Emacs 31 is around the corner: The changes I'm daily driving
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
Emacs 31 ships tree-sitter auto-install, markdown-ts-mode, and editable xref buffers.
Emacs 31 simplifies tree-sitter: `treesit-auto-install-grammar` fetches missing grammars, and `treesit-enabled-modes` toggles TS modes. A built-in `markdown-ts-mode` (experimental) offers Org-like keybindings, live fontified code blocks, and inline image rendering. Eglot can render LSP docs using markdown-ts. New commands transpose/rotate/flip window layouts. Speedbar can dock as a side window. Xref buffers gain `xref-edit-mode` for inline editing. ERC improvements, `kill-region-dwim`, `view-lossage-auto-refresh`, and a term fix for curses-based programs. Eight new Modus themes.
The bug fix for `term` swallowing lines in full-screen programs (e.g., htop, nethack) is a notable quality-of-life improvement.
What commenters are saying
Commenters welcome the tree-sitter auto-install and term fix. A power user describes returning to Emacs after a VSCode detour, citing tree-sitter as revitalizing the project. Others note the learning curve and wrist strain as barriers. One commenter recommends Ghostel over vterm for modern TUI performance. A user shares a trick: map Caps Lock to Ctrl and use the palm of the hand to press it.
The thread also discusses Emacs vs. VSCode for remote SSH work and AI assistant integration, with some reporting success using Claude via agent-shell or claude-code-ide.el.