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Bike Outliner
What it is
Bike Outliner is a macOS app for thinking, writing, organizing notes, lists, and documents in structured outlines. It supports headings, ordered lists, task lists, and other row types, with a rich text editor for formatting. Full-screen, typewriter, and focus modes are designed for concentrated writing. Navigation includes focus-heading keyboard movement, back and forward controls, breadcrumbs, inline buttons, and a navigation bar. Deep links remain usable when an outline file is renamed or moved. Bike stores documents in an HTML-based .bike format and also supports .opml and .txt files, plus Markdown. Scripts, Shortcuts, and AppleScript can control the app. It can print outlines and create Quick Look previews and Finder thumbnails. Free mode never expires and covers reading, writing, and editing; some row types, rich text, Shortcut Actions, and AppleScript require purchase. macOS 11 or later is required.
For and against
For
- Free mode does not expire
- Supports .bike, .opml, and .txt files
- Includes focus and typewriter modes
- Deep links survive file moves and renames
- AppleScript and Shortcuts can automate Bike
Against
- Requires macOS 11 or later
- Some row types require purchase
- Rich text formatting requires purchase
- Automation features require a purchase
The verdict
Bike Outliner offers structured outlining with several navigation and focus options, plus automation and common text formats. The free mode covers core editing, but several advanced features require a paid license or subscription.
Who it suits
Bike suits Mac users who organize writing, notes, tasks, and documents as outlines. It is also relevant to users who want scripting or focused writing modes.
Plans and prices
Free mode
Core features; can read, write, and edit outlines; purchase needed for listed features
Read 7 Oct 2026 · hogbaysoftware.com
Bike License – Monthly
Unlocks all Bike features while subscription is active
Read 7 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Bike License – Yearly
Unlocks all Bike features while subscription is active
Read 7 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
One-Time Purchase License (Hog Bay Software)
Unlocks all Bike features
Read 7 Oct 2026 · hogbaysoftware.com
On the record
- Automation
- Scripts, Shortcuts, and AppleScript can control Bike and integrate it with other applications.hogbaysoftware.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- File formats
- Bike uses an HTML-based .bike format and also supports .opml and .txt files.hogbaysoftware.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Focus modes
- It offers full screen, typewriter, and focus modes for distraction-free writing.hogbaysoftware.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- 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.hogbaysoftware.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Links
- Deep links into outlines continue working when the outline file is renamed or moved.hogbaysoftware.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- 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.hogbaysoftware.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Navigation
- Bike provides focus heading keyboard navigation, a navigation bar with back and forward controls, breadcrumbs, and inline navigation buttons.hogbaysoftware.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Outlining
- It supports headings, ordered lists, task lists, and other row types in outlines.hogbaysoftware.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Printing and previews
- Bike can print outlines and generate Quick Look previews and Finder thumbnails.hogbaysoftware.com · read 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.hogbaysoftware.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Bike is a Mac writing and outlining app for thinking, writing, organizing, lists, notes, and documents.hogbaysoftware.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- Hog Bay Software provides support forums for Bike Outliner, TaskPaper, and WriteRoom.support.hogbaysoftware.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- System requirement
- The maker’s site lists macOS 11 or later as the requirement.hogbaysoftware.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Text editing
- Bike includes a rich text editor for formatting text.hogbaysoftware.com · read 7 Oct 2026
