helix-mirror/runtime/tutor.txt

                  _   _                 __    __
                 | | | |         _      \ \  / /
                 | |_| |   ___  | | (_)  \ \/ /
                 |  _  |  / _ \ | |  _    )  (
                 | | | | |  __/ | | | |  / /\ \
                 |_| |_|  \___| |_| |_| /_/  \_\

                 A post-modern modal text editor.
_________________________________________________________________

 Welcome to the Helix editor! Helix is different from editors
 you might be used to in that it is modal, meaning that it has
 different modes for editing text. The primary modes you will
 use are Normal mode and Insert mode. While in Normal mode, the
 keys you type won't actually type text. Instead, they will
 perform various actions with the text. This allows for more
 efficient editing. This tutor will teach you how you can make
 use of Helix's modal editing features. To begin, ensure your
 caps-lock key is not pressed and hold the j key until you reach
 the first lesson.


=================================================================
=                  1.1 BASIC CURSOR MOVEMENT                    =
=================================================================

          ↑
          k       * h is on the left
      ← h   l →   * l is on the right
          j       * j looks like a down arrow
          ↓

 The cursor can be moved using the h, j, k, l keys, as shown
 above. The cursor/arrow keys will also work, but it is faster
 to use the hjkl keys as they are closer to the other keys you
 will be using. Try moving around to get a feel for hjkl.
 Once you're ready, hold j to continue to the next lesson.







=================================================================
=                      1.2 EXITING HELIX                        =
=================================================================

 1. Type : to enter Command mode. Your cursor will
    move to the bottom of the screen.
 2. Type q or quit and type <ENTER> to exit Helix.

 Note: The quit command will fail if there are unsaved changes.
       To force quit and DISCARD these changes, type q! or quit!.
       You will learn how to save files later.

 To exit Command mode without entering a command, type <ESC>.

 Now, move on to the next lesson.







=================================================================
=                         1.3 DELETION                          =
=================================================================

 Type the d key to delete the character under the cursor.

 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->.
 2. Move the cursor to each extra character, and type d to
    delete it.

 --> Thhiss senttencee haass exxtra charracterss.
     This sentence has extra characters.

 Once the sentence is correct, move on to the next lesson.








=================================================================
=                       1.4 INSERT MODE                         =
=================================================================

 Type the i key to enter Insert mode.

 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->.
 2. Move to a place in the line which is missing text and type
    i to enter Insert mode. Keys you type will now type text.
 3. Enter the missing text.
 4. type <ESC> to exit Insert mode and return to Normal mode.
 5. Repeat until the line matches the line below it.

 --> Th stce misg so.
     This sentence is missing some text.

 Note: If you want to move the cursor while in Insert mode,
       you may use the arrow keys instead of exiting and
       reentering Insert mode.
 Note: The status bar will display your current mode.
       Notice that when you type i, 'NOR' changes to 'INS'.

=================================================================
=                   1.5 MORE ON INSERT MODE                     =
=================================================================

 As you saw, you can type i to enter Insert mode at the current
 position of the cursor. There are a few other ways you can
 enter Insert mode at different locations.

 Common examples of insertion commands include:
   i - Insert before the selection.
   a - Insert after the selection. (a means 'append')
   I - Insert at the start of the line.
   A - Insert at the end of the line.

 1. Move to anywhere in the line below marked -->.
 2. Type A (<SHIFT> + a), your cursor will move to the end of
    the line and you will be able to type.
 3. Type the text necessary to match the line below.

 --> This sentence is miss
     This sentence is missing some text.

=================================================================
=                      1.6 SAVING A FILE                        =
=================================================================

 Type :w/:write to save a file.

 1. Exit Helix using :q! as explained before, or open a new
    terminal.
 2. Open a file in Helix by running: hx FILENAME
 3. Make some edits to the file.
 4. Type : to enter Command mode.
 5. Type w or write, and type <ENTER> to save the file.

 You can also type wq or write-quit to save and exit.

 Note: You can optionally enter a filepath after the w/write
       command in order to save to that path.
 Note: If there are any unsaved changes to a file, a plus [+]
       will appear next to the file name in the status bar.



=================================================================
=                        CHAPTER 1 RECAP                        =
=================================================================

 * Use the h,j,k,l keys to move the cursor.

 * Type : to enter Command mode.
   * The q/quit and q!/quit! commands will exit Helix. The
     former fails when there are unsaved changes. The latter
     discards them.
   * The w/write command will save the file.
   * The wq/write-quit command will do both.

 * Type d to delete the character at the cursor.

 * Type i to enter Insert mode and type text. Type <ESC> to
   return to Normal mode.
   * Use a to enter Insert mode after the current selection.
   * Use I to enter Insert mode at the first non-whitespace
     character at the start of a line.
   * Use A to enter Insert mode at the end of a line.

=================================================================
=                  2.1 MOTIONS AND SELECTIONS                   =
=================================================================

 Type w to select forward until the next word.

 The d key doesn't actually delete the character at the cursor,
 it deletes all selected text. Your cursor is like a
 single-character selection.

 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->.
 2. Move to the beginning of a word that needs to be deleted.
 3. Type w to select until the beginning of the next word.
 4. Type d to delete the selection.
 5. Repeat for all extra words in the line.

 --> This sentence pencil has vacuum extra words in the it.
     This sentence has extra words in it.




=================================================================
=                     2.2 MORE ON MOTIONS                       =
=================================================================

 As you saw, typing w moves the cursor forward until the start
 of the next word, selecting the text traversed. This is useful
 for moving around text and for selecting text to operate on.

 Some common motions include:
   w - Move forward to before the beginning of the next word.
   e - Move forward to the end of the current word.
   b - Move backward to the beginning of the current word.

 The w,e,b motions also have counterparts - W,E,B - which
 traverse WORDS instead of words. WORDS are only separated by
 whitespace, whereas words can be separated by other characters
 in addition to whitespace.

 All of these motions select the text they traverse.



=================================================================
=                    2.3 THE CHANGE COMMAND                     =
=================================================================

 Type c to change the current selection.

 The change command deletes the current selection and enters
 Insert mode, so it is a very common shorthand for di.

 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->.
 2. Move to the start of an incorrect word and type w to
    select it.
 3. Type c to delete the word and enter Insert mode.
 4. Type the correct word.
 5. Repeat until the line matches the line below it.

 --> This paper has heavy words behind it.
     This sentence has incorrect words in it.




=================================================================
=                   2.4 COUNTS WITH MOTIONS                     =
=================================================================

 Type a number before a motion to repeat it that many times.

 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->.
 2. Type 2w to move 2 words forward.
 3. Type 3e to move to the end of the third word forward.
 4. Type 2b to move 2 words backwards
 5. Try the above with different numbers.

 --> This is just a line with words you can move around in.









=================================================================
=                     2.5 SELECTING LINES                       =
=================================================================

 Type x to select a whole line. Type x again to select the next.

 1. Move the cursor to the second line below marked -->.
 2. Type x to select the line, and d to delete it.
 3. Move to the fourth line.
 4. Type x twice or type 2x to select 2 lines, and d to delete.

 --> 1) Roses are red,
 --> 2) Mud is fun,
 --> 3) Violets are blue,
 --> 4) I have a car,
 --> 5) Clocks tell time,
 --> 6) Sugar is sweet,
 --> 7) And so are you.




=================================================================
=                         2.6 UNDOING                           =
=================================================================

 Type u to undo. Type U to redo.

 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->.
 2. Move to the first error, and type d to delete it.
 3. Type u to undo your deletion.
 4. Fix all the errors on the line.
 5. Type u several times to undo your fixes.
 6. Type U (<SHIFT> + u) several times to redo your fixes.

 --> Fiix the errors on thhis line and reeplace them witth undo.








=================================================================
=                        CHAPTER 2 RECAP                        =
=================================================================

 * Type w to select forward until the next word.
   * Type e to select to the end of the current word.
   * Type b to select backward to the start of the current word.
   * Use uppercase counterparts, W,E,B, to traverse WORDS.

 * Typing d deletes the entire selection, so you can delete a
   word forward by typing wd.

 * Type c to delete the selection and enter Insert mode.

 * Type a number before a motion to repeat it that many times.

 * Type x to select the entire current line. Type x again to
   select the next line.

 * Type u to undo. Type U to redo.


=================================================================
=                     3.1 MULTIPLE CURSORS                      =
=================================================================

 Type C to duplicate the cursor to the next suitable line.

 1. Move the cursor to the first line below marked -->.
 2. Type C to duplicate the cursor to the next suitable line.
    Notice how it skips the line in the middle. Keys you type
    will now affect both cursors.
 3. Use Insert mode to correct the lines. The two cursors will
    fix both lines simultaneously.
 4. Type , to remove the second cursor.

 --> Fix th two nes at same ime.
 -->
 --> Fix th two nes at same ime.

     Fix these two lines at the same time.

 Note: Type alt-C to do the same above the cursor.

=================================================================
=                    3.2 THE SELECT COMMAND                     =
=================================================================

 Type s to select matches in the selection.

 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->.
 2. Type x to select the line.
 3. Type s. A prompt will appear.
 4. Type 'apples' and type <ENTER>. Both occurrences of
    'apples' in the line will be selected.
 5. You can now type c and change 'apples' to something else,
    like 'oranges'.
 6. Type , to remove the second cursor.

 --> I like to eat apples since my favorite fruit is apples.
     I like to eat oranges since my favourite fruit is oranges.





=================================================================
=                    3.3 SELECTING VIA REGEX                    =
=================================================================

 The select command selects regular expressions, not just exact
 matches, allowing you to target more complex patterns.

 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->.
 2. Select the line with x and then type s.
 3. Enter '  +' to select any amount of consecutive spaces >1.
 4. Type c and change the matches to single spaces.

 --> This  sentence has   some      extra spaces.
     This sentence has some extra spaces.

 Note: If you want to perform find-and-replace, the select
       command is the way to do it. Select the text you want
       to replace in — type % to select the whole file — and
       then perform the steps explained above.



=================================================================
=                   3.4 COLLAPSING SELECTIONS                   =
=================================================================

 Type ; to collapse selections to single cursors.

 Sometimes, you want to deselect without having to move the
 cursor(s). This can be done using the ; key.

 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->.
 2. Use the motions you have learned to move around the line,
    and try using ; to deselect the text after it is selected
    by the motions.

 --> This is an error-free line with words to move around in.







=================================================================
=                 3.5 SELECTING TO A CHARACTER                  =
=================================================================

 Type f<ch> to select up to and including (find) a character.
 Type t<ch> to do the same, but not including (till) a character.
 Type uppercase F/T to do the same backwards.

 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->. Place the
    cursor on the first dash.
 2. Type f[ to select to the square bracket.
 3. Type d to delete your selection.
 4. Go to the end of the line and repeat with F].
 5. Move to the second line marked -->, just after the arrow.
 6. Use t and T to delete the dashes around the sentence.

 --> -----[Free this sentence of its brackets!]-----
 --> ------Free this sentence of its dashes!------

 Note: Unlike Vim, Helix doesn't limit these commands to the 
       current line. It searches for the character in the file.

=================================================================
=                        CHAPTER 3 RECAP                        =
=================================================================

 * Type C to copy the current selection to below and Alt-C for
   above.

 * Type s to select all instances of a regex pattern inside
   the current selection.

 * Type semicolon ( ; ) to collapse selection.

 * Type f / F to extend selection up to & including a character.

 * Type t / T to extend selection until a character.







=================================================================
=                 4.1 COPYING AND PASTING TEXT                  =
=================================================================

 Type y to yank (copy) the selection.
 Type p to paste the yanked selection after the cursor.
 Type P to paste the yanked text before the cursor.

 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->.
    Make sure your cursor is on the "b" of banana.
 2. Type w to select "banana" and y to yank it.
 3. Move to the space between "2" and "3" and type p to paste.
 4. Repeat between "3" and "4".

 --> 1 banana 2 3 4
     1 banana 2 banana 3 banana 4

 Note: Whenever you delete or change text, Helix will copy the
       altered text. Use alt-d/c instead to avoid this.
 Note: Helix doesn't share the system clipboard by default. Type
       space-y/p to yank/paste on your computer's main clipboard.

=================================================================
=                     4.2 CHANGING CASE                         =
=================================================================

 Type ~ to switch the case of all selected letters.
 Type ` to set all selected letters to lowercase.
 Type Alt-` to set all selected letters to uppercase.

 1. Move the cursor to the first line below marked -->.
 2. Select each wrongly capitalised or lowercase letter
    and type ~ over them.
 3. Move to the second line marked -->.
 4. Type x to select the line.
 5. Type ` to change the line to lowercase.
 6. Move to the third line marked -->.
 7. Type x to select the line.
 8. Type Alt-` to change the line to uppercase.

 --> thIs sENtencE hAs MIS-cApitalIsed leTTerS.
 --> this SENTENCE SHOULD all be in LOWERCASE.
 --> THIS sentence should ALL BE IN uppercase!

=================================================================
=                          4.3 MACROS                           =
=================================================================

 Macros are a way to record a set of actions you want to repeat.

 Type Q to start recording a macro, you should see a popup at
 the bottom of your screen. Type Q again to stop recording.
 Type q to repeat your recorded macro.

 1. Move the cursor to the first line below marked -->.
    Ensure your cursor is on the > of the arrow.
 2. Type Q to start recording.
 3. Edit the line to look like the bottom one.
 4. Exit insert and Type Q again to stop recording.
 5. Move to the line below and put your cursor on the > again.
 6. Type q to repeat the macro.

 --> ... sentence doesn't have it's first and last ... .
 --> ... sentence doesn't have it's first and last ... .
     This sentence doesn't have it's first and last word.

=================================================================
=                        CHAPTER 4 RECAP                        =
=================================================================

 * Type y to yank (copy) text and p to paste.
   * Type space-Y and space-P to yank/paste on the system
     clipboard.

 * Type ~ to alternate case of selected letters.
   * Use ` and alt-` to set the case of selected layers to
     upper and lower respectively.

 * Type Q to record and stop recording a macro.
   * Type q to repeat the recorded macro.








=================================================================
=                    5.1 USING THE JUMPLIST                     =
=================================================================

 Helix can keep track of "jumps" which are big movements, like
 jumping to the definition of a function in code. It stores
 these in what's called the jumplist.

 Type C-s (ctrl-s) to manually save your current position to
 the jumplist.

 Type C-i and C-o to move forward and backwards in the jumplist
 respectively.

 1. Type C-s somewhere.
 2. Move far away in the file.
 3. Type C-o (just once!) to come back to where you saved.





=================================================================
=                     5.2 SEARCHING IN FILE                     =
=================================================================

 Type / to search forward in file, enter to confirm search.
 Type n to go to the next search match.
 Type N to go to the previous search match.

 1. Type / and type in a common word, like 'banana'.
 2. Type enter to confirm the search.
 3. Use n and N to cycle through the matches.

 Like the select command, searching also uses regex.

 Note: To search backwards, type ? (shift-/).

 Note: Unlike Vim, N doesn't change the search direction.
       N always goes backwards and n always goes forwards.




=================================================================
=                        CHAPTER 5 RECAP                        =
=================================================================

 * Type C-s to save position to the jumplist.
   * Type C-i and C-o to go forward and backward in the jumplist.

 * Type / to search forward in file, and ? to search backwards.
   * Use n and N to cycle through search matches.













=================================================================
=                       6.1 JOINING LINES                       =
=================================================================

 Type J to join together lines in selection.

 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->.
 2. Type x four times or 4x to select all four lines.
 3. Type J to join the lines together.

 --> This sentence
is spilling over
onto other
lines.
     This sentence is spilling over onto other lines.

 Note: J works on all lines in selection, so typing xxx or 3x to
       select the lines and then a single J will work the same.




=================================================================
=                      6.2 INDENTING LINES                      =
=================================================================

 Type > to indent a line and < to outdent it.

 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->.
 2. Move down to the second line and type > to indent it.
 3. Move to the third line and type < to unindent it.

 --> These lines
    are indented
         very poorly.

     These lines
     are indented
     much better.





=================================================================
=                      6.3 OPENING LINES                        =
=================================================================

 Type o to add a newline and insert below the cursor.
 Type O to add a newline and insert above the cursor.

 1. Move the cursor to the line below marked -->.
 2. Type o to open a line below and type your answer.

 --> What is the best editor?











=================================================================
=                        CHAPTER 6 RECAP                        =
=================================================================

 * Type J to join lines within selection.

 * Type > and < to indent and outdent selected lines.

 * Use o and O to open lines.













=================================================================
 This tutorial is still a work-in-progress.
 More sections are planned.