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@b0rk@social.jvns.ca

Post #2358301

2025-07-23 16:12 UTC

i started trying out https://helix-editor.com/ and I've been liking it more than I expected to, it's fun to have an editor that Just Works without any config going to stick with it for a bit even though there are some things I don't like compared to neovim (different syntax, it crashes sometimes, it doesn't auto-reload changed files, no GUI, I don't like the way :reflow works compared to `gq, I think `Ctrl+C` for commenting code is weird)

Replies (12)

  • @karl@infosec.exchange 2025-07-23 16:20

    @b0rk@social.jvns.ca The only thing with helix that keeps me from uninstalling vim is the lack of a fugitive-like tool (its git blame/reblame is amazing). Aside from that, I've been impressed enough for it to become my main editor (that was over a year ago), and I have an incredible amount of inertia when it comes to switching to "better" tools.

    Open ##2614496

  • @alchemicacht@tech.lgbt 2025-07-23 16:20

    @b0rk@social.jvns.ca sounds good. so far I didn't find an editor concurring with what vim offers for me but I'll gladly try out helix

    Open ##2614510

  • @bds@mastodon.mit.edu 2025-07-23 16:25

    @b0rk@social.jvns.ca The "~no config required" part is also one of my favorite things about Helix. I really prioritize using tools that have sane defaults and work without much/any screwing around on my part, and Helix is the best thing that I've found in that department.

    Open ##2614513

  • @groxx@hachyderm.io 2025-07-23 16:37

    @b0rk@social.jvns.ca I keep thinking I should spend more time with helix, but it doesn't work with any of work's internal repos due to monorepo nonsense :blobfoxsad: maybe one day. it's a nice, practical re-imagining of complicated text editing.

    Open ##2614516

  • @TheAlgorythm@chaos.social 2025-07-23 16:38

    @b0rk@social.jvns.ca Uh, it crashes? Don’t remember that it ever crashed.

    Open ##2614526

  • @njoseph@social.masto.host 2025-07-23 16:46

    @b0rk@social.jvns.ca I recently shifted to a fork of Helix with vim key bindings. The Kakuone key bindings of Helix aren't implemented in most other applications, unlike vim key bindings. https://github.com/usagi-flow/evil-helix

    Open ##2614539

  • @toddz@social.linux.pizza 2025-07-23 17:16

    @b0rk@social.jvns.ca I had decided to spend some time getting better with vim/neovim, and in the process I discovered #Helix. The Helix (& Kakoune) selection -> action model makes so much sense! That it's ready to roll without a bunch of configuration is a bonus. The only thing I wish for is more interactive tutorial/practice apps (like vim-hero.com) for Helix. #HelixEditor

    Open ##2614540

  • @b0rk@social.jvns.ca I’m a big fan of helix, and my favorite thing about it is exactly that you can run it without a config and it’s still useful! I’ve still spent some time tweaking my config, but it’s only 42 lines with new lines and comments. It’s great! https://tangled.sh/@reykjalin.org/dotfiles/blob/main/helix/config.toml I do have some gripes with it, mostly how difficult it can be to get linters set up properly since you have to use efm-langserver (or a similar LSP-based wrapper). Hopefully it’ll get much better once they ship the plugin system 🤞

    Open ##2614547

  • @b0rk@social.jvns.ca I really want to like helix, but I can't get into it without a dedicated file tree picker. Fuzzy finding is useless when you work with others and don't know what files exist in a project. And mutliplexing with other file picker programs in the terminal is too brittle and sharp-edged. I know we'll eventually get a file tree picker in helix when the plugin system is released but it's been years and that makes me sad.

    Open ##2614548

  • @edward@indieweb.social 2025-07-24 02:43

    @b0rk@social.jvns.ca I’ve found that space-c to comment feels nicer than ctrl-c

    Open ##2614556

  • @bshn@hachyderm.io 2025-07-24 07:30

    @b0rk@social.jvns.ca welcome to the club! It has nice options to customize "keybindings", including some submenus with custom commands. I totally can feel the pain with overloading files and many other nuances, but once I stick to helix, I can't get away from it to any other editor now. Hope that Steel plugin system will be merged soon to open endless customisation capabilities.

    Open ##2614557

  • @YesJustWolf@hachyderm.io 2025-07-24 09:08

    @b0rk@social.jvns.ca I also have complaints; and as I’ve mentioned before, I’ve loved Vim for decades. I’m an expert. But now, Helix is my favorite. I’m so glad you found time to give it a chance. I hope your exploration is fruitful.

    Open ##2614558