helix

Open a file

$ helix [path/to/file]

$ helix --vsplit [path/to/file1 path/to/file2]

$ helix --tutor

$ <:>theme [theme_name]

$ <:>wq<Enter>

$ <:>q!<Enter>

$ <u>

$ </>[search_pattern]<Enter>

hx [OPTIONS] [FILES...]
hx --tutor
hx --health

-h, --help
    Display help information for the command.

-v, --version
    Print the version of helix.

-c , --config
    Specify an alternative configuration file path.

-s , --session
    Specify a session file to load or save to.

-g

helix is a modern, modal terminal-based text editor, designed for efficiency and an enhanced coding experience. Inspired by editors like Neovim and Kakoune, it adopts a "select first, then operate" paradigm, which contrasts with traditional "operate first, then select" editors. Key features include built-in support for Language Server Protocol (LSP) for intelligent code completion, diagnostics, and navigation, and Tree-sitter for robust syntax highlighting and structural editing.

helix aims for a zero-configuration experience for common programming languages, leveraging its deep LSP and Tree-sitter integration. It supports multiple selections natively, allowing powerful, simultaneous edits across different parts of a file. Its modal editing approach means different keyboard commands are active depending on the current mode (e.g., normal, insert, select), which can lead to very fast text manipulation once mastered. It's an excellent choice for developers seeking an IDE-like experience directly within their terminal.

helix is a terminal-based editor and requires a compatible terminal emulator (e.g., Alacritty, Kitty, WezTerm) for optimal display and keybinding support. Its modal editing paradigm has a learning curve for users accustomed to traditional text editors, though the built-in tutorial helps mitigate this. It is still under active development, so features and behavior may evolve. Unlike traditional Unix utilities, it's not typically pre-installed on most Linux distributions and needs to be installed separately.

helix operates in different modes: Normal for navigation and command execution; Insert for typing text; Select for selecting text and applying commands to the selection; and Goto, Match, Search, Picker modes for specific actions. Understanding these modes is fundamental to efficient use.

While helix aims for zero-config, it is highly customizable through a TOML configuration file (typically ~/.config/helix/config.toml). Users can adjust keybindings, theme colors, editor behavior, and LSP settings to suit their preferences.

helix emerged in late 2020 as a fresh take on terminal text editing, aiming to combine the efficiency of modal editors like Vim with modern features like Language Server Protocol (LSP) and Tree-sitter integration directly into its core, rather than relying on plugins. Its development prioritizes a 'zero-config' approach for common development tasks, reducing the setup burden often associated with highly customizable editors. It quickly gained traction among developers looking for a fast, feature-rich, and easy-to-configure terminal editor, evolving into a robust alternative to established editors.

vim(1), nvim(1), kak(1), emacs(1)