Zed

Zed is a next-generation code editor built from scratch in Rust, with a focus on raw performance and collaborative editing. Every part of the stack — the GPU-accelerated UI framework (GPUI), the rope-based text engine, the language server client — is purpose-built to be as fast as possible, resulting in an editor that opens instantly, scrolls without tearing, and handles very large files without breaking a sweat.

Features

• GPU-accelerated rendering — built on GPUI, Zed's own Rust UI framework that renders directly via Metal (macOS) and Vulkan/WebGPU (Linux). Scroll, type, and switch files with zero perceptible latency
• Multiplayer editing — invite collaborators into your project in real time; see each other's cursors, share terminals, and pair-program without a screen-share call
• AI assistant — a built-in assistant panel that supports multiple providers (Anthropic, OpenAI, GitHub Copilot, Ollama for local models) for inline completions, code generation, and chat
• Language Server Protocol — first-class LSP support with completions, diagnostics, go-to-definition, rename, and code actions working out of the box for every supported language
• Tree-sitter everywhere — syntax highlighting, code folding, and text objects are all driven by Tree-sitter grammars
• Vim mode — a built-in, high-fidelity Vim emulation layer, no plugin required
• Multi-buffer editing — open search results or diagnostics as a single editable document spanning multiple files
• Built-in terminal — an integrated terminal pane that shares the editor's GPU-rendered surface
• Extensible via WASM — extensions are written in any language that compiles to WebAssembly, keeping the core fast while allowing the ecosystem to grow

Installation

Download a pre-built binary from the official website:

# macOS (Homebrew)
brew install --cask zed

# Debian / Fedora
# Official install script (works on all Linux distributions):
curl -f https://zed.dev/install.sh | sh

Or build from source (requires a recent Rust toolchain):

git clone https://github.com/zed-industries/zed
cd zed
cargo build --release

Configuration

Zed is configured via a JSON file at ~/.config/zed/settings.json:

{
  "theme": "One Dark",
  "buffer_font_family": "JetBrains Mono",
  "buffer_font_size": 14,
  "vim_mode": true,
  "format_on_save": "on",
  "autosave": "on_focus_change",
  "tab_size": 4,
  "inlay_hints": {
    "enabled": true
  },
  "assistant": {
    "default_model": {
      "provider": "anthropic",
      "model": "claude-opus-4-5"
    }
  }
}

Keybindings (defaults)

Collaborative editing

Zed's collaboration features are built into the core of the editor, not bolted on as a plugin. To start a session:

1. Sign in with your GitHub account
2. Click the Collaborate button in the toolbar or run project: share from the command palette
3. Share the generated link with collaborators

Everyone in the session sees each other's cursors, can edit simultaneously, and shares access to the integrated terminal.