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Selection-first modal editing (like Kakoune, Helix editors - alternative to "vim mode")

Open r-moore opened this issue 2 years ago • 7 comments
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Describe the feature

In VIM's command mode you usually type the action before the selection, e.g. dw to delete a word. In selection-first editors like Helix you make the selection before the action, so it would be wd instead of dw.

Having used Helix for a while I now much prefer the Helix/Kakoune convention!

Maybe Zed could implement this customisable way such that you can configure the keybindings to emulate other modal editors?

If applicable, add mockups / screenshots to help present your vision of the feature

No response

r-moore avatar Mar 20 '23 11:03 r-moore

Hey, @r-moore @jfaz1 - quick note. I just remembered there is an open discussion regarding "Post-vim" modal editing. You may draw inspiration or give suggestions there too. 😁

fdionisi avatar Apr 24 '23 06:04 fdionisi

Agreed, I think the helix way is better than vim.

xulis avatar Jun 14 '23 10:06 xulis

This feature is one of the few things blocking me from using it as my daily driver. I don't think adding a customizable way to create your own keybinds is really necessary; if you add helix and vim (already in), and maybe emacs, that satisfies the vast majority of use cases without overcomplicating it.

The editing models used by Vim, Helix and Emacs are all vastly different and implementing just one of these modes in Zed would require a monumental effort. I don't think it makes much sense for this to live within core Zed, but rather as community extensions.

hovsater avatar Jun 14 '23 14:06 hovsater

yeah,Allowing users to do this through plugins, regardless of whether they prefer vim or helix, is the best way.

uxiew avatar Jun 17 '23 15:06 uxiew

Sounds like it won't be a core feature and will need someone to write a plugin. Hopefully the API will be flexible enough to allow for this :)

Should I close this issue then folks?

r-moore avatar Oct 11 '23 13:10 r-moore

I'd leave it open. Nothing is off the table in terms of what we might add. Also, we have the potential plugin label, which has been used all over the place here, so that devs will know what sort of features zed users want when we have the plugin system. :)

JosephTLyons avatar Oct 13 '23 17:10 JosephTLyons

Would that feature be able to be made as an extension, or does it need to be built-in?

Malix-Labs avatar May 01 '25 09:05 Malix-Labs

Duplicate of #13457

?

Malix-Labs avatar Jun 28 '25 08:06 Malix-Labs

Duplicate of #13457

@Malix-Labs no, it's nothing to do with it?

LukeCarrier avatar Jun 28 '25 21:06 LukeCarrier

Helix mode now available in 0.193.0 https://github.com/zed-industries/zed/issues/4642#issuecomment-3015085835

guttermonk avatar Jul 07 '25 21:07 guttermonk