I’m leaving text editors like vscode/codium behind to learn something more modular, like Helix. I really wanna get used to. What advices can you give me to practice? I know that there is a :tutor command, I’m almost done with it. Do anyone know if there are exercices to practice? Im looking something similar to Ruby koans, a list of excersices to solve like “puzzles” but to Helix.

  • nous@programming.devEnglish
    251·
    5 days ago

    IMO the best thing is to just start using it. You will start to pick things up fairly quickly then. Puzzles don’t often ingrain different ways todo things and often focus on weird or niche things that don’t come up as often. They can be a nice supplement to not a substitute for just using it in real world usescases.

    I do also find it helpful to read the shortcut keys on their site to get a feel for what is available. You won’t remember everything but it can be useful to know what is possible. Then when you hit a problem you may remember reading about something that can help and go look it up again.

  • kazaika@lemmy.world
    9·
    4 days ago

    I’d recommend not trying to learn all the shortcuts as it’s most likely wasted effort. Most people probably dont know the entirety of available moves. Learn the basics to use the editor like, h j k l e w t f g s and start using it. Then whenever you need a ton of keystrokes to get something done, step back and see if there are moves which simplify that. Multiple selections / cursors are also an integral part of using helix so make sure to use em when applicable.

    As a sidenote helix isnt very modular imo. The appeal is that compared to e.g. neovim, it is very much a Monolith with most things you need built in which simplifies usage / configuration greatly.

    I’ll admit that this learning by doing way is prone to adopting half assed solutions but its the only way i know to get comfortable with something quickly

    • itslilith@lemmy.blahaj.zone
      5·
      4 days ago

      Uhhg, I’ve been waiting for module support for helix for forever, now. It’s a planned feature, but it’s been that way for ages now

      • kazaika@lemmy.world
        4·
        4 days ago

        I agree that extensibility would be nice, but it cant / shouldnt replace the actually working software with all working features. Ive never been able to get into modal editors before helix because vim / neovim (probably kakoune also) are unusable in their base form by modern standards. Any actual config / distribution needs tons of work to integrate basic usability features and fall apart in a blink (and are usually not very performant - lazy loading exists for a reason). Therefore i think its the right move to focus on implementing a fully featured editor first and then explore extensibility. That said i will also be very happy when it becomes a thing, no matter if it will be via webassembly, lisp, ect…

        • itslilith@lemmy.blahaj.zone
          3·
          4 days ago

          Oh I agree, I am happy with Helix and use it as my main editor already. I like that they’d rather take their time to figure out how to make plugins work well.

  • Deebster@programming.devEnglish
    5·
    5 days ago

    Not quite what you were asking for, but there is https://tomgroenwoldt.github.io/helix-shortcut-quiz/

    It’s quite good for letting you know about things you didn’t know you could do, but sometimes it tells me I’m wrong because I’d do it a different way - e.g. I’d go to line 13 by :13 but it wants 13G.

    Also, from within helix you can do space ? to get the list of commands and any bindings they’re on.

    edit: also, FYI Helix and similar are modal, not modular (although there is a plugin system on the way).

  • fossphi@lemm.eeEnglish
    5·
    5 days ago

    I don’t really use helix, but rather emacs with evil mode. For me, the biggest impact came from actually just using it for my tasks. Of course one needs to know the syntax and the commands, but since you say you’ve done the tutorial, really just start using it for your text editing needs. Soon enough you’ll be flying!

  • JTskulk@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    5 days ago

    Damn now you got me trying to get used to it. It’s hard when vim is so ingrained in my habits. And Helix isn’t in the Debian stable repos yet. It does seem faster and better though!