Helix Editor
A post-modern modal text editor with built-in LSP support and a focus on terminal multiplexer integration.
Configuration Paths
- Config:
dotfiles/.config/helix/config.toml - Languages:
dotfiles/.config/helix/languages.toml
Leader Key
The leader key is Space.
Navigation & Views
| Action | Mode | Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Jump view left | Normal | Ctrl + H |
| Jump view down | Normal | Ctrl + J |
| Jump view up | Normal | Ctrl + K |
| Jump view right | Normal | Ctrl + L |
| Next buffer | Normal | Tab |
| Previous buffer | Normal | Shift + Tab |
| Move parent node | Insert | Shift + Tab |
| Extend node end | Select | Tab |
| Extend node start | Select | Shift + Tab |
Space Menu (Leader)
| Category | Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Pickers | File picker | Space, then F |
| Pickers | Buffer picker | Space, then B |
| Pickers | Symbol picker | Space, then S |
| Pickers | Workspace symbol picker | Space, then Shift + S |
| Pickers | Diagnostics | Space, then D |
| Pickers | Workspace diagnostics | Space, then Shift + D |
| Pickers | Changed files | Space, then Shift + C |
| Pickers | Jumplist | Space, then J |
| Explorer | File explorer (current dir) | Space, then E |
| Explorer | File explorer | Space, then Shift + E |
| Search | Global search | Space, then / |
| System | Command palette | Space, then ? |
| System | Reload config | Space, then C |
| System | Write file | Space, then W |
| System | Format | Space, then Shift + F |
| System | Quit | Space, then Q |
Floating Pane Integrations
Launches in a floating pane (Zellij/Tmux) or standalone.
| Tool | Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Yazi | Floating file manager | Space, then Y |
| LazyGit | Floating Git TUI | Space, then G |
| Terminal | Floating Nushell | Space, then T |
Split Pane Integrations
Opens in a new split pane below or to the right.
| Tool | Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Yazi | Split pane (down) | Space, then Shift + Y |
| LazyGit | Split pane (right) | Space, then Shift + G |
| Terminal | Split pane (right) | Space, then Shift + T |
Discoverability
Helix shows contextual hints automatically. After pressing Space, the menu lists every bound command and its shortcut. Press Space, then ? at any time for the command palette.