How to export an AI chat to Markdown
Export ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok conversations to readable Markdown or plain text with the free, local-only ConvoVault extension. One click, nothing uploaded.
ConvoVault exports conversations from ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok to Markdown or plain text in one click. The export runs entirely in your browser, so nothing is uploaded, and the result drops straight into your notes, docs, or knowledge base.
The short answer
Install ConvoVault, open any conversation on ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or Grok, and click the export button in the toolbar. Choose Markdown for readable, formatted output or plain text for universal text, pick which messages and fields to include, then copy to clipboard or download the file. It takes a few seconds and stays on your device.
Step-by-step: export an AI chat to Markdown
- Install ConvoVault. Add the extension to Chrome or any Chromium browser. No account, no setup wizard.
- Open the conversation. Open any chat on ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or Grok. An export button appears in the toolbar.
- Click export and choose Markdown. Pick Markdown for formatted, readable text — or plain text for universal output.
- Choose messages and fields. Toggle individual messages on or off, and pick which metadata fields to include.
- Copy or download. Copy the result to your clipboard or download it as
conversation_2026-07-14.md.
Markdown vs plain text vs JSON
Pick the format that matches what you'll do with the export:
| Format | Best for | Keeps structure? |
|---|---|---|
| Markdown (.md) | Notes, docs, README files, sharing as text | Yes — headings, bold, code blocks, roles |
| Plain text (.txt) | Universal use, paste anywhere, simplest archive | No — unformatted text only |
| JSON (.json) | Scripts, agents, databases, re-importing | Yes — fully structured and machine-readable |
For most readers and writers, Markdown is the sweet spot: it's readable as plain text and renders nicely in Obsidian, Notion, GitHub, and most docs tools. See the JSON export guide if you need structured data instead.
What the Markdown export looks like
# Refactoring a React component
Source: ChatGPT
## You
How do I split this component?
## Assistant
You can extract the list into its own component and pass…Each message is labelled with its role, and code blocks and formatting from the original chat are preserved so the file reads like a conversation.
Export only the messages you need
Long threads often include tangents. ConvoVault adds a checkbox to each message so you can keep the answers that mattered and drop the rest before exporting. Shift + click selects a range; Ctrl + click clears everything at once. See the features page for the full workflow.
Privacy
ConvoVault has no backend, no database, and no analytics. Exports are generated in your browser and never sent over the network. Read more in the privacy section or the privacy policy.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I export a ChatGPT or Claude conversation to Markdown?
Yes. ConvoVault is a free browser extension that exports conversations from ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok to Markdown. Open a chat, click export, and choose Markdown as the format. The export runs locally in your browser and nothing is uploaded. - What is the difference between Markdown and plain text export?
Markdown preserves structure — headings, bold, code blocks, and message roles — so it renders nicely in notes apps, docs, and README files. Plain text strips formatting for a universal, dependency-free file. Both are generated locally on your device. - Which file extension does the Markdown export use?
Markdown exports download as a .md file with a date-stamped name, for example conversation_2026-07-14.md. Plain text uses .txt. You can also copy either format to your clipboard instead of downloading. - Can I export only part of a conversation to Markdown?
Yes. Each message has a checkbox so you can keep some and drop others before exporting. Use Shift + click to select a range, or Ctrl + click to clear all selections. - Is exporting to Markdown private?
Yes. ConvoVault is local-only with no backend, database, or analytics. The Markdown is generated inside your browser tab and never sent over the network.