Editing text at the command line with micro
Small and Simple
Editing text at the command line doesn't have to be daunting. Micro brings the ease and intuitiveness of a graphical editor to the Linux terminal.
Linux users are spoiled for choice when it comes to many types of software. That's especially true for text editors. When I first started writing this article, I tried to count as many editors as I could just off the top of my head. I stopped when I got to around 32.
Quite a few of those editors run at the command line. While I've used several, I've never had great relationships with command-line text editors. I'm not sure why that is. Maybe it's just we don't have enough in common with each other to form a strong bond. Recently, though, I was working with a command-line application that played better with terminal text editors than with graphical ones. So, I duly set my default editor to the venerable GNU nano editor, which was the only terminal editor installed on my computer. While I've used nano in the past, I was quickly reminded that it isn't for me.
Instead of using software I don't particularly like, I searched around for an alternative and came across micro [1]. Billed as "a modern and intuitive terminal-based text editor," micro turned out to be great substitute for nano. In this article, I look at how any Linux user, regardless of their level of comfort with the command line, can start using micro and configure it to meet their needs.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.