# Zed

> Zed (v1.25.2, October 2026) is a native code editor for macOS, Windows and Linux. Its built-in Zed Agent edits files, searches the codebase and runs terminal commands, can use MCP servers, and can run several threads in parallel, each in its own Git worktree. Other agent CLIs can run inside it too. Models come from your own API keys, an existing subscription, a gateway, or local models via Ollama, LM Studio or llama.cpp. Hosted models and Zed's own edit prediction need the paid Pro plan. Code is GPL-3.0-or-later, with some Apache-2.0 parts.

- Repository: https://github.com/zed-industries/zed
- Official docs: https://zed.dev/docs
- Checked: 2026-10-21

## What it replaces
- Cursor: Code in an AI-first editor, Multi-line tab completion and next-edit prediction, Let an agent plan and edit across many files, Run terminal commands and tests from the agent, Ask questions about your whole codebase, Connect tools and data through MCP (partial). No cloud background agents; Zed's own edit prediction needs Pro, but Copilot or a local model can be used instead.
  - Use it instead of paying for Cursor? Personal use: Yes. Business: Yes.
- Claude Code: Run commands and tests, Connect tools and data through MCP, Write commits and pull requests (partial). An editor, not a terminal agent or VS Code/JetBrains plugin; Git help is commit messages, not pull requests; no headless CI mode documented.
  - Use it instead of paying for Claude Code? Personal use: Yes. Business: Yes.

## Facts, with sources

| Question | Status | Answer | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runs on my machine? | Confirmed | Yes, a desktop editor installed on your computer | https://github.com/zed-industries/zed#installation | 2026-10-21 |
| Code licence | Confirmed | GPL-3.0-or-later for most code, with some Apache-2.0 components (LICENSE-GPL and LICENSE-APACHE) | https://github.com/zed-industries/zed#licensing | 2026-10-21 |
| Model weights licence | Confirmed | No separate model weights | https://github.com/zed-industries/zed#readme | 2026-10-21 |
| Commercial use | Confirmed | Allowed; GPL-3.0 is copyleft, so changes you distribute must stay GPL | https://github.com/zed-industries/zed#licensing | 2026-10-21 |
| Paid services needed? | Partial | Editor is free; AI works with your own API keys or local models (Ollama, LM Studio, llama.cpp); Zed Pro is optional for hosted models and Zed edit prediction | https://zed.dev/docs/ai/use-a-local-model | 2026-10-21 |
| Hardware | Confirmed | 64-bit OS; Windows needs a DirectX 11 GPU, Linux a Vulkan 1.3 driver, Macs from about 2015 on; local models need more | https://zed.dev/docs/installation#system-requirements | 2026-10-21 |
| Operating systems | Confirmed | macOS (10.15+, Intel and Apple Silicon), Windows 10 1903+ and 11, Linux x86\_64 and Arm64; no web version | https://github.com/zed-industries/zed#installation | 2026-10-21 |
| Setup effort | Confirmed | Easy; download installer, Homebrew, winget or a one-line Linux script, then add an API key or local model | https://zed.dev/docs/installation | 2026-10-21 |

GitHub: 92013 stars, 11152 forks, last push 2026-10-22, archived: no.
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Source: RepoQuarry (https://repoquarry.dev/projects/zed). Data licence: CC BY 4.0. Quotes are from project documentation and belong to their authors.