Microsoft Advances Developer Tools with New Open Source Command Line Editor and AI Integration

At the Build 2025 conference, Microsoft unveiled several significant open-source initiatives aimed at enhancing developer productivity and fostering innovation within the software development community.

One of the highlights is Edit, a new command-line text editor for Windows that will be installed by default via the Windows Insider Program starting this summer. Developers can launch Edit simply by typing the command “edit” in the terminal, allowing them to modify files directly within the command line environment.

This tool aims to reduce unnecessary context switching, enabling developers to remain focused and maintain their workflow momentum without toggling between different applications or interfaces.

Additionally, Microsoft is open-sourcing GitHub Copilot for Visual Studio Code, its AI-powered coding assistant extension. Over the coming months, the AI capabilities embedded in GitHub Copilot will be integrated into the VS Code open-source repository, allowing the developer community to contribute and customize these features.

Microsoft also announced the open-sourcing of the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), a feature that enables users to run a Linux environment natively on Windows. By opening the source code, developers gain the flexibility to modify and tailor WSL to specific use cases, fostering greater innovation and adaptability.

While open source may not generate direct revenue for Microsoft, it serves as a strategic tool for market research and product development. By engaging with the open-source community, Microsoft gains valuable feedback, ideas, and insights that guide future product directions and enhance paid services.

The Broader Impact on Software Development

Microsoft’s open-source initiatives reflect a growing trend among major tech companies to embrace transparency and community collaboration. By providing developers with powerful tools like Edit and AI-assisted coding via GitHub Copilot, Microsoft is lowering barriers to efficient software development and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

The open-sourcing of WSL further bridges the gap between Windows and Linux environments, enabling developers to leverage the best of both worlds without switching machines or virtual environments. This seamless integration is particularly valuable for enterprises and developers working across diverse technology stacks.

Overall, these efforts demonstrate Microsoft's commitment to empowering developers through open collaboration, innovative tooling, and AI integration, setting new standards for productivity and flexibility in software development.