Acme

Free plan LinuxMac

What Acme is

Acme is a free, open-source desktop editor for Linux and macOS, built for programmers who work with text windows. Its keyboard-and-mouse interface arranges windows in columns, allowing interactive editing or control by external programs. Editing tools include search, undo, redo, autoindent, and Sam-style commands. You can run shell commands from Acme and send selected text through a command’s input and output. Acme also serves files that other programs can use to read, write, and control its windows. The Plan 9 plumber connects programs, and the web command can open a clicked URL in Firefox. The project is obtained through Git or a tar file and built with ./INSTALL. Its license permits use, copying, modification, distribution, sublicensing, and sale under stated conditions. A plan9port-dev mailing list and GitHub issue tracker provide contact options. The FUSE mounting option is marked experimental. The listed plan is free.

Who it suits

Acme suits programmers who want a column-based text interface and external command control on Linux or macOS.

What it does well

Free and open source
Search, undo, redo, and autoindent
Runs shell commands on selected text
External programs can control windows
Works on Linux and macOS

What to know first

FUSE mounting option is experimental
Programmer-oriented interface may not suit everyone

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Acme	No paid tiers or usage limits stated	Free

As 9fans.github.io lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

Acme combines text editing with shell commands and programmatic window control. It is aimed at programmers comfortable with its distinctive interface.

Facts from Acme's own pages

Editing interface: Its interactive interface uses a keyboard and mouse, with windows arranged in columns. · 9fans.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Editor type: desktop · 9fans.github.io, 20 Sept 2026
External commands: Users can run shell commands from Acme, and route selected text through a command’s input and output. · 9fans.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Installation: The project can be obtained through Git or as a tar file and built by running ./INSTALL. · 9fans.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Integrations: The Plan 9 plumber connects programs, and its web command can open a clicked URL in Firefox. · 9fans.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Intended audience: The manual describes Acme as a programmer-oriented interface and references Rob Pike’s paper, “Acme: A User Interface for Programmers.” · 9fans.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
License: The project license grants permission to use, copy, modify, publish, distribute, sublicense, and sell copies of the software, subject to its conditions. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Notable limitation: Acme’s -m option for mounting itself with FUSE is marked experimental. · 9fans.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Platforms: Plan 9 from User Space lists Linux and Mac OS X among its supported systems. · 9fans.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Programmatic control: Acme serves files that external programs use to read, write, and control its windows. · 9fans.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose: Acme manages text windows that can be edited interactively or by external programs. · 9fans.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Support: The project lists a plan9port-dev mailing list and a GitHub issue tracker for contact. · 9fans.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Text editing: Acme includes search, undo and redo, autoindent, and Sam-style text editing commands. · 9fans.github.io, 11 Oct 2026

Where Acme stands on Freedom251

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