diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 3aa3e4c4438..534ac5d5e14 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -4746,9 +4746,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "termcolor"
-version = "1.1.3"
+version = "1.2.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "bab24d30b911b2376f3a13cc2cd443142f0c81dda04c118693e35b3835757755"
+checksum = "be55cf8942feac5c765c2c993422806843c9a9a45d4d5c407ad6dd2ea95eb9b6"
 dependencies = [
  "winapi-util",
 ]
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_driver_impl/src/lib.rs b/compiler/rustc_driver_impl/src/lib.rs
index 4b4573ec2eb..9352fe3147e 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_driver_impl/src/lib.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_driver_impl/src/lib.rs
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ use rustc_data_structures::profiling::{
 };
 use rustc_data_structures::sync::SeqCst;
 use rustc_errors::registry::{InvalidErrorCode, Registry};
+use rustc_errors::{markdown, ColorConfig};
 use rustc_errors::{
     DiagnosticMessage, ErrorGuaranteed, Handler, PResult, SubdiagnosticMessage, TerminalUrl,
 };
@@ -282,7 +283,7 @@ fn run_compiler(
     interface::set_thread_safe_mode(&sopts.unstable_opts);
 
     if let Some(ref code) = matches.opt_str("explain") {
-        handle_explain(&early_error_handler, diagnostics_registry(), code);
+        handle_explain(&early_error_handler, diagnostics_registry(), code, sopts.color);
         return Ok(());
     }
 
@@ -540,7 +541,7 @@ impl Compilation {
     }
 }
 
-fn handle_explain(handler: &EarlyErrorHandler, registry: Registry, code: &str) {
+fn handle_explain(handler: &EarlyErrorHandler, registry: Registry, code: &str, color: ColorConfig) {
     let upper_cased_code = code.to_ascii_uppercase();
     let normalised =
         if upper_cased_code.starts_with('E') { upper_cased_code } else { format!("E{code:0>4}") };
@@ -564,7 +565,7 @@ fn handle_explain(handler: &EarlyErrorHandler, registry: Registry, code: &str) {
                 text.push('\n');
             }
             if io::stdout().is_terminal() {
-                show_content_with_pager(&text);
+                show_md_content_with_pager(&text, color);
             } else {
                 safe_print!("{text}");
             }
@@ -575,34 +576,72 @@ fn handle_explain(handler: &EarlyErrorHandler, registry: Registry, code: &str) {
     }
 }
 
-fn show_content_with_pager(content: &str) {
+/// If color is always or auto, print formatted & colorized markdown. If color is never or
+/// if formatted printing fails, print the raw text.
+///
+/// Prefers a pager, falls back standard print
+fn show_md_content_with_pager(content: &str, color: ColorConfig) {
+    let mut fallback_to_println = false;
     let pager_name = env::var_os("PAGER").unwrap_or_else(|| {
         if cfg!(windows) { OsString::from("more.com") } else { OsString::from("less") }
     });
 
-    let mut fallback_to_println = false;
+    let mut cmd = Command::new(&pager_name);
+    // FIXME: find if other pagers accept color options
+    let mut print_formatted = if pager_name == "less" {
+        cmd.arg("-r");
+        true
+    } else if ["bat", "catbat", "delta"].iter().any(|v| *v == pager_name) {
+        true
+    } else {
+        false
+    };
 
-    match Command::new(pager_name).stdin(Stdio::piped()).spawn() {
-        Ok(mut pager) => {
-            if let Some(pipe) = pager.stdin.as_mut() {
-                if pipe.write_all(content.as_bytes()).is_err() {
-                    fallback_to_println = true;
-                }
-            }
+    if color == ColorConfig::Never {
+        print_formatted = false;
+    } else if color == ColorConfig::Always {
+        print_formatted = true;
+    }
 
-            if pager.wait().is_err() {
+    let mdstream = markdown::MdStream::parse_str(content);
+    let bufwtr = markdown::create_stdout_bufwtr();
+    let mut mdbuf = bufwtr.buffer();
+    if mdstream.write_termcolor_buf(&mut mdbuf).is_err() {
+        print_formatted = false;
+    }
+
+    if let Ok(mut pager) = cmd.stdin(Stdio::piped()).spawn() {
+        if let Some(pipe) = pager.stdin.as_mut() {
+            let res = if print_formatted {
+                pipe.write_all(mdbuf.as_slice())
+            } else {
+                pipe.write_all(content.as_bytes())
+            };
+
+            if res.is_err() {
                 fallback_to_println = true;
             }
         }
-        Err(_) => {
+
+        if pager.wait().is_err() {
             fallback_to_println = true;
         }
+    } else {
+        fallback_to_println = true;
     }
 
     // If pager fails for whatever reason, we should still print the content
     // to standard output
     if fallback_to_println {
-        safe_print!("{content}");
+        let fmt_success = match color {
+            ColorConfig::Auto => io::stdout().is_terminal() && bufwtr.print(&mdbuf).is_ok(),
+            ColorConfig::Always => bufwtr.print(&mdbuf).is_ok(),
+            ColorConfig::Never => false,
+        };
+
+        if !fmt_success {
+            safe_print!("{content}");
+        }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_errors/Cargo.toml b/compiler/rustc_errors/Cargo.toml
index bd3033fcb3e..e8bcd7c1184 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_errors/Cargo.toml
+++ b/compiler/rustc_errors/Cargo.toml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ rustc_hir = { path = "../rustc_hir" }
 rustc_lint_defs = { path = "../rustc_lint_defs" }
 rustc_type_ir = { path = "../rustc_type_ir" }
 unicode-width = "0.1.4"
-termcolor = "1.0"
+termcolor = "1.2.0"
 annotate-snippets = "0.9"
 termize = "0.1.1"
 serde = { version = "1.0.125", features = [ "derive" ] }
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_errors/src/emitter.rs b/compiler/rustc_errors/src/emitter.rs
index d8c997b49a1..9d4d159fd96 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_errors/src/emitter.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_errors/src/emitter.rs
@@ -616,7 +616,7 @@ pub enum ColorConfig {
 }
 
 impl ColorConfig {
-    fn to_color_choice(self) -> ColorChoice {
+    pub fn to_color_choice(self) -> ColorChoice {
         match self {
             ColorConfig::Always => {
                 if io::stderr().is_terminal() {
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_errors/src/lib.rs b/compiler/rustc_errors/src/lib.rs
index 24d1cc8af82..b9db25103a3 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_errors/src/lib.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_errors/src/lib.rs
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ pub mod emitter;
 pub mod error;
 pub mod json;
 mod lock;
+pub mod markdown;
 pub mod registry;
 mod snippet;
 mod styled_buffer;
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_errors/src/markdown/mod.rs b/compiler/rustc_errors/src/markdown/mod.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..53b766dfcce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/compiler/rustc_errors/src/markdown/mod.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+//! A simple markdown parser that can write formatted text to the terminal
+//!
+//! Entrypoint is `MdStream::parse_str(...)`
+use std::io;
+
+use termcolor::{Buffer, BufferWriter, ColorChoice};
+mod parse;
+mod term;
+
+/// An AST representation of a Markdown document
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, Default, PartialEq)]
+pub struct MdStream<'a>(Vec<MdTree<'a>>);
+
+impl<'a> MdStream<'a> {
+    /// Parse a markdown string to a tokenstream
+    #[must_use]
+    pub fn parse_str(s: &str) -> MdStream<'_> {
+        parse::entrypoint(s)
+    }
+
+    /// Write formatted output to a termcolor buffer
+    pub fn write_termcolor_buf(&self, buf: &mut Buffer) -> io::Result<()> {
+        term::entrypoint(self, buf)
+    }
+}
+
+/// Create a termcolor buffer with the `Always` color choice
+pub fn create_stdout_bufwtr() -> BufferWriter {
+    BufferWriter::stdout(ColorChoice::Always)
+}
+
+/// A single tokentree within a Markdown document
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq)]
+pub enum MdTree<'a> {
+    /// Leaf types
+    Comment(&'a str),
+    CodeBlock {
+        txt: &'a str,
+        lang: Option<&'a str>,
+    },
+    CodeInline(&'a str),
+    Strong(&'a str),
+    Emphasis(&'a str),
+    Strikethrough(&'a str),
+    PlainText(&'a str),
+    /// [Foo](www.foo.com) or simple anchor <www.foo.com>
+    Link {
+        disp: &'a str,
+        link: &'a str,
+    },
+    /// `[Foo link][ref]`
+    RefLink {
+        disp: &'a str,
+        id: Option<&'a str>,
+    },
+    /// [ref]: www.foo.com
+    LinkDef {
+        id: &'a str,
+        link: &'a str,
+    },
+    /// Break bewtween two paragraphs (double `\n`), not directly parsed but
+    /// added later
+    ParagraphBreak,
+    /// Break bewtween two lines (single `\n`)
+    LineBreak,
+    HorizontalRule,
+    Heading(u8, MdStream<'a>),
+    OrderedListItem(u16, MdStream<'a>),
+    UnorderedListItem(MdStream<'a>),
+}
+
+impl<'a> From<Vec<MdTree<'a>>> for MdStream<'a> {
+    fn from(value: Vec<MdTree<'a>>) -> Self {
+        Self(value)
+    }
+}
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_errors/src/markdown/parse.rs b/compiler/rustc_errors/src/markdown/parse.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..362a451fde6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/compiler/rustc_errors/src/markdown/parse.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,588 @@
+use crate::markdown::{MdStream, MdTree};
+use std::{iter, mem, str};
+
+/// Short aliases that we can use in match patterns. If an end pattern is not
+/// included, this type may be variable
+const ANC_E: &[u8] = b">";
+const ANC_S: &[u8] = b"<";
+const BRK: &[u8] = b"---";
+const CBK: &[u8] = b"```";
+const CIL: &[u8] = b"`";
+const CMT_E: &[u8] = b"-->";
+const CMT_S: &[u8] = b"<!--";
+const EMP: &[u8] = b"_";
+const HDG: &[u8] = b"#";
+const LNK_CHARS: &str = "$-_.+!*'()/&?=:%";
+const LNK_E: &[u8] = b"]";
+const LNK_S: &[u8] = b"[";
+const STG: &[u8] = b"**";
+const STK: &[u8] = b"~~";
+const UL1: &[u8] = b"* ";
+const UL2: &[u8] = b"- ";
+
+/// Pattern replacements
+const REPLACEMENTS: &[(&str, &str)] = &[
+    ("(c)", "©"),
+    ("(C)", "©"),
+    ("(r)", "®"),
+    ("(R)", "®"),
+    ("(tm)", "™"),
+    ("(TM)", "™"),
+    (":crab:", "🦀"),
+    ("\n", " "),
+];
+
+/// `(extracted, remaining)`
+type Parsed<'a> = (MdTree<'a>, &'a [u8]);
+/// Output of a parse function
+type ParseResult<'a> = Option<Parsed<'a>>;
+
+/// Parsing context
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq)]
+struct Context {
+    /// If true, we are at a the topmost level (not recursing a nested tt)
+    top_block: bool,
+    /// Previous character
+    prev: Prev,
+}
+
+/// Character class preceding this one
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq)]
+enum Prev {
+    Newline,
+    /// Whitespace that is not a newline
+    Whitespace,
+    Escape,
+    Any,
+}
+
+impl Default for Context {
+    /// Most common setting for non top-level parsing: not top block, not at
+    /// line start (yes leading whitespace, not escaped)
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self { top_block: false, prev: Prev::Whitespace }
+    }
+}
+
+/// Flags to simple parser function
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq)]
+enum ParseOpt {
+    /// Ignore escapes before closing pattern, trim content
+    TrimNoEsc,
+    None,
+}
+
+/// Parse a buffer
+pub fn entrypoint(txt: &str) -> MdStream<'_> {
+    let ctx = Context { top_block: true, prev: Prev::Newline };
+    normalize(parse_recursive(txt.trim().as_bytes(), ctx), &mut Vec::new())
+}
+
+/// Parse a buffer with specified context
+fn parse_recursive<'a>(buf: &'a [u8], ctx: Context) -> MdStream<'_> {
+    use ParseOpt as Po;
+    use Prev::{Escape, Newline, Whitespace};
+
+    let mut stream: Vec<MdTree<'a>> = Vec::new();
+    let Context { top_block: top_blk, mut prev } = ctx;
+
+    // wip_buf is our entire unprocessed (unpushed) buffer, loop_buf is our to
+    // check buffer that shrinks with each loop
+    let mut wip_buf = buf;
+    let mut loop_buf = wip_buf;
+
+    while !loop_buf.is_empty() {
+        let next_prev = match loop_buf[0] {
+            b'\n' => Newline,
+            b'\\' => Escape,
+            x if x.is_ascii_whitespace() => Whitespace,
+            _ => Prev::Any,
+        };
+
+        let res: ParseResult<'_> = match (top_blk, prev) {
+            (_, Newline | Whitespace) if loop_buf.starts_with(CMT_S) => {
+                parse_simple_pat(loop_buf, CMT_S, CMT_E, Po::TrimNoEsc, MdTree::Comment)
+            }
+            (true, Newline) if loop_buf.starts_with(CBK) => Some(parse_codeblock(loop_buf)),
+            (_, Newline | Whitespace) if loop_buf.starts_with(CIL) => parse_codeinline(loop_buf),
+            (true, Newline | Whitespace) if loop_buf.starts_with(HDG) => parse_heading(loop_buf),
+            (true, Newline) if loop_buf.starts_with(BRK) => {
+                Some((MdTree::HorizontalRule, parse_to_newline(loop_buf).1))
+            }
+            (_, Newline | Whitespace) if loop_buf.starts_with(EMP) => {
+                parse_simple_pat(loop_buf, EMP, EMP, Po::None, MdTree::Emphasis)
+            }
+            (_, Newline | Whitespace) if loop_buf.starts_with(STG) => {
+                parse_simple_pat(loop_buf, STG, STG, Po::None, MdTree::Strong)
+            }
+            (_, Newline | Whitespace) if loop_buf.starts_with(STK) => {
+                parse_simple_pat(loop_buf, STK, STK, Po::None, MdTree::Strikethrough)
+            }
+            (_, Newline | Whitespace) if loop_buf.starts_with(ANC_S) => {
+                let tt_fn = |link| MdTree::Link { disp: link, link };
+                let ret = parse_simple_pat(loop_buf, ANC_S, ANC_E, Po::None, tt_fn);
+                match ret {
+                    Some((MdTree::Link { disp, .. }, _))
+                        if disp.chars().all(|ch| LNK_CHARS.contains(ch)) =>
+                    {
+                        ret
+                    }
+                    _ => None,
+                }
+            }
+            (_, Newline) if (loop_buf.starts_with(UL1) || loop_buf.starts_with(UL2)) => {
+                Some(parse_unordered_li(loop_buf))
+            }
+            (_, Newline) if ord_list_start(loop_buf).is_some() => Some(parse_ordered_li(loop_buf)),
+            (_, Newline | Whitespace) if loop_buf.starts_with(LNK_S) => {
+                parse_any_link(loop_buf, top_blk && prev == Prev::Newline)
+            }
+            (_, Escape | _) => None,
+        };
+
+        if let Some((tree, rest)) = res {
+            // We found something: push our WIP and then push the found tree
+            let prev_buf = &wip_buf[..(wip_buf.len() - loop_buf.len())];
+            if !prev_buf.is_empty() {
+                let prev_str = str::from_utf8(prev_buf).unwrap();
+                stream.push(MdTree::PlainText(prev_str));
+            }
+            stream.push(tree);
+
+            wip_buf = rest;
+            loop_buf = rest;
+        } else {
+            // Just move on to the next character
+            loop_buf = &loop_buf[1..];
+            // If we are at the end and haven't found anything, just push plain text
+            if loop_buf.is_empty() && !wip_buf.is_empty() {
+                let final_str = str::from_utf8(wip_buf).unwrap();
+                stream.push(MdTree::PlainText(final_str));
+            }
+        };
+
+        prev = next_prev;
+    }
+
+    MdStream(stream)
+}
+
+/// The simplest kind of patterns: data within start and end patterns
+fn parse_simple_pat<'a, F>(
+    buf: &'a [u8],
+    start_pat: &[u8],
+    end_pat: &[u8],
+    opts: ParseOpt,
+    create_tt: F,
+) -> ParseResult<'a>
+where
+    F: FnOnce(&'a str) -> MdTree<'a>,
+{
+    let ignore_esc = matches!(opts, ParseOpt::TrimNoEsc);
+    let trim = matches!(opts, ParseOpt::TrimNoEsc);
+    let (txt, rest) = parse_with_end_pat(&buf[start_pat.len()..], end_pat, ignore_esc)?;
+    let mut txt = str::from_utf8(txt).unwrap();
+    if trim {
+        txt = txt.trim();
+    }
+    Some((create_tt(txt), rest))
+}
+
+/// Parse backtick-wrapped inline code. Accounts for >1 backtick sets
+fn parse_codeinline(buf: &[u8]) -> ParseResult<'_> {
+    let seps = buf.iter().take_while(|ch| **ch == b'`').count();
+    let (txt, rest) = parse_with_end_pat(&buf[seps..], &buf[..seps], true)?;
+    Some((MdTree::CodeInline(str::from_utf8(txt).unwrap()), rest))
+}
+
+/// Parse a codeblock. Accounts for >3 backticks and language specification
+fn parse_codeblock(buf: &[u8]) -> Parsed<'_> {
+    // account for ````code```` style
+    let seps = buf.iter().take_while(|ch| **ch == b'`').count();
+    let end_sep = &buf[..seps];
+    let mut working = &buf[seps..];
+
+    // Handle "````rust" style language specifications
+    let next_ws_idx = working.iter().take_while(|ch| !ch.is_ascii_whitespace()).count();
+
+    let lang = if next_ws_idx > 0 {
+        // Munch the lang
+        let tmp = str::from_utf8(&working[..next_ws_idx]).unwrap();
+        working = &working[next_ws_idx..];
+        Some(tmp)
+    } else {
+        None
+    };
+
+    let mut end_pat = vec![b'\n'];
+    end_pat.extend(end_sep);
+
+    // Find first end pattern with nothing else on its line
+    let mut found = None;
+    for idx in (0..working.len()).filter(|idx| working[*idx..].starts_with(&end_pat)) {
+        let (eol_txt, rest) = parse_to_newline(&working[(idx + end_pat.len())..]);
+        if !eol_txt.iter().any(u8::is_ascii_whitespace) {
+            found = Some((&working[..idx], rest));
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+
+    let (txt, rest) = found.unwrap_or((working, &[]));
+    let txt = str::from_utf8(txt).unwrap().trim_matches('\n');
+
+    (MdTree::CodeBlock { txt, lang }, rest)
+}
+
+fn parse_heading(buf: &[u8]) -> ParseResult<'_> {
+    let level = buf.iter().take_while(|ch| **ch == b'#').count();
+    let buf = &buf[level..];
+
+    if level > 6 || (buf.len() > 1 && !buf[0].is_ascii_whitespace()) {
+        // Enforce max 6 levels and whitespace following the `##` pattern
+        return None;
+    }
+
+    let (txt, rest) = parse_to_newline(&buf[1..]);
+    let ctx = Context { top_block: false, prev: Prev::Whitespace };
+    let stream = parse_recursive(txt, ctx);
+
+    Some((MdTree::Heading(level.try_into().unwrap(), stream), rest))
+}
+
+/// Bulleted list
+fn parse_unordered_li(buf: &[u8]) -> Parsed<'_> {
+    debug_assert!(buf.starts_with(b"* ") || buf.starts_with(b"- "));
+    let (txt, rest) = get_indented_section(&buf[2..]);
+    let ctx = Context { top_block: false, prev: Prev::Whitespace };
+    let stream = parse_recursive(trim_ascii_start(txt), ctx);
+    (MdTree::UnorderedListItem(stream), rest)
+}
+
+/// Numbered list
+fn parse_ordered_li(buf: &[u8]) -> Parsed<'_> {
+    let (num, pos) = ord_list_start(buf).unwrap(); // success tested in caller
+    let (txt, rest) = get_indented_section(&buf[pos..]);
+    let ctx = Context { top_block: false, prev: Prev::Whitespace };
+    let stream = parse_recursive(trim_ascii_start(txt), ctx);
+    (MdTree::OrderedListItem(num, stream), rest)
+}
+
+/// Find first line that isn't empty or doesn't start with whitespace, that will
+/// be our contents
+fn get_indented_section(buf: &[u8]) -> (&[u8], &[u8]) {
+    let mut end = buf.len();
+    for (idx, window) in buf.windows(2).enumerate() {
+        let &[ch, next_ch] = window else {unreachable!("always 2 elements")};
+        if idx >= buf.len().saturating_sub(2) && next_ch == b'\n' {
+            // End of stream
+            end = buf.len().saturating_sub(1);
+            break;
+        } else if ch == b'\n' && (!next_ch.is_ascii_whitespace() || next_ch == b'\n') {
+            end = idx;
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+
+    (&buf[..end], &buf[end..])
+}
+
+/// Verify a valid ordered list start (e.g. `1.`) and parse it. Returns the
+/// parsed number and offset of character after the dot.
+fn ord_list_start(buf: &[u8]) -> Option<(u16, usize)> {
+    let pos = buf.iter().take(10).position(|ch| *ch == b'.')?;
+    let n = str::from_utf8(&buf[..pos]).ok()?;
+    if !buf.get(pos + 1)?.is_ascii_whitespace() {
+        return None;
+    }
+    n.parse::<u16>().ok().map(|v| (v, pos + 2))
+}
+
+/// Parse links. `can_be_def` indicates that a link definition is possible (top
+/// level, located at the start of a line)
+fn parse_any_link(buf: &[u8], can_be_def: bool) -> ParseResult<'_> {
+    let (bracketed, rest) = parse_with_end_pat(&buf[1..], LNK_E, true)?;
+    if rest.is_empty() {
+        return None;
+    }
+
+    let disp = str::from_utf8(bracketed).unwrap();
+    match (can_be_def, rest[0]) {
+        (true, b':') => {
+            let (link, tmp) = parse_to_newline(&rest[1..]);
+            let link = str::from_utf8(link).unwrap().trim();
+            Some((MdTree::LinkDef { id: disp, link }, tmp))
+        }
+        (_, b'(') => parse_simple_pat(rest, b"(", b")", ParseOpt::TrimNoEsc, |link| MdTree::Link {
+            disp,
+            link,
+        }),
+        (_, b'[') => parse_simple_pat(rest, b"[", b"]", ParseOpt::TrimNoEsc, |id| {
+            MdTree::RefLink { disp, id: Some(id) }
+        }),
+        _ => Some((MdTree::RefLink { disp, id: None }, rest)),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Find and consume an end pattern, return `(match, residual)`
+fn parse_with_end_pat<'a>(
+    buf: &'a [u8],
+    end_sep: &[u8],
+    ignore_esc: bool,
+) -> Option<(&'a [u8], &'a [u8])> {
+    // Find positions that start with the end seperator
+    for idx in (0..buf.len()).filter(|idx| buf[*idx..].starts_with(end_sep)) {
+        if !ignore_esc && idx > 0 && buf[idx - 1] == b'\\' {
+            continue;
+        }
+        return Some((&buf[..idx], &buf[idx + end_sep.len()..]));
+    }
+    None
+}
+
+/// Resturn `(match, residual)` to end of line. The EOL is returned with the
+/// residual.
+fn parse_to_newline(buf: &[u8]) -> (&[u8], &[u8]) {
+    buf.iter().position(|ch| *ch == b'\n').map_or((buf, &[]), |pos| buf.split_at(pos))
+}
+
+/// Take a parsed stream and fix the little things
+fn normalize<'a>(MdStream(stream): MdStream<'a>, linkdefs: &mut Vec<MdTree<'a>>) -> MdStream<'a> {
+    let mut new_stream = Vec::with_capacity(stream.len());
+    let new_defs = stream.iter().filter(|tt| matches!(tt, MdTree::LinkDef { .. }));
+    linkdefs.extend(new_defs.cloned());
+
+    // Run plaintest expansions on types that need it, call this function on nested types
+    for item in stream {
+        match item {
+            MdTree::PlainText(txt) => expand_plaintext(txt, &mut new_stream, MdTree::PlainText),
+            MdTree::Strong(txt) => expand_plaintext(txt, &mut new_stream, MdTree::Strong),
+            MdTree::Emphasis(txt) => expand_plaintext(txt, &mut new_stream, MdTree::Emphasis),
+            MdTree::Strikethrough(txt) => {
+                expand_plaintext(txt, &mut new_stream, MdTree::Strikethrough);
+            }
+            MdTree::RefLink { disp, id } => new_stream.push(match_reflink(linkdefs, disp, id)),
+            MdTree::OrderedListItem(n, st) => {
+                new_stream.push(MdTree::OrderedListItem(n, normalize(st, linkdefs)));
+            }
+            MdTree::UnorderedListItem(st) => {
+                new_stream.push(MdTree::UnorderedListItem(normalize(st, linkdefs)));
+            }
+            MdTree::Heading(n, st) => new_stream.push(MdTree::Heading(n, normalize(st, linkdefs))),
+            _ => new_stream.push(item),
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Remove non printing types, duplicate paragraph breaks, and breaks at start/end
+    new_stream.retain(|x| !matches!(x, MdTree::Comment(_) | MdTree::LinkDef { .. }));
+    new_stream.dedup_by(|r, l| matches!((r, l), (MdTree::ParagraphBreak, MdTree::ParagraphBreak)));
+
+    if new_stream.first().is_some_and(is_break_ty) {
+        new_stream.remove(0);
+    }
+    if new_stream.last().is_some_and(is_break_ty) {
+        new_stream.pop();
+    }
+
+    // Remove paragraph breaks that shouldn't be there. w[1] is what will be
+    // removed in these cases. Note that these are the items to keep, not delete
+    // (for `retain`)
+    let to_keep: Vec<bool> = new_stream
+        .windows(3)
+        .map(|w| {
+            !((matches!(&w[1], MdTree::ParagraphBreak)
+                && matches!(should_break(&w[0], &w[2]), BreakRule::Always(1) | BreakRule::Never))
+                || (matches!(&w[1], MdTree::PlainText(txt) if txt.trim().is_empty())
+                    && matches!(
+                        should_break(&w[0], &w[2]),
+                        BreakRule::Always(_) | BreakRule::Never
+                    )))
+        })
+        .collect();
+    let mut iter = iter::once(true).chain(to_keep).chain(iter::once(true));
+    new_stream.retain(|_| iter.next().unwrap());
+
+    // Insert line or paragraph breaks where there should be some
+    let mut insertions = 0;
+    let to_insert: Vec<(usize, MdTree<'_>)> = new_stream
+        .windows(2)
+        .enumerate()
+        .filter_map(|(idx, w)| match should_break(&w[0], &w[1]) {
+            BreakRule::Always(1) => Some((idx, MdTree::LineBreak)),
+            BreakRule::Always(2) => Some((idx, MdTree::ParagraphBreak)),
+            _ => None,
+        })
+        .map(|(idx, tt)| {
+            insertions += 1;
+            (idx + insertions, tt)
+        })
+        .collect();
+    to_insert.into_iter().for_each(|(idx, tt)| new_stream.insert(idx, tt));
+
+    MdStream(new_stream)
+}
+
+/// Whether two types should or shouldn't have a paragraph break between them
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq)]
+enum BreakRule {
+    Always(u8),
+    Never,
+    Optional,
+}
+
+/// Blocks that automatically handle their own text wrapping
+fn should_break(left: &MdTree<'_>, right: &MdTree<'_>) -> BreakRule {
+    use MdTree::*;
+
+    match (left, right) {
+        // Separate these types with a single line
+        (HorizontalRule, _)
+        | (_, HorizontalRule)
+        | (OrderedListItem(_, _), OrderedListItem(_, _))
+        | (UnorderedListItem(_), UnorderedListItem(_)) => BreakRule::Always(1),
+        // Condensed types shouldn't have an extra break on either side
+        (Comment(_) | ParagraphBreak | Heading(_, _), _) | (_, Comment(_) | ParagraphBreak) => {
+            BreakRule::Never
+        }
+        // Block types should always be separated by full breaks
+        (CodeBlock { .. } | OrderedListItem(_, _) | UnorderedListItem(_), _)
+        | (_, CodeBlock { .. } | Heading(_, _) | OrderedListItem(_, _) | UnorderedListItem(_)) => {
+            BreakRule::Always(2)
+        }
+        // Text types may or may not be separated by a break
+        (
+            CodeInline(_)
+            | Strong(_)
+            | Emphasis(_)
+            | Strikethrough(_)
+            | PlainText(_)
+            | Link { .. }
+            | RefLink { .. }
+            | LinkDef { .. },
+            CodeInline(_)
+            | Strong(_)
+            | Emphasis(_)
+            | Strikethrough(_)
+            | PlainText(_)
+            | Link { .. }
+            | RefLink { .. }
+            | LinkDef { .. },
+        ) => BreakRule::Optional,
+        (LineBreak, _) | (_, LineBreak) => {
+            unreachable!("should have been removed during deduplication")
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// Types that indicate some form of break
+fn is_break_ty(val: &MdTree<'_>) -> bool {
+    matches!(val, MdTree::ParagraphBreak | MdTree::LineBreak)
+        // >1 break between paragraphs acts as a break
+        || matches!(val, MdTree::PlainText(txt) if txt.trim().is_empty())
+}
+
+/// Perform tranformations to text. This splits paragraphs, replaces patterns,
+/// and corrects newlines.
+///
+/// To avoid allocating strings (and using a different heavier tt type), our
+/// replace method means split into three and append each. For this reason, any
+/// viewer should treat consecutive `PlainText` types as belonging to the same
+/// paragraph.
+fn expand_plaintext<'a>(
+    txt: &'a str,
+    stream: &mut Vec<MdTree<'a>>,
+    mut f: fn(&'a str) -> MdTree<'a>,
+) {
+    if txt.is_empty() {
+        return;
+    } else if txt == "\n" {
+        if let Some(tt) = stream.last() {
+            let tmp = MdTree::PlainText(" ");
+            if should_break(tt, &tmp) == BreakRule::Optional {
+                stream.push(tmp);
+            }
+        }
+        return;
+    }
+    let mut queue1 = Vec::new();
+    let mut queue2 = Vec::new();
+    let stream_start_len = stream.len();
+    for paragraph in txt.split("\n\n") {
+        if paragraph.is_empty() {
+            stream.push(MdTree::ParagraphBreak);
+            continue;
+        }
+        let paragraph = trim_extra_ws(paragraph);
+
+        queue1.clear();
+        queue1.push(paragraph);
+
+        for (from, to) in REPLACEMENTS {
+            queue2.clear();
+            for item in &queue1 {
+                for s in item.split(from) {
+                    queue2.extend(&[s, to]);
+                }
+                if queue2.len() > 1 {
+                    let _ = queue2.pop(); // remove last unnecessary intersperse
+                }
+            }
+            mem::swap(&mut queue1, &mut queue2);
+        }
+
+        // Make sure we don't double whitespace
+        queue1.retain(|s| !s.is_empty());
+        for idx in 0..queue1.len() {
+            queue1[idx] = trim_extra_ws(queue1[idx]);
+            if idx < queue1.len() - 1
+                && queue1[idx].ends_with(char::is_whitespace)
+                && queue1[idx + 1].starts_with(char::is_whitespace)
+            {
+                queue1[idx] = queue1[idx].trim_end();
+            }
+        }
+        stream.extend(queue1.iter().copied().filter(|txt| !txt.is_empty()).map(&mut f));
+        stream.push(MdTree::ParagraphBreak);
+    }
+
+    if stream.len() - stream_start_len > 1 {
+        let _ = stream.pop(); // remove last unnecessary intersperse
+    }
+}
+
+/// Turn reflinks (links with reference IDs) into normal standalone links using
+/// listed link definitions
+fn match_reflink<'a>(linkdefs: &[MdTree<'a>], disp: &'a str, match_id: Option<&str>) -> MdTree<'a> {
+    let to_match = match_id.unwrap_or(disp); // Match with the display name if there isn't an id
+    for def in linkdefs {
+        if let MdTree::LinkDef { id, link } = def {
+            if *id == to_match {
+                return MdTree::Link { disp, link };
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    MdTree::Link { disp, link: "" } // link not found
+}
+
+/// If there is more than one whitespace char at start or end, trim the extras
+fn trim_extra_ws(mut txt: &str) -> &str {
+    let start_ws =
+        txt.bytes().position(|ch| !ch.is_ascii_whitespace()).unwrap_or(txt.len()).saturating_sub(1);
+    txt = &txt[start_ws..];
+    let end_ws = txt
+        .bytes()
+        .rev()
+        .position(|ch| !ch.is_ascii_whitespace())
+        .unwrap_or(txt.len())
+        .saturating_sub(1);
+    &txt[..txt.len() - end_ws]
+}
+
+/// If there is more than one whitespace char at start, trim the extras
+fn trim_ascii_start(buf: &[u8]) -> &[u8] {
+    let count = buf.iter().take_while(|ch| ch.is_ascii_whitespace()).count();
+    &buf[count..]
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+#[path = "tests/parse.rs"]
+mod tests;
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_errors/src/markdown/term.rs b/compiler/rustc_errors/src/markdown/term.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e45ba6d2cda
--- /dev/null
+++ b/compiler/rustc_errors/src/markdown/term.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,189 @@
+use std::cell::Cell;
+use std::io::{self, Write};
+
+use termcolor::{Buffer, Color, ColorSpec, WriteColor};
+
+use crate::markdown::{MdStream, MdTree};
+
+const DEFAULT_COLUMN_WIDTH: usize = 140;
+
+thread_local! {
+    /// Track the position of viewable characters in our buffer
+    static CURSOR: Cell<usize> = Cell::new(0);
+    /// Width of the terminal
+    static WIDTH: Cell<usize> = Cell::new(DEFAULT_COLUMN_WIDTH);
+}
+
+/// Print to terminal output to a buffer
+pub fn entrypoint(stream: &MdStream<'_>, buf: &mut Buffer) -> io::Result<()> {
+    #[cfg(not(test))]
+    if let Some((w, _)) = termize::dimensions() {
+        WIDTH.with(|c| c.set(std::cmp::min(w, DEFAULT_COLUMN_WIDTH)));
+    }
+    write_stream(stream, buf, None, 0)?;
+    buf.write_all(b"\n")
+}
+
+/// Write the buffer, reset to the default style after each
+fn write_stream(
+    MdStream(stream): &MdStream<'_>,
+    buf: &mut Buffer,
+    default: Option<&ColorSpec>,
+    indent: usize,
+) -> io::Result<()> {
+    match default {
+        Some(c) => buf.set_color(c)?,
+        None => buf.reset()?,
+    }
+
+    for tt in stream {
+        write_tt(tt, buf, indent)?;
+        if let Some(c) = default {
+            buf.set_color(c)?;
+        }
+    }
+
+    buf.reset()?;
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+pub fn write_tt(tt: &MdTree<'_>, buf: &mut Buffer, indent: usize) -> io::Result<()> {
+    match tt {
+        MdTree::CodeBlock { txt, lang: _ } => {
+            buf.set_color(ColorSpec::new().set_dimmed(true))?;
+            buf.write_all(txt.as_bytes())?;
+        }
+        MdTree::CodeInline(txt) => {
+            buf.set_color(ColorSpec::new().set_dimmed(true))?;
+            write_wrapping(buf, txt, indent, None)?;
+        }
+        MdTree::Strong(txt) => {
+            buf.set_color(ColorSpec::new().set_bold(true))?;
+            write_wrapping(buf, txt, indent, None)?;
+        }
+        MdTree::Emphasis(txt) => {
+            buf.set_color(ColorSpec::new().set_italic(true))?;
+            write_wrapping(buf, txt, indent, None)?;
+        }
+        MdTree::Strikethrough(txt) => {
+            buf.set_color(ColorSpec::new().set_strikethrough(true))?;
+            write_wrapping(buf, txt, indent, None)?;
+        }
+        MdTree::PlainText(txt) => {
+            write_wrapping(buf, txt, indent, None)?;
+        }
+        MdTree::Link { disp, link } => {
+            write_wrapping(buf, disp, indent, Some(link))?;
+        }
+        MdTree::ParagraphBreak => {
+            buf.write_all(b"\n\n")?;
+            reset_cursor();
+        }
+        MdTree::LineBreak => {
+            buf.write_all(b"\n")?;
+            reset_cursor();
+        }
+        MdTree::HorizontalRule => {
+            (0..WIDTH.with(Cell::get)).for_each(|_| buf.write_all(b"-").unwrap());
+            reset_cursor();
+        }
+        MdTree::Heading(n, stream) => {
+            let mut cs = ColorSpec::new();
+            cs.set_fg(Some(Color::Cyan));
+            match n {
+                1 => cs.set_intense(true).set_bold(true).set_underline(true),
+                2 => cs.set_intense(true).set_underline(true),
+                3 => cs.set_intense(true).set_italic(true),
+                4.. => cs.set_underline(true).set_italic(true),
+                0 => unreachable!(),
+            };
+            write_stream(stream, buf, Some(&cs), 0)?;
+            buf.write_all(b"\n")?;
+        }
+        MdTree::OrderedListItem(n, stream) => {
+            let base = format!("{n}. ");
+            write_wrapping(buf, &format!("{base:<4}"), indent, None)?;
+            write_stream(stream, buf, None, indent + 4)?;
+        }
+        MdTree::UnorderedListItem(stream) => {
+            let base = "* ";
+            write_wrapping(buf, &format!("{base:<4}"), indent, None)?;
+            write_stream(stream, buf, None, indent + 4)?;
+        }
+        // Patterns popped in previous step
+        MdTree::Comment(_) | MdTree::LinkDef { .. } | MdTree::RefLink { .. } => unreachable!(),
+    }
+
+    buf.reset()?;
+
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+/// End of that block, just wrap the line
+fn reset_cursor() {
+    CURSOR.with(|cur| cur.set(0));
+}
+
+/// Change to be generic on Write for testing. If we have a link URL, we don't
+/// count the extra tokens to make it clickable.
+fn write_wrapping<B: io::Write>(
+    buf: &mut B,
+    text: &str,
+    indent: usize,
+    link_url: Option<&str>,
+) -> io::Result<()> {
+    let ind_ws = &b"          "[..indent];
+    let mut to_write = text;
+    if let Some(url) = link_url {
+        // This is a nonprinting prefix so we don't increment our cursor
+        write!(buf, "\x1b]8;;{url}\x1b\\")?;
+    }
+    CURSOR.with(|cur| {
+        loop {
+            if cur.get() == 0 {
+                buf.write_all(ind_ws)?;
+                cur.set(indent);
+            }
+            let ch_count = WIDTH.with(Cell::get) - cur.get();
+            let mut iter = to_write.char_indices();
+            let Some((end_idx, _ch)) = iter.nth(ch_count) else {
+                // Write entire line
+                buf.write_all(to_write.as_bytes())?;
+                cur.set(cur.get()+to_write.chars().count());
+                break;
+            };
+
+            if let Some((break_idx, ch)) = to_write[..end_idx]
+                .char_indices()
+                .rev()
+                .find(|(_idx, ch)| ch.is_whitespace() || ['_', '-'].contains(ch))
+            {
+                // Found whitespace to break at
+                if ch.is_whitespace() {
+                    writeln!(buf, "{}", &to_write[..break_idx])?;
+                    to_write = to_write[break_idx..].trim_start();
+                } else {
+                    // Break at a `-` or `_` separator
+                    writeln!(buf, "{}", &to_write.get(..break_idx + 1).unwrap_or(to_write))?;
+                    to_write = to_write.get(break_idx + 1..).unwrap_or_default().trim_start();
+                }
+            } else {
+                // No whitespace, we need to just split
+                let ws_idx =
+                    iter.find(|(_, ch)| ch.is_whitespace()).map_or(to_write.len(), |(idx, _)| idx);
+                writeln!(buf, "{}", &to_write[..ws_idx])?;
+                to_write = to_write.get(ws_idx + 1..).map_or("", str::trim_start);
+            }
+            cur.set(0);
+        }
+        if link_url.is_some() {
+            buf.write_all(b"\x1b]8;;\x1b\\")?;
+        }
+
+        Ok(())
+    })
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+#[path = "tests/term.rs"]
+mod tests;
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_errors/src/markdown/tests/input.md b/compiler/rustc_errors/src/markdown/tests/input.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..7d207fc4220
--- /dev/null
+++ b/compiler/rustc_errors/src/markdown/tests/input.md
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+# H1 Heading [with a link][remote-link]
+
+H1 content: **some words in bold** and `so does inline code`
+
+## H2 Heading
+
+H2 content: _some words in italic_
+
+### H3 Heading
+
+H3 content: ~~strikethrough~~ text
+
+#### H4 Heading
+
+H4 content: A [simple link](https://docs.rs) and a [remote-link].
+
+---
+
+A section break was above. We can also do paragraph breaks:
+
+(new paragraph) and unordered lists:
+
+- Item 1 in `code`
+- Item 2 in _italics_
+
+Or ordered:
+
+1. Item 1 in **bold**
+2. Item 2 with some long lines that should wrap: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
+   consectetur adipiscing elit. Aenean ac mattis nunc. Phasellus elit quam,
+   pulvinar ac risus in, dictum vehicula turpis. Vestibulum neque est, accumsan
+   in cursus sit amet, dictum a nunc. Suspendisse aliquet, lorem eu eleifend
+   accumsan, magna neque sodales nisi, a aliquet lectus leo eu sem.
+
+---
+
+## Code
+
+Both `inline code` and code blocks are supported:
+
+```rust
+/// A rust enum
+#[derive(Debug, PartialEq, Clone)]
+enum Foo {
+    /// Start of line
+    Bar
+}
+```
+
+[remote-link]: http://docs.rs
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_errors/src/markdown/tests/output.stdout b/compiler/rustc_errors/src/markdown/tests/output.stdout
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..23c60d5c319
--- /dev/null
+++ b/compiler/rustc_errors/src/markdown/tests/output.stdout
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+H1 Heading ]8;;http://docs.rs\with a link]8;;\
+H1 content: some words in bold and so does inline code
+
+H2 Heading
+H2 content: some words in italic
+
+H3 Heading
+H3 content: strikethrough text
+
+H4 Heading
+H4 content: A ]8;;https://docs.rs\simple link]8;;\ and a ]8;;http://docs.rs\remote-link]8;;\.
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+A section break was above. We can also do paragraph breaks:
+
+(new paragraph) and unordered lists:
+
+*   Item 1 in code
+*   Item 2 in italics
+
+Or ordered:
+
+1.  Item 1 in bold
+2.  Item 2 with some long lines that should wrap: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aenean ac mattis nunc. Phasellus
+    elit quam, pulvinar ac risus in, dictum vehicula turpis. Vestibulum neque est, accumsan in cursus sit amet, dictum a nunc. Suspendisse
+    aliquet, lorem eu eleifend accumsan, magna neque sodales nisi, a aliquet lectus leo eu sem.
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+Code
+Both inline code and code blocks are supported:
+
+/// A rust enum
+#[derive(Debug, PartialEq, Clone)]
+enum Foo {
+    /// Start of line
+    Bar
+}
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_errors/src/markdown/tests/parse.rs b/compiler/rustc_errors/src/markdown/tests/parse.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e39e8c89b35
--- /dev/null
+++ b/compiler/rustc_errors/src/markdown/tests/parse.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,312 @@
+use super::*;
+use ParseOpt as PO;
+
+#[test]
+fn test_parse_simple() {
+    let buf = "**abcd** rest";
+    let (t, r) = parse_simple_pat(buf.as_bytes(), STG, STG, PO::None, MdTree::Strong).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(t, MdTree::Strong("abcd"));
+    assert_eq!(r, b" rest");
+
+    // Escaping should fail
+    let buf = r"**abcd\** rest";
+    let res = parse_simple_pat(buf.as_bytes(), STG, STG, PO::None, MdTree::Strong);
+    assert!(res.is_none());
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_parse_comment() {
+    let opt = PO::TrimNoEsc;
+    let buf = "<!-- foobar! -->rest";
+    let (t, r) = parse_simple_pat(buf.as_bytes(), CMT_S, CMT_E, opt, MdTree::Comment).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(t, MdTree::Comment("foobar!"));
+    assert_eq!(r, b"rest");
+
+    let buf = r"<!-- foobar! \-->rest";
+    let (t, r) = parse_simple_pat(buf.as_bytes(), CMT_S, CMT_E, opt, MdTree::Comment).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(t, MdTree::Comment(r"foobar! \"));
+    assert_eq!(r, b"rest");
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_parse_heading() {
+    let buf1 = "# Top level\nrest";
+    let (t, r) = parse_heading(buf1.as_bytes()).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(t, MdTree::Heading(1, vec![MdTree::PlainText("Top level")].into()));
+    assert_eq!(r, b"\nrest");
+
+    let buf1 = "# Empty";
+    let (t, r) = parse_heading(buf1.as_bytes()).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(t, MdTree::Heading(1, vec![MdTree::PlainText("Empty")].into()));
+    assert_eq!(r, b"");
+
+    // Combo
+    let buf2 = "### Top `level` _woo_\nrest";
+    let (t, r) = parse_heading(buf2.as_bytes()).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(
+        t,
+        MdTree::Heading(
+            3,
+            vec![
+                MdTree::PlainText("Top "),
+                MdTree::CodeInline("level"),
+                MdTree::PlainText(" "),
+                MdTree::Emphasis("woo"),
+            ]
+            .into()
+        )
+    );
+    assert_eq!(r, b"\nrest");
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_parse_code_inline() {
+    let buf1 = "`abcd` rest";
+    let (t, r) = parse_codeinline(buf1.as_bytes()).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(t, MdTree::CodeInline("abcd"));
+    assert_eq!(r, b" rest");
+
+    // extra backticks, newline
+    let buf2 = "```ab\ncd``` rest";
+    let (t, r) = parse_codeinline(buf2.as_bytes()).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(t, MdTree::CodeInline("ab\ncd"));
+    assert_eq!(r, b" rest");
+
+    // test no escaping
+    let buf3 = r"`abcd\` rest";
+    let (t, r) = parse_codeinline(buf3.as_bytes()).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(t, MdTree::CodeInline(r"abcd\"));
+    assert_eq!(r, b" rest");
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_parse_code_block() {
+    let buf1 = "```rust\ncode\ncode\n```\nleftovers";
+    let (t, r) = parse_codeblock(buf1.as_bytes());
+    assert_eq!(t, MdTree::CodeBlock { txt: "code\ncode", lang: Some("rust") });
+    assert_eq!(r, b"\nleftovers");
+
+    let buf2 = "`````\ncode\ncode````\n`````\nleftovers";
+    let (t, r) = parse_codeblock(buf2.as_bytes());
+    assert_eq!(t, MdTree::CodeBlock { txt: "code\ncode````", lang: None });
+    assert_eq!(r, b"\nleftovers");
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_parse_link() {
+    let simple = "[see here](docs.rs) other";
+    let (t, r) = parse_any_link(simple.as_bytes(), false).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(t, MdTree::Link { disp: "see here", link: "docs.rs" });
+    assert_eq!(r, b" other");
+
+    let simple_toplevel = "[see here](docs.rs) other";
+    let (t, r) = parse_any_link(simple_toplevel.as_bytes(), true).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(t, MdTree::Link { disp: "see here", link: "docs.rs" });
+    assert_eq!(r, b" other");
+
+    let reference = "[see here] other";
+    let (t, r) = parse_any_link(reference.as_bytes(), true).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(t, MdTree::RefLink { disp: "see here", id: None });
+    assert_eq!(r, b" other");
+
+    let reference_full = "[see here][docs-rs] other";
+    let (t, r) = parse_any_link(reference_full.as_bytes(), false).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(t, MdTree::RefLink { disp: "see here", id: Some("docs-rs") });
+    assert_eq!(r, b" other");
+
+    let reference_def = "[see here]: docs.rs\nother";
+    let (t, r) = parse_any_link(reference_def.as_bytes(), true).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(t, MdTree::LinkDef { id: "see here", link: "docs.rs" });
+    assert_eq!(r, b"\nother");
+}
+
+const IND1: &str = r"test standard
+    ind
+    ind2
+not ind";
+const IND2: &str = r"test end of stream
+  1
+  2
+";
+const IND3: &str = r"test empty lines
+  1
+  2
+
+not ind";
+
+#[test]
+fn test_indented_section() {
+    let (t, r) = get_indented_section(IND1.as_bytes());
+    assert_eq!(str::from_utf8(t).unwrap(), "test standard\n    ind\n    ind2");
+    assert_eq!(str::from_utf8(r).unwrap(), "\nnot ind");
+
+    let (txt, rest) = get_indented_section(IND2.as_bytes());
+    assert_eq!(str::from_utf8(txt).unwrap(), "test end of stream\n  1\n  2");
+    assert_eq!(str::from_utf8(rest).unwrap(), "\n");
+
+    let (txt, rest) = get_indented_section(IND3.as_bytes());
+    assert_eq!(str::from_utf8(txt).unwrap(), "test empty lines\n  1\n  2");
+    assert_eq!(str::from_utf8(rest).unwrap(), "\n\nnot ind");
+}
+
+const HBT: &str = r"# Heading
+
+content";
+
+#[test]
+fn test_heading_breaks() {
+    let expected = vec![
+        MdTree::Heading(1, vec![MdTree::PlainText("Heading")].into()),
+        MdTree::PlainText("content"),
+    ]
+    .into();
+    let res = entrypoint(HBT);
+    assert_eq!(res, expected);
+}
+
+const NL1: &str = r"start
+
+end";
+const NL2: &str = r"start
+
+
+end";
+const NL3: &str = r"start
+
+
+
+end";
+
+#[test]
+fn test_newline_breaks() {
+    let expected =
+        vec![MdTree::PlainText("start"), MdTree::ParagraphBreak, MdTree::PlainText("end")].into();
+    for (idx, check) in [NL1, NL2, NL3].iter().enumerate() {
+        let res = entrypoint(check);
+        assert_eq!(res, expected, "failed {idx}");
+    }
+}
+
+const WRAP: &str = "plain _italics
+italics_";
+
+#[test]
+fn test_wrap_pattern() {
+    let expected = vec![
+        MdTree::PlainText("plain "),
+        MdTree::Emphasis("italics"),
+        MdTree::Emphasis(" "),
+        MdTree::Emphasis("italics"),
+    ]
+    .into();
+    let res = entrypoint(WRAP);
+    assert_eq!(res, expected);
+}
+
+const WRAP_NOTXT: &str = r"_italics_
+**bold**";
+
+#[test]
+fn test_wrap_notxt() {
+    let expected =
+        vec![MdTree::Emphasis("italics"), MdTree::PlainText(" "), MdTree::Strong("bold")].into();
+    let res = entrypoint(WRAP_NOTXT);
+    assert_eq!(res, expected);
+}
+
+const MIXED_LIST: &str = r"start
+- _italics item_
+<!-- comment -->
+- **bold item**
+  second line [link1](foobar1)
+  third line [link2][link-foo]
+-   :crab:
+    extra indent
+end
+[link-foo]: foobar2
+";
+
+#[test]
+fn test_list() {
+    let expected = vec![
+        MdTree::PlainText("start"),
+        MdTree::ParagraphBreak,
+        MdTree::UnorderedListItem(vec![MdTree::Emphasis("italics item")].into()),
+        MdTree::LineBreak,
+        MdTree::UnorderedListItem(
+            vec![
+                MdTree::Strong("bold item"),
+                MdTree::PlainText(" second line "),
+                MdTree::Link { disp: "link1", link: "foobar1" },
+                MdTree::PlainText(" third line "),
+                MdTree::Link { disp: "link2", link: "foobar2" },
+            ]
+            .into(),
+        ),
+        MdTree::LineBreak,
+        MdTree::UnorderedListItem(
+            vec![MdTree::PlainText("🦀"), MdTree::PlainText(" extra indent")].into(),
+        ),
+        MdTree::ParagraphBreak,
+        MdTree::PlainText("end"),
+    ]
+    .into();
+    let res = entrypoint(MIXED_LIST);
+    assert_eq!(res, expected);
+}
+
+const SMOOSHED: &str = r#"
+start
+### heading
+1. ordered item
+```rust
+println!("Hello, world!");
+```
+`inline`
+``end``
+"#;
+
+#[test]
+fn test_without_breaks() {
+    let expected = vec![
+        MdTree::PlainText("start"),
+        MdTree::ParagraphBreak,
+        MdTree::Heading(3, vec![MdTree::PlainText("heading")].into()),
+        MdTree::OrderedListItem(1, vec![MdTree::PlainText("ordered item")].into()),
+        MdTree::ParagraphBreak,
+        MdTree::CodeBlock { txt: r#"println!("Hello, world!");"#, lang: Some("rust") },
+        MdTree::ParagraphBreak,
+        MdTree::CodeInline("inline"),
+        MdTree::PlainText(" "),
+        MdTree::CodeInline("end"),
+    ]
+    .into();
+    let res = entrypoint(SMOOSHED);
+    assert_eq!(res, expected);
+}
+
+const CODE_STARTLINE: &str = r#"
+start
+`code`
+middle
+`more code`
+end
+"#;
+
+#[test]
+fn test_code_at_start() {
+    let expected = vec![
+        MdTree::PlainText("start"),
+        MdTree::PlainText(" "),
+        MdTree::CodeInline("code"),
+        MdTree::PlainText(" "),
+        MdTree::PlainText("middle"),
+        MdTree::PlainText(" "),
+        MdTree::CodeInline("more code"),
+        MdTree::PlainText(" "),
+        MdTree::PlainText("end"),
+    ]
+    .into();
+    let res = entrypoint(CODE_STARTLINE);
+    assert_eq!(res, expected);
+}
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_errors/src/markdown/tests/term.rs b/compiler/rustc_errors/src/markdown/tests/term.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..3b31c6d6295
--- /dev/null
+++ b/compiler/rustc_errors/src/markdown/tests/term.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+use std::io::BufWriter;
+use std::path::PathBuf;
+use termcolor::{BufferWriter, ColorChoice};
+
+use super::*;
+use crate::markdown::MdStream;
+
+const INPUT: &str = include_str!("input.md");
+const OUTPUT_PATH: &[&str] = &[env!("CARGO_MANIFEST_DIR"), "src","markdown","tests","output.stdout"];
+
+const TEST_WIDTH: usize = 80;
+
+// We try to make some words long to create corner cases
+const TXT: &str = r"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consecteturadipiscingelit.
+Fusce-id-urna-sollicitudin, pharetra nisl nec, lobortis tellus. In at
+metus hendrerit, tincidunteratvel, ultrices turpis. Curabitur_risus_sapien,
+porta-sed-nunc-sed, ultricesposuerelacus. Sed porttitor quis
+dolor non venenatis. Aliquam ut. ";
+
+const WRAPPED: &str = r"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consecteturadipiscingelit. Fusce-id-urna-
+sollicitudin, pharetra nisl nec, lobortis tellus. In at metus hendrerit,
+tincidunteratvel, ultrices turpis. Curabitur_risus_sapien, porta-sed-nunc-sed,
+ultricesposuerelacus. Sed porttitor quis dolor non venenatis. Aliquam ut. Lorem
+    ipsum dolor sit amet, consecteturadipiscingelit. Fusce-id-urna-
+    sollicitudin, pharetra nisl nec, lobortis tellus. In at metus hendrerit,
+    tincidunteratvel, ultrices turpis. Curabitur_risus_sapien, porta-sed-nunc-
+    sed, ultricesposuerelacus. Sed porttitor quis dolor non venenatis. Aliquam
+    ut. Sample link lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
+consecteturadipiscingelit. Fusce-id-urna-sollicitudin, pharetra nisl nec,
+lobortis tellus. In at metus hendrerit, tincidunteratvel, ultrices turpis.
+Curabitur_risus_sapien, porta-sed-nunc-sed, ultricesposuerelacus. Sed porttitor
+quis dolor non venenatis. Aliquam ut. ";
+
+#[test]
+fn test_wrapping_write() {
+    WIDTH.with(|w| w.set(TEST_WIDTH));
+    let mut buf = BufWriter::new(Vec::new());
+    let txt = TXT.replace("-\n","-").replace("_\n","_").replace('\n', " ").replace("    ", "");
+    write_wrapping(&mut buf, &txt, 0, None).unwrap();
+    write_wrapping(&mut buf, &txt, 4, None).unwrap();
+    write_wrapping(
+        &mut buf,
+        "Sample link lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. ",
+        4,
+        Some("link-address-placeholder"),
+    )
+    .unwrap();
+    write_wrapping(&mut buf, &txt, 0, None).unwrap();
+    let out = String::from_utf8(buf.into_inner().unwrap()).unwrap();
+    let out = out
+        .replace("\x1b\\", "")
+        .replace('\x1b', "")
+        .replace("]8;;", "")
+        .replace("link-address-placeholder", "");
+
+    for line in out.lines() {
+        assert!(line.len() <= TEST_WIDTH, "line length\n'{line}'")
+    }
+
+    assert_eq!(out, WRAPPED);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_output() {
+    // Capture `--bless` when run via ./x
+    let bless = std::env::var("RUSTC_BLESS").unwrap_or_default() == "1";
+    let ast = MdStream::parse_str(INPUT);
+    let bufwtr = BufferWriter::stderr(ColorChoice::Always);
+    let mut buffer = bufwtr.buffer();
+    ast.write_termcolor_buf(&mut buffer).unwrap();
+
+    let mut blessed = PathBuf::new();
+    blessed.extend(OUTPUT_PATH);
+
+    if bless {
+        std::fs::write(&blessed, buffer.into_inner()).unwrap();
+        eprintln!("blessed output at {}", blessed.display());
+    } else {
+        let output = buffer.into_inner();
+        if std::fs::read(blessed).unwrap() != output {
+            // hack: I don't know any way to write bytes to the captured stdout
+            // that cargo test uses
+            let mut out = std::io::stdout();
+            out.write_all(b"\n\nMarkdown output did not match. Expected:\n").unwrap();
+            out.write_all(&output).unwrap();
+            out.write_all(b"\n\n").unwrap();
+            panic!("markdown output mismatch");
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_session/src/config.rs b/compiler/rustc_session/src/config.rs
index 480d2478e81..49a1ad1abb9 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_session/src/config.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_session/src/config.rs
@@ -909,6 +909,7 @@ impl Default for Options {
             json_future_incompat: false,
             pretty: None,
             working_dir: RealFileName::LocalPath(std::env::current_dir().unwrap()),
+            color: ColorConfig::Auto,
         }
     }
 }
@@ -2673,6 +2674,7 @@ pub fn build_session_options(
         json_future_incompat,
         pretty,
         working_dir,
+        color,
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_session/src/options.rs b/compiler/rustc_session/src/options.rs
index e5063eef47a..669f3f1f28a 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_session/src/options.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_session/src/options.rs
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ use crate::search_paths::SearchPath;
 use crate::utils::NativeLib;
 use crate::{lint, EarlyErrorHandler};
 use rustc_data_structures::profiling::TimePassesFormat;
+use rustc_errors::ColorConfig;
 use rustc_errors::{LanguageIdentifier, TerminalUrl};
 use rustc_target::spec::{CodeModel, LinkerFlavorCli, MergeFunctions, PanicStrategy, SanitizerSet};
 use rustc_target::spec::{
@@ -212,6 +213,7 @@ top_level_options!(
 
         /// The (potentially remapped) working directory
         working_dir: RealFileName [TRACKED],
+        color: ColorConfig [UNTRACKED],
     }
 );
 
diff --git a/src/bootstrap/test.rs b/src/bootstrap/test.rs
index ec447a1cd73..e8f92a97e64 100644
--- a/src/bootstrap/test.rs
+++ b/src/bootstrap/test.rs
@@ -2217,6 +2217,11 @@ fn prepare_cargo_test(
 ) -> Command {
     let mut cargo = cargo.into();
 
+    // If bless is passed, give downstream crates a way to use it
+    if builder.config.cmd.bless() {
+        cargo.env("RUSTC_BLESS", "1");
+    }
+
     // Pass in some standard flags then iterate over the graph we've discovered
     // in `cargo metadata` with the maps above and figure out what `-p`
     // arguments need to get passed.