1---
2title: Helix Keybindings
3layout: ../../layouts/MainLayout.astro
4---
5
6# Helix Keybindings in the REPL
7
8The Strudel REPL supports [Helix editor](https://helix-editor.com/) keybindings through the `codemirror-helix` extension. Helix is a post-modern modal text editor with a focus on selection-first editing and multiple cursors.
9
10## Enabling Helix Mode
11
121. Open the Settings panel in the REPL (click the settings icon or use the keyboard shortcut)
132. Find the "Keybindings" section
143. Select "Helix" from the available options
15
16## Key Differences from Vim
17
18Helix uses a selection-first approach, which means:
19
20- **Selection → Action** (Helix) vs **Action → Motion** (Vim)
21- For example, to delete a word in Helix: `w` (select word) → `d` (delete)
22- In Vim, it would be: `dw` (delete word)
23
24## Common Helix Commands
25
26### Normal Mode
27
28- `i` — Enter insert mode before selection
29- `a` — Enter insert mode after selection
30- `v` — Enter visual/select mode
31- `w` — Select next word
32- `e` — Select to end of word
33- `b` — Select previous word
34- `x` — Select/extend line
35- `d` — Delete selection
36- `c` — Change selection (delete and enter insert mode)
37- `y` — Yank (copy) selection
38- `p` — Paste after selection
39- `u` — Undo
40- `U` — Redo
41- `/` — Search
42- `n` — Select next search match
43- `N` — Select previous search match
44
45### Movement
46
47- `h, j, k, l` — Move left, down, up, right
48- `gg` — Go to start of document
49- `ge` — Go to end of document
50- `{` / `}` — Move to previous/next paragraph
51- `%` — Match bracket
52
53### Multi-cursor
54
55- `C` — Duplicate cursor to line below
56- `Alt-C` — Duplicate cursor to line above
57- `,` — Remove primary cursor
58- `Alt-,` — Remove all secondary cursors
59
60## Strudel-Specific Features
61
62Currently, Helix mode in Strudel provides standard Helix keybindings. Unlike Vim mode, there are no custom Strudel-specific commands (like `:w` to evaluate) yet.
63
64To evaluate code while in Helix mode, use the standard shortcuts:
65
66- `Ctrl+Enter` or `Alt+Enter` — Evaluate code
67- `Alt+.` — Stop playback
68
69## Resources
70
71- [Helix Documentation](https://docs.helix-editor.com/)
72- [Helix Keymap](https://docs.helix-editor.com/keymap.html)
73- [codemirror-helix on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/codemirror-helix)
74- [codemirror-helix on GitLab](https://gitlab.com/_rvidal/codemirror-helix)
75
76## Notes
77
78- The `codemirror-helix` extension is described as an "initial version" and may not implement all Helix features
79- Behavior may differ slightly from the native Helix editor
80- If you encounter issues, you can switch back to other keybinding modes in Settings
81- The keybinding preference is saved in your browser's local storage
82
83## Contributing
84
85If you'd like to add Strudel-specific Helix commands (similar to Vim's `:w` for evaluate), contributions are welcome! See the implementation in `/packages/codemirror/keybindings.mjs` for reference.