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HEdit

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What HEdit is

HEdit is a free, open-source hex editor that works in a terminal and takes inspiration from VIM. It can be scripted with JavaScript, and its configuration files are JavaScript modules that import built-in editor modules. At startup, it checks /etc/heditrc.js and ~/.heditrc. The JavaScript API can execute commands, emit keystrokes, register commands and options, and add key mappings. A format API can register file formats with extension or magic-value hints for automatic selection. The file API exposes a file’s name, size, and modified state, and can commit grouped changes as an undoable revision. HEdit is built from source with CMake. Its main dependencies are libtickit and V8; V8 can be disabled with -DWITH_V8=OFF, which also disables dependent features such as syntax highlighting. The project links to JavaScript API documentation and lists debug and V8-related CMake options. Its roadmap includes undo and redo, syntax-highlighting work, and a structure view.

Who it suits

HEdit suits terminal users who want a scriptable hex editor and are comfortable building software with CMake. It is also relevant to developers who want JavaScript configuration, commands, mappings, or file-format registration.

What it does well

  • Free and open-source
  • Terminal interface inspired by VIM
  • JavaScript scripting and configuration
  • File-format registration with hints
  • Undoable grouped file changes

What to know first

  • Building from source is required
  • Compiling V8 takes substantial time
  • Disabling V8 removes syntax highlighting
  • V8 build uses depot_tools and Python 2

Verdict

HEdit combines terminal hex editing with JavaScript-driven customization and file-format support. The source-build process and V8 requirements are important considerations, especially when syntax highlighting and scripting are needed.

Facts from HEdit's own pages

Build
The README describes building HEdit from source with CMake. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Build dependencies
The README identifies libtickit and V8 as main dependencies and says building V8 requires depot_tools and Python 2 as the default interpreter. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Build time
The README warns that compiling V8 takes a lot of time. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Configuration
HEdit configuration files are JavaScript modules that import built-in editor modules. · 95ulisse.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Configuration location
At startup, HEdit looks for configuration files at /etc/heditrc.js and ~/.heditrc. · 95ulisse.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Customization
The README lists CMake options for debug builds and disabling V8. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Dependencies
The README lists libtickit and V8 as its two main dependencies. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Documentation
The project links to documentation for its JavaScript APIs. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
File formats
The format API can register file formats with optional extension or magic-value hints for automatic selection. · 95ulisse.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
File operations
The file API exposes the open file's name and size, whether it is modified, and a method to commit a group of changes as an undoable revision. · 95ulisse.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
JavaScript API
The API can execute commands, emit keystrokes, register commands and options, and add key mappings. · 95ulisse.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
JavaScript option
The README says V8 can be disabled with -DWITH_V8=OFF, which disables JavaScript-dependent features such as syntax highlighting. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
License
The repository license grants use, copying, modification, distribution, and sale under the stated conditions, and provides the software without warranty. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Maker
The license copyright notice names Marco Cameriero. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Optional JavaScript
The README says V8 can be disabled with -DWITH_V8=OFF, which also disables dependent features such as syntax highlighting. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Product
HEdit is a terminal-based hex editor inspired by VIM and scriptable with JavaScript. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Roadmap
The README roadmap lists undo and redo, scriptability, JavaScript documentation, syntax highlighting, performance improvements for syntax highlighting, and a structure view. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026

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