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Zep Text Editor

An embeddable text editor with optional Vim mode and rendering-agnostic design

Get StartedView on GitHub

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Why Zep?

Zep is a simple embeddable editor designed for game engines, development tools, and applications requiring text editing capabilities. Built with a rendering-agnostic architecture, Zep can integrate seamlessly with ImGui, Qt, or custom rendering backends.

Modal Vim Editing

Full-featured Vim mode with visual selection, text objects, and common motions

Rendering Agnostic

Works with ImGui, Qt, or custom rendering backends

Minimal Dependencies

Core library requires only C++14, no external dependencies

Gap Buffer

Efficient text storage using gap buffer data structure

Syntax Highlighting

Pluggable syntax highlighting with built-in language support

REPL Integration

Built-in REPL mode for scripting language integration

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Key Features

  • Dual Editing Modes: Choose between modal Vim editing or standard notepad-style editing
  • Window Management: Split windows horizontally/vertically with tab support
  • Fuzzy Search: Built-in Ctrl+P fuzzy file search
  • Theme Support: Multiple color schemes with easy customization
  • UTF-8 Support: Full Unicode text editing capabilities
  • Text Markers: Highlight errors, warnings, and custom annotations
  • Easy Integration: Single-header include or CMake library installation

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Quick Example

#include "zep/editor.h"
#include "zep/mode_vim.h"
#include "zep/imgui/display_imgui.h"

// Create the editor
auto editor = std::make_shared<Zep::ZepEditor>(
    new Zep::ZepDisplay_ImGui()
);

// Add Vim mode
editor->RegisterMode<Zep::ZepMode_Vim>();

// Create a buffer
auto buffer = editor->GetEmptyBuffer("MyFile.cpp");

// Display in your render loop
editor->Display();

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Integration Options

Single Header

Include one header file in your project

CMake Library

Install as a system library via CMake

ImGui Backend

Render with Dear ImGui

Qt Backend

Render with Qt Widgets

Custom Backend

Implement your own renderer

REPL Mode

Integrate scripting languages

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Get Started

1

Install Zep

Add Zep to your project as a single header or CMake library

Installation Guide

Learn about installation options
2

Choose Your Backend

Select ImGui, Qt, or implement a custom display backend

Integration Guide

Explore integration options
3

Configure and Customize

Set up editing modes, themes, and key mappings

Quickstart

Get up and running quickly

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Learn More

Architecture

Understand Zep’s layered design

API Reference

Explore the complete API documentation

Vim Mode

Master Vim keybindings and commands

Examples

Browse example applications

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