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hx

hx is a free hex editor for the Linux terminal, written in plain C99 with POSIX libraries.

Place
#28 of 32
Score
5.4
hx's website

What hx is

hx is a free hex editor for the Linux terminal, written in plain C99 with POSIX libraries. The project reports no library dependencies, including no curses requirement. It edits bytes by appending, inserting, replacing, or deleting, with undo and redo commands. Navigation includes Vim-like hjkl keys, arrows, page scrolling, and jumps to file boundaries. Searches find byte values and move between previous and next matches. Command mode supports decimal or hexadecimal offset jumps, writing, quitting, and setting bytes per line and byte grouping. The interface uses ANSI escape sequences and raw terminal mode. Build it with make, or make all to gzip the man page. make install places files under /usr/local/bin/ and /usr/local/man/man1/, although distribution portability is uncertain. The project uses an MIT license and provides GitHub Issues and Discussions.

Good

  • Free and MIT-licensed
  • No library dependencies
  • Byte editing with undo and redo
  • Byte-value searching
  • Vim-like navigation

Watch out

  • Linux only
  • Distribution portability is uncertain
  • Cursor movement unavailable in command mode
  • Configuration file is only a wishlist item

Who it suits

hx suits Linux users who want a terminal-based editor with direct byte operations and minimal dependencies. It is relevant to people comfortable building software from source.

Verdict

hx provides focused terminal hex editing with navigation, searching, history, and offset commands. Its source-based installation and command-mode limitation matter for users seeking a polished, configurable interface.

The facts

Each one read from hx's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Build
The source can be compiled by running `make`.checked 10 Oct 2026
Command mode
Command mode supports jumping to decimal or hexadecimal offsets, writing, quitting, and setting bytes per line and byte grouping.checked 4 Oct 2026
Configuration
The README wishlist mentions a configuration file for colors or default settings as a possible future addition.checked 4 Oct 2026
Dependencies
The project says it has no library dependencies, including curses.checked 10 Oct 2026
Display settings
The README documents commands to set octets per line and byte grouping.checked 10 Oct 2026
Editing
The editor supports byte append, insert, replace, and delete operations.checked 4 Oct 2026
Editing features
The editor supports byte insertion, appending, replacement, and deletion.checked 10 Oct 2026
Install
The README says `make install` installs the binary under `/usr/local/bin/` and the man page under `/usr/local/man/man1`.checked 10 Oct 2026
License
The project uses the MIT License, which permits use, copying, modification, distribution, sublicensing, and sale subject to its conditions.checked 10 Oct 2026
Navigation
The editor supports Vim-like `hjkl` movement, arrow keys, and commands to jump to decimal or hexadecimal offsets.checked 10 Oct 2026
Notable limitation
The README says cursor movement is not available in command mode.checked 10 Oct 2026
Product
hx is a hex editor for the terminal written in plain C and POSIX libraries.checked 10 Oct 2026
Search
The editor can search for byte values and move to the next or previous occurrence.checked 4 Oct 2026
Search and history
The editor supports searching for byte values, undo, and redo.checked 10 Oct 2026
Support
The repository provides GitHub Issues and Discussions links.checked 4 Oct 2026
Terminal interface
The program uses ANSI escape sequences and initializes the terminal in raw mode.checked 4 Oct 2026
Undo and redo
The listed keyboard commands include undo and redo.checked 4 Oct 2026

The company

Maker
The repository AUTHORS file lists Kevin Pors among the contributors.checked 10 Oct 2026
Maker profile
Kevin Pors's GitHub profile lists the Netherlands.checked 10 Oct 2026

Money

Planned feature
The wishlist mentions a possible configuration file for colors or default settings.checked 10 Oct 2026

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