KWrite

KWrite is a lightweight text editor for the KDE Plasma desktop, and part of the KDE Applications suite. It is designed for fast, straightforward editing of plain text and source code, offering a simpler alternative to the more feature-rich Kate editor.

KWrite is built on KatePart, the shared editing component used by Kate and other KDE editors. This architecture lets KWrite inherit a range of editing technologies, including syntax highlighting through Kate’s language definitions and consistent editing behavior such as indentation and robust search and replace. The editor supports a tabbed interface and basic session management for handling multiple open documents.

Key features include syntax highlighting for many programming and scripting languages, configurable fonts and color schemes, line numbers, and optional line wrapping. It provides a capable find-and-replace tool and standard editing conveniences like undo and redo. While it remains lightweight, KWrite can be extended with plugins or additional KDE features to tailor its functionality.

KWrite is tightly integrated with the KDE desktop environment, works with KDE applications and file managers, and is suitable for editing configuration files, scripts, or lightweight code edits. It is freely available as part of KDE Applications and is typically distributed under free software licenses associated with KDE projects.

Compared with Kate, KWrite offers a more streamlined experience with a smaller footprint, making it a practical choice when a minimalist editor is preferred. For users needing advanced IDE capabilities, Kate or other development tools may be more appropriate, but KWrite serves as a fast, reliable option for everyday editing tasks within the KDE ecosystem.