Zed is a new code editor built for speed and optimized for working with large codebases and AI-powered tools. It boasts significantly faster performance than VS Code, especially when handling massive files and complex language servers. Built on a custom, from-scratch foundation, Zed uses Rust for the backend and a novel tree-sitter based approach for syntax highlighting, enabling near-instantaneous loading and interaction. The editor also prioritizes collaborative editing with built-in real-time co-editing capabilities and aims to integrate tightly with AI coding assistants in the future.
The blog post, titled "Zed: High-performance AI Code Editor," introduces Zed, a novel code editor specifically designed for superior performance and enhanced by artificial intelligence capabilities. The authors argue that existing code editors, while functional, often struggle to maintain optimal responsiveness when dealing with extremely large files or complex projects, leading to frustrating lags and impacting developer productivity. Zed aims to address this performance bottleneck through several key innovations.
Firstly, Zed is built upon a completely new codebase utilizing Rust, a programming language known for its memory safety and speed. This foundation provides a robust and efficient platform for handling demanding computational tasks inherent in code analysis and manipulation. Unlike editors built on older technologies like Electron, Zed's architecture circumvents inherent performance limitations, allowing it to maintain fluidity and responsiveness even when handling multi-gigabyte files or performing intricate code operations.
Beyond raw performance, Zed integrates artificial intelligence to elevate the coding experience. While the specifics are not fully detailed, the post alludes to AI-powered features designed to streamline coding workflows. These functionalities likely encompass intelligent code completion, sophisticated code navigation, and potentially even automated code generation or refactoring. The integration of AI is presented not as a mere novelty, but as a core component of Zed's design, aiming to augment developer capabilities and accelerate the coding process.
Furthermore, the post emphasizes Zed's commitment to a native experience across different operating systems. Instead of relying on cross-platform frameworks that often compromise performance, Zed is developed with native components for each supported platform (macOS, Linux, and Windows), ensuring optimal integration with the underlying operating system and maximizing hardware utilization.
The authors also highlight Zed’s collaborative features, enabling seamless real-time collaboration among developers. This functionality facilitates collaborative coding sessions, allowing multiple developers to work on the same codebase simultaneously with low latency and shared awareness.
Finally, the blog post positions Zed not merely as a faster editor, but as a fundamental reimagining of the code editing experience. It suggests that Zed's combination of performance, AI integration, and collaborative features represents a significant advancement in developer tools, paving the way for a more efficient and enjoyable coding workflow. While acknowledging the early stage of development, the post conveys a strong sense of ambition and optimism for Zed's potential to reshape the future of code editing.
Summary of Comments ( 132 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43912844
Hacker News users discussed Zed's performance claims, with some expressing skepticism about its "fastest" claim, especially regarding scrolling and syntax highlighting compared to established editors like Sublime Text and VS Code. Others pointed out the lack of clear metrics backing up the speed claims, emphasizing the importance of quantifiable data for such comparisons. Several commenters showed interest in the editor's potential, especially its use of Rust and its novel approach to collaborative editing. However, some found the comparison to VS Code unfair, given VS Code's extensibility and vast plugin ecosystem, which contributes to its performance overhead. The closed-source nature of Zed also drew concern, with users preferring open-source alternatives for customization and community involvement. Finally, some questioned the focus on AI features, suggesting they might be premature or unnecessary for core editing tasks.
The Hacker News post titled "Zed: High-performance AI Code Editor" (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43912844) has generated a moderate number of comments, many of which express cautious optimism or skepticism about Zed's performance claims and overall value proposition.
Several commenters focus on the claim of Zed being the "fastest" AI code editor. Some question the methodology behind this claim, requesting benchmarks or comparisons against other editors like VS Code. Others point out that "fastest" can be subjective and depend on specific use cases and hardware. One commenter suggests that raw speed might not be the most crucial factor for an AI code editor, arguing that the quality of code suggestions and overall user experience are more important.
Another recurring theme in the comments is Zed's closed-source nature. Many users express concern about relying on a proprietary tool for critical tasks like coding, emphasizing the benefits of open-source alternatives. Some speculate about potential vendor lock-in and the possibility of Zed introducing paid features in the future. There is a discussion about the trade-offs between closed-source development potentially allowing for faster iteration and innovation versus the transparency and community involvement fostered by open-source projects.
Several commenters discuss Zed's features, particularly the AI assistance capabilities. Some express interest in trying these features, while others remain skeptical of their practical usefulness. There's a discussion about the potential for AI to truly enhance the coding experience, with some suggesting that current AI coding tools are more gimmicky than genuinely helpful. One commenter expresses a desire for more concrete examples and demonstrations of Zed's AI features in action.
A few comments touch upon Zed's choice of using Rust and its potential impact on performance. One commenter questions the necessity of using Rust for the entire application, suggesting that a hybrid approach might be more efficient.
Finally, several commenters mention existing alternatives, such as VS Code with extensions, and question whether Zed offers enough differentiation to justify switching. There's a general sentiment that Zed needs to demonstrate a significant advantage over established players to gain widespread adoption.