# Zed Code Editor

Zed is an open-source code editor with built-in collaboration and AI tools.

This guide covers the essential commands, environment setup, and navigation basics.

When you open Zed without a folder, you see the welcome page in the main editor area. The welcome page offers quick actions to open a folder, clone a repository, or view documentation. Once you open a folder or file, the welcome page disappears. If you split the editor into multiple panes, the welcome page appears only in the center pane when empty—other panes show a standard empty state.

To reopen the welcome page, close all items in the center pane or use the command palette to search for "Welcome".

## Opening a Folder

Open a folder from the command line:

```sh
zed ~/projects/my-app
```

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

## Key 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.

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`

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](/content/docs/languages.html) for language-specific setup instructions.

## Built-in AI Assistance

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](/content/docs/ai/overview.html) to configure providers and learn what's possible.

## Transition Guides

We have dedicated guides for switching from other editors:

- [VS Code](/content/docs/migrate/vs-code.html) — Import settings, map keybindings, find equivalent features
- [IntelliJ IDEA](/content/docs/migrate/intellij.html) — Adapt to Zed's approach to navigation and refactoring
- [PyCharm](/content/docs/migrate/pycharm.html) — Set up Python development in Zed
- [WebStorm](/content/docs/migrate/webstorm.html) — Configure JavaScript/TypeScript workflows
- [RustRover](/content/docs/migrate/rustrover.html) — Rust development in Zed

You can also enable familiar keybindings:

- **Vim**: Enable `vim_mode` in settings. See [Vim Mode](/content/docs/vim.html).
- **Helix**: Enable `helix_mode` in settings. See [Helix Mode](/content/docs/helix.html).

Zed is open source. Join us on GitHub or in Discord to contribute code, report bugs, or suggest features.

- [Discord](https://discord.com/invite/zedindustries)
- [GitHub Discussions](https://github.com/zed-industries/zed/discussions)
- [Zed Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/ZedEditor)

[Installation](/content/docs/installation.html "Installation"/index.html)