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I switched from VSCode to Zed (tenthousandmeters.com)

453 points by r4victor · 290 days ago · 422 comments on HN

Article summary

The author switched from VSCode to Zed, a lightweight IDE written in Rust, due to VSCode's increasing bugginess and intrusive AI features. Zed provided a familiar UI and fast performance, but required some configuration for Python development. The author had to set up language servers and configure settings to get Zed working smoothly with Python. Overall, the author is satisfied with Zed and finds it to be a viable alternative to VSCode.

Main themes

  • IDE comparison
  • Zed vs VSCode
  • Python development
  • Language servers
  • Editor configuration
  • AI integration

What commenters say

  • Some users have had issues with CSS syntax highlighting in VSCode for years, which is surprising given its popularity as a web development editor.
  • The switch from VSCode to Zed may not be feasible for organizations due to ecosystem dependencies, but individuals can make the switch more easily.
  • Rust is a suitable language for embedded development, but its ecosystem is still immature and lacks some features, making it a challenging choice for some use cases.
  • The quality of font rendering in Zed is a concern for some users, particularly those with low-DPI monitors, and may be a barrier to adoption.
  • The definition of high DPI varies, with some considering it to be above 160 DPI, while others use a higher threshold, such as Apple's definition of above 218 DPI.
  • Some users prefer high refresh rates, such as 120Hz, over high DPI, and are willing to compromise on resolution to achieve smoother performance.
  • The ability to charge a laptop through a USB-C connection on a monitor is a useful feature, but requires a high enough power output, typically 65W or 90W, to be practical.