knoopx/helix

Helix

Modal text editor with selection-first editing and tree-sitter integration. The model is simple: select text first, then act on it (delete, yank, change). Supports multiple simultaneous selections.

Modes & Navigation

• Normal: navigation and editing — i inserts before selection, v enters select mode
• Insert: typing mode — jk or Escape returns to Normal
• Select/extend: making multi-cursor selections

Key commands in Normal mode:

• / search forward, n/N next/previous match
• gd go to definition, ]d/[d next/previous diagnostic
• Space opens Space mode (pickers, LSP actions)
• ma/mi select around/inside textobjects (tree-sitter aware)

Space Mode (LSP & Pickers)

Accessed via Space in Normal mode:

• f file picker, b buffer picker, s document symbols
• d diagnostics, a code action, r rename, k hover docs
• / global search

Configuration

Config lives in ~/.config/helix/config.toml (global) or .helix/config.toml (project-local).

theme = "onedark"

[editor]
line-number = "relative"
mouse = false
auto-format = true

[keys.normal]
C-s = ":w"          # Save with Ctrl+S
g = { a = "code_action" }  # ga triggers code action

[keys.insert.j]
k = "normal_mode"   # jk escapes insert mode

Language Servers

Configure in languages.toml:

[[language]]
name = "rust"
language-servers = [{ name = "rust-analyzer", except-features = ["format"] }, "taplo"]

Shell Integration

Pipe selection through external commands or insert command output:

• | pipe selection through a command
• ! insert command output before selection
• :pipe typable command for piping

Key Constraints

• Selection-first editing — you must select text before acting on it
• Tree-sitter provides syntax-aware textobjects and navigation
• Project-local config merges with global config