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Guide · Open source

How to use Edit (msedit): install and basic editing in a terminal

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

Edit is a simple text editor that runs in a terminal window. It is modeled on the classic MS-DOS Editor but uses a modern interface and keyboard controls similar to VS Code. This guide shows you how to install it on Windows, macOS and Linux and what it is suited for, so you can make quick text or code edits without learning a complex editor first.

Editmicrosoft/edit · ★ 14.7k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Pick your install route. Use WinGet on Windows or Homebrew on macOS. On Linux, use binaries from your distribution or the install script.
  2. 2Run the install command. Run winget install Microsoft.Edit on Windows or brew install msedit on macOS.
  3. 3Start the editor. Open a terminal and run edit or msedit, depending on which name your install created.
  4. 4Open or create a file. Pass a file name to the editor to open it, then make your changes using the keyboard.
  5. 5Check optional features. If you need Search and Replace on a custom build, confirm your ICU library setup as described in the README.

What Edit is and who it is for

Edit is built for simple needs. Its README says the goal is an accessible editor that even people largely unfamiliar with terminals can easily use.

It suits quick text or code edits, work over SSH, and anyone new to command-line tools. It is not designed for plugins or deep language tooling.

Install Edit on Windows, macOS or Linux

On Windows, install the latest version with WinGet. On macOS, install it with Homebrew. The README lists these two package-manager routes as the main install options.

On Linux, if your distribution does not provide binaries, you can build it from source using the project's install script. You need Rust, a C compiler such as gcc, ICU, and curl or wget with tar. The script installs msedit into ~/.local/bin by default.

  • Windows: winget install Microsoft.Edit
  • macOS: brew install msedit
  • Linux: use the install script, or download binaries from the project's Releases page
winget install Microsoft.Edit

Install Edit on Linux with the install script

The install script adds msedit to ~/.local/bin. Two optional flags change this: --dev builds directly from the main branch, and --system installs into /usr/local/bin.

Review the script before running it if you are unsure what it does.

  • Default: installs into ~/.local/bin
  • --dev: builds from the main branch
  • --system: installs into /usr/local/bin
curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://raw.githubusercontent.com/microsoft/edit/main/assets/install.sh | sh

Open a file and edit it

Once installed, start the editor from a terminal. The README names two commands: the canonical executable is edit, and the alternative name is msedit. Use whichever one your install created on your system.

Edit uses keyboard controls similar to VS Code, so common shortcuts you already know may work the same way. The README does not list the full key map, so check the in-app help for specifics.

msedit

Build Edit from source (optional)

If you want your own build, install Rust, clone the repository, and run the release build. If you use nightly Rust, use the command below. On stable Rust, the README recommends setting RUSTC_BOOTSTRAP=1 and using the nightly instructions, because this drastically reduces binary size and slightly improves performance. Otherwise run cargo build --release.

Search and Replace depends on the ICU library. If your ICU library names differ, the README explains which EDIT_CFG_ICU* environment variables to set at build time.

cargo build --release --config .cargo/release.toml

What people use it for

  • Making a quick change to a config file on a remote server over SSH
  • Editing a short text or code file without learning a full-featured editor
  • Giving a terminal beginner an approachable editor for their first command-line session
  • Running a lightweight editor inside a terminal session on Windows, macOS or Linux

Frequently asked questions

Is Microsoft Edit free?

Yes. The project is licensed under the MIT licence, which is a permissive open-source licence. You can download and use it without a fee.

How do I install Microsoft Edit on Windows?

Run winget install Microsoft.Edit in a terminal. The README documents WinGet as the install route for Windows.

How do I install msedit on macOS?

Install it with Homebrew using brew install msedit. The README lists this as the macOS option.

What do I need to build Edit on Linux?

You need Rust, a C compiler such as gcc, ICU, and curl or wget with tar. The install script then places msedit in ~/.local/bin.

Is Edit a good alternative to nano or vim?

Edit aims to be simpler and more approachable than vim, with VS Code-like controls. It is not designed for plugins or deep language tooling, so for advanced editing, tools like vim, helix or micro may fit better. Nano is also a simple option.

Why is it called msedit instead of edit?

The README says edit is the canonical executable name but also names msedit as an alternative, because edit may conflict with existing commands. Check which name your install created.

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Our verdict

Edit is a good choice if you want a simple, approachable terminal editor for quick edits, especially if you are new to command-line tools or work over SSH. If you need plugins, advanced language support or a deeply customisable workflow, pick a more capable editor such as vim, helix or micro.

Install options & downloads