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SPECIFICTION
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Hecate

github.com

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
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Spec score 8.2 #8 of 32 in Hex Editors

What it is

Hecate is a free terminal hex editor for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It displays interpretations of byte values beneath their hexadecimal representations, including text, bit patterns, integers, and floating-point values. Users can move the cursor with Vim-like controls, edit data in place, and write changes to disk. The README also lists tabbed browsing, large-file support, full-file searches, and expressions for specifying file offsets. Interpretation options include toggling endianness and signedness, decoding dates, and configuring the 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 provides a Go command for compiling the editor from source. Hecate is licensed under MIT. The releases page lists version 0.0.1 as the latest release; the license states that the software is provided without warranty. The repository includes usage instructions and a help screen command, but does not state a support service.

Spec sheet

What it does
Hecate is a terminal hex editor that displays interpreted byte values directly beneath their hexadecimal representation.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Product
Hecate describes itself as a terminal hex editor.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Intended users
The README describes the editor as useful for reverse-engineering needs.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
The repository README provides usage instructions and a help screen command, but does not state a support service.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The repository uses the MIT License, which permits use, modification, distribution, and sale subject to its stated conditions.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Browsing and search
Hecate supports tabbed browsing, large files, and full-file searching.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Build method
The README gives `go get -u github.com/evanmiller/hecate` as the command to compile from source.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Byte display
It displays interpreted values directly beneath the hex representation of bytes.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Data interpretation
It supports toggling endianness and signedness, plus date decoding and a configurable date epoch.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Data modes
The editor can interpret bytes as text, bit patterns, integers, and floating-point values.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Download platforms
The project README links a latest release for Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Editing
Users can edit data in place and write the changes to disk.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Latest release
The releases page labels version 0.0.1 as the latest release.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Navigation
The editor supports Vim-like cursor controls and expressions for specifying file offsets.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Other features
The README lists tabbed browsing, large-file support, full-file searching, and expressions for specifying file offsets.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Release
The GitHub Releases page lists version 0.0.1 as the latest release and shows it was released on May 20.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Source code
The README gives a Go command for compiling Hecate from source.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Use case
The README describes interpreting bytes as useful for reverse-engineering work.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Value modes
It can interpret bytes as text, bit patterns, integers, and floating-point values.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Warranty
The MIT license states that the software is provided “AS IS” without warranty.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Free Free MIT-licensed software · no plan limits stated Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every Hecate plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Shows interpreted values beneath hexadecimal bytes
  • Supports text, integers, bit patterns, and floating-point values
  • Includes tabbed browsing and full-file searching
  • Free and MIT-licensed

Limits

  • Latest listed release is version 0.0.1
  • MIT license provides no warranty
  • No support service is stated

Who it suits

Hecate suits people who need to inspect or edit bytes in a terminal, including for reverse-engineering work. It is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows users.

Verdict

Hecate brings several byte interpretations and editing tools into a terminal-based editor for three desktop platforms. The listed release is version 0.0.1, and the MIT license provides no warranty.

Where Specifiction places it

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