Linux · Accessories
Kate
Kate is a feature-rich, programmer-focused text editor from KDE with support for 300+ languages and advanced editing tools.
- License
- LGPL-2.1+
- Latest version
- 26.04.2 (June 4, 2026)
- Developer
- KDE
- Installs
- 7,956 (Flathub, 30 days)
What is Kate?
Kate has been part of the KDE ecosystem since 2001, evolving into a mature, stable editor used by developers across Linux and other platforms. Originally built for the KDE desktop, it's now available on Windows and macOS too, showing its broad appeal. Its long development history means bugs are well ironed out, and features are deeply integrated.
It's ideal for developers and technical users who want a single editor for coding, scripting, and config file work. The built-in terminal, LSP support, and project management suit those working in complex codebases. If you're editing code regularly and want more than basic text editing, Kate delivers.
Compared to Notepad++ or WordPad, Kate feels more powerful but also heavier. It’s not a quick note-taker — it’s built for serious editing. Opening a single file launches a full-featured environment with panels, syntax highlighting, and tabs. If you're used to lightweight editors, it may feel like overkill at first, but its depth pays off with larger projects.
Best for: Developers and power users who want a single, full-featured editor for coding and scripting tasks.
Key features of Kate
- Syntax highlighting for 300+ languages
- Multiple cursors and selections
- LSP and DAP support for code intelligence and debugging
- Built-in terminal and filesystem browser
- Git integration and folder-wide search
- Vi mode and customizable keyboard shortcuts
- Project support with folder opening
- Extensible via plugins and JavaScript scripting
Pros
- Extremely feature-rich for developers
- Excellent integration with KDE and Qt environments
- Supports advanced workflows like debugging and remote editing
- Highly customizable with plugins and scripting
- Cross-platform and actively maintained
Cons
- Can feel heavy for simple text tasks
- Steeper learning curve than Notepad++
- KDE dependencies may be unwanted on non-KDE desktops
- UI can seem cluttered to new users
Windows programs Kate replaces
Notepad++
WordPadHow to install Kate on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.kde.katesudo apt install katesudo apt install katesudo dnf install katesudo pacman -S katesudo zypper install kateTips for Windows users
Files saved as .txt or .log open fine, but you'll want to check encoding settings — Kate handles UTF-8, CRLF, and others correctly by default. Keyboard shortcuts differ; Ctrl+Shift+Up/Down for multiple cursors replaces some Notepad++ column edits. Use the built-in file browser instead of opening folders externally — it's faster. If you used Notepad++'s regex search, Kate supports Perl-style regex too, but test patterns first.
Recent releases
- 26.04.2 —
- 26.04.1 —
- 26.04.0 —
- 25.12.3 —
Kate: frequently asked questions
Can Kate replace Notepad++ on Linux?
Yes, Kate is a strong alternative with more features, especially for coding. It supports syntax highlighting, plugins, and advanced text manipulation, often exceeding Notepad++'s capabilities on Linux.
Does Kate support plugins like Notepad++?
Yes, Kate has a plugin system and supports scripting via JavaScript. Many features, like LSP integration and terminal embedding, are enabled through plugins by default.
Is Kate only for KDE desktops?
No, Kate runs on any Linux desktop, as well as Windows and macOS. While it integrates best with KDE, it works standalone without issues on other environments.
How do I enable vi mode in Kate?
Go to Settings > Configure Kate > Editing Behavior and enable 'Vi Input Mode'. Once active, you can use common vi commands like h, j, k, l for navigation and :w to save.
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