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# Unlocking the Tao of TextMate
- URL: https://www.chrismessina.me/blog/unlocking-the-tao-of-textmate/
- Published: 2006-10-29T14:49:25.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-25T03:38:38.000Z
- Author: Chris Messina
- Tags: design, Web building

[](http://pragmaticprogrammer.com/titles/textmate/index.html?ref=chrismessina.me)I use [TextMate](http://macromates.com/?ref=chrismessina.me) almost as much as [QuickSilver](http://quicksilver.blacktree.com/?ref=chrismessina.me), and, like QuickSilver, probably make use of about 5% of its features. But [now](http://macromates.com/blog/archives/2006/09/12/book-about-textmate-announced/?ref=chrismessina.me), [a new book](http://pragmaticprogrammer.com/titles/textmate/index.html?ref=chrismessina.me) coming in February ([get the Beta now](http://pragmaticprogrammer.com/shopsite%5Fsc/shopping%5Fcart/order.cgi?storeid=%2A1877c11283af8e3bf37da0ab11b3&dbname=products&itemnum=82&function=add&ref=chrismessina.me)!) promises to unlock the Holy Grail of this immensely powerful and [award-winning](http://macromates.com/blog/archives/2006/08/16/best-mac-os-x-developer-tool/?ref=chrismessina.me) app. Oh, and if you haven't checked out soft-spoken developer [Allan Odgaard's](http://macromates.com/wiki/Profiles/AllanOdgaard?ref=chrismessina.me) screencasts, you're missing out on one of the best things about TextMate. Highlights:

- [New Dialog System for Commands](http://macromates.com/blog/archives/2006/10/28/new-dialog-system-for-commands/?ref=chrismessina.me) ([watch](http://macromates.com/screencast/intro%5Fto%5Ftm%5Fdialog.mov?ref=chrismessina.me)): an amazingly simple way to build interfaces that hook into external data and scripts (something I should consider for [WebKit on Rails](http://webkit.pbwiki.com/?ref=chrismessina.me))
- [TextMate Widget Creator](http://macromates.com/blog/archives/2006/10/24/widget-creator/?ref=chrismessina.me) ([watch](http://homepage.mac.com/andy.herbert/Textmate-widget.mov?ref=chrismessina.me) \-- by Andy Herbert): how to build Dashboard Widgets in TextMate that are driven by shell scripts
- All time favorite: [Blogging From TextMate](http://macromates.com/blog/archives/2006/06/19/blogging-from-textmate/?ref=chrismessina.me). ([watch](http://macromates.com/screencast/blogging%5Ftake%5Ftwo.mov?ref=chrismessina.me)): shows how you can use TextMate as an uber-streamlined blogging tool. (I hope the guys at [Flock](http://flock.com/?ref=chrismessina.me) are paying attention!)

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### 💬 Comments from the original post

**[Mike Schinkel](http://www.mikeschinkel.com/blogs/?ref=chrismessina.me)** · 2006-11-01 00:52:31

Hey Chris, FYI the TextMate Widget Creator video by Andy Herbert previously at http://homepage.mac.com/andy.herbert/Textmate-widget.mov is no longer online. Maybe you could find a new link?