In `helix_mode`, visual mode, `alt-;` does not invert the anchor of the selection

[eliaperantoni]

Summary

In Helix, the anchor of a selection can be inverted with ALT+;, this is not emulated correctly in Zed because the keybinding does nothing.

Video of behavior in Helix

Screen.Recording.2025-07-03.at.09.42.56.mov

Description

Steps to reproduce:

1. Use Zed >0.193.0
2. Enable "helix_mode": true in your settings
3. Select a few lines by pressing x a few times
4. Press ALT+;

Expected Behavior:

Anchor is inverted, like video above.

Actual Behavior:

Nothing happens.

Zed Version and System Specs

Zed: v0.193.3 (Zed)
OS: macOS 14.7.6
Memory: 64 GiB
Architecture: aarch64

[Dreaming-Codes]

This can be simply achieved adding the following keymaps:

//when in visual mode
{
    "context": "vim_mode == visual",
    "bindings": {
        "alt-;": "vim::OtherEnd",
	}
}

//when in helix normal mode
{
    "context": "vim_mode == helix_normal && !menu",
    "bindings": {
        "alt-;": "vim::OtherEnd",
    }
}

I can submit the one for helix normal mode as PR but the one for visual mode is in common with vim so I'm not sure how this should be handled

[eliaperantoni]

@Dreaming-Codes Thank you that's quite helpful! I'll immediately add it to my config :)

but the one for visual mode is in common with vim so I'm not sure how this should be handled

I think in the long run Zed should probably have a proper "Helix Mode" if Helix emulation is a desired feature. Having it be a limb of Vim Mode will IMO cause a bunch of subtle differences and issues. What I mean by a "proper Helix Mode" is e.g. a Helix Select mode, instead of relying on Vim Visual mode.

My dream is for Zed to have a setting where most of Helix keybindings work out of the box, without any customization needed by the user.