Why Sublime Is Still Worth Keeping

VS Code commands the lion's share of "modern code editors," but Sublime remains irreplaceable in three ways:

  • Startup speed: Cold start < 200ms, 5–10x faster than VS Code;
  • Multiple selections: The native multi-cursor experience is still the industry benchmark;
  • Size: Installer is only ~15 MB, runs smoothly even on older machines.

It's not "a more modern VS Code," but "a lighter tool." If you're just opening a text file to tweak a config, read a log, or write a bit of Markdown, Sublime is far more convenient than a full IDE.

1. Multiple Selections: The Editor's "Killer Feature"

This is Sublime's most classic feature—editing multiple instances of the same text simultaneously.

Common operations:

  • Select a word → press Ctrl + D to select the next occurrence; repeat to multi-select;
  • Press Ctrl + K to skip the current one and continue to the next;
  • Select entire line → Ctrl + L;
  • Column selection: Hold Shift + right-click and drag;
  • Select all occurrences at once: Alt + F3 (or Ctrl + Alt + F3 on Windows).

After multi-selecting, all positions type in sync. Renaming a variable across a file or adding the same prefix to a block of lines takes seconds.

2. Command Palette: Trigger Almost Any Feature

Press Ctrl + Shift + P to open the Command Palette. Type a keyword to invoke features.

For example:

  • Type syntax → switch file syntax;
  • Type install → install a package;
  • Type sort → sort selected lines;
  • Type indent → adjust indentation.

The design philosophy: don't memorize shortcuts, just remember keywords. This approach was adopted by VS Code, Atom, and Zed.

3. Goto Anything: Blazing-Fast File Jumping

Press Ctrl + P to open Goto Anything. Type a filename, path fragment, or symbol name to instantly locate a file. Supports fuzzy matching.

Common syntax:

  • main.js: Jump to main.js;
  • :function_name: Jump to a function in the current file;
  • @symbol: Jump to a symbol in the current file;
  • #search: Search for a string in the current file.

As long as a project has been opened in Sublime, jumping to any file in a project with thousands of files is basically instant.

4. Package Control: Gateway to the Plugin Ecosystem

Sublime without Package Control is like a browser without extensions. After installing via the official guide, use Ctrl + Shift + P → "Install Package" to install plugins.

Essential plugins:

  • Emmet: HTML/CSS abbreviation expansion;
  • MarkdownEditing: Markdown editing enhancements;
  • BracketHighlighter: Bracket pair highlighting;
  • SublimeLinter: Code linting (install language-specific plugins);
  • A File Icon: File-type icons in the sidebar;
  • Origami: Split-screen layouts.

5. Projects and Workspaces: Managing Multiple Folders

Sublime's "project" is a lightweight concept—bundle several folders into a project, and reopening it restores all files and tab states.

Menu → Project → Save Project. Next time, use "Open Recent Project" to restore.

My approach: one project per work area (e.g., a repository or a set of notes). Switching projects = switching work context—cleaner than opening multiple windows.

6. Split Editing: Side-by-Side Comparison

Sublime supports multiple split layouts:

  • Alt + Shift + 1/2/3: Single column, two columns, grid;
  • Ctrl + K, Ctrl + Shift + Arrow: Move current file to another group;
  • Use the Origami plugin for more flexible splitting.

Very useful for comparing two config files or referencing examples while coding.

7. Macro Recording: Package Repetitive Operations into One Command

Sublime's macros record keystroke and command sequences—play back once to repeat.

How to use:

  1. Tools → Record Macro;
  2. Manually perform the operation you want to automate;
  3. Tools → Stop Recording;
  4. Tools → Save Macro (bind a shortcut or save to Packages/User).

For example: batch-adding quotes to each line + adding a trailing comma, clearing blank lines, normalizing indentation—all can be done with macros.

8. Instant Project Switching: Ctrl + Tab Isn't the Best

Sublime's default Ctrl + Tab file switching is rough. After installing Package Control, install BufferScroll or enable "remember last cursor position"—when switching files, the cursor auto-returns to where you left off. Great for long files.

9. Column Mode Editing: Shift + Right-Click Drag

The column selection feature:

  • Rectangle selection: Shift + right-click drag;
  • After selecting, type → multi-line simultaneous insertion;
  • Delete column → use Ctrl + Shift + K line delete mode.

Processing CSVs, aligning tables, batch-adding comment prefixes—column mode is faster than scripting.

10. Working with Total Commander: F4 for Instant Editing

Configure TC's F4 to call Sublime (see the TC article), then:

  • Browse to the target file in TC;
  • Press F4 → Sublime opens instantly;
  • Make changes, Ctrl + S to save;
  • Switch back to TC → file state is already updated.

This "file management + text editing" division is very smooth: TC manages files, Sublime manages content.

Sublime Without Plugins Is Also Great

Many people install tons of plugins only to end up with lag. In fact, Sublime's defaults—multiple selections + command palette + Goto Anything—handle 90% of scenarios.

Use pure Sublime for a month first. When you feel friction somewhere, then install a plugin. Install on demand—less is more.

Summary

Sublime Text isn't the most "modern" editor in 2026, but it's still one of the best-feeling plain text editors. It's not a replacement for VS Code, but a complement:

  • VS Code → heavy-duty development;
  • Sublime → quick editing, fast browsing, lightweight notes.

The free trial has no feature restrictions (only an occasional registration prompt). A license is $80 / 3 years—excellent value for what it provides.