# Nano Nano is a simple, modeless terminal text editor for [[Unix]]-like systems. Originally created as a free replacement for the Pstrings editor Pico (part of the Pine email client), Nano is designed to be easy to use — all commands are displayed at the bottom of the screen, and there are no modes to learn. Nano is pre-installed on most [[Linux]] distributions and is the default editor for many systems, making it the go-to choice for quick config file edits and users who don't need the power of [[Vim]] or [[Neovim]]. ## Key features - **Modeless editing**: Type immediately — no modes to switch between - **On-screen shortcuts**: Available commands always visible at the bottom - **Syntax highlighting**: Supports many languages via nanorc - **Search and replace**: `Ctrl+W` to search, `Ctrl+\` to replace - **Line numbers**: `Ctrl+C` shows current position, `-l` flag enables line numbers - **Multiple buffers**: Open and switch between multiple files - **Undo/redo**: `Alt+U` / `Alt+E` ## Essential shortcuts | Shortcut | Action | |----------|--------| | `Ctrl+O` | Save (Write Out) | | `Ctrl+X` | Exit | | `Ctrl+W` | Search | | `Ctrl+\` | Search and replace | | `Ctrl+K` | Cut line | | `Ctrl+U` | Paste (Uncut) | | `Ctrl+G` | Help | | `Alt+U` | Undo | | `Alt+E` | Redo | | `Ctrl+_` | Go to line number | ## Configuration Configured via `~/.nanorc` or `/etc/nanorc`: ```sh # Enable line numbers set linenumbers # Enable syntax highlighting include "/usr/share/nano/*.nanorc" # Smooth scrolling set smooth # Auto-indent set autoindent # Tab size set tabsize 4 set tabstospaces ``` ## When to use Nano vs Vim/Neovim - **Nano**: Quick edits, config file changes, unfamiliar servers, users who prefer simplicity - **[[Vim]]** / **[[Neovim]]**: Extended editing sessions, code development, power users who benefit from modal editing ## References - https://www.nano-editor.org/ - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_nano ## Related - [[Vi]] - [[Vim]] - [[Neovim]] - [[Command Line Interface (CLI)]] - [[Shell]] - [[Bash]] - [[Zsh (Z Shell)]] - [[Unix]] - [[Linux]]