txtcv

Introducing txtcv

Published on October 29, 2025

In this introductory blog post, I'd like to quickly cover what txtcv is, why it exists, and what you can expect in the coming months.

What is txtcv?

txtcv is a platform for building, maintaining, and sharing CVs in plain text that puts developer experience front and center.

It uses the JSON Resume schema as its foundation, letting you keep your CV in a .json file that is completely in your control. The txtcv web interface includes a straightforward editor based on CodeMirror, but I also know how comfortable it is to work from your $EDITOR. With txtcv you can keep your cv.json wherever you like, version it with git, and automate updates through the command line interface.

Why txtcv exists

I built txtcv because I wanted a CV builder that actually makes sense for developers.

In the past I kept my CV in LaTeX, which I really don't want to touch anymore. The language is unintuitive, and installing gigabytes of LaTeX packages just to compile a text file into a PDF isn't exactly thrilling. Overall, LaTeX simply hasn't been pleasant, so I'm ruling it out.

I'd love to use a third-party app, but I don't like the idea of entering data in to some proprietary format only to have my CV stored in a format that's opaque from me. Most drag-and-drop CV builders emphasize polishing the layout instead of focusing on the content, which for me misses the point.

So, I'm shaving this yak. I'm building txtcv to help folks in tech build and maintain their CVs without losing their minds. A few highlights:

  1. txtcv uses plain text to store CV data. The JSON Resume schema is a clear and mostly complete way to represent professional CVs. txtcv accepts JSON today (YAML support is on the way) as long as it complies with the JSON Resume schema. The data remains in your control at all times.
  2. txtcv is affordable. The basic plan is free and lets you maintain one CV. If you want more advanced features (e.g. job-specific CVs, private CV links, AI-assisted cover-letter drafts, and so on), the paid plan is $25 per year, which is just a touch over $2 per month.
  3. txtcv has first-class developer support. The CLI can live on your machine or in GitHub Actions so you can publish your CV directly from GitHub, GitLab, or anywhere else you prefer.

What's next

Over the coming months, I'll focus on expanding the platform and polishing the CLI. Future posts on this blog will dive into new features, design decisions, and occasional announcements.

If you're curious about txtcv's progress, keep an eye on this space. If you'd like to get in touch, feel free to say hi on Bluesky or drop into the Discord.