# Install helix with Homebrew, apk, chocolatey, dnf, MacPorts, Nix, pacman, zypper, scoop, winget, apt Post-modern modal text editor. Version 25.07.1 via Homebrew; verified from local package data. Also installable with nix: nix profile install nixpkgs#helix. ## Install ```sh sudo av install brew:helix ``` Additional install commands: ### macOS - Homebrew (100%): ```sh brew install helix ``` Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata - MacPorts (94%): ```sh sudo port install helix ``` Evidence: MacPorts ports tree: editors/helix/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ### Linux - apk (92%): ```sh sudo apk add helix ``` Evidence: Alpine Linux edge package indexes: helix from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz - dnf (92%): ```sh sudo dnf install helix ``` Evidence: Fedora Rawhide package metadata: helix from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/210a2053c8e007daf9ae39c2a21daaed9b2ddd07d63ecffa597050361e73650c-primary.xml.zst - Nix (92%): ```sh nix profile install nixpkgs#helix ``` Evidence: nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/he/helix/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - pacman (92%): ```sh sudo pacman -S helix ``` Evidence: Arch Linux sync databases: helix from https://geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com/extra/os/x86_64/extra.db.tar.gz - zypper (92%): ```sh sudo zypper install helix ``` Evidence: openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: helix from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/50b07339cb64c8ed4091bdbabddadc1ff5737b090e478818a195b40d8a3292861a879139b4a3987c31109699fde9fbf4a716367ddf4eef77da75f96e3193d6ed-primary.xml.zst - Debian apt (92%): ```sh sudo apt install hx ``` Evidence: Debian stable package indexes: hx from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz ### Windows - Chocolatey (92%): ```sh choco install helix ``` Evidence: Chocolatey community package catalog: helix from http://community.chocolatey.org/api/v2/Packages?$filter=IsLatestVersion&$select=Id&$top=1000&$skiptoken='9.4028','coreinfo' - Scoop (92%): ```sh scoop install main/helix ``` Evidence: Scoop official bucket manifest trees: bucket/helix.json from https://api.github.com/repos/ScoopInstaller/Main/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - winget (92%): ```sh winget install --id Helix.Helix -e ``` Evidence: Windows Package Manager source index: Helix.Helix from https://cdn.winget.microsoft.com/cache/source.msix ## Package facts - **Package key:** brew:helix - **Package manager:** Homebrew - **Package manager page:** - **Version:** 25.07.1 - **Source summary:** Post-modern modal text editor - **Homepage:** - **Repository:** - **Upstream docs:** - **License:** MPL-2.0 - **Source archive:** - **Generated:** 2026-08-04T22:13:35+00:00 ## Executables - hx (cli) - hx (alias) ## Build dependencies - rust ## Install behavior - Post-install hook: not defined - Bottle: available on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, arm64_ventura, sonoma, ventura, x86_64_linux ## Freshness - Page generated: 2026-08-04 - Package-manager version: 25.07.1 - Local data: ok - Upstream repository: https://github.com/helix-editor/helix - info: No package-manager update timestamp was available. - info: No cached GitHub release or tag data was available. ## Project history and usage Helix is a terminal-first modal editor written in Rust. Its own README frames it as a Kakoune- and Neovim-inspired editor with Vim-like modal editing, multiple selections, built-in Language Server Protocol support, and Tree-sitter-based syntax features. For package-manager users, Helix matters because it is a modern editor packaged as a single `hx` command while still shipping a large runtime of grammars, themes, language configuration, and editor documentation. ### Project history The public GitHub repository was created in June 2020. The project developed around a Rust codebase split into editor core, terminal UI, LSP, DAP, loader, runtime, and query assets, which made the editor feel more like a self-contained toolchain than a thin terminal frontend. Helix's editing model comes from Kakoune's selection-first approach, while its ecosystem position naturally invites comparison with Neovim. The project made built-in LSP and Tree-sitter support part of the editor's baseline rather than optional plugin work. ### Adoption history The project moved quickly from source builds and GitHub releases into operating-system package channels. The supplied package metadata lists Homebrew, Chocolatey, Debian, Fedora, MacPorts, Nix, Arch, Scoop, winget, and openSUSE packaging, which is broad coverage for a comparatively young terminal editor. Its adoption has been helped by an easy executable name, `hx`, and by official documentation that covers installation, configuration, language setup, themes, and keymaps in one place. ### How it is used Users run Helix as `hx` to edit files in a modal terminal interface. Normal package-manager installs must provide the binary plus the runtime assets that power highlighting, indentation queries, themes, and language definitions. Helix configuration is conventionally stored in `config.toml` under the user config directory, with per-project overrides in `.helix/config.toml`; this makes it friendly to dotfile managers and repository-local editor policy. ### Why package nerds care Helix is interesting to package nerds because it compresses several editor-era trends into one package: Rust terminal UI, Tree-sitter grammars, LSP integration, modal editing, and runtime data that must be installed in the right place. It also provides a useful contrast with plugin-heavy editor packaging. A Helix package has to get runtime paths and grammar assets right, but it does not require bootstrapping a large external plugin manager just to provide language-aware editing. ### Timeline - 2020: Public GitHub repository created. - 2021: Early public GitHub releases begin with the 0.0.x series. - 2021: Helix documentation and installation guidance become part of the official project site. - 2025: The 25.x release series appears on the official GitHub release page. ### Related projects - Kakoune supplies the strongest editing-model influence. - Neovim is the closest modal-editor ecosystem comparison. - Tree-sitter and the Language Server Protocol are core technologies in Helix's default feature set. - Nix, Homebrew, Chocolatey, Scoop, winget, Debian, Fedora, Arch, MacPorts, and openSUSE appear in the supplied package metadata as distribution channels. ### Sources - - - - ## Security Notes narrow executable package without higher-risk signals. - **Geiger risk:** green / low - narrow executable package without higher-risk signals ## Configuration and credential file locations These source-backed paths show where this package keeps local settings or durable credentials. Automic Vault can use them as review targets for secret scanning, migration, and command approval. ## Configuration files - Unix: ~/.config/helix/config.toml, .helix/config.toml - Windows: %AppData%\helix\config.toml ## Source Database Details - **Source Database:** Homebrew formula API - **Tap:** homebrew/core - **Full Name:** helix - **Aliases:** hx - **Version Scheme:** 0 - **Revision:** 0 - **Head Version:** HEAD - **Conflicts With:** evil-helix, hex - **Bottle Stable Root URL:** - **Deprecated:** no - **Disabled:** no - **Keg Only:** no - **URL Keys:** head, stable ## Other Package-Manager Records - Nix - helix: normalized package name match | nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/he/helix/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - apk - helix - 25.07.1-r3: normalized package name match | Alpine Linux edge package indexes: helix from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz | A post-modern modal text editor | https://helix-editor.com/ - apk - helix-bash-completion - 25.07.1-r3: normalized package name match | Alpine Linux edge package indexes: helix-bash-completion from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz | Bash completions for helix | https://helix-editor.com/ - apk - helix-fish-completion - 25.07.1-r3: normalized package name match | Alpine Linux edge package indexes: helix-fish-completion from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz | Fish completions for helix | https://helix-editor.com/ - apk - helix-tree-sitter-system - 25.07.1-r3: normalized package name match | Alpine Linux edge package indexes: helix-tree-sitter-system from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz | A post-modern modal text editor | https://helix-editor.com/ - apk - helix-tree-sitter-vendor - 25.07.1-r3: normalized package name match | Alpine Linux edge package indexes: helix-tree-sitter-vendor from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz | A post-modern modal text editor | https://helix-editor.com/ - apk - helix-zsh-completion - 25.07.1-r3: normalized package name match | Alpine Linux edge package indexes: helix-zsh-completion from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz | Zsh completions for helix | https://helix-editor.com/ - dnf - helix - 25.07.1-12.fc45: normalized package name match | Fedora Rawhide package metadata: helix from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/210a2053c8e007daf9ae39c2a21daaed9b2ddd07d63ecffa597050361e73650c-primary.xml.zst | A post-modern modal text editor written in Rust | https://helix-editor.com/ - dnf - helix-parsers - 25.07.1-12.fc45: normalized package name match | Fedora Rawhide package metadata: helix-parsers from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/210a2053c8e007daf9ae39c2a21daaed9b2ddd07d63ecffa597050361e73650c-primary.xml.zst | Prebuilt tree-sitter parsers for Helix | https://helix-editor.com/ - dnf - helix-themes - 25.07.1-12.fc45: normalized package name match | Fedora Rawhide package metadata: helix-themes from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/210a2053c8e007daf9ae39c2a21daaed9b2ddd07d63ecffa597050361e73650c-primary.xml.zst | Helix themes | https://helix-editor.com/ - pacman - helix - 25.07.1-2: normalized package name match | Arch Linux sync databases: helix from https://geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com/extra/os/x86_64/extra.db.tar.gz | A post-modern modal text editor | https://helix-editor.com - zypper - helix - 25.07.1-1.5: normalized package name match | openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: helix from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/50b07339cb64c8ed4091bdbabddadc1ff5737b090e478818a195b40d8a3292861a879139b4a3987c31109699fde9fbf4a716367ddf4eef77da75f96e3193d6ed-primary.xml.zst | A post-modern modal text editor written in Rust | https://github.com/helix-editor/helix - zypper - helix-bash-completion - 25.07.1-1.5: normalized package name match | openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: helix-bash-completion from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/50b07339cb64c8ed4091bdbabddadc1ff5737b090e478818a195b40d8a3292861a879139b4a3987c31109699fde9fbf4a716367ddf4eef77da75f96e3193d6ed-primary.xml.zst | Bash Completion for helix | https://github.com/helix-editor/helix - zypper - helix-fish-completion - 25.07.1-1.5: normalized package name match | openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: helix-fish-completion from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/50b07339cb64c8ed4091bdbabddadc1ff5737b090e478818a195b40d8a3292861a879139b4a3987c31109699fde9fbf4a716367ddf4eef77da75f96e3193d6ed-primary.xml.zst | Fish Completion for helix | https://github.com/helix-editor/helix - zypper - helix-runtime - 25.07.1-1.5: normalized package name match | openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: helix-runtime from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/50b07339cb64c8ed4091bdbabddadc1ff5737b090e478818a195b40d8a3292861a879139b4a3987c31109699fde9fbf4a716367ddf4eef77da75f96e3193d6ed-primary.xml.zst | Runtime files for helix | https://github.com/helix-editor/helix - zypper - helix-zsh-completion - 25.07.1-1.5: normalized package name match | openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: helix-zsh-completion from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/50b07339cb64c8ed4091bdbabddadc1ff5737b090e478818a195b40d8a3292861a879139b4a3987c31109699fde9fbf4a716367ddf4eef77da75f96e3193d6ed-primary.xml.zst | Zsh Completion for helix | https://github.com/helix-editor/helix ## Related links - [Terminal utility packages](https://pkg.so/terminal-utilities/) - Matched terminal and command-line workflow metadata. - [Text processing packages](https://pkg.so/text-processing-tools/) - Matched text, document, or structured-data processing metadata. - [Developer build packages](https://pkg.so/developer-build-tools/) - Matched build, compiler, generator, or developer workflow metadata. - [Language runtime packages](https://pkg.so/language-runtime-packages/) - Matched language runtime, compiler, or interpreter metadata. - [rust](https://pkg.so/brew/rust/) - Build dependency declared by Homebrew. - [msedit](https://pkg.so/brew/msedit/) - Shares pkgdb curated category or tags: cli, developer-tools, rust, terminal, text-editor. - [starship](https://pkg.so/brew/starship/) - Shares pkgdb curated category or tags: cli, developer-tools, rust, terminal. - [nano](https://pkg.so/brew/nano/) - Shares pkgdb curated category or tags: cli, developer-tools, terminal, text-editor. - [tealdeer](https://pkg.so/brew/tealdeer/) - Shares pkgdb curated category or tags: cli, developer-tools, rust, terminal. - [micro](https://pkg.so/brew/micro/) - Shares pkgdb curated category or tags: cli, developer-tools, terminal, text-editor. - [sk](https://pkg.so/brew/sk/) - Shares pkgdb curated category or tags: cli, developer-tools, rust, terminal. - [gitui](https://pkg.so/brew/gitui/) - Shares pkgdb curated category or tags: cli, developer-tools, rust, terminal. - [moor](https://pkg.so/brew/moor/) - Shares pkgdb curated category or tags: cli, developer-tools, rust, terminal. - [hexapoda](https://pkg.so/brew/hexapoda/) - Both packages touch the same language runtime or ecosystem. Shared terms: cli, developer, developer-tools, editor, modal. ## Combined YAML source View the package source record on GitHub. [combined/helix.yml](https://github.com/mxcl/pkgdb/blob/main/combined/helix.yml) ## Sources - pkg.so package database - Geiger risk classifier - package-page enrichment - curated configuration and credential file locations - curated package history - package version freshness - pkgdb category and tag curation - package relationship graph - external package-manager database matches - cross-ecosystem install command graph