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 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.
• Usable immediately, yours to shape. Sensible defaults on day one; customize everything in a single language when you're ready.
• Bundled, one line away. Fuzzy pickers, language servers, live git diff, and 300+ language definitions ship with the editor, and each is one line of config from being on.
• Paste that does the obvious thing. p reaches for what you most likely meant.
• Comfortable with real text. Emoji, accents, and other multi-byte characters are treated as single characters, the way you'd expect.

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 Default Keys.