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ADR-0002: Editor Integration via Reline

Date: 2026-01-29 Status: Accepted

Context

Users want the ability to open their $EDITOR from the prompt to compose long or complex messages. The proposed approach was to implement CTRL+x CTRL+e keybinding (matching Bash/Zsh behavior).

Research into Ruby’s Reline library revealed that this functionality already exists for vi mode users.

Decision

Do not implement custom editor integration. Document the existing Reline vi mode functionality instead.

How it works today (vi mode):

  1. Configure vi mode in ~/.inputrc: set editing-mode vi
  2. At the elelem prompt, press ESC to enter command mode
  3. Press v to open $EDITOR with current input
  4. Edit, save, quit
  5. Text returns to prompt

Reline’s vi_histedit function handles:

  • Creating temp file with current input
  • Opening $EDITOR
  • Reading result back into the prompt
  • Cleanup

Consequences

Positive:

  • Zero application code required
  • Leverages existing, well-tested functionality
  • Consistent with standard vi behavior
  • Works out of the box for vi mode users
  • Respects user’s ~/.inputrc configuration

Negative:

  • Emacs mode users don’t get CTRL+x CTRL+e (no built-in equivalent)
  • Requires users to know vi mode is available
  • Documentation is the only deliverable

References

  • Reline source: line_editor.rb - vi_histedit method
  • inputrc location priority: $INPUTRC → ~/.inputrc → $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/readline/inputrc