Observable Notebooks 2.0 Technology Preview

This page introduces Notebooks 2.0 Technology Preview, unveiled on July 29, 2025, featuring two major components:

• Notebook Kit, an open-source CLI and Vite plugin for converting the new HTML‑based notebook format into static sites, enabling self‑hosting, version control, and build workflows.
• Observable Desktop, a macOS authoring app that supports vanilla JavaScript, enhanced AI workflows, and local-first editing workflows that will later merge with Observable's web platform.

Notebooks 2.0 adopts a simple, human-editable HTML file format with <notebook> and <script> cells, uses plain JavaScript modules (no proprietary dialect), supports standard import syntax for libraries, and reintroduces themes and styling for layouts and customization.

The technology preview is open for feedback; the web-based editor and collaboration features are planned next.