for terms like `useDeferredValue`, and footnotes when you need an aside.[^aside] Emoji shortcodes work too :sparkles:
 
-Switch the **typeset** from the <kbd>Aa</kbd> menu — _Modern_, _Editorial_ or _Technical_ — and the whole document re-sets itself.
+Switch the **typeset** from the <kbd>Aa</kbd> menu — _Modern_, _Editorial_ or _Technical_. It changes the fonts and spacing of the whole document.
 
 > The universe is made of stories, not of atoms.
 >
@@ -25,23 +25,23 @@ Switch the **typeset** from the <kbd>Aa</kbd> menu — _Modern_, _Editorial_ or
 
 ### Lists & tasks
 
-1. Start with curiosity
-2. Add persistence
-   - and a little stubbornness
-   - and a lot of coffee
-3. Ship it
+1. Write the draft
+2. Ask for feedback
+   - from your team
+   - from a few readers
+3. Publish
 
 Tick a box in the preview and the markdown updates itself:
 
 - [x] Render GitHub Flavored Markdown
 - [x] Render math, diagrams and 200+ languages
-- [ ] Change the world
-- [ ] Take a nap
+- [ ] Export to PDF
+- [ ] Send a share link
 
-## Code, highlighted properly
+## Code
 
 ```ts title="render.worker.ts"
-// Parsing happens off the main thread, so typing never stutters.
+// Parsing happens off the main thread, so the editor stays responsive.
 self.onmessage = ({ data }: MessageEvent<RenderRequest>) => {
   const result = renderMarkdown(data.markdown, { stripPositions: true })
   self.postMessage({ id: data.id, ok: true, result })
@@ -54,21 +54,21 @@ self.onmessage = ({ data }: MessageEvent<RenderRequest>) => {
 ```
 
 ```sql
-SELECT dreams.name, COUNT(*) AS frequency
-FROM consciousness.dreams
-WHERE dreamer = 'you' AND lucid = TRUE
-GROUP BY dreams.name
-ORDER BY frequency DESC
+SELECT author, COUNT(*) AS books
+FROM library
+WHERE published >= 2000
+GROUP BY author
+ORDER BY books DESC
 LIMIT 5;
 ```
 
 ## Diagrams
 
-Any [Mermaid](https://mermaid.js.org) diagram renders inline. Try the _Sketch_ look in the <kbd>Aa</kbd> menu for a hand-drawn feel.
+Any [Mermaid](https://mermaid.js.org) diagram renders inline. Try the _Sketch_ look in the <kbd>Aa</kbd> menu for a hand-drawn style.
 
 ```mermaid
 flowchart LR
-  Idea([A spark]) --> Draft[Rough draft]
+  Idea([Idea]) --> Draft[Rough draft]
   Draft --> Render{Looks right?}
   Render -->|Not yet| Revise[Revise]
   Revise --> Render
@@ -77,9 +77,9 @@ flowchart LR
 
 ## Mathematics
 
-Inline math sits in the line: $E = mc^2$, and $\nabla \times \mathbf{E} = -\frac{\partial \mathbf{B}}{\partial t}$.
+Inline math sits within the text: $E = mc^2$, and $\nabla \times \mathbf{E} = -\frac{\partial \mathbf{B}}{\partial t}$.
 
-Display math gets room to breathe:
+Display math gets its own line:
 
 $$
 \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} e^{-x^2}\,dx = \sqrt{\pi}
@@ -87,17 +87,17 @@ $$
 
 ## Tables
 
-| Shortcut                  |     Action      | Magic |
-| :------------------------ | :-------------: | ----: |
-| <kbd>⌘</kbd> <kbd>K</kbd> | Command palette |   ★★★ |
-| <kbd>⌘</kbd> <kbd>O</kbd> |   Open a file   |   ★★☆ |
-| <kbd>⌘</kbd> <kbd>S</kbd> |  Save to disk   |   ★★☆ |
-| <kbd>⌘</kbd> <kbd>B</kbd> |    **Bold**     |   ★☆☆ |
+| Action          |            Mac            |              Windows & Linux |
+| :-------------- | :-----------------------: | ---------------------------: |
+| Command palette | <kbd>⌘</kbd> <kbd>K</kbd> | <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> <kbd>K</kbd> |
+| Open a file     | <kbd>⌘</kbd> <kbd>O</kbd> | <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> <kbd>O</kbd> |
+| Save to disk    | <kbd>⌘</kbd> <kbd>S</kbd> | <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> <kbd>S</kbd> |
+| **Bold**        | <kbd>⌘</kbd> <kbd>B</kbd> | <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> <kbd>B</kbd> |
 
 ## Callouts
 
 > [!NOTE]
-> GitHub-style alerts render as proper callouts.
+> GitHub-style alerts render as callouts.
 
 > [!WARNING]
 > Share links contain the whole document, compressed into the URL fragment — which is never sent to any server.
@@ -105,12 +105,12 @@ $$
 <details>
 <summary>Raw HTML works too (safely sanitized)</summary>
 
-READMEs love `<details>`, `<kbd>`, centered images and badges. RenderMD keeps the useful parts of HTML and strips anything that could run code.
+READMEs often use `<details>`, `<kbd>`, centered images and badges. RenderMD keeps the useful parts of HTML and strips anything that could run code.
 
 </details>
 
 ---
 
-_Clear this page and make it yours._
+_Clear this page to start your own document._
 
-[^aside]: Footnotes collect at the end of the document, like they should.
+[^aside]: Footnotes are collected at the end of the document.
diff --git a/src/lib/seo.ts b/src/lib/seo.ts
index bb59d4f..b83dbf4 100644
--- a/src/lib/seo.ts
+++ b/src/lib/seo.ts
@@ -14,10 +14,10 @@ type JsonLdSchema = Record<string, unknown>
 export const SITE_NAME = 'RenderMD'
 export const SITE_URL = 'https://www.render-md.com'
 export const SITE_DESCRIPTION =
-  'Paste, drop or link any markdown and read it beautifully typeset. GitHub Flavored Markdown, Mermaid diagrams, LaTeX math and 200+ languages — private, free, no ads.'
+  'Paste, drop or link a markdown file and read it as a typeset page. Supports GitHub Flavored Markdown, Mermaid diagrams, LaTeX math and syntax highlighting for 200+ languages. Free and private, with no ads.'
 export const OG_IMAGE = `${SITE_URL}/og.png`
 export const THEME_COLOR = '#1c1915'
-const DEFAULT_IMAGE_ALT = 'RenderMD — markdown on the left, a beautifully typeset page on the right'
+const DEFAULT_IMAGE_ALT = 'RenderMD, with markdown on the left and the typeset page on the right'
 
 /**
  * Convert JSON-LD schema objects to script tags for TanStack head
diff --git a/src/routes/index.tsx b/src/routes/index.tsx
index 2d41843..3ee13cd 100644
--- a/src/routes/index.tsx
+++ b/src/routes/index.tsx
@@ -14,9 +14,9 @@ export const Route = createFileRoute('/')({
   }),
   head: () => ({
     meta: seo({
-      title: 'RenderMD — Beautiful markdown, rendered instantly',
+      title: 'RenderMD: Free markdown viewer and editor',
       description:
-        'Paste, drop or link any markdown file and read it beautifully typeset. Live editor, GitHub Flavored Markdown, Mermaid, LaTeX, syntax highlighting, private share links and PDF export. Free, no ads, no sign-up.',
+        'Paste, drop or link a markdown file and read it as a typeset page. Live editor, GitHub Flavored Markdown, Mermaid, LaTeX, syntax highlighting, private share links and PDF export. Free, with no ads and no sign-up.',
       url: SITE_URL,
     }),
     links: [{ rel: 'canonical', href: SITE_URL }],

From 15ac975ab89ccf3e35ac71f0f63d88d7dd77923b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2026 13:33:43 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 2/2] Cut copy that wasn't pulling its weight

Drop kickers that repeat their heading, the closing CTA's body text,
redundant tips and chapter-intro clauses, the empty-state label and
the sample document's extra SQL block and sign-off line.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01WVKbHBxvZ5orACztnaRUAm
---
 src/features/cheatsheet/components/ClosingCta.tsx |  7 +------
 src/features/cheatsheet/components/Faq.tsx        |  3 +--
 src/features/cheatsheet/components/Hero.tsx       |  3 +--
 .../cheatsheet/components/QuickReference.tsx      |  3 +--
 .../cheatsheet/content/chapters/basics.ts         |  5 +----
 .../cheatsheet/content/chapters/beyond.ts         |  3 +--
 src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/gfm.ts   |  4 ++--
 src/features/cheatsheet/content/faq.ts            |  2 +-
 .../workspace/panes/preview/EmptyState.tsx        |  4 +---
 src/features/workspace/state/sample.md            | 15 ++-------------
 10 files changed, 12 insertions(+), 37 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/features/cheatsheet/components/ClosingCta.tsx b/src/features/cheatsheet/components/ClosingCta.tsx
index b978d09..08cb0b6 100644
--- a/src/features/cheatsheet/components/ClosingCta.tsx
+++ b/src/features/cheatsheet/components/ClosingCta.tsx
@@ -5,14 +5,9 @@ import { ArrowRight } from 'lucide-react'
 export function ClosingCta() {
   return (
     <aside className="relative overflow-hidden rounded-2xl bg-ink px-8 py-12 text-paper md:px-14 print:hidden">
-      <p className="label-caps text-proof">The editor</p>
-      <p className="mt-4 max-w-lg font-display text-5xl leading-[1.02] tracking-tight">
+      <p className="max-w-lg font-display text-5xl leading-[1.02] tracking-tight">
         Write markdown and see it typeset as you go.
       </p>
-      <p className="mt-4 max-w-md text-[15px] leading-relaxed text-paper/70">
-        Paste, drop or link a markdown file, or start from a blank page. It runs in your browser and
-        it’s free, with no ads.
-      </p>
       <Link
         to="/"
         className="mt-8 inline-flex h-10 items-center gap-2 rounded-lg bg-paper px-4 text-sm font-medium text-ink transition-transform active:translate-y-px"
diff --git a/src/features/cheatsheet/components/Faq.tsx b/src/features/cheatsheet/components/Faq.tsx
index 7bde6c4..71cea37 100644
--- a/src/features/cheatsheet/components/Faq.tsx
+++ b/src/features/cheatsheet/components/Faq.tsx
@@ -7,10 +7,9 @@ import { FAQ } from '../content'
 export function Faq({ answers }: { answers: Root[] }) {
   return (
     <section id="faq" aria-labelledby="faq-title" className="scroll-mt-24">
-      <p className="label-caps text-proof">Questions</p>
       <h2
         id="faq-title"
-        className="mt-2 mb-10 font-display text-[clamp(2.2rem,4.5vw,3.2rem)] leading-none tracking-[-0.015em] text-ink"
+        className="mb-10 font-display text-[clamp(2.2rem,4.5vw,3.2rem)] leading-none tracking-[-0.015em] text-ink"
       >
         Frequently asked
       </h2>
diff --git a/src/features/cheatsheet/components/Hero.tsx b/src/features/cheatsheet/components/Hero.tsx
index 639893e..6bc71b4 100644
--- a/src/features/cheatsheet/components/Hero.tsx
+++ b/src/features/cheatsheet/components/Hero.tsx
@@ -51,8 +51,7 @@ export function Hero({ specimen }: { specimen: Root }) {
           <em className="text-ink-3">cheat sheet</em>
         </h1>
         <p className="mt-8 max-w-[34rem] animate-rise text-lg leading-relaxed text-ink-2 [animation-delay:180ms]">
-          Markdown syntax from CommonMark and GitHub Flavored Markdown, plus math and diagrams. Edit
-          any example to see it re-render. They all use the same renderer as the RenderMD editor.
+          CommonMark, GitHub Flavored Markdown, math and diagrams. Every example is editable.
         </p>
         <div className="relative z-10 mt-9 flex max-w-xl animate-rise flex-col gap-3 [animation-delay:240ms] sm:flex-row print:hidden">
           <SearchBox className="flex-1" />
diff --git a/src/features/cheatsheet/components/QuickReference.tsx b/src/features/cheatsheet/components/QuickReference.tsx
index 25b153c..7bfe3a5 100644
--- a/src/features/cheatsheet/components/QuickReference.tsx
+++ b/src/features/cheatsheet/components/QuickReference.tsx
@@ -16,10 +16,9 @@ export function QuickReference() {
     <section id="quick-reference" aria-labelledby="quick-reference-title" className="scroll-mt-24">
       <div className="mb-8 flex flex-wrap items-end justify-between gap-4">
         <div>
-          <p className="label-caps text-proof">At a glance</p>
           <h2
             id="quick-reference-title"
-            className="mt-2 font-display text-[clamp(2.2rem,4.5vw,3.2rem)] leading-none tracking-[-0.015em] text-ink"
+            className="font-display text-[clamp(2.2rem,4.5vw,3.2rem)] leading-none tracking-[-0.015em] text-ink"
           >
             Markdown syntax, quick reference
           </h2>
diff --git a/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/basics.ts b/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/basics.ts
index a2ca929..394548c 100644
--- a/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/basics.ts
+++ b/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/basics.ts
@@ -5,8 +5,7 @@ export const basics: CheatsheetChapter = {
   id: 'basics',
   numeral: 'I',
   title: 'The basics',
-  intro:
-    'Everything in this chapter is CommonMark, the standard that almost every markdown renderer follows, so it works nearly everywhere.',
+  intro: 'CommonMark: the core syntax that works in nearly every markdown renderer.',
   sections: [
     {
       id: 'headings',
@@ -32,7 +31,6 @@ export const basics: CheatsheetChapter = {
       ],
       tips: [
         'Always put a space after the hashes: `#Heading` is just text in most renderers.',
-        'Put a blank line before and after a heading. Some renderers need it.',
         'Every heading gets an anchor you can link to: `[Jump](#headings)` scrolls to a heading called “Headings”.',
       ],
     },
@@ -194,7 +192,6 @@ export const basics: CheatsheetChapter = {
         'To show a backtick inside inline code, wrap it in double backticks: ``` `` a ` b `` ```.',
         'To show a code fence inside a code block, use four backticks for the outer fence.',
         'Common language names: `js`, `ts`, `tsx`, `python`, `bash`, `json`, `yaml`, `sql`, `rust`, `go`, `html`, `css`, `diff`.',
-        'Four spaces of indentation also make a code block, but fences are clearer and support highlighting.',
       ],
     },
     {
diff --git a/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/beyond.ts b/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/beyond.ts
index b7c029f..98fbcb6 100644
--- a/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/beyond.ts
+++ b/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/beyond.ts
@@ -5,8 +5,7 @@ export const beyond: CheatsheetChapter = {
   id: 'beyond',
   numeral: 'III',
   title: 'Beyond the spec',
-  intro:
-    'Math, diagrams, emoji and HTML aren’t part of any markdown standard, but GitHub, GitLab, Obsidian and RenderMD all support them.',
+  intro: 'Not part of any markdown standard, but supported by GitHub, GitLab and Obsidian.',
   sections: [
     {
       id: 'math',
diff --git a/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/gfm.ts b/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/gfm.ts
index ad98c53..92ae2a6 100644
--- a/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/gfm.ts
+++ b/src/features/cheatsheet/content/chapters/gfm.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ export const gfm: CheatsheetChapter = {
   numeral: 'II',
   title: 'GitHub Flavored Markdown',
   intro:
-    'GFM adds tables, task lists, strikethrough, autolinks and footnotes to CommonMark. It’s supported by GitHub, GitLab, VS Code, Obsidian, Reddit and RenderMD.',
+    'GitHub’s additions to CommonMark, also supported by GitLab, VS Code, Obsidian and Reddit.',
   sections: [
     {
       id: 'tables',
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ export const gfm: CheatsheetChapter = {
         },
       ],
       tips: [
-        'The pipes don’t need to line up, though aligned tables are easier to read in source. RenderMD’s Table button inserts a starter.',
+        'The pipes don’t need to line up, though aligned tables are easier to read in source.',
         'Escape a literal pipe inside a cell with `\\|`.',
         'Cells can only hold inline content. Use `<br>` for line breaks; lists and code blocks aren’t allowed.',
       ],
diff --git a/src/features/cheatsheet/content/faq.ts b/src/features/cheatsheet/content/faq.ts
index 0a842e4..8d71f6d 100644
--- a/src/features/cheatsheet/content/faq.ts
+++ b/src/features/cheatsheet/content/faq.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ export const FAQ: Array<{ question: string; answer: string }> = [
   {
     question: 'What is markdown?',
     answer:
-      'Markdown is a lightweight way to format plain text. You write `**bold**` or `# Heading` and a renderer turns it into formatted text. John Gruber created it in 2004. Today it’s used in GitHub READMEs, notes apps, chat tools and documentation sites.',
+      'Markdown is a lightweight way to format plain text. You write `**bold**` or `# Heading` and a renderer turns it into formatted text. John Gruber created it in 2004.',
   },
   {
     question: 'What’s the difference between CommonMark and GitHub Flavored Markdown?',
diff --git a/src/features/workspace/panes/preview/EmptyState.tsx b/src/features/workspace/panes/preview/EmptyState.tsx
index 8db99f9..57597ea 100644
--- a/src/features/workspace/panes/preview/EmptyState.tsx
+++ b/src/features/workspace/panes/preview/EmptyState.tsx
@@ -10,15 +10,13 @@ export function EmptyState() {
   const openDialog = useUiStore((state) => state.openDialog)
   return (
     <div className="flex flex-col items-start py-6">
-      <p className="mb-5 label-caps text-proof">Empty document</p>
       <h2 className="font-display text-[clamp(2.4rem,5vw,3.4rem)] leading-[1.02] tracking-[-0.015em] text-ink">
         Nothing to
         <br />
         <em className="text-ink-3">render yet.</em>
       </h2>
       <p className="mt-5 max-w-sm text-[15px] leading-relaxed text-ink-2">
-        Start typing in the editor, or bring something in. Files can also be dropped anywhere on
-        this page.
+        Start typing, or drop a file anywhere on this page.
       </p>
       <div className="mt-7 grid w-full max-w-md grid-cols-2 gap-2">
         <Button
diff --git a/src/features/workspace/state/sample.md b/src/features/workspace/state/sample.md
index 7a9c168..74d436d 100644
--- a/src/features/workspace/state/sample.md
+++ b/src/features/workspace/state/sample.md
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ tags: [markdown, typography, sample]
 
 # A field guide to RenderMD
 
-This page shows what RenderMD can render. Edit it, or replace it with your own markdown by pasting, dropping a file or typing. There are no ads or sign-ups, and nothing leaves your browser unless you share it.
+This page shows what RenderMD can render. Nothing leaves your browser unless you share it.
 
 > [!TIP]
 > Drag a `.md` file anywhere onto this page, paste a GitHub link with <kbd>⌘</kbd> <kbd>K</kbd> → _Open from URL_, or just start typing in the editor. Everything is saved locally as you go.
@@ -53,15 +53,6 @@ self.onmessage = ({ data }: MessageEvent<RenderRequest>) => {
 + const html = renderInYourBrowser(markdown)
 ```
 
-```sql
-SELECT author, COUNT(*) AS books
-FROM library
-WHERE published >= 2000
-GROUP BY author
-ORDER BY books DESC
-LIMIT 5;
-```
-
 ## Diagrams
 
 Any [Mermaid](https://mermaid.js.org) diagram renders inline. Try the _Sketch_ look in the <kbd>Aa</kbd> menu for a hand-drawn style.
@@ -105,12 +96,10 @@ $$
 <details>
 <summary>Raw HTML works too (safely sanitized)</summary>
 
-READMEs often use `<details>`, `<kbd>`, centered images and badges. RenderMD keeps the useful parts of HTML and strips anything that could run code.
+RenderMD keeps the useful parts of HTML and strips anything that could run code.
 
 </details>
 
 ---
 
-_Clear this page to start your own document._
-
 [^aside]: Footnotes are collected at the end of the document.