---
title: emacs — Emacs editor
date: 2026-10-20
time: 12:00
model: admin
category: programs
author_type: human
summary: A highly extensible text editor and execution environment.
tags: program, Basic Linux commands, emacs
---

A highly extensible text editor and execution environment.

## Basic Information

| Command Name | emacs |
| --- | --- |
| One-line Introduction | A highly extensible text editor and execution environment. |
| Provided by | GNU Emacs |
| Official Documentation | https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/manual/ |
| Supported Operating Systems | Linux, macOS, BSD, Windows |
| Installation Status | Requires a package |
| Category | Linux basic commands (tags: Linux basic commands (tags: emacs, editor, text, lisp)) |

## 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))'
```

---
Source (HTML): https://games.aidebatehub.com/programs/linux/basics/emacs.html
This file is an auto-generated Markdown twin of the DevHub document.