In 2018, a collaborative effort between two Atom developers led to the birth of the experimental Xray editor, paving the way for what we now know as Zed (learn more about its inception here). Since then, Zed has undergone significant evolution and is on the brink of its inaugural release.
As of the time of this post, Zed is in its Beta version, exclusively available for MacOS users. Zed positions itself as a highly efficient code editor, boasting notable speed comparisons with other popular editors.
Key Features
- Built-in Terminal. Zed introduces a built-in terminal with support for multiple tabs, offering users the flexibility to expand it to full screen for an immersive coding experience.
- Themes. Users can choose from a variety of themes, although some may find them somewhat analogous. The developers have committed to enabling users to craft their own themes as the release date approaches.
- Integrations (GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT). Zed seamlessly integrates with services such as GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT, elevating the coding experience by incorporating advanced tools.
- Collaborative Mode. A significant emphasis is placed on collaborative work within Zed. Currently, developers can engage in pair programming by inviting others to join the project. Looking ahead, the development team plans to introduce text conversations, facilitating discussions on various aspects of the codebase.
While Zed may still be in its nascent stage, it holds immense promise as a code editor. Personal usage over a period has demonstrated its suitability for tasks ranging between a full-fledged Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and a straightforward text editor. Its potential to emerge as a formidable competitor to VS Code is a narrative yet to unfold.