Table of contents

• What is Zed editor?
• Why some developers choose Zed over VS Code?
• Real-world use cases
• How Zed compares with Graphite
• How to get started
• Summary

What is Zed editor?

Zed is a free, open-source, high-performance code editor written in Rust. It's built from the ground up with GPU acceleration and designed for collaboration and AI-driven development. It's cross-platform—currently available on macOS and Linux, with Windows in beta.

Key features include:

• GPU-native rendering with a Rust-based engine
• Built-in Language Server Protocol (LSP) support
• Native AI integration using OpenAI, Anthropic, and GitHub Copilot
• Multiplayer collaboration with live cursors, audio chat, and screen sharing
• Integrated Git UI with commit history, branching, and diffs
• Support for multi-buffer workflows and remote development

Why some developers choose Zed over VS Code

• Performance: Zed starts faster, uses less memory, and responds to keystrokes with minimal latency. It feels immediate, especially on powerful machines.
• No extension sprawl: Unlike VS Code, Zed includes key developer tools like AI and Git out of the box, reducing the need for third-party plugins.
• Keyboard-focused design: Supports Vim bindings and command chord inputs for efficient navigation and editing.
• Modern editing model: Built around concepts like multi-buffering, agentic AI editing, and embedded team collaboration.

Real-world use cases

AI-powered coding

Zed's "agent panel" allows developers to give natural-language instructions like "add logging to this function." The AI responds by editing code directly, saving time and mental overhead. This complements Graphite's workflow of frequent, small code changes by speeding up code preparation. If you're interested in how this workflow is enabled by stacking, check out this guide.

Real-time collaboration

Teams use Zed's built-in multiplayer features to co-edit files, chat, and share screens—all without needing Zoom, Slack, or external plugins. This is especially valuable for distributed teams, coding interviews, or tight deadline pair sessions.

Git-based workflows

Zed includes a native Git interface with visual diffs and commit history. Developers can work in a small, iterative way—committing atomic changes and switching branches—just as they would in a Graphite-driven pull request pipeline. To learn more about essential Git commands and improving your workflow, check out this guide.

Language support

Zed is especially strong with Rust, Go, TypeScript, and Python. It auto-installs required language servers and provides intelligent completions and diagnostics out of the box. Other ecosystems like Java or Dart may still need time to mature in Zed.

How Zed compares with Graphite

Graphite is a developer platform focused on streamlining code review, pull request management, and CI pipelines. Zed is an editor. When used together, Zed handles fast code writing and in-editor AI/collaboration, while Graphite manages the code review lifecycle and deployment.

Both promote a workflow of small, incremental commits and structured collaboration. For example, Zed makes it easier to refactor a few lines and commit immediately, while Graphite makes it easier to review and merge that change within a queue.

How to get started

Install Zed

curl -f https://zed.dev/install.sh | sh

Alternatively, you can download via Flatpak (Linux), a native macOS installer, or join the Windows beta.

Quickstart steps

1. Open your project folder
2. Use the agent panel with a command like /agent simplify this loop
3. Launch a multiplayer session and invite collaborators
4. Commit with the built-in Git panel in small, reviewable chunks

Pro tips

• Use multi-buffer mode to open and manipulate multiple contexts at once
• Configure keybindings and theme settings to match your editor style
• Push small branches often—this works best with Graphite-based CI flows. For more on boosting productivity with AI and effective pair programming, see our guide on best practices for pair programming with AI assistants.

Summary

Zed is a modern, high-performance code editor that focuses on speed, collaboration, and built-in intelligence. It eliminates the need for bloated extensions by integrating key development tools natively. Developers praise its responsiveness, keyboard-first UX, and real-time collaboration features.

When paired with Graphite, Zed becomes part of a powerful development workflow—enabling fast, contextual code generation and quick, structured review cycles.