Spacemacs is a community-driven Emacs distribution focused on ergonomics, mnemonic keybindings and consistency.
It is designed for both Emacs and Vim users. Users can choose traditional Emacs editing, Vim-style modal editing, or switch between the two. Its extensive layer system provides ready-made configurations for programming languages, applications and workflows.
Commands are organised around memorable key prefixes, with the space bar acting as the main leader key for Vim-style users.
Spacemacs requires Emacs 28.2 or later. Git and GNU Tar are also required.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Supports both Emacs and Vim editing styles.
- Mnemonic keybindings organised around logical prefixes such as
SPC bfor buffers andSPC pfor projects. - Extensive configuration layer system covering programming languages, applications and development tools.
- Hundreds of packages available through ready-made layers.
- Interactive documentation available directly from Emacs.
- Built-in documentation and introductory material for new users.
- Distraction-free interface with a functional mode-line.
- Configuration and packages are loaded lazily where possible.
- Works with ripgrep, The Silver Searcher, ack or grep for text searching, with ripgrep recommended.
- Can be customised extensively through the user’s dotspacemacs configuration.
- Cross-platform support – runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Website: www.spacemacs.org
Support: GitHub Code Repository
Developer: Sylvain Benner and many contributors
License: GNU General Public License v3.0

Spacemacs is written in Emacs Lisp. Learn Lisp with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
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