You know that feeling when you open VS Code to jot down a quick algorithm, and suddenly you're dealing with extensions, syntax highlighting, auto-completion suggestions, and a dozen other distractions? Yeah, me too.
That's exactly why I built Write Code Online. It's intentionally bare-bones - no syntax highlighting, no auto-completion, no IntelliSense. Just you, a clean textarea, and your thoughts.
Why Strip Everything Away?
Sometimes I find myself overthinking code because my editor is being "helpful." The red squiggles, the constant suggestions, the formatting changes - they can actually get in the way when you're trying to think through a problem or sketch out pseudocode.
This tool is perfect for:
- Brainstorming algorithms without syntax distractions
- Taking quick notes during code reviews
- Sharing plain code snippets with colleagues
- Teaching programming concepts without IDE complexity
- Writing pseudocode or planning logic flow
What It Actually Does
The editor automatically saves your work to localStorage, supports tab indentation (because let's be real, that's non-negotiable), and has keyboard shortcuts for everything. Alt+T switches between light and dark themes, Alt+W toggles full-width mode when you need more space, and Alt+C copies your code to clipboard. And definitely, it has different key combinations for Mac, such as ⌘⌥T for toggle mode.
On mobile, the keyboard shortcuts become tap-friendly buttons, which is surprisingly handy when you want to capture a quick idea on your phone.
The Philosophy Behind It
We've gotten so used to feature-rich IDEs that we sometimes forget the value of simplicity. There's something liberating about a blank canvas where you can just... write code. No auto-formatting changing your style, no suggestions interrupting your flow.
It's like the difference between sketching in a notebook versus designing in Photoshop. Both have their place, but sometimes you just need the notebook.
Give it a try next time you need to think through a problem or share a quick snippet. You might be surprised how refreshing it feels to code without the safety net.
What's your go-to tool for distraction-free coding? Do you find modern IDEs sometimes get in the way of your thought process?
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