Micro

Active

micro-editor.github.io

Country: United States (US)
Founded: 2016
Developer: Micro Editor organization (open-source community)
Pricing: Free (open-source)
Open source: Yes
Platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows

Indexes

Code Editors/IDEs Text Editors

Overview

Micro is a terminal-based text editor designed for ease of use and intuitiveness, leveraging modern terminal capabilities. It provides a single static binary with no dependencies, positioning itself as a successor to nano for quick edits or full-time terminal work, including over SSH.¹²

Key Features

Static binary - Single downloadable binary with no dependencies for immediate use.
Plugin manager - Built-in manager for Lua plugins, automatically downloads and installs from official channel.
Syntax highlighting - Supports over 75 languages with 16, 256, and truecolor themes.
Colorschemes - Includes 7 default colorschemes.
Mouse support - Utilizes modern terminal mouse capabilities.
Easy key bindings - Intuitive controls similar to familiar editors like nano.
Version information - Prebuilt binaries include version data for plugin compatibility.

Pricing

Plan	Price	Includes
Free	$0	Full editor with plugins and all features.

Platforms & Requirements

Micro runs in any terminal on Linux, macOS, and Windows via static binaries with no dependencies or installation required beyond placing the binary in PATH. It requires a modern terminal supporting truecolor and mouse for full features but functions in basic terminals. No mobile or web platforms supported.¹²

Integrations & Ecosystem

Lua plugins via plugin manager
Official plugin channel
GitHub issue tracker for feedback
Homebrew and Snap package managers
go-plugin for Golang development
Custom key bindings

Alternatives

App	Difference
nano	Micro adds plugin support, truecolor, and mouse features while maintaining nano-like simplicity.
vim	Micro offers more intuitive defaults and easier learning curve without modal editing.
emacs	Micro is lighter with no dependencies, focused on terminal use rather than extensive extensibility.
neovim	Micro prioritizes ease of installation and use over vim compatibility and advanced scripting.

Reputation

Micro is regarded as a user-friendly terminal editor ideal for those seeking a nano alternative with modern features like plugins and truecolor support. Users appreciate its zero-dependency static binary and intuitive interface for SSH and daily terminal work. Some note it lacks the depth of vim or emacs for power users, but it maintains an active GitHub with ongoing releases and community plugins.¹²⁷

Sources (10)