configuring-zed.md

Configuring Zed

This guide explains how Zed's settings system works, including the Settings Editor, JSON configuration files, and project-specific settings.

For visual customization (themes, fonts, icons), see Appearance.

Settings Editor

The Settings Editor ({#kb zed::OpenSettings}) is the primary way to configure Zed. It provides a searchable interface where you can browse available settings, see their current values, and make changes.

To open it:

  • Press {#kb zed::OpenSettings}
  • Or run zed: open settings from the command palette

As you type in the search box, matching settings appear with descriptions and controls to modify them. Changes save automatically to your settings file.

Note: Not all settings are available in the Settings Editor yet. Some advanced options, like language formatters, require editing the JSON file directly.

Settings Files

User Settings

Your user settings apply globally across all projects. Open the file with {#kb zed::OpenSettingsFile} or run zed: open settings file from the command palette.

The file is located at:

  • macOS: ~/.config/zed/settings.json
  • Linux: ~/.config/zed/settings.json (or $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/zed/settings.json)
  • Windows: %APPDATA%\Zed\settings.json

The syntax is JSON with support for // comments.

Default Settings

To see all available settings with their default values, run {#action zed::OpenDefaultSettings} from the command palette. This opens a read-only reference you can use when editing your own settings.

Project Settings

Override user settings for a specific project by creating a .zed/settings.json file in your project root. Run {#action zed::OpenProjectSettings} to create this file.

Project settings take precedence over user settings for that project only.

// .zed/settings.json
{
  "tab_size": 2,
  "formatter": "prettier",
  "format_on_save": "on"
}

You can also add settings files in subdirectories for more granular control.

Limitation: Not all settings can be set at the project level. Settings that affect the editor globally (like theme or vim_mode) only work in user settings. Project settings are limited to editor behavior and language tooling options like tab_size, formatter, and format_on_save.

How Settings Merge

Settings are applied in layers:

  1. Default settings — Zed's built-in defaults
  2. User settings — Your global preferences
  3. Project settings — Project-specific overrides

Later layers override earlier ones. For object settings (like terminal), properties merge rather than replace entirely.

Per-Release Channel Overrides

Use different settings for Stable, Preview, or Nightly builds by adding top-level channel keys:

{
  "theme": "One Dark",
  "vim_mode": false,
  "nightly": {
    "theme": "Rosé Pine",
    "vim_mode": true
  },
  "preview": {
    "theme": "Catppuccin Mocha"
  }
}

With this configuration:

  • Stable uses One Dark with vim mode off
  • Preview uses Catppuccin Mocha with vim mode off
  • Nightly uses Rosé Pine with vim mode on

Changes made in the Settings Editor apply across all channels.

Zed supports deep links that open specific settings directly:

zed://settings/theme
zed://settings/vim_mode
zed://settings/buffer_font_size

These are useful for sharing configuration tips or linking from documentation.

Example Configuration

{
  "theme": {
    "mode": "system",
    "light": "One Light",
    "dark": "One Dark"
  },
  "buffer_font_family": "JetBrains Mono",
  "buffer_font_size": 14,
  "tab_size": 2,
  "format_on_save": "on",
  "autosave": "on_focus_change",
  "vim_mode": false,
  "terminal": {
    "font_family": "JetBrains Mono",
    "font_size": 14
  },
  "languages": {
    "Python": {
      "tab_size": 4
    }
  }
}

What's Next