hexer
Hexer is a free multi-buffer editor for binary files, displaying buffer contents as a hex dump.
What hexer is
Hexer is a free multi-buffer editor for binary files, displaying buffer contents as a hex dump. Its interface follows vi/ex conventions, making it suited to command-oriented editing. Linux is the listed platform; documentation describes the project as intended for Unix-like systems and says POSIX-compatible environments should be supported. Hexer is distributed as source code: unpack an archive, run make, then run make install to install the binaries and manual. Version 1.0.7 is available as gzip, bzip2 and xz source tarballs, each with a PGP signature link, and is dated 2025-08-17. The build requires POSIX support plus termios and termcap. A built-in calculator called myc can be compiled as a command-line program with make myc. Version 1.0.7 includes a compiler fix for tools such as GCC 15 and starts MkDocs documentation and Python testing. The current tests cover little beyond startup and one editing command. Scripting is supported; disk editing is not.
Good
- Displays binary buffers as hex dumps
- Supports multiple buffers
- Uses a vi/ex-like interface
- Includes a command-line calculator
- Provides gzip, bzip2 and xz source archives
Watch out
- Source build and installation required
- Disk editing is not supported
- Testing currently covers very little
- Linux is the listed platform
Who it suits
Hexer suits Linux users who want a free, source-built binary editor with a vi/ex-style interface. It is intended for Unix-like and POSIX-compatible environments.
Verdict
Hexer offers a focused, free binary-editing workflow for POSIX-oriented users comfortable building from source. Its vi/ex interface and scripting support are useful, while limited testing and unsupported disk editing are important constraints.
The facts
Each one read from hexer's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Build and install
- The installation instructions say to unpack the source archive, run make, and then run make install to install the binaries and manual.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Build portability
- Version 1.0.7 updated the build to work with compilers such as GCC 15 by enabling C99 features.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Build requirements
- The changelog says the project assumes a POSIX environment and that its code requires termios and termcap support.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Calculator
- The built-in calculator myc can be built as a command-line version with make myc.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Command options
- The changelog says version 1.0.5 added command-line options for version and features information.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Download formats
- Version 1.0.7 is offered as gzip, bzip2, and xz source tarballs, each with a PGP signature link.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Installation
- Installation instructions say to unpack the source archive, run make, and then run make install to install the binaries and manual.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Interface
- Its user interface is kept similar to vi/ex.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Latest listed release
- The download page lists version 1.0.7, dated 2025-08-17.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Maintainer
- The documentation says Hexer was written by Sascha Demetrio and is currently maintained by Peter Pentchev.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Project age
- The GitLab project page states that the project was created on April 14, 2015.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Hexer is a multi-buffer editor for binary files that displays its buffers as a hex dump.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Recent maintenance
- Version 1.0.7 includes a build fix for compilers such as GCC 15 and marks the start of MkDocs documentation and a Python-based test suite.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Release status
- The changelog lists version 1.0.7 dated 2025-08-17 and an Unreleased section.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Source releases
- The download page lists source archives for version 1.0.7, dated 2025-08-17, in gzip, bzip2, and xz formats, each with a PGP signature.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support contact
- The project page lists the maintainer's email as [email protected].checked 8 Oct 2026
- Supported systems
- The documentation says Hexer is for Unix-like systems and that all POSIX-compatible environments should be supported.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Testing limit
- The changelog describes the Python test suite as currently testing almost nothing beyond a trivial startup and one editing command.checked 8 Oct 2026
The company
- Maker identity
- The documentation identifies the project maintainer and links to its GitLab repository; it does not state a company name, headquarters, or founding date.checked 8 Oct 2026
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