Helix

Helix is a 'Post-Modern' modal text editor based on Neovim and Kakoune that is written in Rust. Helix comes with a built-in language server, multiple selections, and smart syntax highlighting.

Installation

USE flags

Emerge

Configuration

Helix uses the TOML format for configuration, making the configuration much easier and cleaner than comparable text editors. The configuration is stored at ~/.config/helix/config.toml.

The runtime directory is installed into /usr/share/helix/runtime, and needs to be linked to the configuration of the user accounts running helix:

Usage

Helix can be started with hx:

Themes

Helix already has a large amount of themes built-in. Setting the theme can be done during a session with :theme catppucin_latte or inside the configuration file:

theme="catppuccin_frappe"

Language support

Helix support languages through LSP with several LSP already pre-configured.

The server for the corresponding language can be installed by placing the executable in PATH. For example, marksman for markdown will allow the user to jump between headings. This package is not available yet on Gentoo but a binary can be found on Github.

Configuration can be done in languages.toml. For example, setting texlab with tectonic (both not yet packaged by Gentoo but easily installed):

[language-server]
texlab={command="texlab",config={texlab.build={executable="tectonic",args=["-X","compile","%f","--synctex","--keep-logs","--keep-intermediates"]}}},onSave=true}}

}

Using a LSP in LaTeX allows for example to have a completion upon the bibliography with the \cite{} command.

See Also

• Vim — a vi-like text editor, originally descended from the Stevie vi clone.
• Neovim — a vi-like text editor designed around a relatively small but extendable core that aims to be a versatile and powerful text editor
• Kakoune — a modern, actively developed editor for the command line, inspired by vi.

• Text-based user interfaces
• Editor