# Nyxt — The Keyboard-Driven Hacker's Browser in Common Lisp

> Nyxt is a fully programmable web browser designed for power users, written in Common Lisp with Emacs and Vim-style keybindings, extensible through a built-in REPL and Lisp configuration.

## Install

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# Nyxt — The Keyboard-Driven Hacker's Browser in Common Lisp

## Quick Use
```bash
# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install nyxt
# macOS
brew install --cask nyxt
# Launch
nyxt
```

## Introduction
Nyxt is a web browser built for keyboard-driven workflows and deep extensibility. Unlike traditional browsers that prioritize mouse interaction, Nyxt treats browsing as a programmable activity where every action can be scripted, chained, and customized through Common Lisp.

## What Nyxt Does
- Provides Emacs-style and Vim-style keybinding modes for keyboard navigation
- Renders web pages using WebKitGTK or WebEngine backends
- Offers a command prompt (similar to Emacs M-x) for executing any browser action
- Supports tree-style history with full-text search across visited pages
- Allows live customization via an integrated Common Lisp REPL

## Architecture Overview
Nyxt is written entirely in Common Lisp with a modular architecture. The browser core manages buffers (tabs), modes, and commands while delegating rendering to platform-specific backends (WebKitGTK on Linux, WebEngine elsewhere). Configuration is native Lisp code loaded at startup, and users can redefine any function or class at runtime via the REPL.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Install via system package manager or download pre-built binaries
- Configuration lives in ~/.config/nyxt/config.lisp as plain Lisp code
- Define custom keybindings by creating or modifying mode classes
- Install extensions by adding Lisp systems to the ASDF load path
- Configure proxy, search engines, and download paths in the config file

## Key Features
- Built-in ad blocker with customizable filter lists
- Smart bookmark system with tags and full-text search
- Password manager integration (KeePassXC, Pass, 1Password)
- Cloned buffer and session restoration across restarts
- Programmable scripting for automating repetitive browsing tasks

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **Qutebrowser** — Vim-keybindings browser in Python but less extensible
- **Vimb** — Minimal Vim-like browser but lacks programmability
- **Luakit** — Lua-scriptable browser, lighter but fewer features
- **Firefox with Vimium** — Extension-based approach limited by browser sandbox
- **Emacs EWW** — Text-mode browser inside Emacs, no JavaScript support

## FAQ
**Q: Does Nyxt support browser extensions like Firefox?**
A: Nyxt does not use WebExtensions. Instead, it provides native Lisp extensibility which offers deeper integration than sandboxed extensions.

**Q: Can Nyxt render modern JavaScript-heavy websites?**
A: Yes. It uses WebKitGTK which is a full modern rendering engine with JavaScript support.

**Q: Do I need to know Lisp to use Nyxt?**
A: No. Nyxt works out of the box with sensible defaults. Lisp knowledge is only needed for advanced customization.

**Q: How is Nyxt different from a terminal browser?**
A: Nyxt is a full graphical browser with modern rendering capabilities. It simply prioritizes keyboard interaction and programmability over mouse-driven UI.

## Sources
- https://github.com/atlas-engineer/nyxt
- https://nyxt-browser.com

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/asset-0b20c07c
Author: AI Open Source