Just some tips I found useful

Helix

  • u: Undo
  • U: Redo azeaz aze

selection

  • % selection entire file
  • x selection current line (repeat for multiple lines)
    • type v to be more precise afterwards (if you go select to much lines for example)
  • v start selection then move to select other
    • v then t then the final char you want
    • example vt[Enter] will select from the cursor to end of the line
  • C (maj-C) Copy selection next line
  • Alt-C (Alt-maj-C) Copy selection previous line
  • maw selection current word
  • map selection current paragraph
  • m open popup

selection manipulation

  • ( Rotate main selection backward
  • ) Rotate main selection forward
  • Alt-, Remove primary selection
  • Alt-; Flip selection cursor and anchor
  • Alt-( Rotate selection contents backward
  • Alt-) Rotate selection contents forward
  • J Join lines inside selection
  • Alt-J Join lines inside selection and select the inserted space
  • _: trim trailing white spaces from selection
  • ms(: add () around selection
  • mr(: add () around selection
  • ms(: add () around selection

search

  • / then input pattern
  • ? search for previous pattern
  • s select all regex matches inside selections
  • Alt-s negative search compare to previous s

move

  • [f go to next function
  • ]f go to previous function

execution (open output data in an overlay)

  • :sh jq . %{buffer_name}

execution current selection

  • select wanted lines (% for all the file)
  • :pipe jq --indent 4

wrap

  • select the line(s)
  • :reflow 80 # wrapt at 80 characteres
Last updated on Friday, December 12, 2025
Published on Friday, December 12, 2025