Getting Started with Zed

What is Zed?

Zed is a high-performance, multiplayer code editor built for software teams. Created by the team behind Atom and Tree-sitter, Zed focuses on speed, collaboration, and a clean user experience. It offers native performance with a modern, GPU-accelerated interface and innovative features like real-time multiplayer editing.

System Requirements

Before installing Zed, make sure your system meets the following requirements:

• Operating System: macOS 12 (Monterey) or newer
• Processor: Any modern 64-bit Intel or Apple Silicon processor
• RAM: 8GB minimum (16GB recommended)
• Storage: At least 500MB of free disk space
• Internet Connection: Required for multiplayer features and updates

Installing Zed

1. Download Zed

   Visit the official Zed download page and click the download button to get the latest version.

   You can also install Zed using Homebrew if you prefer: brew install --cask zed

2. Install the Application

   Once downloaded, open the .dmg file and drag the Zed application to your Applications folder.

   

3. Launch Zed

   Open the Applications folder and double-click on Zed to launch it. If you're opening it for the first time, you may need to right-click the app and select "Open" to bypass macOS security restrictions.

Initial Setup

When you first launch Zed, you'll be guided through a few initial setup steps:

1. Create an Account (Optional)

   While you can use Zed without an account, creating one enables collaboration features and settings sync. Click "Sign Up" and follow the instructions to create a new account.

   Your Zed account is used for collaboration features and synchronizing settings across devices. All data is end-to-end encrypted for privacy.

2. Choose Theme and Settings

   Select your preferred color theme and initial settings. Don't worry, you can change these later in the settings.

3. Set Up Keyboard Shortcuts (Optional)

   Zed offers several keyboard shortcut presets that mimic popular editors such as VS Code, Sublime Text, and Vim. Choose the preset that works best for you.

   If you're coming from another editor, selecting a familiar key binding preset can help you get productive quickly.

Creating Your First Project

Now that Zed is installed and configured, let's create your first project:

1. Open a Project

   Click "Open Folder..." from the welcome screen or use ⌘O to open the folder selection dialog.

2. Navigate to Your Project Directory

   Select an existing project folder from your computer, or create a new folder for your project.

3. Start Coding

   Once your project folder is open, you can:

   • Create a new file with ⌘N
   • Browse files in the project panel on the left
   • Open the integrated terminal with Ctrl`

Your First Zed Workspace

Basic Configuration

Zed can be customized to fit your preferences. Here are some basic configuration options:

Opening Settings

Access settings by using ⌘, or selecting "Settings" from the application menu.

Common Settings to Adjust

• Theme: Change the editor's appearance
• Font: Select your preferred programming font and size
• Tab Size: Set your preferred indentation level
• Line Wrapping: Enable or disable text wrapping
• Auto Save: Configure automatic file saving

Example Settings Configuration

    json
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{
  "theme": "One Dark",
  "ui_font_size": 14,
  "buffer_font_size": 16,
  "tab_size": 2,
  "soft_tabs": true,
  "auto_save": true,
  "format_on_save": true
}

What's Next?

Now that you've installed Zed and set up your first project, you're ready to explore more advanced features. Continue to the next section to learn about the Zed interface in detail.