---
obj: application
website: https://www.nano-editor.org
repo: https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/nano.git
wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_nano
rev: 2024-01-17
---

# nano
GNU Nano is a versatile and user-friendly text editor that comes pre-installed on many Unix-like operating systems. It is designed to be an easy-to-use, lightweight, and efficient text editor, making it a popular choice for both beginners and experienced users. Nano provides essential features for editing text files within the terminal, offering a simple and straightforward interface. A spiritual successor is [micro](micro.md).

## Usage
To open a file using Nano, simply type:
```sh
nano filename
```

This will open the specified file in the Nano editor. If the file does not exist, Nano will create a new file with that name.

### Key Commands
- **Ctrl + O**: Write changes to the file (save).
- **Ctrl + X**: Exit Nano.
- **Ctrl + G**: Get help for key commands.
- **Ctrl + K**: Cut the current line.
- **Ctrl + U**: Paste the cut text.
- **Ctrl + W**: Search for a specific string in the text.
- **Ctrl + C**: Display the current cursor position.

### Navigation
- Use arrow keys to navigate.
- **Ctrl + Arrow Key**: Move one word at a time.
- **Ctrl + A**: Move to the beginning of the line.
- **Ctrl + E**: Move to the end of the line.

## Features
1. **Syntax Highlighting**: Nano supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages, making it easier to read and edit code.
2. **Auto-indentation**: Nano can automatically indent code based on the syntax of the file, improving code readability.
3. **Search and Replace**: Nano provides a simple way to search for specific strings in the text and replace them with another.
4. **Multiple Buffers**: You can open multiple files in separate buffers and switch between them easily.
5. **Mouse Support**: In some terminal emulators, Nano supports basic mouse interactions for scrolling and text selection.
6. **Configuration File**: Users can customize Nano's behavior by creating a `.nanorc` configuration file in their home directory.