A configurable terminal text editor written in Rust with UTF-8 support, syntax highlighting, and a strict 1024-line code limit.
Kibi is a terminal-based text editor written in Rust with a strict limit of 1024 lines of code. It provides essential features like UTF-8 support, syntax highlighting, and incremental search while maintaining a minimal codebase. The project serves as both a practical lightweight editor and an educational example of constraint-driven software development.
Developers and students interested in minimalist software, Rust programming, or understanding text editor internals. It's suitable for users who need a fast, configurable terminal editor without heavy dependencies.
Kibi offers a unique combination of modern editor features (UTF-8, syntax highlighting) within an extremely small, auditable codebase. Its Rust foundation ensures memory safety, and the 1024-line constraint encourages clean, efficient code—making it both educational and practical.
A text editor in ≤1024 lines of code, written in Rust
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Runs on Linux, macOS, Windows 10, WASI, and Android via Termux, as evidenced by the platform badges and installation instructions for multiple systems.
Leverages Rust's guarantees for secure, crash-resistant operation, ensuring safety without manual memory management, as highlighted in the comparison with kilo.
Supports over 38 languages through INI-based configuration files, allowing customization for niche languages via user-editable syntax definitions.
Constrained to 1024 lines of code (excluding tests), making it educational and easy to review while still providing features like UTF-8 support and incremental search.
The 1024-line limit inherently restricts advanced editor features such as regex search, multi-cursor editing, undo/redo beyond basic levels, or plugin support, which are common in full-featured editors.
Syntax highlighting files must be manually placed in specific directories (e.g., ~/.local/share/kibi/syntax.d), a process described in the installation section that can be error-prone and less user-friendly than automatic setups.
Lacks a graphical user interface, mouse support, or built-in accessibility features, which may limit usability for those accustomed to modern editors or with specific accessibility needs.