MadCap Flare Plugins
Five plugins, each solving a different documentation workflow problem. All run locally inside Flare — no cloud dependency, no hosted repository.
Projects grow — more products, more languages, more contributors — but Flare doesn't scale workflows automatically. Every manual workaround that "works for now" becomes a habit that new hires inherit and nobody questions. Therefore, each plugin targets one specific bottleneck so you can eliminate friction where it hurts most.
At a Glance
| Plugin | What It Does | Pricing | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Helper | Use ChatGPT, Copilot, and Claude with Flare content — without breaking structure, variables, or snippets | $99/yr | 14 days |
| Mad Quality | Automated style guide enforcement and content validation across your entire Flare project | $199/yr | 14 days |
| Markdown | Import and export Markdown — bridge docs-as-code workflows with Flare's multi-channel publishing | $179/yr | Yes |
| Style Stack | Apply multiple CSS classes to any Flare element — like standard HTML, without creating combination classes | $19.95 once | 14 days |
| Kaizen | 40+ micro-utilities that eliminate daily friction — split topics, quick exports, batch operations, and more | FREE | — |
All pricing is per seat. Monthly billing also available for AI Helper ($8.99/mo) and Mad Quality ($19/mo).
Which Plugin Do You Need?
"We use AI tools but spend too long reformatting the output"
Your writers use ChatGPT or Copilot but pasting AI-generated content into Flare breaks variables, snippets, and formatting. The cleanup eats the productivity gain.
→ AI Helper"Our style guide exists but nobody follows it consistently"
Reviewers catch different issues. Standards drift between writers. You need enforcement that doesn't depend on who's reviewing.
→ Mad Quality"Developers write in Markdown but we publish from Flare"
You need a single source of truth across docs-as-code and structured authoring. Manual copy-paste is error-prone and doesn't scale.
→ Markdown"Our stylesheet is bloated with single-purpose combination classes"
Every new style combination means a new class. Flare limits you to one class per element, so your CSS keeps growing.
→ Style Stack"Small tasks keep interrupting flow — splitting topics, quick exports, batch operations"
No single friction is worth building automation for, but together they consume hours weekly.
→ Kaizen (free)"We need several of these — where do we start?"
Start with Kaizen (free) to get immediate productivity wins. Then add the plugin that addresses your biggest pain point. Most teams add Mad Quality next.
→ Book a call to discussPlugin Details
AI Helper — $99/year
AI tools promise productivity — but pasting content between Flare and chatbots breaks variables, snippets, and formatting. AI Helper converts both directions so the structure stays intact.
- Smart Content Conversion — preserves Flare structure when sending to AI chatbots
- Variable & Snippet Preservation — maintains variables and snippets through round-trips
- Markdown to Flare Formatting — converts AI responses back into properly styled Flare content
- Search and Compile — combine multiple topics into a single document for AI analysis
Mad Quality — $199/year
Style guides exist but enforcement depends on who's reviewing — so standards drift between writers. Mad Quality automates enforcement so consistency doesn't require vigilance.
- Content & Structure Validation — checks against Microsoft Manual of Style or your custom rules
- Spreadsheet-Based Rules — add, modify, or remove rules without coding
- Bulk Scanning — scan individual topics or entire projects for consistency at scale
- Guidance & Reference — each finding links to the relevant style guide rule for context
Markdown — $179/year
Developers write in Markdown but you publish from Flare — so either you maintain two sources or copy-paste manually. Markdown Plugin bridges both workflows with reliable import and export.
- Import & Export — convert Markdown files into Flare topics and export back for Git workflows
- Automatic TOC Creation — generate Table of Contents from folder structure on import
- Built-in Editor — preview Markdown rendering before importing into Flare
- Advanced Settings — import code as MadCap snippets, convert local links to cross-references
Style Stack — $19.95 one-time
Flare limits you to one class per element — so your stylesheet fills with single-purpose combination classes. Style Stack unlocks standard CSS composition so you layer existing classes instead.
- Multiple Classes per Element — apply as many style classes as you need, no workarounds
- Smart Auto-Complete — find and apply classes quickly with intelligent suggestions
- Works Everywhere — compatible with all Flare elements and your existing stylesheets
Kaizen — Free
No single friction is worth building automation for — but together they consume hours every week. Kaizen bundles 40+ micro-utilities so the small things stop interrupting flow.
- Topic Splitting — split by H1, H2, H3, or H4 headings in one click
- Quick Exports — instant PDF, Word, or HTML output without configuring targets
- Batch Operations — remove local styling, replace tags, accept/reject changes across projects
- Content Import — import from Excel, CSV, or Markdown; generate topics from spreadsheets
- Utilities — word clouds, variable export, condition analysis, XML validation, and more
All Plugins Share These Principles
- Runs locally — your content never leaves your Flare environment
- No cloud dependency — no hosted repository, no external processing
- Code-signed installers — verified publisher, safe installation
- Minimal telemetry — we collect usage stats only, never content
What Happens If You Keep Absorbing Friction Manually
- Writer burnout compounds — small frictions multiply across every task, every day
- New hires inherit bad workarounds as "how things are done here"
- Overhead doubles faster than content — more time managing the system than creating in it
How to Get Started
Start with Kaizen
It's free. Install it, use the 40+ utilities, and see what daily friction disappears.
Add your biggest pain
Pick the plugin that matches your most expensive workflow bottleneck.
Book a call if you need several
We'll map your workflow and recommend the right combination.
Not Sure Which Plugin You Need?
30 minutes. No commitment. We'll look at your workflow and recommend what will help most.