Extract text from Readme documents (FIRST)
To convert FIRST Readme files to another format, you need Notepad++ or other Text software.
To convert other file formats to the "Readme Documentation File" file type, you need software like Notepad++ or a similar tool.
The .FIRST file format is a plain text document, typically named readme.first, used by software developers to distribute critical installation instructions, release notes, or license agreements. Because it relies on basic ASCII or Unicode text, it is commonly accessed using standard plain text applications like Notepad++, Microsoft Notepad, or Apple TextEdit.
Despite its simplicity, the .FIRST extension presents annoying friction in real-world workflows. Most modern operating systems do not natively recognize the proprietary .FIRST extension, leading to generic 'How do you want to open this file?' system prompts. Furthermore, plain text formats lack the ability to support rich formatting, embedded images, or clickable hyperlinks, making them a poor choice for modern documentation and preventing seamless user experiences.
Converting your .FIRST file is the most pragmatic workaround to bypass these limitations. Transforming it to a standard TXT standardizes the extension for seamless native opening. Converting it to DOCX allows you to add rich text formatting, styling, and embedded media using Microsoft Word. If you need to distribute the instructions professionally without risking accidental edits, converting to PDF is the best option. Minimal data is lost in these transitions since the source is pure text.
Because .FIRST is essentially a non-standard text file, it can be difficult for standard OS configurations to open or convert automatically. While many are simple text, some .FIRST files contain proprietary structured data or legacy syntax where often only the original software can properly read or export the data. convert.guru can still identify the file format, inspect the file, and show text or internal content. If our analysis detects a supported underlying or embedded format, viewing or conversion may still be possible.
Convert.Guru analyzes your FIRST file, detects the exact format, and lets you read the text inside.
Users also converted DEAD, DICTIONARY and SHAPES files.
If you want to convert FIRST file to TMP, TEMP, CACHE, LOG, BAK, OLD, NEW, PART, DOWNLOAD, CRDOWNLOAD, LOCK or PID, you can use Notepad++ or similar software from the "Plain Text Documentation" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert DEVICE, CACHE, SOCK, SYMLINK, PID, MOUNT, FIFO, LOG, PIPE, TMP, JUNCTION or TEMP files to FIRST, try Notepad++ or another comparable tool in the "Plain Text Documentation" category.
The history of Convert.Guru began over 25 years ago in California with Tom Simondi’s file-format database. A former contributor to Space Shuttle development and a software pioneer of the 1980s, Simondi established a trusted resource for file type analysis that was even referenced by Microsoft Windows XP. Today, we use modern technology to process and convert thousands of file formats while continually improving our FIRST converter.