Official Support for Portable Mode

[ylazy]

Hi!

I'm using VSCode Portable and looking for a Zed Portable version.
There're some similar issues or discussions. But they're just hacks with limitations.
I need official support for Portable Mode - a downloadable package and an easy way to update Zed Portable, just like VSCode Portable

Thanks!

[mikayla-maki]

We support the --user-data-dir CLI flag for this use case :)

[eiva]

that does not work. it should be triggered automatically by presence of that folder next to executable.
like /data - will trigger it automatically to use portable mode. In this case all Shell integrations, all "open file in Zed" will work as expected.

Otherwise that make no sense.

[starsoccer]

+1 on true portable support without an install, etc..

[tostida25]

the proposed solution (--user-data-dir) does not cover the specific case of a new installation in a different directory on a corporate PC under specific group policies.

I have infacts the following error after installing zed in a folder allowed by group policy (applocker).

failed to spawn command "C:\Users\xxxxx\AppData\Local\Zed\languages\ruff\ruff-0.14.13\ruff.exe" "server": This program is blocked by group policy. For more information, contact your system administrator. (os error 1260)

%AppData% should not be used if the user chooses a different directory than the default one (which is %AppData%, by the way)

[MPKaboose]

--user-data-dir is ignored when the editor restarts itself after an update, also does not work if for example you use Open with Zed in windows, unless you do some registry hacks.

[eiva]

Also today zed have shared agentic history across all workspaces. What also contradicts isolation. So it need to support workspace isolation (with all settings and history) and specifically in portable mode.

[iperov]

Any news?
I was thinking about switching from vscode to Zed. But Zed doesn't support portable mode, which is critical for me.

[LucasMatuszewski]

@iperov You may try this unofficial build: https://github.com/sonercirit/zed-windows-stable/releases
Windows' blue SmartScreen warns but I scanned the repo with Opus 4.6 and it didn't find anything dangerous.
Just a custom build in GH action that produces portable exe file. I tested it and all works fine for me.