A new version of Sublime Text is out – the first major update to the cross-platform (and closed-source) text editor since May 2025.

Sublime Text v4213 makes Python 3.14 the default (replacing v3.8). The editor still ships Python 3.3 – ancient as it is – though it is disabled by default and will be removed in a future update.

New features include a rewritten C# syntax highlighter and unspecified ‘improvements’ to syntax highlighting in gneral.

Sublime Text also introduces support for file icon themes. These can customise the tiny icons that show next to files in the sidebar, and are defined via a .json file that maps file extensions to the name of PNG files contained within a package folder.

Other changes include a new open_terminal command to launch an external terminal emulator, scope selectors can use > to match child scopes and if a file gets changed on disk outside of Sublime, the file’s undo/redo history is no longer restored.

Saving large numbers of files is said to be faster, as is git status. Issues dragging tabs with tab scrolling trend on was improved and fuzzy matching sorts better in certain cases. Joining lines with ctrl + J closes brackets more cleanly, too.

Other changes in Sublime Text v4213:

  • Git reftables support
  • Better ruler position when using proportional fonts
  • New “io_workers” setting

Fixes feature, naturally.

Cross-platform gripes solved include an issue where closing a project could, in some cases, corrupt a workspace file, find-in-files not searching for folders starting with a dot, the caret disappearing when clicking off inline diffs and assorted quirks with the sidebar.

Plus, a slate of Linux-specific fixes:

  • Modal dialogs no longer block all open windows
  • Drag state no longer gets stuck after dragging text from Chrome
  • Selection clipboard sets correctly when multiple sheets are selected
  • Modifier keys no longer persist after closing a window
  • KDE’s “alternate characters” input method works
  • Tab dragging under Wayland no longer triggers an unintended air-drop
  • Sublime now respects PATH when looking up pkexec and gksudo

For more details see the release announcement.

Ways to install Sublime Text on Ubuntu

You can download Sublime Text from its official website, with installers provided for Windows, macOS and Linux – a DEB, as well as an optional APT repo.

Sublime Text is on the Snap Store too, albeit an unofficial package maintained by the Snapcrafters team. Install that from App Center, or run: 

sudo snap install sublime-text

A reminder that Sublime Text is a proprietary text editor that, even if only in theory, requires a paid license to use. It works for free without any real restriction to speak of, but those who love it, should help to support its existence by chipping in.

Many free and open-source text editors exist, and, like opinions, everyone thinks theirs is the best. Choice is a two-way street; people like what they know, and for some folks who move between platforms, being able to use Sublime Text on every device is, for them, sublime.