xvi is a compact text editor derived from the early STEVIE vi implementation. It was developed with portability in mind and has been adapted to numerous character-oriented operating systems. The program preserves many familiar vi editing concepts without attempting to reproduce every detail of modern Vim.
Its multi-window interface can show several files at once, or multiple views of the same document. Status lines separate the windows on a character-mode display. The editor therefore provides more than a single-buffer vi imitation while avoiding the complexity of a full graphical integrated development environment.
The project is notable for its small executable footprint and modest resource requirements. Its traditional design can appeal to users working in constrained terminal environments or researching the history of vi-compatible editors. Some commands and behaviours differ from vi, and users should not assume complete command compatibility.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Vi-style modal commands for navigating and changing text.
- Multiple editing windows in a character-mode interface.
- Ability to display different files in separate windows.
- Ability to show more than one view of the same file.
- Horizontal status lines separating editing windows.
- Compact codebase and modest memory requirements.
- Command-oriented editing without requiring a graphical interface.
Website: martinwguy.github.io/xvi
Support:
Developer: Chris and John Downey
License: BSD-like license
xvi is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Vim-like Text Editors | |
|---|---|
| Neovim | Vim-fork focused on extensibility and usability |
| Helix | Kakoune / Neovim inspired editor. |
| Lapce | Modern editor in Rust which uses native GUI and GPU rendering |
| NvChad | Neovim config aiming to provide a base configuration |
| LunarVim | IDE layer for Neovim |
| Kakoune | Implements Vi’s "keystrokes as a text editing language" model |
| Vis | Combining modal editing with structural regular expressions |
| vile | Text editor that combines aspects of the Emacs and vi editors |
| pyvim | Implementation of Vim in Python |
| gVim | Vim with a built-in GUI |
| amp | Vim-like editor written in Rust |
| Vy | Vim-like in Python made from scratch |
| moe | Command-line editor inspired by Vim |
| wig | Modal, Vim-like text editor |
| sled | Simple text editor with a terminal UI |
| red | Modern modal text editor written in Rust |
| ad | Adaptable text editor |
| hat | Hackable modal text editor |
| HAKO | Lightweight terminal-based modal text environment |
| xvi | Portable multi-file text editor |
| aretext | Minimalist text editor with vim-compatible key bindings |
| Levee | Also known as Captain Video |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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