May 2023 Summaries

Zed's application has undergone significant changes in its panel system as of version 0.88.0, enhancing customization and flexibility by introducing three docks—left, right, and bottom—where users can place the project panel and the newly named terminal panel. The panels can be moved and toggled for visibility, allowing for dynamic workspace configurations, including swapping panels within the same dock using focus-toggling commands. The update features a "zoom" function that replaces the previous expanded anchor mode, enabling a full-screen view of panes and docks, with activation accessible via the command palette or by a zoom icon. However, users should note breaking changes, such as the removal of specific commands and settings, and that workspaces will not restore correctly until the update is applied. These developments are part of Zed's ongoing efforts to enhance user experience, and they invite potential hires passionate about software development to join their team.

This week at Zed has been marked by a combination of detailed iteration and expansive vision planning, as team members focused on refining existing features and exploring future possibilities. Joseph concentrated on enhancing data visualization through complex charts and community building, while Julia improved editor functionalities and addressed performance issues with robust testing. Kirill worked on language server protocol improvements and bug fixes, facing challenges with file search panel bugs. Mikayla returned to foundational tasks and continued research on remote work, aiming to extend Zed’s accessibility. Nate and Nathan engaged in conceptual design discussions, exploring AI integration and product development, and worked on a new assistant panel for OpenAI’s chat APIs. The team also initiated TypeScript development for theme updates with a new consultant, reflecting a collaborative effort to shape Zed's innovative trajectory.

This week at Zed, the team is bidding farewell to Petros Amoiridis while continuing to make strides in various projects aimed at enhancing the platform's functionality and user experience. Antonio and Nathan worked on improving the workspace's panel docking and zoom features, while Joseph expanded his skills by learning raw SQL to enhance the business intelligence stack. Julia focused on stability and performance, addressing bugs related to git file tracking and dependency updates. Kirill, in his third week, concentrated on maintenance tasks and enhancing file navigation features, while Max reorganized the settings system to facilitate project-specific settings. Mikayla finalized the initial Git integration, explored flame graphs, and expanded property tests. Nate worked on advancing the theme system to accommodate a broader range of visual preferences. Nathan expressed enthusiasm for upcoming developments and shared plans to speak at a conference, encouraging readers to try Zed and consider joining the team.

In the latest update from Zed, the team shares insights into their recent projects and ongoing improvements. Joseph discusses developing an AI tool to parse user feedback more effectively, aiming to address specific user concerns. Julia focuses on enhancing Zed's performance by reworking the project search feature to prevent UI freezes. Kirill, a new team member, contributes by adding path filtering to project search and introduces a setting to render whitespace characters, benefiting from Zed's collaborative support. Mikayla integrates git repository information into Zed, providing a live view of the git status for project files. Nate works on refining Zed's theme system to resolve contrast issues and improve theme consistency, while also engaging with the community for feedback. Nathan shares his experience recording a podcast and working on revamping Zed's workspace to accommodate the integration of ChatGPT as an assistant panel. The team invites users to try Zed on macOS or Linux and announces job openings for those interested in contributing to the future of software development.