Zed is a high-performance, multiplayer code editor from the creators of Atom and Tree-sitter, designed for low-latency coding with built-in AI capabilities.

What can I build with Zed?

It is optimized for backend systems, frontend web apps, and full-stack projects, particularly those requiring Rust, C++, or TypeScript.

Does Zed support VS Code extensions?

No, Zed uses its own native extension system and avoids Electron-based WebViews to maintain its high-performance benchmarks.

What are the hardware requirements for Linux?

Linux users must have a GPU that supports Vulkan 1.3; otherwise, the editor will fail to render correctly.

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Zed

AI IDEFreemium

Best for: High-performance systems programming in Rust and C++, Real-time collaborative development, Developers seeking ultra-low latency input response, Advanced AI workflows using multiple frontier models

Last updated: Jan 8, 2026

Capabilities

10/13 supported

Web Frontend

Build React, Vue, or other frontend applications

Web Backend

Create APIs, server-side logic, and backend services

Mobile Apps

Build native or cross-platform mobile applications

SSR / SEO

Server-side rendering for better SEO performance

Database

Integrate and manage database connections

Deployment

Deploy and host applications automatically

Agentic Mode

Autonomous multi-step task execution

Chat Interface

Interactive conversational AI assistant

Code Generation

Generate code from natural language prompts

Debugging

Identify and fix bugs automatically

Terminal Access

Execute commands in the terminal

Web Browsing

Browse the web for information

Test Generation

Generate unit and integration tests

Technical Analysis

Zed distinguishes itself through a GPU-accelerated rendering engine written in Rust, which eliminates the input lag common in Electron-based editors. Its multiplayer core allows for real-time collaboration that feels like a shared document for code, coupled with a deep integration of frontier LLMs like GPT-4o and Claude 3.5 Sonnet via its 'Assistant Panel' and inline transformations.

While it excels at codebase understanding and agentic workflows, it intentionally lacks support for WebViews. This means developers cannot use extensions for Markdown previews, Swagger UI, or any tool that relies on an embedded browser. This trade-off ensures the editor remains lean and responsive, but it may alienate developers who rely on a visually rich IDE environment for design-heavy tasks.

Limitations & Considerations

Known Limitations

No support for HTML/WebView based extensions (e.g., Markdown preview, Swagger UI)
Limited complex UI manipulation in the current extension API
Vulkan 1.3 requirement on Linux may exclude older hardware

Frequently Asked Questions

Get Started

Architecture isn't a gamble.
It's a calculation.

Eliminate incompatible technologies and build a defensible tech stack.

Launch Architect Wizard

No assumptions. No account required. Deterministic validation.