micro
Modern and intuitive terminal editor (nano alternative).
Official WebsiteFeatures
Installation
brew install microapt install micropacman -S microWhy Use Micro?
Micro is a terminal editor designed as "Modern Nano". It uses the same keybindings as typical GUI editors (Ctrl+S, Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V), so you can start using it with zero learning curve.
Intuitive Keybindings
Ctrl+S to save, Ctrl+Q to quit, Ctrl+C to copy. Works like any standard editor.
Full Mouse Support
Click to move cursor, drag to select, scrolling supported. Comfortable for mouse users too.
Syntax Highlighting
Supports 130+ languages. Proper highlighting is automatically applied when you open a file.
Plugin System
Extensible with Lua. Add features like file tree, Git integration, and LSP support.
Installation
# macOS (Homebrew)
brew install micro
# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install micro
# Or use official script (latest version)
curl https://getmic.ro | bash
sudo mv micro /usr/local/bin/
# Fedora
sudo dnf install micro
# Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S micro
# Windows (Chocolatey)
choco install micro
# Windows (Scoop)
scoop install micro
# Install via Go
go install github.com/zyedidia/micro/v2/cmd/micro@latest
# Check version
micro --versionBasic Operations
# Open a file
micro filename.txt
# Create a new file
micro newfile.txt
# Open multiple files (tabs)
micro file1.txt file2.txt
# Open in read-only mode
micro -readonly true filename.txt
# Open and jump to specific line:column
micro +10:5 filename.txt
# Check config directory location
micro -config-dirFrequently Used Commands
Micro uses the same keybindings as typical GUI editors.
File Operations
| Key | Description |
|---|---|
Ctrl+S | Save |
Ctrl+Q | Quit (prompts if unsaved) |
Ctrl+O | Open file |
Ctrl+E | Open command bar |
Editing
| Key | Description |
|---|---|
Ctrl+C | Copy |
Ctrl+X | Cut |
Ctrl+V | Paste |
Ctrl+Z | Undo |
Ctrl+Y | Redo |
Ctrl+D | Duplicate line |
Ctrl+K | Delete line |
Tab / Shift+Tab | Indent / Unindent |
Navigation and Selection
| Key | Description |
|---|---|
Ctrl+A | Select all |
Shift+Arrow keys | Expand selection |
Ctrl+Shift+Arrow | Select word by word |
Home / End | Move to start / end of line |
Ctrl+Home / End | Move to start / end of file |
Ctrl+G | Jump to line |
Ctrl+L | Select line |
Find and Replace
| Key | Description |
|---|---|
Ctrl+F | Find |
Ctrl+N | Find next |
Ctrl+P | Find previous |
Ctrl+H | Find and replace |
Tabs and Splits
| Key | Description |
|---|---|
Ctrl+T | Open new tab |
Alt+, / Alt+. | Move to previous / next tab |
Ctrl+W | Move to next split pane |
Command Bar
Press Ctrl+E to open the command bar and execute various commands.
# File operations
save # Save
save filename.txt # Save as
open filename.txt # Open file
quit # Exit
quit! # Exit without saving
# Splits
hsplit # Horizontal split
vsplit # Vertical split
hsplit filename.txt # Open file and split horizontally
# Settings
set tabsize 4 # Set tab size to 4
set colorscheme monokai # Change color scheme
# Plugins
plugin install filemanager # Install plugin
plugin remove pluginname # Remove plugin
plugin list # List plugins
# Other
help # Display help
help keybindings # Keybinding help
term # Open terminal
run command # Execute shell commandConfiguration
Configuration is stored in ~/.config/micro/settings.json.
{
"autoindent": true,
"autosave": 0,
"colorscheme": "monokai",
"cursorline": true,
"eofnewline": true,
"ignorecase": true,
"indentchar": " ",
"infobar": true,
"keepautoindent": false,
"mouse": true,
"rmtrailingws": false,
"ruler": true,
"savecursor": true,
"saveundo": true,
"scrollbar": false,
"scrollmargin": 3,
"scrollspeed": 2,
"smartpaste": true,
"softwrap": false,
"statusformatl": "$(filename) $(modified)($(line),$(col)) $(status.paste)| ft:$(opt:filetype) | $(opt:fileformat) | $(opt:encoding)",
"statusformatr": "$(bind:ToggleKeyMenu): bindings, $(bind:ToggleHelp): help",
"statusline": true,
"syntax": true,
"tabmovement": false,
"tabsize": 4,
"tabstospaces": true,
"useprimary": true
}Customize Keybindings
Customize keybindings in ~/.config/micro/bindings.json.
{
"Alt-/": "lua:comment.comment",
"Ctrl-b": "ToggleSideBar",
"Ctrl-Shift-k": "DeleteLine",
"F2": "Save",
"F3": "Find",
"F5": "term"
}Plugins
Micro supports plugins written in Lua.
Recommended Plugins
# File Manager (Sidebar)
micro -plugin install filemanager
# Fuzzy Finder
micro -plugin install fzf
# Git Integration
micro -plugin install microlf
# Bracket Auto-completion
micro -plugin install quoter
# Comment Toggle (enabled by default)
# comment plugin is built-in
# LSP Support
micro -plugin install lsp
# Display plugin list
micro -plugin list
# Update plugins
micro -plugin updateUsing the Filemanager Plugin
# Open file manager (from command bar)
> tree
# Or press Ctrl+E and type tree
# To add keybinding:
# Add to bindings.json:
# "Ctrl-b": "lua:filemanager.toggle_tree"Color Schemes
Micro comes with multiple built-in color schemes.
# Available Color Schemes
# - default
# - atom-dark
# - bubblegum
# - cmc-16
# - cmc-tc
# - dracula
# - gruvbox
# - material-tc
# - monokai
# - nord-tc
# - solarized
# - twilight
# Change from command bar
> set colorscheme monokai
# Or set in settings.json
# "colorscheme": "dracula"Tips
- •Press
Ctrl+Eto open command bar and typehelpto view help documentation. - •If you prefer not to use the mouse, disable it with
set mouse false. - •Press
Ctrl+Eand typetermto open a terminal within the editor. - •
Alt+Gselects all occurrences in the selection (multi-cursor). - •Settings changes are applied immediately. No restart required.
- •Run
micro --cleanto start with default settings. Useful for troubleshooting. - •When migrating from Nano, most operations become more intuitive. Especially Undo/Redo use standard keybindings.