1---
2title: How to Migrate from VS Code to Zed
3description: "Guide for migrating from VS Code to Zed, including settings and keybindings."
4---
5
6# How to Migrate from VS Code to Zed
7
8This guide explains how to move from VS Code to Zed without rebuilding your workflow.
9
10It covers which settings import automatically, which shortcuts map cleanly, and which behaviors differ so you can adjust quickly.
11
12## Install Zed
13
14Zed is available on macOS, Windows, and Linux.
15
16For macOS, you can download it from zed.dev/download, or install via Homebrew:
17`brew install zed-editor/zed/zed`
18
19For most Linux users, the easiest way to install Zed is through our installation script:
20`curl -f https://zed.dev/install.sh | sh`
21
22After installation, you can launch Zed from your Applications folder (macOS) or directly from the terminal (Linux) using:
23`zed .`
24This opens the current directory in Zed.
25
26## Import Settings from VS Code
27
28During setup, you have the option to import key settings from VS Code. Zed imports the following settings:
29
30### Settings Imported from VS Code
31
32The following VS Code settings are automatically imported when you use **Import Settings from VS Code**:
33
34**Editor**
35
36| VS Code Setting | Zed Setting |
37| ------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
38| `editor.fontFamily` | `buffer_font_family` |
39| `editor.fontSize` | `buffer_font_size` |
40| `editor.fontWeight` | `buffer_font_weight` |
41| `editor.tabSize` | `tab_size` |
42| `editor.insertSpaces` | `hard_tabs` (inverted) |
43| `editor.wordWrap` | `soft_wrap` |
44| `editor.wordWrapColumn` | `preferred_line_length` |
45| `editor.cursorStyle` | `cursor_shape` |
46| `editor.cursorBlinking` | `cursor_blink` |
47| `editor.renderLineHighlight` | `current_line_highlight` |
48| `editor.lineNumbers` | `gutter.line_numbers`, `relative_line_numbers` |
49| `editor.showFoldingControls` | `gutter.folds` |
50| `editor.minimap.enabled` | `minimap.show` |
51| `editor.minimap.autohide` | `minimap.show` |
52| `editor.minimap.showSlider` | `minimap.thumb` |
53| `editor.minimap.maxColumn` | `minimap.max_width_columns` |
54| `editor.stickyScroll.enabled` | `sticky_scroll.enabled` |
55| `editor.scrollbar.horizontal` | `scrollbar.axes.horizontal` |
56| `editor.scrollbar.vertical` | `scrollbar.axes.vertical` |
57| `editor.mouseWheelScrollSensitivity` | `scroll_sensitivity` |
58| `editor.fastScrollSensitivity` | `fast_scroll_sensitivity` |
59| `editor.cursorSurroundingLines` | `vertical_scroll_margin` |
60| `editor.hover.enabled` | `hover_popover_enabled` |
61| `editor.hover.delay` | `hover_popover_delay` |
62| `editor.hover.sticky` | `hover_popover_sticky` |
63| `editor.hover.hidingDelay` | `hover_popover_hiding_delay` |
64| `editor.parameterHints.enabled` | `auto_signature_help` |
65| `editor.multiCursorModifier` | `multi_cursor_modifier` |
66| `editor.selectionHighlight` | `selection_highlight` |
67| `editor.roundedSelection` | `rounded_selection` |
68| `editor.find.seedSearchStringFromSelection` | `seed_search_query_from_cursor` |
69| `editor.rulers` | `wrap_guides` |
70| `editor.renderWhitespace` | `show_whitespaces` |
71| `editor.guides.indentation` | `indent_guides.enabled` |
72| `editor.linkedEditing` | `linked_edits` |
73| `editor.autoSurround` | `use_auto_surround` |
74| `editor.formatOnSave` | `format_on_save` |
75| `editor.formatOnPaste` | `auto_indent_on_paste` |
76| `editor.formatOnType` | `use_on_type_format` |
77| `editor.trimAutoWhitespace` | `remove_trailing_whitespace_on_save` |
78| `editor.suggestOnTriggerCharacters` | `show_completions_on_input` |
79| `editor.suggest.showWords` | `completions.words` |
80| `editor.inlineSuggest.enabled` | `show_edit_predictions` |
81
82**Files & Workspace**
83
84| VS Code Setting | Zed Setting |
85| --------------------------- | ------------------------------ |
86| `files.autoSave` | `autosave` |
87| `files.autoSaveDelay` | `autosave.milliseconds` |
88| `files.insertFinalNewline` | `ensure_final_newline_on_save` |
89| `files.associations` | `file_types` |
90| `files.watcherExclude` | `file_scan_exclusions` |
91| `files.watcherInclude` | `file_scan_inclusions` |
92| `files.simpleDialog.enable` | `use_system_path_prompts` |
93| `search.smartCase` | `use_smartcase_search` |
94| `search.useIgnoreFiles` | `search.include_ignored` |
95
96**Terminal**
97
98| VS Code Setting | Zed Setting |
99| ------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------- |
100| `terminal.integrated.fontFamily` | `terminal.font_family` |
101| `terminal.integrated.fontSize` | `terminal.font_size` |
102| `terminal.integrated.lineHeight` | `terminal.line_height` |
103| `terminal.integrated.cursorStyle` | `terminal.cursor_shape` |
104| `terminal.integrated.cursorBlinking` | `terminal.blinking` |
105| `terminal.integrated.copyOnSelection` | `terminal.copy_on_select` |
106| `terminal.integrated.scrollback` | `terminal.max_scroll_history_lines` |
107| `terminal.integrated.macOptionIsMeta` | `terminal.option_as_meta` |
108| `terminal.integrated.{platform}Exec` | `terminal.shell` |
109| `terminal.integrated.env.{platform}` | `terminal.env` |
110
111**Tabs & Panels**
112
113| VS Code Setting | Zed Setting |
114| -------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
115| `workbench.editor.showTabs` | `tab_bar.show` |
116| `workbench.editor.showIcons` | `tabs.file_icons` |
117| `workbench.editor.tabActionLocation` | `tabs.close_position` |
118| `workbench.editor.tabActionCloseVisibility` | `tabs.show_close_button` |
119| `workbench.editor.focusRecentEditorAfterClose` | `tabs.activate_on_close` |
120| `workbench.editor.enablePreview` | `preview_tabs.enabled` |
121| `workbench.editor.enablePreviewFromQuickOpen` | `preview_tabs.enable_preview_from_file_finder` |
122| `workbench.editor.enablePreviewFromCodeNavigation` | `preview_tabs.enable_preview_from_code_navigation` |
123| `workbench.editor.editorActionsLocation` | `tab_bar.show_tab_bar_buttons` |
124| `workbench.editor.limit.enabled` / `value` | `max_tabs` |
125| `workbench.editor.restoreViewState` | `restore_on_file_reopen` |
126| `workbench.statusBar.visible` | `status_bar.show` |
127
128**Project Panel (File Explorer)**
129
130| VS Code Setting | Zed Setting |
131| ------------------------------ | ----------------------------------- |
132| `explorer.compactFolders` | `project_panel.auto_fold_dirs` |
133| `explorer.autoReveal` | `project_panel.auto_reveal_entries` |
134| `explorer.excludeGitIgnore` | `project_panel.hide_gitignore` |
135| `problems.decorations.enabled` | `project_panel.show_diagnostics` |
136| `explorer.decorations.badges` | `project_panel.git_status` |
137
138**Git**
139
140| VS Code Setting | Zed Setting |
141| ------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------- |
142| `git.enabled` | `git_panel.button` |
143| `git.defaultBranchName` | `git_panel.fallback_branch_name` |
144| `git.decorations.enabled` | `git.inline_blame`, `project_panel.git_status` |
145| `git.blame.editorDecoration.enabled` | `git.inline_blame.enabled` |
146
147**Window & Behavior**
148
149| VS Code Setting | Zed Setting |
150| ------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------- |
151| `window.confirmBeforeClose` | `confirm_quit` |
152| `window.nativeTabs` | `use_system_window_tabs` |
153| `window.closeWhenEmpty` | `when_closing_with_no_tabs` |
154| `accessibility.dimUnfocused.enabled` / `opacity` | `active_pane_modifiers.inactive_opacity` |
155
156**Other**
157
158| VS Code Setting | Zed Setting |
159| -------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
160| `http.proxy` | `proxy` |
161| `npm.packageManager` | `node.npm_path` |
162| `telemetry.telemetryLevel` | `telemetry.metrics`, `telemetry.diagnostics` |
163| `outline.icons` | `outline_panel.file_icons`, `outline_panel.folder_icons` |
164| `chat.agent.enabled` | `agent.enabled` |
165| `mcp` | `context_servers` |
166
167Zed doesn’t import extensions or keybindings, but this import gets core editor behavior close to your VS Code setup. If you skip that step during setup, you can still import settings manually later via the command palette:
168
169`Cmd+Shift+P → Zed: Import VS Code Settings`
170
171## Set Up Editor Preferences
172
173You can configure most settings in the Settings Editor ({#kb zed::OpenSettings}). For advanced settings, run `zed: open settings file` from the Command Palette to edit your settings file directly.
174
175Here’s how common VS Code settings translate:
176| VS Code | Zed | Notes |
177| --- | --- | --- |
178| editor.fontFamily | buffer_font_family | Zed uses Zed Mono by default |
179| editor.fontSize | buffer_font_size | Set in pixels |
180| editor.tabSize | tab_size | Can override per language |
181| editor.insertSpaces | insert_spaces | Boolean |
182| editor.formatOnSave | format_on_save | Works with formatter enabled |
183| editor.wordWrap | soft_wrap | Supports optional wrap column |
184
185Zed also supports per-project settings. You can find these in the Settings Editor as well.
186
187## Open or Create a Project
188
189After setup, press `Cmd+O` (`Ctrl+O` on Linux) to open a folder. This becomes your workspace in Zed. There's no support for multi-root workspaces or `.code-workspace` files like in VS Code. Zed keeps it simple: one folder, one workspace.
190
191To start a new project, create a directory using your terminal or file manager, then open it in Zed. The editor will treat that folder as the root of your project.
192
193You can also launch Zed from the terminal inside any folder with:
194`zed .`
195
196Once inside a project, use `Cmd+P` to jump between files quickly. `Cmd+Shift+P` (`Ctrl+Shift+P` on Linux) opens the command palette for running actions / tasks, toggling settings, or starting a collaboration session.
197
198Open buffers appear as tabs across the top. The Project Panel shows your file tree and Git status. Collapse it with `Cmd+B` for a distraction-free view.
199
200## Differences in Keybindings
201
202If you chose the VS Code keymap during onboarding, most shortcuts should already feel familiar.
203Here’s a quick reference for where keybindings match and where they differ.
204
205### Common Shared Keybindings (Zed <> VS Code)
206
207| Action | Shortcut |
208| --------------------------- | ---------------------- |
209| Find files | `Cmd + P` |
210| Run a command | `Cmd + Shift + P` |
211| Search text (project-wide) | `Cmd + Shift + F` |
212| Find symbols (project-wide) | `Cmd + T` |
213| Find symbols (file-wide) | `Cmd + Shift + O` |
214| Toggle left dock | `Cmd + B` |
215| Toggle bottom dock | `Cmd + J` |
216| Open terminal | `Ctrl + ~` |
217| Open file tree explorer | `Cmd + Shift + E` |
218| Close current buffer | `Cmd + W` |
219| Close whole project | `Cmd + Shift + W` |
220| Refactor: rename symbol | `F2` |
221| Change theme | `Cmd + K, Cmd + T` |
222| Wrap text | `Opt + Z` |
223| Navigate open tabs | `Cmd + Opt + Arrow` |
224| Syntactic fold / unfold | `Cmd + Opt + {` or `}` |
225
226### Different Keybindings (Zed <> VS Code)
227
228| Action | VS Code | Zed |
229| ------------------- | --------------------- | ---------------------- |
230| Open recent project | `Ctrl + R` | `Cmd + Opt + O` |
231| Move lines up/down | `Opt + Up/Down` | `Cmd + Ctrl + Up/Down` |
232| Split panes | `Cmd + \` | `Cmd + K, Arrow Keys` |
233| Expand Selection | `Shift + Alt + Right` | `Opt + Up` |
234
235### Unique to Zed
236
237| Action | Shortcut | Notes |
238| ------------------- | ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
239| Toggle right dock | `Cmd + R` or `Cmd + Alt + B` | |
240| Syntactic selection | `Opt + Up/Down` | Selects code by structure (e.g., inside braces). |
241
242### How to Customize Keybindings
243
244To edit your keybindings:
245
246- Open the command palette (`Cmd+Shift+P`)
247- Run `Zed: Open Keymap Editor`
248
249This opens a list of all available bindings. You can override individual shortcuts, remove conflicts, or build a layout that works better for your setup.
250
251Zed also supports chords (multi-key sequences) like `Cmd+K Cmd+C`, like VS Code does.
252
253## Differences in User Interfaces
254
255### No Workspace
256
257VS Code uses a dedicated Workspace concept, with multi-root folders, `.code-workspace` files, and a clear distinction between “a window” and “a workspace.”
258Zed simplifies this model.
259
260In Zed:
261
262- There is no workspace file format. Opening a folder is your project context.
263
264- Zed does not support multi-root workspaces. You can only open one folder at a time in a window.
265
266- Most project-level behavior is scoped to the folder you open. Search, Git integration, tasks, and environment detection all treat the opened directory as the project root.
267
268- Per-project settings are optional. You can add a `.zed/settings.json` file inside a project to override global settings, but Zed does not use `.code-workspace` files and won’t import them.
269
270- You can start from a single file or an empty window. Zed doesn’t require you to open a folder to begin editing.
271
272The result is a simpler model:
273Open a folder → work inside that folder → no additional workspace layer.
274
275### Navigating in a Project
276
277In VS Code, the standard entry point is opening a folder. From there, the left-hand panel is central to navigation.
278Zed takes a different approach:
279
280- You can still open folders, but you don’t need to. Opening a single file or even starting with an empty workspace is valid.
281- The Command Palette (`Cmd+Shift+P`) and File Finder (`Cmd+P`) are primary navigation tools. The File Finder searches files, symbols, and commands across the workspace.
282- Instead of a persistent panel, Zed encourages you to:
283 - Fuzzy-find files by name (`Cmd+P`)
284 - Jump directly to symbols (`Cmd+Shift+O`)
285 - Use split panes and tabs for context, rather than keeping a large file tree open (though you can do this with the Project Panel if you prefer).
286
287The UI keeps auxiliary panels out of the way so navigation stays centered on code.
288
289### Extensions vs. Marketplace
290
291Zed does not offer as many extensions as VS Code. The available extensions are focused on language support, themes, syntax highlighting, and other core editing enhancements.
292
293Several features that typically require extensions in VS Code are built into Zed:
294
295- Real-time collaboration with voice and cursor sharing (no Live Share required)
296- AI coding assistance (no Copilot extension needed)
297- Built-in terminal panel
298- Project-wide fuzzy search
299- Task runner with JSON config
300- Inline diagnostics and code actions via LSP
301
302You won’t find one-to-one replacements for every VS Code extension, especially if you rely on tools for DevOps, containers, or test runners. Zed's extension catalog is still growing and remains smaller.
303
304### Collaboration in Zed vs. VS Code
305
306Unlike VS Code, Zed doesn’t require an extension to collaborate. It’s built into the core experience.
307
308- Open the Collab Panel in the left dock.
309- Create a channel and [invite your collaborators](https://zed.dev/docs/collaboration#inviting-a-collaborator) to join.
310- [Share your screen or your codebase](https://zed.dev/docs/collaboration#share-a-project) directly.
311
312Once connected, you’ll see each other's cursors, selections, and edits in real time. Voice chat is included, so you can talk as you work. There’s no need for separate tools or third-party logins.
313
314Learn how [Zed uses Zed](https://zed.dev/blog/zed-is-our-office) to plan work and collaborate.
315
316### Using AI in Zed
317
318If you’re used to GitHub Copilot in VS Code, you can do the same in Zed. You can also explore other agents through Zed Pro, or bring your own keys and connect without authentication. You can disable AI features entirely if you prefer.
319
320#### Configuring GitHub Copilot
321
3221. Open Settings with `Cmd+,` (macOS) or `Ctrl+,` (Linux/Windows)
3232. Navigate to **AI → Edit Predictions**
3243. Click **Configure** next to "Configure Providers"
3254. Under **GitHub Copilot**, click **Sign in to GitHub**
326
327Once signed in, just start typing. Zed will offer suggestions inline for you to accept.
328
329#### Additional AI Options
330
331To use other AI models in Zed, you have several options:
332
333- Use Zed’s hosted models, with higher rate limits. Requires [authentication](https://zed.dev/docs/authentication) and subscription to [Zed Pro](https://zed.dev/docs/ai/subscription.html).
334- Bring your own [API keys](https://zed.dev/docs/ai/llm-providers.html), no authentication needed
335- Use [external agents like Claude Agent](https://zed.dev/docs/ai/external-agents.html).
336
337### Advanced Config and Productivity Tweaks
338
339Zed exposes advanced settings for power users who want to fine-tune their environment.
340
341Here are a few useful tweaks:
342
343**Format on Save:**
344
345```json
346"format_on_save": "on"
347```
348
349**Enable direnv support:**
350
351```json
352"load_direnv": "shell_hook"
353```
354
355**Custom Tasks**: Define build or run commands in your `tasks.json` (accessed via command palette: `zed: open tasks`):
356
357```json
358[
359 {
360 "label": "build",
361 "command": "cargo build"
362 }
363]
364```
365
366**Bring over custom snippets**
367Copy your VS Code snippet JSON directly into Zed's snippets folder (`zed: configure snippets`).