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)