Bike Outliner
Bike Outliner is a Mac app for thinking, writing, and organizing outlines, lists, notes, and documents.
What Bike Outliner is
Bike Outliner is a Mac app for thinking, writing, and organizing outlines, lists, notes, and documents. Outlines can include headings, ordered lists, task lists, and other row types, while a rich text editor handles text formatting. Full-screen, typewriter, and focus modes support distraction-free writing. Navigation options include keyboard movement by focus heading, back and forward controls, breadcrumbs, and inline buttons. Deep links into outlines continue to work if a file is renamed or moved. Bike uses an HTML-based .bike format and also supports .opml and .txt files, plus Markdown. It can print outlines and create Quick Look previews and Finder thumbnails. Scripts, Shortcuts, and AppleScript can control the app and connect it with other applications. Free mode does not expire and includes core outline reading, writing, and editing; additional row types, rich text formatting, Shortcut Actions, and AppleScript require purchase. Monthly and yearly subscriptions unlock all features while active, and a one-time purchase license is also available. Bike requires macOS 11 or later.
Good
- Free mode does not expire.
- Supports .bike, .opml, and .txt files.
- Offers focus, typewriter, and full-screen modes.
- Scripts, Shortcuts, and AppleScript can control it.
Watch out
- Requires macOS 11 or later.
- Some row types and formatting require purchase.
- Full features from subscriptions require an active term.
Who it suits
Bike suits Mac users who want an outlining and writing app for notes, lists, and documents. Its free mode is an option for people who need core outline reading, writing, and editing.
Verdict
Bike combines outlining, writing, and several navigation and automation options in a Mac app. Its free mode covers core editing, while a purchase is needed for listed advanced features.
Plans and prices
From Bike Outliner's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free mode | Free | Core features; can read, write, and edit outlines; purchase needed for listed features |
| Bike License – Monthly | $2.99 a month | Unlocks all Bike features while subscription is active |
| Bike License – Yearly | $19.99 a year | Unlocks all Bike features while subscription is active |
| One-Time Purchase License (Hog Bay Software) | — | Unlocks all Bike features · One-time purchase; includes one year of updates; renewal for another year of updates is 50% off |
The facts
Each one read from Bike Outliner's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Automation
- Scripts, Shortcuts, and AppleScript can control Bike and integrate it with other applications.checked 7 Oct 2026
- File formats
- Bike uses an HTML-based .bike format and also supports .opml and .txt files.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Focus modes
- It offers full screen, typewriter, and focus modes for distraction-free writing.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Links
- Deep links into outlines continue working when the outline file is renamed or moved.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Navigation
- Bike provides focus heading keyboard navigation, a navigation bar with back and forward controls, breadcrumbs, and inline navigation buttons.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Outlining
- It supports headings, ordered lists, task lists, and other row types in outlines.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Printing and previews
- Bike can print outlines and generate Quick Look previews and Finder thumbnails.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The maker says it collects information users provide when contacting it, forum content for the forum, newsletter email addresses, and anonymous website usage information.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Bike is a Mac writing and outlining app for thinking, writing, organizing, lists, notes, and documents.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- Hog Bay Software provides support forums for Bike Outliner, TaskPaper, and WriteRoom.checked 7 Oct 2026
- System requirement
- The maker’s site lists macOS 11 or later as the requirement.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Text editing
- Bike includes a rich text editor for formatting text.checked 7 Oct 2026
Money
- Free-mode limits
- Free mode never expires and includes core features for reading, writing, and editing outlines; row types, rich text formatting, Shortcut Actions, and AppleScript are among the features listed as requiring purchase.checked 7 Oct 2026
The company
- Maker
- Hog Bay Software is run by Jesse Grosjean, who says he has run it since 2004 and builds mostly Mac software for writing and thinking.checked 7 Oct 2026
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