The pragmatic modal editor.

Zero friction, maximum output. HUME is built on a simple premise: the common case should be the short case, and the classic papercuts of text editing should be designed out from the start.

HUME is a modal text editor for the terminal. It follows the select-then-act model: you first select what you want to change, then tell the editor what to do with it.

This manual covers everything you need to use HUME effectively — from first launch to advanced configuration. No prior experience with modal editors is required.

NOTE: HUME is still in its early phases, so some features are still missing (see Roadmap) and there might be some rough edges.

Why try it

• Less typing for what you do most. Selections come first, so acting on text is short and direct.
• Paste that does the obvious thing. p reaches for what you most likely meant.
• Batteries included: Bundled plugins, 300+ language definitions, and language-server support ship with the editor.
• Comfortable with real text. Emoji, accents, and other multi-byte characters are treated as single characters, the way you'd expect.
• Usable immediately, yours to shape. Sensible defaults on day one; customize everything in a single language when you're ready.

Quickstart

Check Installation to see how to download and install HUME. Then run HUME and type :tutor for the interactive tutorial.

And the question every modal editor has to answer up front: to quit, press Esc, then type :q and press Enter. Use :q! to quit without saving, :wq to save and quit.

Where to go next

• New to modal editors? Start with Getting Started and Modes.
• Coming from Vim or Neovim? See Coming From Vim.
• Coming from Helix? See Coming From Helix.
• Coming from Kakoune? See Coming From Kakoune.
• Looking for a specific key? Jump to the Key Reference.