getting-started.md

Getting Started

Welcome to Zed! We are excited to have you. Zed is a powerful multiplayer code editor designed to stay out of your way and help you build what's next.

This guide gets you from zero to productive in Zed. You'll learn the essential commands, configure your environment, and find your way around.

Quick Start

1. Open a Project

Open a folder from the command line:

zed ~/projects/my-app

Or use Cmd+O (macOS) / Ctrl+O (Linux/Windows) to open a folder from within Zed.

2. Learn the Essential Commands

Action macOS Linux/Windows
Command palette Cmd+Shift+P Ctrl+Shift+P
Go to file Cmd+P Ctrl+P
Go to symbol Cmd+Shift+O Ctrl+Shift+O
Find in project Cmd+Shift+F Ctrl+Shift+F
Toggle terminal Ctrl+` Ctrl+`
Open settings Cmd+, Ctrl+,

The command palette (Cmd+Shift+P) is your gateway to every action in Zed. If you forget a shortcut, search for it there.

3. Configure Your Editor

Open the Settings Editor with Cmd+, (macOS) or Ctrl+, (Linux/Windows). Search for any setting and change it directly.

Common first changes:

  • Theme: Press Cmd+K Cmd+T (macOS) or Ctrl+K Ctrl+T (Linux/Windows) to open the theme selector
  • Font: Search for buffer_font_family in Settings
  • Format on save: Search for format_on_save and set to on

4. Set Up Your Language

Zed includes built-in support for many languages. For others, install the extension:

  1. Open Extensions with Cmd+Shift+X (macOS) or Ctrl+Shift+X (Linux/Windows)
  2. Search for your language
  3. Click Install

See Languages for language-specific setup instructions.

5. Try AI Features

Zed includes built-in AI assistance. Open the Agent Panel with Cmd+Shift+A (macOS) or Ctrl+Shift+A (Linux/Windows) to start a conversation, or use Cmd+Enter (macOS) / Ctrl+Enter (Linux/Windows) for inline assistance.

See AI Overview to configure providers and learn what's possible.

Coming from Another Editor?

We have dedicated guides for switching from other editors:

  • VS Code — Import settings, map keybindings, find equivalent features
  • IntelliJ IDEA — Adapt to Zed's approach to navigation and refactoring
  • PyCharm — Set up Python development in Zed
  • WebStorm — Configure JavaScript/TypeScript workflows
  • RustRover — Rust development in Zed

You can also enable familiar keybindings:

  • Vim: Enable vim_mode in settings. See Vim Mode.
  • Helix: Enable helix_mode in settings. See Helix Mode.

Join the Community

Zed is proudly open source, and we get better with every contribution. Join us on GitHub or in Discord to contribute code, report bugs, or suggest features.