emacs configuration

a modern, ai-integrated emacs configuration that transforms the classic editor into a powerful development environment for python and rust with cutting-edge ai features.

overview

this configuration provides a complete emacs setup that combines the timeless power of emacs with modern development tools and ai integration. it’s designed for developers who want:

• ai-powered coding with claude opus 4.1 for chat and inline completion
• modern aesthetics with doom one theme and jetbrains mono font
• python development with full lsp support, virtual environments, and formatting
• rust development with rust-analyzer and cargo integration
• lightning-fast performance with optimized startup and lazy loading
• intuitive interface with modern completion and discovery features

get started with the one-line installer or explore the features below.

quick start

one-line installer

the fastest way to get started:

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mjbommar/mjbommar-emacs/master/install.sh | bash

this will:

• automatically back up your existing emacs configuration
• download and install to ~/.emacs.d
• handle all dependencies and package installation

skip prompts installation

for automated setups:

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mjbommar/mjbommar-emacs/master/install.sh | bash -s -- --yes

manual installation

if you prefer manual control:

# backup existing config
mv ~/.emacs.d ~/.emacs.d.backup

# clone and install
git clone https://github.com/mjbommar/mjbommar-emacs.git /tmp/mjbommar-emacs
mkdir -p ~/.emacs.d
cp -r /tmp/mjbommar-emacs/* ~/.emacs.d/
rm -rf ~/.emacs.d/.git

system dependencies

fonts

required fonts for optimal appearance:

# ubuntu/debian
sudo apt install fonts-jetbrains-mono fonts-noto

# macos with homebrew
brew tap homebrew/cask-fonts
brew install --cask font-jetbrains-mono font-noto-sans

language servers

for full development features:

# python lsp server (choose one)
pip install pyright
# or use uv for modern python tooling
uv tool install ruff

# rust analyzer
rustup component add rust-analyzer

# vterm dependencies (ubuntu/debian)
sudo apt install cmake libtool-bin libvterm-dev

# vterm dependencies (macos)
brew install cmake

ai integration

claude opus 4.1 integration

this configuration features state-of-the-art ai integration using anthropic’s claude opus 4.1:

gptel - conversational ai

• C-c g - start new chat session
• C-c RET - send prompt to ai
• C-c c-RET - open gptel configuration menu
• stream responses in real-time
• persistent chat sessions

minuet - inline code completion

• M-i - show ai suggestion as ghost text
• M-y - complete with minibuffer (multiple suggestions)
• c-c m - configure ai provider
• automatic suggestions after 0.5s idle time
• context-aware completions

ai setup

configure your api keys:

# environment variables
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY='sk-ant-...'
export OPENAI_API_KEY='sk-...'  # optional fallback

or create ~/.authinfo:

machine api.anthropic.com login apikey password your_anthropic_key
machine api.openai.com login apikey password your_openai_key

ai keybindings

when ai suggestions are active:

• M-a - accept current line
• M-a - accept entire suggestion (shift+meta+a)
• M-n/M-p - cycle through suggestions
• M-e - dismiss suggestion

development features

python development

comprehensive python support with modern tooling:

lsp integration

• full lsp support via eglot
• syntax checking with flymake
• intelligent code navigation
• hover documentation
• symbol references

formatting & linting

• black formatting on save
• ruff integration for fast linting
• automatic import organization
• pep 8 compliance checking

virtual environment management

• pyvenv integration
• automatic environment detection
• conda environment support
• environment switching from within emacs

rust development

complete rust development environment:

rust-analyzer integration

• intelligent code completion
• error checking with flycheck
• cargo integration
• automatic formatting with rustfmt

cargo commands

• c-c c-c c-r - cargo run
• c-c c-c c-b - cargo build
• c-c c-c c-t - cargo test
• integrated test output and error navigation

file format support

extensive support for modern file formats:

• markdown - live preview, github flavor, table editing
• json - syntax highlighting, formatting, lsp support
• yaml - full support with validation
• toml - cargo.toml, pyproject.toml support
• csv - table viewing and editing with csv-mode

aesthetics & interface

doom one theme

beautiful, carefully crafted theme with excellent contrast:

;; toggle between dark and light themes
c-c t  ; switch themes dynamically

• doom-one (dark) - default theme with excellent syntax highlighting
• doom-one-light - clean light theme for bright environments
• automatic theme persistence across sessions
• optimized for long coding sessions

jetbrains mono font

professional monospace font with programming ligatures:

• enhanced readability with proper letter spacing
• programming ligatures (=>, !=, -> automatically rendered)
• consistent appearance across all operating systems
• optimal for code display at various sizes

modern ui elements

clean, distraction-free interface:

• relative line numbers for easy navigation
• subtle mode line with essential information
• no menu bar, tool bar, or scroll bars
• focused on content with minimal chrome

productivity features

vertico & consult

modern completion and search framework:

vertico completion

• fast, incremental completion in minibuffer
• preview functionality for files and buffers
• integration with all emacs commands
• consistent interface across all contexts

consult commands

• M-s r - ripgrep search in project
• M-s l - search lines in current buffer
• M-s f - find files with preview
• C-x b - enhanced buffer switching

navigation & movement

lightning-fast code navigation:

avy - jump to anywhere

• C-: - jump to character
• C-' - jump to two characters
• M-g f - jump to line
• M-g w - jump to word

code navigation hydra

• C-c c - open code navigation menu
• visual interface for all navigation commands
• consistent bindings across programming modes

version control with magit

industry-standard git integration:

• C-x g - open magit status
• full git workflow from within emacs
• stage, commit, push, pull operations
• branch management and merge conflict resolution
• integrated with project and file management

essential keybindings

file operations

• C-x C-f - find/open file
• C-x C-s - save file
• C-x C-w - save as
• C-x k - kill buffer
• C-x C-c - quit emacs

code navigation menu

press C-c c to open the code navigation hydra:

• d - jump to definition
• r - find references
• n - rename symbol
• a - code actions
• f - format buffer
• h - show documentation

window management

• C-x 2 - split horizontally
• C-x 3 - split vertically
• C-x 1 - delete other windows
• C-x 0 - delete current window
• C-x o - switch window

project management

• C-c p f - find file in project
• C-c p p - switch project
• C-c p c - compile project
• C-c p s - search in project

advanced features

treemacs file explorer

modern file tree sidebar:

• C-x t t - toggle treemacs
• git integration with status indicators
• project-aware file navigation
• bookmark support for quick access

multiple cursors

edit multiple locations simultaneously:

• C-s-c C-s-c - edit lines
• C-> - mark next occurrence
• C-< - mark previous occurrence
• C-c C-< - mark all occurrences

yasnippet templates

code templates and snippets:

• intelligent snippet expansion
• context-aware templates
• custom snippet creation
• integration with completion systems

terminal integration

full terminal emulation within emacs:

• M-x vterm - full terminal emulator
• M-x eshell - elisp shell
• integration with system shell
• persistent terminal sessions

performance optimization

startup performance

optimized for fast startup:

• < 0.5 seconds typical startup time
• lazy loading for most packages
• optimized garbage collection settings
• deferred package initialization

memory management

efficient resource usage:

• no-littering for clean directory structure
• automatic cleanup of temporary files
• optimized buffer management
• minimal memory footprint

native compilation

leverages emacs 28+ native compilation:

• automatically compiles packages to native code
• significant performance improvements
• transparent background compilation
• maintains compatibility with older emacs versions

customization

theme switching

easily switch between dark and light themes:

;; toggle theme
(global-set-key (kbd "C-c t") 'my/toggle-theme)

font configuration

customize fonts and sizes:

;; adjust font size
(defvar my/font-size 120)  ; default: 120 (12pt)

;; change font family
(defvar my/default-font "jetbrains mono")

ai model configuration

customize ai providers:

• default: claude opus 4.1 (claude-opus-4-1-20250805)
• fallback: openai gpt models
• local: ollama support for privacy
• configure via C-c m (minuet) or C-c C-ret (gptel)

adding packages

extend functionality with use-package:

(use-package your-package
  :ensure t
  :bind ("C-c y" . your-command)
  :config
  ;; configuration here
  )

troubleshooting

slow startup

check startup performance:

;; check startup time in *messages* buffer
;; look for gc count and timing information

common solutions:

• ensure native compilation is enabled
• check for problematic packages in init sequence
• verify system dependencies are installed

lsp not working

verify language servers are installed:

# check python
which pyright

# check rust
which rust-analyzer

# check if servers are in path
echo $path

fonts not displaying

ensure fonts are system-wide available:

# linux - check font installation
fC-list | grep -i jetbrains

# macos - check font book
# windows - check fonts control panel

ai features not responding

verify api key configuration:

# check environment variables
echo $ANTHROPIC_API_KEY

# check .authinfo file permissions and format
cat ~/.authinfo
chmod 600 ~/.authinfo

learning resources

emacs fundamentals

• emacs tutorial - built-in tutorial (C-h t)
• mastering emacs - comprehensive guide
• emacs wiki - community knowledge base

development workflow

• magit user manual - git integration
• eglot manual - lsp integration
• org mode guide - note-taking and planning

ai integration

• gptel documentation - chat interface
• minuet documentation - inline completion
• anthropic api docs - claude api reference

configuration files

the configuration consists of key files:

~/.emacs.d/
├── init.el          # main configuration
├── early-init.el    # early startup optimizations
├── readme.md        # documentation
├── keyboard.md      # comprehensive keybinding reference
├── etc/            # no-littering config files
├── var/            # no-littering data files
└── elpa/           # installed packages

key configuration highlights

• performance: optimized gc settings and lazy loading
• ui: doom themes, jetbrains mono, clean interface
• completion: vertico, consult, corfu for modern completion
• development: eglot lsp, project management, version control
• ai integration: gptel and minuet with claude opus 4.1

next steps

1. install the configuration using the one-line installer
2. set up system dependencies (fonts and language servers)
3. configure ai api keys for full ai integration
4. explore the keybindings with C-h help system and which-key
5. customize to your workflow by modifying init.el
6. contribute improvements back to the github repository

resources

• github repository - source code and issues
• keyboard shortcuts reference - complete keybinding guide
• installation script - automated setup
• anthropic claude - ai integration provider
• emacs community - discussions and help

transform your development workflow with this modern emacs configuration that brings together the best of traditional emacs power with cutting-edge ai assistance and contemporary development practices.