Gram 2.0.0 Released: Revamped Default Settings and Language Server Specification Changes
The open-source text editor Gram has released version 2.0.0, featuring usability improvements with breaking changes like revamped default settings and disabled automatic language server updates.
Gram 2.0.0 Officially Released with Revamped Settings and New Features
On May 11, 2026, the development team behind the open-source text editor “Gram” announced the official release of “Gram 2.0.0,” a major version upgrade. The update primarily focuses on revising default settings that had previously caused user confusion, and includes breaking changes (non-backward compatible updates) as its hallmark feature.
According to the release announcement, Gram’s previous versions had non-intuitive default settings, such as enabling “relative line numbers” by default or disabling icons even when an icon theme was installed. To address these issues, the default settings have been redesigned to be more user-friendly. Since these changes break backward compatibility, the version number has been incremented to 2.0.0.
Key Changes: Language Server and New Features
One of the most notable changes is the update to the automatic update policy for language servers. Previously, downloaded language servers were automatically updated. Moving forward, automatic updates will be disabled by default. For example, this change could affect tools like ESLint, which might stop working without updates. Users will need to manually enable automatic updates for individual servers through the server settings view.
Additionally, support for downloading the superhtml language server for Linux has been disabled. This is due to the language server’s transition to the XZ compression format, which Gram currently does not support. The developers plan to add XZ support in the future, but for now, users will need to install the server manually.
On the new features front, smooth scrolling has been implemented (though it is disabled by default). Furthermore, basic support for rendering Mermaid diagrams in Markdown previews has been added, expanding the possibilities for visual representation within the code editor. The Supertab autocomplete feature has also been improved to provide a more seamless input experience.
Website Relocation and Other Updates
The project’s official website has moved to a new domain, “gram-editor.com,” featuring a fresh visual design. Notably, the new design includes a banner created by community member pombo.
The release notes list several other fixes and feature additions. These include a “Tight” line spacing option for the project panel, dependency checks for Arch Linux, the introduction of an RPM repository, tree-sitter grammar support for Git rebase operations, and more. User interface improvements include features like renaming terminal tabs and enabling Markdown/SVG file previews via right-click menus in buffers and tabs.
Download and Future Plans
Gram 2.0.0 is available for download from Codeberg. RPM and DEB packages are available in their respective repositories, and the development team plans to make the software available through other channels like Homebrew in the near future. Additionally, Gram can now be used as an extension for Raycast.
The development team expressed gratitude to contributors, users who reported and suggested issues, and those who provided illustrations like the toad artwork. They encouraged the community to continue collaborating and building the tool together.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happens to my existing settings when upgrading to Gram 2.0.0?
- Since the default settings have been updated, upgrading from a previous version may result in changes to features like relative line numbers and icon visibility. If you have customized settings, it is recommended to review the changes and adjust your settings accordingly.
- What are the implications of disabling automatic updates for language servers?
- For instance, language servers used for JavaScript development, such as ESLint, will no longer automatically update to the latest version. This could result in missing out on new rules or features. Users will need to manually enable automatic updates for affected language servers in the server settings.
- How can I use the new Mermaid diagram support?
- You can visually display diagrams written in Mermaid syntax within Gram's Markdown preview panel. This feature offers basic support and may require enabling in the documentation if it is not enabled by default.
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