Setup VSCode as Markdown Reader

This guide is based on using Markdown for a knowledge base and wanting VSCode to open files in preview mode by default instead of the editor.

Extensions

The main extension is Markdown Preview Enhanced — it supports full-page preview without split-screen.

Optional useful extensions:

• Draw.io Integration
• markdownlint

Custom Settings

Open user settings (JSON) and add:

{
    "markdown-preview-enhanced.previewMode": "Previews Only",
    "workbench.editorAssociations": {
        "*.copilotmd": "vscode.markdown.preview.editor",
        "*.md": "markdown-preview-enhanced",
        "*.markdown": "markdown-preview-enhanced",
        "*.mdown": "markdown-preview-enhanced",
        "*.mkdn": "markdown-preview-enhanced",
        "*.mkd": "markdown-preview-enhanced",
        "*.rmd": "markdown-preview-enhanced",
        "*.qmd": "markdown-preview-enhanced",
        "*.mdx": "markdown-preview-enhanced"
    },
    "markdown-preview-enhanced.previewTheme": "github-dark.css",
    "markdown-preview-enhanced.automaticallyShowPreviewOfMarkdownBeingEdited": true
}

The key setting is "markdown-preview-enhanced.previewMode": "Previews Only" — this opens Markdown files in full-page preview mode by default.

Create a Custom Shortcut

Create a VSCode profile named “Reader” for the knowledge base. Then create a desktop shortcut with arguments to open it directly:

C:\<Path to VSCode>\Code.exe --profile "Reader" "<Path to Document Folder>"

Optionally, separate the configuration from the default instance:

C:\<Path to VSCode>\Code.exe --profile "Reader" "<Path to Document Folder>" --user-data-dir="<path to custom vscode data>"

Done — you now have a reader shortcut that opens Markdown in preview mode by default.