_ _ __ __ | | | | _ \ \ / / | |_| | ___ | | (_) \ \/ / | _ | / _ \ | | _ ) ( | | | | | __/ | | | | / /\ \ |_| |_| \___| |_| |_| /_/ \_\ A post-modern modal text editor. _________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Helix editor! Helix is different from editors you might be used to in that it is modal, meaning that it has different modes for editing text. The primary modes you will use are Normal mode and Insert mode. While in Normal mode, the keys you type won't actually type text. Instead, they will perform various actions with the text. This allows for more efficient editing. This tutor will teach you how you can make use of Helix's modal editing features. To begin, ensure your caps-lock key is not pressed and hold the j key until you reach the first lesson. ================================================================= = 1.1 BASIC CURSOR MOVEMENT = ================================================================= ↑ k * h is on the left ← h l → * l is on the right j * j looks like a down arrow ↓ The cursor can be moved using the h, j, k, l keys, as shown above. The cursor/arrow keys will also work, but it is faster to use the hjkl keys as they are closer to the other keys you will be using. Try moving around to get a feel for hjkl. Once you're ready, hold j to continue to the next lesson. ================================================================= = 1.2 EXITING HELIX = ================================================================= 1. Type : to enter Command mode. Your cursor will move to the bottom of the screen. 2. Type q or quit and type to exit Helix. Note: The quit command will fail if there are unsaved changes. To force quit and DISCARD these changes, type q! or quit!. You will learn how to save files later. To exit Command mode without entering a command, type . Now, move on to the next lesson. ================================================================= = 1.3 DELETION = ================================================================= Type the d key to delete the character under the cursor. 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->. 2. Move the cursor to each extra character, and type d to delete it. --> Thhiss senttencee haass exxtra charracterss. This sentence has extra characters. Once the sentence is correct, move on to the next lesson. ================================================================= = 1.4 INSERT MODE = ================================================================= Type the i key to enter Insert mode. 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->. 2. Move to a place in the line which is missing text and type i to enter Insert mode. Keys you type will now type text. 3. Enter the missing text. 4. type to exit Insert mode and return to Normal mode. 5. Repeat until the line matches the line below it. --> Th stce misg so. This sentence is missing some text. Note: If you want to move the cursor while in Insert mode, you may use the arrow keys instead of exiting and reentering Insert mode. Note: The status bar will display your current mode. Notice that when you type i, 'NOR' changes to 'INS'. ================================================================= = 1.5 MORE ON INSERT MODE = ================================================================= As you saw, you can type i to enter Insert mode at the current position of the cursor. There are a few other ways you can enter Insert mode at different locations. Common examples of insertion commands include: i - Insert before the selection. a - Insert after the selection. (a means 'append') I - Insert at the start of the line. A - Insert at the end of the line. 1. Move to anywhere in the line below marked -->. 2. Type A ( + a), your cursor will move to the end of the line and you will be able to type. 3. Type the text necessary to match the line below. --> This sentence is miss This sentence is missing some text. ================================================================= = 1.6 SAVING A FILE = ================================================================= Type :w/:write to save a file. 1. Exit Helix using :q! as explained before, or open a new terminal. 2. Open a file in Helix by running: hx FILENAME 3. Make some edits to the file. 4. Type : to enter Command mode. 5. Type w or write, and type to save the file. You can also type wq or write-quit to save and exit. Note: You can optionally enter a filepath after the w/write command in order to save to that path. Note: If there are any unsaved changes to a file, a plus [+] will appear next to the file name in the status bar. ================================================================= = CHAPTER 1 RECAP = ================================================================= * Use the h,j,k,l keys to move the cursor. * Type : to enter Command mode. * The q/quit and q!/quit! commands will exit Helix. The former fails when there are unsaved changes. The latter discards them. * The w/write command will save the file. * The wq/write-quit command will do both. * Type d to delete the character at the cursor. * Type i to enter Insert mode and type text. Type to return to Normal mode. * Use a to enter Insert mode after the current selection instead of before. * Use I to enter Insert mode at the first non-whitespace character at the start of a line. * Use A to enter Insert mode at the end of a line. ================================================================= = 2.1 MOTIONS AND SELECTIONS = ================================================================= Type w to select forward until the next word. The d key doesn't actually delete the character at the cursor, it deletes all selected text. Your cursor is like a single-character selection. 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->. 2. Move to the beginning of a word that needs to be deleted. 3. Type w to select until the beginning of the next word. 4. Type d to delete the selection. 5. Repeat for all extra words in the line. --> This sentence pencil has vacuum extra words in the it. This sentence has extra words in it. ================================================================= = 2.2 MORE ON MOTIONS = ================================================================= As you saw, typing w moves the cursor forward until the start of the next word, selecting the text traversed. This is useful for moving around text and for selecting text to operate on. Some common motions include: w - Move forward to before the beginning of the next word. e - Move forward to the end of the current word. b - Move backward to the beginning of the current word. The w,e,b motions also have counterparts - W,E,B - which traverse WORDS instead of words. WORDS are only separated by whitespace, whereas words can be separated by other characters in addition to whitespace. All of these motions select the text they traverse. ================================================================= = 2.3 THE CHANGE COMMAND = ================================================================= Type c to change the current selection. The change command deletes the current selection and enters Insert mode, so it is a very common shorthand for di. 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->. 2. Move to the start of an incorrect word and type w to select it. 3. Type c to delete the word and enter Insert mode. 4. Type the correct word. 5. Repeat until the line matches the line below it. --> This paper has heavy words behind it. This sentence has incorrect words in it. ================================================================= = 2.4 COUNTS WITH MOTIONS = ================================================================= Type a number before a motion to repeat it that many times. 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->. 2. Type 2w to move 2 words forward. 3. Type 3e to move to the end of the third word forward. 4. Type 2b to move 2 words backwards 5. Try the above with different numbers. --> This is just a line with words you can move around in. ================================================================= = 2.5 SELECTING LINES = ================================================================= Type x to select a whole line. Type x again to select the next. 1. Move the cursor to the second line below marked -->. 2. Type x to select the line, and d to delete it. 3. Move to the fourth line. 4. Type x twice or type 2x to select 2 lines, and d to delete. --> 1) Roses are red, --> 2) Mud is fun, --> 3) Violets are blue, --> 4) I have a car, --> 5) Clocks tell time, --> 6) Sugar is sweet, --> 7) And so are you. ================================================================= = 2.6 UNDOING = ================================================================= Type u to undo. Type U to redo. 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->. 2. Move to the first error, and type d to delete it. 3. Type u to undo your deletion. 4. Fix all the errors on the line. 5. Type u several times to undo your fixes. 6. Type U ( + u) several times to redo your fixes. --> Fiix the errors on thhis line and reeplace them witth undo. ================================================================= = CHAPTER 2 RECAP = ================================================================= * Type w to select forward until the next word. * Type e to select to the end of the current word. * Type b to select backward to the start of the current word. * Use uppercase counterparts, W,E,B, to traverse WORDS. * Typing d deletes the entire selection, so you can delete a word forward by typing wd. * Type c to delete the selection and enter Insert mode. * Type a number before a motion to repeat it that many times. * Type x to select the entire current line. Type x again to select the next line. * Type u to undo. Type U to redo. ================================================================= = 3.1 MULTIPLE CURSORS = ================================================================= Type C to duplicate the cursor to the next suitable line. 1. Move the cursor to the first line below marked -->. 2. Type C to duplicate the cursor to the next suitable line. Notice how it skips the line in the middle. Keys you type will now affect both cursors. 3. Use Insert mode to correct the lines. The two cursors will fix both lines simultaneously. 4. Type , to remove the second cursor. --> Fix th two nes at same ime. --> --> Fix th two nes at same ime. Fix these two lines at the same time. Note: Type alt-C to do the same above the cursor. Note: This also works for selections, but it will pick the first line that fits the entire selection at the same column. ================================================================= = 3.2 THE SELECT COMMAND = ================================================================= Type s to select matches in the selection. 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->. 2. Type x to select the line. 3. Type s. A prompt will appear. 4. Type 'apples' and type . Both occurrences of 'apples' in the line will be selected. 5. You can now type c and change 'apples' to something else, like 'oranges'. 6. Type , to remove the second cursor. --> I like to eat apples since my favorite fruit is apples. I like to eat oranges since my favourite fruit is oranges. ================================================================= = 3.3 SELECTING VIA REGEX = ================================================================= The select command selects regular expressions, not just exact matches, allowing you to target more complex patterns. 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->. 2. Select the line with x and then type s. 3. Enter ' +' to select any amount of consecutive spaces >1. 4. Type c and change the matches to single spaces. --> This sentence has some extra spaces. This sentence has some extra spaces. Note: If you want to perform find-and-replace, the select command is the way to do it. Select the text you want to replace in — type % to select the whole file — and then perform the steps explained above. ================================================================= = 3.4 COLLAPSING SELECTIONS = ================================================================= Type ; to collapse selections to single cursors. Sometimes, you want to deselect without having to move the cursor(s). This can be done using the ; key. 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->. 2. Use the motions you have learned to move around the line, and try using ; to deselect the text after it is selected by the motions. --> This is an error-free line with words to move around in. ================================================================= = 3.5 SELECTING TO A CHARACTER = ================================================================= Type f to select up to and including (find) a character. Type t to do the same, but not including (till) a character. Type uppercase F/T to do the same backwards. 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->. Place the cursor on the first dash. 2. Type f[ to select to the square bracket. 3. Type d to delete your selection. 4. Go to the end of the line and repeat with F]. 5. Move to the second line marked -->, just after the arrow. 6. Use t and T to delete the dashes around the sentence. --> -----[Free this sentence of its brackets!]----- --> ------Free this sentence of its dashes!------ Note: Unlike Vim, Helix doesn't limit these commands to the current line. It searches for the character in the file. ================================================================= = CHAPTER 3 RECAP = ================================================================= * Type C to copy the current selection to below and Alt-C for above. * Type s to select all instances of a regex pattern inside the current selection. * Type semicolon ( ; ) to collapse selection. * Type f / F to extend selection up to & including a character. * Type t / T to extend selection until a character. ================================================================= = 4.1 COPYING AND PASTING TEXT = ================================================================= Type y to yank (copy) the selection. Type p to paste the yanked selection after the cursor. Type P to paste the yanked text before the cursor. 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->. Make sure your cursor is on the "b" of banana. 2. Type w to select "banana" and y to yank it. 3. Move to the space between "2" and "3" and type p to paste. 4. Repeat between "3" and "4". --> 1 banana 2 3 4 1 banana 2 banana 3 banana 4 Note: Whenever you delete or change text, Helix will copy the altered text. Use alt-d/c instead to avoid this. Note: Helix doesn't share the system clipboard by default. Type space-y/p to yank/paste on your computer's main clipboard. ================================================================= = 4.2 CHANGING CASE = ================================================================= Type ~ to switch the case of all selected letters. Type ` to set all selected letters to lowercase. Type Alt-` to set all selected letters to uppercase. 1. Move the cursor to the first line below marked -->. 2. Select each wrongly capitalised or lowercase letter and type ~ over them. 3. Move to the second line marked -->. 4. Type x to select the line. 5. Type ` to change the line to lowercase. 6. Move to the third line marked -->. 7. Type x to select the line. 8. Type Alt-` to change the line to uppercase. --> thIs sENtencE hAs MIS-cApitalIsed leTTerS. --> this SENTENCE SHOULD all be in LOWERCASE. --> THIS sentence should ALL BE IN uppercase! ================================================================= = 4.3 MACROS = ================================================================= Macros are a way to record a set of actions you want to repeat. Type Q to start recording a macro, you should see a popup at the bottom of your screen. Type Q again to stop recording. Type q to repeat your recorded macro. 1. Move the cursor to the first line below marked -->. Ensure your cursor is on the > of the arrow. 2. Type Q to start recording. 3. Edit the line to look like the bottom one. 4. Exit insert and Type Q again to stop recording. 5. Move to the line below and put your cursor on the > again. 6. Type q to repeat the macro. --> ... sentence doesn't have it's first and last ... . --> ... sentence doesn't have it's first and last ... . This sentence doesn't have it's first and last word. ================================================================= = CHAPTER 4 RECAP = ================================================================= * Type y to yank (copy) text and p to paste. * Type space-Y and space-P to yank/paste on the system clipboard. * Type ~ to alternate case of selected letters. * Use ` and alt-` to set the case of selected layers to upper and lower respectively. * Type Q to record and stop recording a macro. * Type q to repeat the recorded macro. ================================================================= = 5.1 USING THE JUMPLIST = ================================================================= Helix can keep track of "jumps" which are big movements, like jumping to the definition of a function in code. It stores these in what's called the jumplist. Type C-s (ctrl-s) to manually save your current position to the jumplist. Type C-i and C-o to move forward and backwards in the jumplist respectively. 1. Type C-s somewhere. 2. Move far away in the file. 3. Type C-o (just once!) to come back to where you saved. ================================================================= = 5.2 SEARCHING IN FILE = ================================================================= Type / to search forward in file, enter to confirm search. Type n to go to the next search match. Type N to go to the previous search match. 1. Type / and type in a common word, like 'banana'. 2. Type enter to confirm the search. 3. Use n and N to cycle through the matches. Like the select command, searching also uses regex. Note: To search backwards, type ? (shift-/). Note: Unlike Vim, N doesn't change the search direction. N always goes backwards and n always goes forwards. ================================================================= = CHAPTER 5 RECAP = ================================================================= * Type C-s to save position to the jumplist. * Type C-i and C-o to go forward and backward in the jumplist. * Type / to search forward in file, and ? to search backwards. * Use n and N to cycle through search matches. ================================================================= = 6.1 JOINING LINES = ================================================================= Type J to join together lines in selection. 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->. 2. Type x four times or 4x to select all four lines. 3. Type J to join the lines together. --> This sentence is spilling over onto other lines. This sentence is spilling over onto other lines. Note: J works on all lines in selection, so typing xxx or 3x to select the lines and then a single J will work the same. ================================================================= = 6.2 INDENTING LINES = ================================================================= Type > to indent a line and < to outdent it. 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->. 2. Move down to the second line and type > to indent it. 3. Move to the third line and type < to unindent it. --> These lines are indented very poorly. These lines are indented much better. ================================================================= = 6.3 OPENING LINES = ================================================================= Type o to add a newline and insert below the cursor. Type O to add a newline and insert above the cursor. 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->. 2. Type o to open a line below and type your answer. --> What is the best editor? ================================================================= = CHAPTER 6 RECAP = ================================================================= * Type J to join lines within selection. * Type > and < to indent and outdent selected lines. * Use o and O to open lines. ================================================================= This tutorial is still a work-in-progress. More sections are planned.