Output format in YAML metadata

[raffaem]

Both Quarto with the format: metadata field and R Markdown with the output field support specifying output file format in YAML metadata header.

Pandoc seems to have no such metadata variable.

I think this feature would be useful.

See also this StackOverflow question

[denismaier]

I must admit I don't fully understand whether this would really be that useful as this would mean you'd loose one core feature of pandoc: the ability to convert a file to multiple output formats. That said, I guess the easiest solution is to use default files as suggested in the linked thread, or to use a makefile. You might also want to have a look at cli-wrappers/build tools such as the ones listed here.

[jgm]

This has been discussed extensively in various issues on the issue tracker. My view is that we should not mix metadata with processing instructions. Defaults files can be used for the latter. (And personally I use simple Makefiles to automate repetitive builds.)