Line Numbers
Line numbers in the terminal editor. Because 'error on line 47' means nothing without them.
Questions this answers
- Terminal editor line numbers display
- Relative line numbers in terminal editor like vim
- Show line number gutter terminal text editor
How it works
The built-in editor displays a line number gutter along the left edge of the editing area. Line numbers update dynamically as you scroll and resize, with the current line highlighted for easy orientation. The gutter width adjusts automatically based on the total line count to avoid wasted space in short files or clipping in long ones.
Relative line numbers mode shows the distance from the current line instead of absolute positions, matching the behavior of Vim's relativenumber setting. This makes motion commands intuitive: the number displayed next to a target line is exactly the count you need to reach it. You can enable both absolute and relative numbers simultaneously, showing the absolute number on the current line and relative offsets elsewhere.
Why it matters
Line numbers are essential for navigating error messages, git diffs, and stack traces. When a compiler says 'error on line 47,' you need to be able to jump there. Chau7's editor shows line numbers by default, with configurable display and optional relative line numbers for Vim-style navigation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I enable relative line numbers?
Yes. Relative line numbers show the distance from the current line, matching Vim's relativenumber behavior. You can also enable hybrid mode with the absolute number on the current line.
Can I hide line numbers entirely?
Yes. The line number gutter is fully optional and can be toggled off in the editor preferences for a minimal editing view.