Cooklang
ActiveOverview
Cooklang is a lightweight, human-readable markup language designed for writing and structuring recipes in plain text format. It enables recipes to be portable, programmable, and future-proof by storing them as text files that can be synced across devices. The language is accompanied by the Cook app, which provides automatic shopping list generation, recipe scaling, timers, and beautiful formatting while preserving recipe structure and details that traditional recipe apps often strip away.
Key Features
- Plain Text Recipe Format - Write recipes using simple syntax like @flour{2%cups} and ~{25%minutes} that is both human-readable and machine-parseable.
- Automatic Shopping Lists - Generate shopping lists instantly from recipes with customizable groupings to fit cooking routines.
- Recipe Scaling - Automatically adjust ingredient quantities when scaling recipes up or down.
- Cross-Device Sync - Create recipes on desktop and sync via iCloud, CookCloud, or any standard sync application.
- Open-Source Format - Recipes stored in open-source text format ensuring long-term portability and preventing vendor lock-in.
- Recipe Structure Preservation - Maintain complex recipe structures including crusts, fillings, preferments, and cross-referenced sauces.
- Timer Integration - Built-in timing functionality for cooking steps and durations.
- Customizable System - Fully customizable recipe system allowing users to tailor the application to personal cooking preferences.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free (Open-Source) | $0 | Full access to Cooklang markup language, Cook app on iOS and Android, recipe creation and management, shopping list generation, cross-device sync via standard sync services |
Platforms & Requirements
Cooklang runs on iOS (iPad and iPhone via the Cook app), Android (via the Cook app), and desktop platforms through text editors and sync applications. Recipes are stored as plain text files, making them compatible with any device that can read text files. The Cook app on iOS is 18.5 MB and requires iPad compatibility; Android version is available on Google Play. No specific minimum requirements are documented, but the text-based format ensures broad compatibility.
Integrations & Ecosystem
- iCloud sync
- CookCloud sync
- Third-party sync applications (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.)
- SilverBullet integration (community-developed)
- Lua implementation
- TypeScript implementations
Alternatives
| App | Difference |
|---|---|
| Paprika | Proprietary recipe manager with cloud sync and meal planning features, but stores recipes in closed format rather than open-source text. |
| Mela | Commercial recipe app with advanced features like nutrition tracking and meal planning, but lacks the open-source text-based format of Cooklang. |
| RecipeKeeper | Recipe management app focused on social sharing and community features, but does not use an open markup language format. |
| Notion | General-purpose note-taking and database tool that can store recipes but lacks recipe-specific features like automatic shopping lists and scaling. |
Reputation
Cooklang is perceived as a thoughtful solution for users who prioritize recipe ownership and long-term portability over feature richness. The open-source text-based approach appeals to technically-minded cooks and those concerned with vendor lock-in. Strengths include its simplicity, portability, and preservation of recipe structure that proprietary apps often lose. Limitations include a smaller ecosystem compared to mainstream recipe apps and reliance on manual setup for syncing across devices, though this trade-off is intentional to maintain user control.