emacs — Emacs editor

Linux / Basic Linux commands / emacs.html

A highly extensible text editor and execution environment.

Basic Information

What is this command?

Emacs is more than a text editor: it is an environment extensible with Lisp, covering file editing, Git, terminals and mail in one interface.

In a terminal, emacs -nw runs without a GUI. The key chord system (C-x, M-x) takes practice, and C-g cancels a pending command.

What problems does it solve?

• Editing configuration files in a terminal
• Extending the editing environment with Lisp
• Using one tool for editing, version control and a terminal
• Editing on remote servers without a GUI

Key features

File editing

Open with emacs FILE, then save and exit.

• When to use: Editing server configuration
• What you get: Syntax highlighting and search are available.
• Limitations: The key bindings take learning.

Terminal mode

The -nw flag runs without a GUI.

• When to use: Over SSH sessions
• What you get: The same environment works remotely.
• Limitations: Some GUI features are unavailable.

Extensibility

Lisp configuration and packages add features.

• When to use: Automating repetitive editing work
• What you get: Workflows can be deeply customized.
• Limitations: Complex configuration carries maintenance cost.

Installation and usage

Check whether it is installed

emacs --version

sudo apt install emacs-nox # Debian/Ubuntu sudo dnf install emacs # Fedora

Real-world examples

Open in terminal

Open a file without a GUI.

emacs -nw /etc/hosts

Run a command

Evaluate a Lisp command at startup.

emacs -nw --eval '(princ "hello")'

Batch mode

Run Lisp without an editor session.

emacs --batch --eval '(princ (+ 1 2))'