---
name: "i3-sensible-editor"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "i3-wm"
version: "4.25.1-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/i3-sensible-editor"
---

# i3-sensible-editor(1)

launches $EDITOR with fallbacks

## NAME

i3-sensible-editor - launches $EDITOR with fallbacks

## SYNOPSIS

i3-sensible-editor \[arguments\]

## DESCRIPTION

i3-sensible-editor is used by [i3-nagbar(1)](/i3-nagbar/1.md) when you click on the edit button.

It tries to start one of the following (in that order):

• $VISUAL

• $EDITOR

• nano

• nvim

• vim

• vi

• emacs

• pico

• qe

• mg

• jed

• gedit

• mcedit

• gvim

Please don’t complain about the order: If the user has any preference, they will have $VISUAL or $EDITOR set.

## SEE ALSO

[i3(1)](/i3/1.md)

## AUTHOR

Michael Stapelberg and contributors