Timeline

2025-10-28

init

The Zed editor has finally released a Windows version. After trying it out, it indeed uses fewer resources and is smoother than VSCode. It goes to show that any compiled language can run circles around JavaScript, not to mention Rust. Moreover, this editor leans more on GPU usage, so CPU utilization is relatively low. Surprisingly, it natively supports WSL and SSH remote development. However, Emacs keymap support is still in beta, and the git visualization is terrible. After some tinkering, here is my configuration.

Install directly from the official website:

Zed

https://zed.dev/

I use the OneDark theme and Fira Code font. The former requires downloading a plugin, and the latter needs to be installed on Windows.

settings.json

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// Zed settings
//
// For information on how to configure Zed, see the Zed
// documentation: https://zed.dev/docs/configuring-zed
//
// To see all of Zed's default settings without changing your
// custom settings, run `zed: open default settings` from the
// command palette (cmd-shift-p / ctrl-shift-p)
{
  "terminal": {
    "shell": {
      "program": "powershell.exe"
    }
  },
  "icon_theme": "Catppuccin Frappé",
  "project_panel": {
    "dock": "left"
  },
  "vim_mode": false,
  "buffer_font_family": "Fira Code",
  "ui_font_features": {
    "calt": true
  },
  "buffer_font_features": {
    "calt": true
  },
  "languages": {
    "Rust": {
      "inlay_hints": {
        "enabled": true
      }
    }
  },
  "diagnostics": {
    "inline": {
      "enabled": true
    }
  },

  "disable_ai": true,
  "confirm_quit": true,
  "autosave": {
    "after_delay": { "milliseconds": 500 }
  },
  "telemetry": {
    "diagnostics": false,
    "metrics": false
  },
  "minimap": {
    "show": "always",
    "display_in": "active_editor",
    "thumb": "always"
  },
  "base_keymap": "Emacs",
  "ui_font_size": 16,
  "buffer_font_size": 16.0,
  "theme": {
    "mode": "system",
    "light": "One Dark Pro",
    "dark": "One Dark"
  }
}

keymap.json

Emacs keymap is still in beta and is quite poorly done. After remapping as follows, it’s barely usable.

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// Zed keymap
//
// For information on binding keys, see the Zed
// documentation: https://zed.dev/docs/key-bindings
//
// To see the default key bindings run `zed: open default keymap`
// from the command palette.
[
  {
    "context": "Workspace",
    "bindings": {
      // "shift shift": "file_finder::Toggle"
      "ctrl-n": null,
      "ctrl-p": null,
      "ctrl-x t": "terminal_panel::Toggle",
      "F8": "workspace::ToggleLeftDock"
    }
  },
  {
    "context": "Editor && vim_mode == insert",
    "bindings": {
      // "j k": "vim::NormalBefore"
    }
  },
  {
    "context": "Editor",
    "bindings": {
      // Emacs Enhanced
      "alt-w": "editor::Copy", // Alt+W Copy
      "ctrl-y": "editor::Paste", // Ctrl+Y Paste
      "alt-x": "command_palette::Toggle", // Alt+X Open command palette
      "ctrl-x f": "editor::Format", // Ctrl+X F mapped to Format
      "ctrl-,": "editor::GoToDefinition", // Go to definition
      "ctrl-shift-/": "editor::Redo", // Redo
      "F8": "workspace::ToggleLeftDock",
      "alt-n": "editor::GoToDiagnostic",
      "alt-p": "editor::GoToPreviousDiagnostic"
    }
  }
]