GNU Emacs

Emacs is an operating system masquerading as an editor. v29+ (2025) features built-in Eglot (LSP), Tree-sitter, and Native Compilation for speed.

When to Use

• Lisp Hackers: Configured in Elisp.
• Org Mode: The best note-taking/GTD system in existence.
• Magit: The best Git interface ever made.

Core Concepts

Buffers & Windows

Everything is a buffer (files, terminals, games). Windows display buffers.

Key Chords

C-x C-s (Save). M-x (Execute command). Emacs relies heavily on Ctrl and Meta (Alt/Option).

Org Mode

Structured plain text. Todos, tables, code execution (Babel).

Best Practices (2025)

Do:

• Use use-package: The standard macro for tidy configuration.
• Enable Native Comp: (setq native-comp-async-report-warnings-errors nil). Massive speedup.
• Try Doom Emacs: A pre-configured distribution optimized for Vimmers (Evil mode).

Don’t:

• Don’t fear the pinky: Remap Caps Lock to Ctrl immediately.

References

• GNU Emacs Manual