editor
TLDR
Open the default editor
SYNOPSIS
editor [file]
DESCRIPTION
editor is a symbolic link or alias to the system's default text editor. On Debian-based systems, it's managed by the alternatives system and typically points to nano, vim, or another installed editor.
The editor command provides a standard way for programs to invoke a text editor. Commands like crontab, visudo, and git commit use the EDITOR or VISUAL environment variables to determine which editor to launch.
CONFIGURATION
update-alternatives --display editor
# Set default (Debian/Ubuntu)
sudo update-alternatives --config editor
# Set via environment
export EDITOR=vim
export VISUAL="code --wait"
EDITOR PRIORITY
Programs typically check in order:
1. VISUAL (for graphical terminals)
2. EDITOR (for any terminal)
3. System default (editor, /usr/bin/editor)
CAVEATS
The editor command may not exist on all systems. Environment variables override system settings. Some programs ignore EDITOR and use their own configuration. Graphical editors need --wait or similar flag for proper integration.
SEE ALSO
vim(1), nano(1), emacs(1), update-alternatives(8)
