Getting started

Your first session

Open a project, edit and save a file, and learn where Red keeps its commands and shortcuts.

Start Red

Open a file, or set the workspace root explicitly:

red src/main.rs
red -r path/to/project

The first interactive launch opens Red's welcome screen. Press Esc to enter the editor, or start the guided tour. The tour uses a disposable practice buffer and simulated Git and Agent screens; it doesn't change your repository or start Codex.

:tutorial
:tutorial quick

Edit and save a file

1
Find a file.
Press Ctrl-p, type part of its name, and press Enter.
2
Enter Insert mode.
Press i and type your change. Press Esc to return to Normal mode.
3
Save.
Type :w and press Enter.
4
Leave Red.
Type :q and press Enter. Use :wq to save and quit in one command.

Know which mode you are in

Mode	Enter with	Use it for
Normal	`Esc`	Navigation and editing commands
Insert	`i`, `a`, or `o`	Typing text
Visual	`v`, `V`, or `Ctrl-v`	Selecting text
Command	`:`	Named editor commands

Find the next command

Press Space ? to open the command palette. It shows available commands, descriptions, and active keybindings. Press F1 for keyboard help in the current editor, pane, or dialog.

Ctrl-pFind a project file

Ctrl-eOpen the file tree

Space gSearch project text

Space GOpen the Git workspace

Space tBrowse themes

Space mOpen messages