Exploring Zed, an open source code editor written in Rust
Blog post from LogRocket
Zed is a new open-source, multiplayer code editor developed by the creators of Atom and Tree-sitter, designed to revolutionize coding with its innovative features and performance. Written in Rust and launched in early 2023, Zed boasts a GPU-based User Interface (GPUI) framework that ensures lightning-fast performance, making it faster than popular alternatives like VS Code. Its built-in collaborative capabilities, which include audio calls, chat servers, and screen-sharing, set it apart from VS Code's reliance on the Live Share extension for similar functions. Zed supports AI integration, including GitHub Copilot and GPT models, and caters to Vim users with a dedicated mode, although it lacks full Vim compatibility. While it offers a limited selection of themes and extensions compared to VS Code, Zed's focus on speed and minimalistic design make it an attractive option for developers, particularly those on macOS, given its current lack of cross-platform support. As Zed continues to develop, its potential for adoption will depend on its ability to offer unique benefits that entice developers accustomed to VS Code's extensive ecosystem.