Zed

Zed is an open-source code editor that focuses on providing a high-performance environment for software development by combining native execution speeds with integrated artificial intelligence. The editor is designed to handle large codebases without the latency often associated with electron-based applications.

The software is deployed as a native desktop application available for macOS, Linux, and Windows. It supports multiplayer collaboration, which allows multiple developers to work within the same file or project simultaneously in real time. This makes it suitable for pair programming and team-based development cycles where immediate synchronization is required across different machines.

Key features

• Native performance built with the Rust programming language
• Multiplayer collaboration for real-time joint editing
• Deep integration of AI tools for coding assistance
• Support for macOS, Linux, and Windows platforms
• Integration of Tree-sitter for efficient code parsing
• GPUI framework for high-performance UI rendering
• GPL-3.0-or-later licensing for the primary source code
• Apache-2.0 licensing for specific internal components

Zed is developed by the creators of Atom and Tree-sitter, utilizing their experience in building scalable text editors. The architecture leverages the Rust language to ensure low latency and high efficiency during text manipulation and rendering. By using the GPUI framework, the editor achieves a level of responsiveness that minimizes input lag. It is intended for professional developers who require a fast, native editor that combines traditional text editing with modern collaborative and AI-driven workflows.

The project is maintained by Zed Industries, Inc. and prioritizes speed and collaborative efficiency.