Glossary
Plain-language definitions for markdown syntax and how knowdust actually works underneath.
Markdown syntax
The symbols knowdust's editor understands, one at a time.
Blockquote
A line starting with >, rendered as a quoted, indented block — for quoting someone, or your own past self.
Bold
Text wrapped in two asterisks (**like this**) that renders in heavy weight for emphasis.
Bulleted list
A list where each item starts with - and a space, rendered with a bullet point.
Code block
A fenced block of text — set off by three backticks on their own lines — kept exactly as typed, used for multi-line code or anything that shouldn't be reformatted.
GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM)
An extended markdown specification — the one GitHub uses — that adds tables, task lists, and strikethrough on top of standard markdown.
Heading
A line starting with one or more # characters, used as the title of a note or a section within it.
Horizontal rule
Three dashes alone on a line (---), rendered as a horizontal divider between sections of a note.
Image
Like a link with a ! in front —  — rendered as the image itself, with the description shown if it fails to load.
Inline code
Text wrapped in single backticks (`like this`) that renders in a fixed-width, typewriter-style font — used for commands, filenames, or short snippets inside a sentence.
Italic
Text wrapped in a single asterisk (*like this*) that renders in a slanted style, usually for a quieter emphasis than bold.
Link
Text wrapped in square brackets, immediately followed by a web address in parentheses — [text](https://example.com) — rendered as a clickable link.
Markdown
A way of formatting text using ordinary characters instead of a toolbar — wrap a word in **asterisks** for bold, start a line with # for a heading, and so on. The file underneath stays plain text.
Numbered list
A list where each item starts with a number and a period, rendered in sequence.
Strikethrough
Text wrapped in two tildes (~~like this~~) that renders with a line through it.
Table
Rows and columns built from pipes (|) separating cells, with a row of dashes marking the header.
Task list
A list item written as [ ] (unchecked) or [x] (checked), rendered as a clickable checkbox.
Writing & version history in knowdust
How the notebook actually works, under the plain surface.
Autosave
knowdust saving your note automatically — there's no save button. A version is kept about a second and a half after you stop typing.
Diff (Show changes)
A line-by-line comparison between the version you're previewing and the current note, shown when you click "Show changes" in the history rail.
Export
Downloading your notes out of knowdust — one note as a .md file, or everything as a .zip — free on every plan, always.
Focused writing
An editor setting, on by default, that keeps lines at a comfortable reading width centered in calm space instead of stretching across the full window.
Git
The version-control system — the same one that safeguards most of the world's software — running invisibly behind knowdust's version history.
Keyboard shortcut
A key combination that performs an editor action without reaching for the mouse — like Ctrl/Cmd + S to save, or Ctrl/Cmd + B to toggle the sidebar.
Notes sidebar
The panel listing every note and folder, plus a search box, shown or hidden with Ctrl/Cmd + B or by clicking the logo.
Restore
Bringing an old version's content back as the note's current text.
Version
A complete snapshot of a note at one moment in time, kept automatically about a second and a half after you stop typing (or when you press Ctrl/Cmd + S).
Version history
The record of every saved version of a note, kept automatically as you write — the reason knowdust exists.
Vim keybindings
An optional editor setting that switches the writing surface to Vim's modal editing style, for people who already use Vim.
Workspace
Your personal notebook at knowdust.com/username — the sidebar, editor, and everything around your notes.
Write, Split, and Preview modes
The three ways to view a note, chosen with the switch in the top right: Write (just the markdown), Split (markdown and rendered result side by side), and Preview (only the rendered result).
Free tools reference
Terms behind the health and finance calculators in the free tools hub.
Adjusted Gross Income
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is your gross income after subtracting certain adjustments allowed by the IRS. These adjustments, also called 'above-the-line' deductions, reduce your taxable income without itemizing. AGI serves as a key figure in determining your tax liability, eligibility for various credits and deductions, and overall financial planning.
BMI (Body Mass Index)
Weight-to-height ratio often used to classify weight status.
BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate)
Calories your body needs at complete rest to maintain vital functions like breathing and circulation.
Body Fat Percentage
Percentage of your body made up of fat.
Calorie Deficit
Eating fewer calories than you burn to lose weight.
Effective Tax Rate
The effective tax rate is the average percentage of your income that you pay in taxes. It represents your actual tax burden by dividing your total tax liability by your taxable income. Unlike the marginal tax rate, which applies only to your next dollar of income, the effective tax rate shows the true cost of taxation across your entire income.
Gross Income
Gross income is your total earnings before any deductions, taxes, or adjustments. It encompasses all sources of income received during a tax year, including wages, salaries, bonuses, tips, investment income, rental income, and other forms of compensation. This figure serves as the starting point for calculating your taxable income and overall financial picture.
Itemized Deductions
Itemized deductions are specific expenses allowed by the IRS that taxpayers can subtract from their adjusted gross income to reduce taxable income. Unlike the standard deduction, itemized deductions require detailed record-keeping and are only beneficial when they exceed the standard deduction amount. Common itemized deductions include mortgage interest, property taxes, charitable contributions, and medical expenses.
Macros (Macronutrients)
Protein, carbohydrates, and fats — the nutrients that provide calories.
Maintenance Calories
Daily calories to keep your weight stable.
Marginal Tax Rate
The marginal tax rate is the percentage of tax you pay on your next dollar of income. In a progressive tax system like the U.S. federal income tax, different portions of your income are taxed at different rates. Your marginal tax rate represents the tax bracket you're in and applies only to income within that bracket, not your entire income.
NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis)
Calories you burn from daily movement outside of formal exercise.
Standard Deduction
The standard deduction is a fixed dollar amount set by the IRS that reduces your adjusted gross income (AGI) to determine your taxable income. It's a simplified alternative to itemizing deductions and is available to all taxpayers who don't itemize. The amount varies based on filing status, age, and whether you're blind, and is adjusted annually for inflation.
Tax Credits
Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in your tax liability, making them one of the most valuable tax benefits available. Unlike deductions that reduce your taxable income, tax credits directly reduce the amount of tax you owe. They can be refundable (meaning you get money back even if you have no tax liability) or non-refundable (limited to your tax liability).
Taxable Income
Taxable income is the portion of your income that is subject to federal income tax after all deductions, exemptions, and adjustments have been applied. It represents the final amount used to calculate your tax liability and determine your tax bracket. Taxable income is calculated by subtracting either the standard deduction or itemized deductions from your adjusted gross income (AGI).
TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure)
Your total daily calorie burn from BMR, activity, NEAT, and the thermic effect of food.
TEF (Thermic Effect of Food)
Thermic Effect of Food (TEF) is the energy expended to digest, absorb, and metabolize nutrients.