Matdown: not your average parser

What is Matdown?

Matdown is a compact, dependency-free equation parser that turns lightweight math expressions into styled, semantic HTML - no LaTeX, no external libraries, no regrets.
It's inspired by the realization that game engines, like cloud services, are just real-time systems - and HTML/CSS are expressive primitives that deserve more credit.
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Why ?

• ✅ No parser generators
• ✅ No ASTs
• ✅ No LaTeX
• ✅ No DOM hell
• ✅ No stylesheets from the Math Wizard Society™ ruining your vibe Instead:
• ✨ Uses recursive string parsing
• ✨ Renders DOM directly (fractions, exponents, etc.)
• ✨ Leverages the box model & inline layout
• ✨ Comes with a modular, non-intrusive context menu UI  - -

Example Input

(1+x)² / (2x - 3)

⬇️ Becomes

class="fraction">
  class="numerator">(1+x)2
  class="denominator">(2x - 3)

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🛠 How It Works

1. Recursive Descent Parsing

• Function: buildNode(exp)
• Splits expression by outermost operator
• Recursively wraps sub-parts into semantic HTML containers

2. Parentheses Matching

• Function: matchingParens(str)
• Uses a counter-based matcher to balance () pairs safely

3. Operator Precedence

• Left-to-right scan
• Evaluates only outermost operators unless overridden by parentheses
• Fast and linear for common math expressions

4. Symbol Search Filtering

• Smart input filtering using .filter() on a static symbol list
• Zero-cost search experience for inline math menus  - -

Why Not KaTeX or LaTeX?

They're bloated, margin-fighting, box-model-reinventing beasts.
You don't need a compiler to render a fraction.

You need a