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Hecate
What it is
Hecate is a free terminal hex editor for inspecting and changing file data. It displays interpreted values directly below bytes’ hexadecimal representation, with options to view data as text, bit patterns, integers, or floating-point values. Users can move the cursor with Vim-like controls, edit bytes in place, and write changes to disk. Hecate also supports tabbed browsing, large files, full-file searches, and expressions for choosing file offsets. Its interpretation tools include toggles for endianness and signedness, date decoding, and a configurable date epoch. The project describes byte interpretation as useful for reverse-engineering work. Downloads are linked for Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows, and the README gives a Go command for compiling from source. The repository identifies the software as MIT-licensed, and its Releases page labels version 0.0.1 as the latest. The license states that the software is provided without warranty. The README includes usage instructions and a help-screen command; it does not list a support service.
For and against
For
- Shows several interpretations beneath hexadecimal bytes.
- Supports in-place edits and saving to disk.
- Includes tabbed browsing and full-file search.
- Supports large files and offset expressions.
- Free software under the MIT license.
Against
- The latest listed release is version 0.0.1.
- The MIT license provides the software without warranty.
- No support service is stated.
The verdict
Hecate combines byte inspection, multiple value interpretations, and in-place editing in a terminal tool. Its listed release is version 0.0.1, and the license provides no warranty.
Who it suits
Hecate suits users who need to inspect or edit bytes in a terminal, including people doing reverse-engineering work. It is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Plans and prices
Free
MIT-licensed software · no plan limits stated
Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Browsing and search
- Hecate supports tabbed browsing, large files, and full-file searching.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Build method
- The README gives `go get -u github.com/evanmiller/hecate` as the command to compile from source.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Byte display
- It displays interpreted values directly beneath the hex representation of bytes.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Data interpretation
- It supports toggling endianness and signedness, plus date decoding and a configurable date epoch.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Data modes
- The editor can interpret bytes as text, bit patterns, integers, and floating-point values.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Download platforms
- The project README links a latest release for Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Editing
- Users can edit data in place and write the changes to disk.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The README describes the editor as useful for reverse-engineering needs.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Latest release
- The releases page labels version 0.0.1 as the latest release.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository uses the MIT License, which permits use, modification, distribution, and sale subject to its stated conditions.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Navigation
- The editor supports Vim-like cursor controls and expressions for specifying file offsets.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Other features
- The README lists tabbed browsing, large-file support, full-file searching, and expressions for specifying file offsets.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Product
- Hecate describes itself as a terminal hex editor.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Release
- The GitHub Releases page lists version 0.0.1 as the latest release and shows it was released on May 20.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Source code
- The README gives a Go command for compiling Hecate from source.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The repository README provides usage instructions and a help screen command, but does not state a support service.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Use case
- The README describes interpreting bytes as useful for reverse-engineering work.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Value modes
- It can interpret bytes as text, bit patterns, integers, and floating-point values.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
