openai / openai/codex

[CLI/TUI] Add Helix-style editing mode to the composer

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CLI enhancement TUI
Dominant language
Rust
Stars
125k
Forks
19.4k
PR merge metrics
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Description

What variant of Codex are you using?

CLI (interactive TUI)

What feature would you like to see?

I'd like a Helix-style editing mode for the prompt composer, alongside the existing Vim mode.

This can't be covered by a Vim keybinding preset because Helix uses selection-first editing: you select text first, then apply actions such as delete, change, or yank.

I don't think full Helix parity is necessary initially. Supporting the core navigation, selection, insert, delete, change, yank, and paste behavior would already be very useful.

Additional information

#9184 added inline Vim editing and is now completed. I searched for an existing Helix-mode request but couldn't find one.

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start with the CLI/TUI prompt composer and the inline Vim editing implementation from #9184. Compare its editing model with Helix's selection-first behavior, then define the initial navigation, selection, insert, delete, change, yank, and paste scope. Done means the composer offers a usable Helix-style mode alongside Vim mode.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
rust
Domain
cli
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Active
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
45/100

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