View Modes

Flexible layouts for every workflow

AnySlate provides multiple view modes to adapt to your workflow, screen size, and preferences. Whether you need focused writing, full preview, or side-by-side editing, there's a layout that fits your needs perfectly.

Overview

4 View Modes

Choose from editor only, preview only, horizontal split, or vertical split.

Quick Switching

Toggle modes instantly with keyboard shortcuts or toolbar buttons.

Resizable Panes

Drag the divider to customize the split ratio to your preference.

Per-File Settings

Each file remembers its own view mode preference.

Available View Modes

Editor Only

Full-width editor for focused writing sessions

Editor

Keyboard shortcutCmd/Ctrl + 1

Preview Only

Full-width preview for reading and reviewing

Preview

Keyboard shortcutCmd/Ctrl + 2

Split Horizontal

Side-by-side editor and preview

Editor

Preview

Keyboard shortcutCmd/Ctrl + 3

Split Vertical

Stacked editor (top) and preview (bottom)

Editor

Preview

Keyboard shortcutCmd/Ctrl + 4

When to Use Each Mode

Editor Only

Deep writing sessions requiring focus

Coding or editing complex Markdown

Minimizing visual distractions

Working on small screens

Preview Only

Reading and reviewing documents

Presenting content to others

Checking final formatting

Sharing screen in meetings

Split Horizontal

Wide or ultrawide monitors

Simultaneous editing and previewing

Real-time formatting verification

Comparing source and output

Split Vertical

Narrow screens or windows

Vertical/portrait monitors

Mobile devices or tablets

When horizontal space is limited

Switching View Modes

There are multiple ways to change your view mode. Choose the method that fits your workflow best.

Toolbar Buttons

Click the view mode icons in the editor toolbar to switch instantly between modes.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Press Cmd/Ctrl + 1, 2, 3, or 4 to quickly toggle between the four view modes.

View Menu

Access View > Layout from the menu bar to see all available view options.

Resizing Panes

In split view modes, you have full control over the size of each pane.

Drag the divider

In split modes, click and drag the divider between panes to adjust their sizes.

Size is remembered

Your preferred pane ratio is saved and restored when you return to split view.

Double-click to reset

Double-click the divider to reset panes to equal 50/50 split.

Pro Tip

Hold Shift while dragging the divider to snap to common ratios like 25%, 50%, and 75%.

Per-File Settings

Individual File Preferences

AnySlate remembers the view mode for each file independently. This means you can have different layouts for different documents based on their purpose.

Automatic Persistence

When you change a file's view mode, that preference is saved automatically. The next time you open the file, it will use the same view mode.

Cross-Session Memory

Settings persist across sessions. Close AnySlate and reopen it later - your per-file view preferences will still be there.

Example use cases:

README files: Preview only for final review
Draft documents: Split horizontal for writing and previewing
Code documentation: Editor only for focused editing

Zen Mode

Distraction-Free Writing

Zen Mode hides all UI elements and goes full screen, providing a completely distraction-free environment for focused writing.

Full Screen

Takes over the entire display

No UI

Toolbar, sidebar, and menus are hidden

Easy Exit

Press Escape to return to normal view

How to Use Zen Mode

Enter Zen ModeCmd/Ctrl + Shift + Z

Exit Zen ModeEscape

Alternative exitCmd/Ctrl + Shift + Z

Best for:

Long-form writing sessions

Meeting deadlines without distractions

Creative writing and brainstorming

Presentations and screen sharing

Keyboard Shortcuts Summary

Editor Only modeCmd/Ctrl + 1

Preview Only modeCmd/Ctrl + 2

Split Horizontal modeCmd/Ctrl + 3

Split Vertical modeCmd/Ctrl + 4

Toggle Zen ModeCmd/Ctrl + Shift + Z

Exit Zen ModeEscape

Ready to explore more?

Learn about other editor features like block editing, code editing, and keyboard shortcuts.

Back to Editor Guide