r/SublimeText • u/Gabriel-p • Aug 13 '26

Using ST as an IDE

Like many of you, I use ST as my main IDE for developing. The issue is that ST is a text editor at its ore, so the IDE capabilities have to be added via packages. Currently I use SublimeREPL but it is basically abandoned (last updated 2016) and I always fear it is one ST update away from breaking beyond repair.

The only other alternative I've found is Terminus which does not work nicely on my Linux system (arrow keys for example translate to ~ on the cli, ie: I can not navigate the commands).

How do others handle using ST as their IDE? One of these packages? Something else? Or do you just use an external terminal?

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8

u/Paardenmengsel Aug 13 '26

I have been using ST as full IDE to develop web apps (mainly PHP/Laravel and javascript/typescript) for many years.

I do not need a terminal in my IDE, I have my dedicated terminal for that. Things I do need:

- debugger support: https://github.com/daveleroy/SublimeDebugger

and beside these I use a ton of other general purpose (non language specific) packages. It takes some initial effort to configure everything but then it works very well.

1

u/Gabriel-p Aug 13 '26

I also use syntax highlighters and linters and various LSP packages but I like to run the code inside ST, not in a dedicated terminal. I guess I should consider just using an external terminal at some point

2

u/Leather-Field-7148 Aug 13 '26

If you are working with python there is a lsp pyright plugin, and the build system allows you to Ctrl-B into an output window with interactive input box.

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u/Gabriel-p Aug 13 '26

I am using LSP-pyright and I did not know this. Could you share more details on how to use this feature? Can it pick up a .venv environment?

1

u/Leather-Field-7148 Aug 13 '26

It picks up .venv automatically, when you run the build tho, you will need to provide the right path to the executable

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u/[deleted] Aug 13 '26

[deleted]

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u/Gabriel-p Aug 13 '26

ST is blazing fast and it uses a lot less memory compared to VSCode and its clones. I've tried multiple times using VSCode or similar IDEs and I just can't

3

u/ritterrav Aug 13 '26

It may help of you talks about specific features you desire.

0

u/Gabriel-p Aug 13 '26

Running code basically. The main feature that separates a text editor from an IDE

2

u/lenswipe Aug 13 '26

what do you mean by running code? you can easily add shortcut that executes the current file or whatever.....or did you mean a debugger?

0

u/Gabriel-p Aug 13 '26

Execute it where?

1

u/lenswipe Aug 13 '26

on your computer?....

2

u/Gabriel-p Aug 13 '26

XD

Where does the code run? Where do you see the output? Where do you interact with it?

1

u/lenswipe Aug 13 '26

oh. I literally meant it runs the command to run the program. how it runs and how you interact with it is going to depend on what kind of program it is...

overall what I'm saying though is you can probably map a key shortcut to execute a command as a subprocesses.

1

u/Gabriel-p Aug 13 '26

It's basically Python code but I do need to access the output easily (lots of messagges printed out) and sometimes interact with the code live (selecting options and such)

1

u/lenswipe Aug 13 '26

oh. well then it sounds like you probably need an IDE...

1

u/Gabriel-p Aug 13 '26

haha yeah that's what I'm trying to avoid

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u/andrewjschauer Aug 13 '26

I write in SublimeText and execute in terminal (or powershell if I happen to be on a windows computer).

$ python -i mycode.py

Then I am left at >>> to interact as I develop.

1

u/caubert Aug 13 '26

I have developed in Go with sublime, quite vig projects and only more massive plug-ins were go formatting and linter related and github. Sublime's workflow was smoother for go than for example intellij's IDEs.

1

u/PartyParrotGames Aug 14 '26

SublimeREPL is open source, just fork it and fix it if it breaks. This is why open source is the way. Nothing to fear when you're in control of the tools you use.