Getting Started

Zed is a high-performance, AI-native code editor built with Rust. Features Write, Ask, and Minimal AI modes with OpenAI-compatible API support.

What is Zed?

Zed is a high-performance, AI-native code editor built with Rust. Designed from the ground up with AI as a core feature. Features built-in AI capabilities including Write, Ask, and Minimal modes. Supports custom language models through OpenAI-compatible APIs.

The editor combines Rust performance with advanced AI features. Handles large codebases efficiently with intelligent assistance. Zed prioritizes speed, especially for AI operations. Ideal for developers who rely heavily on AI assistance.

Core Capabilities

AI Code Generation: Intelligent code completion and generation. AI understands codebase context. Generates code matching your patterns and style. Creates functions, components, or entire files from specifications.

Codebase Understanding: Interactive assistance for existing code. Get explanations, find information, help with specific project parts. AI maintains awareness of entire project context.

Customizable AI: Flexible AI features for different needs. Configure AI assistance for targeted help without overwhelming suggestions. Unobtrusive AI interaction for experienced developers.

Multiplayer: Real-time collaborative coding. Multiple developers work simultaneously on same codebase. Synchronized cursors and shared context. Enhanced by AI for team collaboration.

Installation Process

1. Download Zed from https://zed.dev
2. Install for your operating system
3. Launch Zed after installation

Zed's Rust architecture ensures fast installation and startup. First launch guides through basic setup options.

Getting Started with AI Features

Explore Zed's built-in AI capabilities. The editor provides real-time AI assistance as you code. Understands project context and provides relevant suggestions.

AI features integrated into editing experience. No context switching or separate tools. AI assistance available where you work.

Zed maintains awareness of entire project. Understands file relationships, dependencies, coding patterns. Comprehensive context allows more accurate and relevant AI assistance.

AI Feature Usage

Code Generation: Generate new code. Describe what you want to create. Zed's AI generates appropriate code following project patterns. Useful for new components, features, boilerplate code.

Code Understanding: Questions about existing code. Select code or specify files. Get explanations about functionality, design decisions, improvements. AI based on your codebase.

Customized Assistance: Configure AI preferences for focused help without distractions. Provides targeted help while keeping AI interaction unobtrusive.

Performance Advantages

Zed's Rust architecture provides performance benefits:

Fast Startup: Zed starts quickly. Gets you coding faster than editors with heavy plugin ecosystems.

Efficient AI: Editor's AI features optimized for speed. Quick responses with real-time assistance and no lag.

Large Codebases: Handles large projects with many files. Maintains performance with AI features active.

Low Resource Usage: Efficient architecture uses system resources effectively. Leaves more resources for your development tasks.

Version Control Integration

Zed includes built-in version control features with AI assistance. Editor understands Git operations. Provides AI assistance for version control tasks.

Integration helps understand code changes. Suggests commit messages based on changes. AI assistance respects version control workflow.

Collaboration Features

Zed's multiplayer enables real-time collaborative coding. Multiple developers work simultaneously. Synchronized cursors and shared context.

AI features work collaboratively. Team members share AI insights and assistance. Valuable for onboarding new team members. Benefits complex features requiring collective AI assistance.

Configuration and Customization

Zed uses JSON configuration files (settings.json) for customization. Flexible configuration adjusts AI behavior, editor appearance, development environment preferences.

Language model configuration specifies which AI models to use. Built-in models or custom OpenAI-compatible services.

Key bindings and UI elements customize to match workflow while maintaining AI access.

Project Management

Zed handles complex projects with multiple files, dependencies, components. Editor maintains efficient indexing of project structure. AI features understand relationships throughout codebase.

Project management works with AI assistance. AI understands project architecture, file relationships, development patterns.

Advantages

Seamless Integration: AI features integrated throughout editor instead of plugins. Provides cohesive and effective assistance.

Performance: Optimized architecture ensures AI features don't slow development experience.

Context Awareness: AI maintains comprehensive project context. Provides more relevant and accurate assistance.

Built-in Features: No need to install multiple plugins. AI features ready to use immediately.

Key Features

• High-performance, AI-native code editor built with Rust
• Write, Ask, and Minimal AI modes
• Built-in multiplayer for real-time collaborative coding
• Optimized for large codebases and efficient AI operations
• Seamless AI integration designed from ground up
• JSON-based configuration for customization
• Fast startup and low resource usage
• Version control integration with AI assistance

Start with Zed for high-performance AI-native development with built-in AI assistance.