diff --git a/.github/workflows/check_ed.yml b/.github/workflows/check_ed.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7485b62
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/check_ed.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,280 @@
+name: "Test ED template"
+on:
+  workflow_dispatch: # allows manual triggering
+  push:
+    paths:
+      - 'templates/ed/flake.lock'
+      - 'templates/ed/**/*.nix'
+      - '.github/workflows/check_ed.yml'
+  pull_request:
+    paths:
+      - 'templates/ed/flake.lock'
+      - 'templates/ed/**/*.nix'
+      - '.github/workflows/check_ed.yml'
+concurrency:
+  group: ${{ github.workflow }}-${{ github.ref }}
+  cancel-in-progress: true
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+jobs:
+  tests:
+    runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
+    strategy:
+      matrix:
+        os: [ubuntu-latest]
+    steps:
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+    - uses: wimpysworld/nothing-but-nix@main
+      with:
+        hatchet-protocol: 'carve'
+    - uses: cachix/install-nix-action@v31
+      with:
+        github_access_token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+    - uses: cachix/cachix-action@v16
+      with:
+        name: rde
+        authToken: '${{ secrets.CACHIX_AUTH_TOKEN }}'
+        extraPullNames: rstats-on-nix, nix-community
+    
+    # Build and basic checks
+    - name: Build template
+      run: nix build ./templates/ed
+    - name: Run flake check
+      run: nix flake check ./templates/ed
+    
+    # Test development shell functionality
+    - name: Test dev shell enters successfully
+      run: |
+        cd templates/ed
+        nix develop --command bash -c "echo 'Dev shell works'"
+    
+    # Test Neovim functionality (custom binary name: vv)
+    - name: Test vv command is available
+      run: |
+        cd templates/ed
+        nix develop --command bash -c "which vv"
+    
+    - name: Test vv launches in headless mode
+      run: |
+        cd templates/ed
+        nix develop --command bash -c "vv --headless --version"
+    
+    # Test utility commands
+    - name: Test updateR command is available
+      run: |
+        cd templates/ed
+        nix develop --command bash -c "which updateR"
+    
+    # Test extra packages
+    - name: Test cowsay is available
+      run: |
+        cd templates/ed
+        nix develop --command bash -c "which cowsay"
+    
+    - name: Test cowsay works
+      run: |
+        cd templates/ed
+        nix develop --command bash -c "cowsay 'ED template test'"
+    
+    # Test that package is built correctly
+    - name: Test default package can be run
+      run: |
+        cd templates/ed
+        nix run . -- --headless --version
+    
+    # Test Neovim configuration
+    - name: Test mini-notify plugin loads
+      run: |
+        cd templates/ed
+        # Check that the welcome notification config is present
+        nix develop --command bash -c "vv --headless -c 'lua print(vim.inspect(require(\"mini.notify\")))' -c 'quit' 2>&1 | grep -q 'table'"
+  
+  test-with-python:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+    - uses: wimpysworld/nothing-but-nix@main
+      with:
+        hatchet-protocol: 'carve'
+    - uses: cachix/install-nix-action@v31
+      with:
+        github_access_token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+    - uses: cachix/cachix-action@v16
+      with:
+        name: rde
+        authToken: '${{ secrets.CACHIX_AUTH_TOKEN }}'
+        extraPullNames: rstats-on-nix, nix-community
+    
+    # Create a temporary directory with Python enabled
+    - name: Setup test directory with Python enabled
+      run: |
+        TEST_DIR=$(mktemp -d)
+        cp -r templates/ed/. "$TEST_DIR/"
+        cd "$TEST_DIR"
+        # Enable Python in the config
+        sed -i 's/python[[:space:]]*=[[:space:]]*false;/python = true;/' flake.nix
+        # Verify the change was successful
+        grep -q "python[[:space:]]*=[[:space:]]*true;" flake.nix || {
+          echo "Error: Failed to enable Python in flake.nix"
+          exit 1
+        }
+        echo "TEST_PYTHON_DIR=$TEST_DIR" >> $GITHUB_ENV
+    
+    - name: Build with Python enabled
+      run: |
+        cd "$TEST_PYTHON_DIR"
+        nix build
+    
+    - name: Test Python packages are available
+      run: |
+        cd "$TEST_PYTHON_DIR"
+        nix develop --command bash -c "python3 -c 'import duckdb; import polars; print(\"Python packages loaded\")'"
+    
+    - name: Test Python can execute code
+      run: |
+        cd "$TEST_PYTHON_DIR"
+        nix develop --command bash -c "python3 -c 'print(1+1)'"
+  
+  test-with-r:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+    - uses: wimpysworld/nothing-but-nix@main
+      with:
+        hatchet-protocol: 'carve'
+    - uses: cachix/install-nix-action@v31
+      with:
+        github_access_token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+    - uses: cachix/cachix-action@v16
+      with:
+        name: rde
+        authToken: '${{ secrets.CACHIX_AUTH_TOKEN }}'
+        extraPullNames: rstats-on-nix, nix-community
+    
+    # Create a temporary directory with R enabled
+    - name: Setup test directory with R enabled
+      run: |
+        TEST_DIR=$(mktemp -d)
+        cp -r templates/ed/. "$TEST_DIR/"
+        cd "$TEST_DIR"
+        # Enable R in the config
+        sed -i 's/r[[:space:]]*=[[:space:]]*false;/r = true;/' flake.nix
+        # Verify the change was successful
+        grep -q "r[[:space:]]*=[[:space:]]*true;" flake.nix || {
+          echo "Error: Failed to enable R in flake.nix"
+          exit 1
+        }
+        echo "TEST_R_DIR=$TEST_DIR" >> $GITHUB_ENV
+    
+    - name: Build with R enabled
+      run: |
+        cd "$TEST_R_DIR"
+        nix build
+    
+    - name: Test R launches
+      run: |
+        cd "$TEST_R_DIR"
+        nix develop --command bash -c "R --version"
+    
+    - name: Test R packages are available
+      run: |
+        cd "$TEST_R_DIR"
+        nix develop --command bash -c "R -e 'library(fixest); print(\"R package fixest loaded\")'"
+    
+    - name: Test R can execute code
+      run: |
+        cd "$TEST_R_DIR"
+        nix develop --command bash -c "R -e 'print(1+1)'"
+  
+  test-with-julia:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+    - uses: wimpysworld/nothing-but-nix@main
+      with:
+        hatchet-protocol: 'carve'
+    - uses: cachix/install-nix-action@v31
+      with:
+        github_access_token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+    - uses: cachix/cachix-action@v16
+      with:
+        name: rde
+        authToken: '${{ secrets.CACHIX_AUTH_TOKEN }}'
+        extraPullNames: rstats-on-nix, nix-community
+    
+    # Create a temporary directory with Julia enabled
+    - name: Setup test directory with Julia enabled
+      run: |
+        TEST_DIR=$(mktemp -d)
+        cp -r templates/ed/. "$TEST_DIR/"
+        cd "$TEST_DIR"
+        # Enable Julia in the config
+        sed -i 's/julia[[:space:]]*=[[:space:]]*false;/julia = true;/' flake.nix
+        # Verify the change was successful
+        grep -q "julia[[:space:]]*=[[:space:]]*true;" flake.nix || {
+          echo "Error: Failed to enable Julia in flake.nix"
+          exit 1
+        }
+        echo "TEST_JULIA_DIR=$TEST_DIR" >> $GITHUB_ENV
+    
+    - name: Build with Julia enabled
+      run: |
+        cd "$TEST_JULIA_DIR"
+        nix build
+    
+    - name: Test Julia launches
+      run: |
+        cd "$TEST_JULIA_DIR"
+        nix develop --command bash -c "julia --version"
+    
+    - name: Test Julia can execute code
+      run: |
+        cd "$TEST_JULIA_DIR"
+        nix develop --command bash -c "julia -e 'println(1+1)'"
+  
+  test-with-multiple-languages:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+    - uses: wimpysworld/nothing-but-nix@main
+      with:
+        hatchet-protocol: 'carve'
+    - uses: cachix/install-nix-action@v31
+      with:
+        github_access_token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+    - uses: cachix/cachix-action@v16
+      with:
+        name: rde
+        authToken: '${{ secrets.CACHIX_AUTH_TOKEN }}'
+        extraPullNames: rstats-on-nix, nix-community
+    
+    # Create a temporary directory with multiple languages enabled
+    - name: Setup test directory with all languages enabled
+      run: |
+        TEST_DIR=$(mktemp -d)
+        cp -r templates/ed/. "$TEST_DIR/"
+        cd "$TEST_DIR"
+        # Enable all languages in the config
+        sed -i 's/python[[:space:]]*=[[:space:]]*false;/python = true;/' flake.nix
+        sed -i 's/r[[:space:]]*=[[:space:]]*false;/r = true;/' flake.nix
+        sed -i 's/julia[[:space:]]*=[[:space:]]*false;/julia = true;/' flake.nix
+        # Verify the changes were successful
+        grep -q "python[[:space:]]*=[[:space:]]*true;" flake.nix || exit 1
+        grep -q "r[[:space:]]*=[[:space:]]*true;" flake.nix || exit 1
+        grep -q "julia[[:space:]]*=[[:space:]]*true;" flake.nix || exit 1
+        echo "TEST_MULTI_DIR=$TEST_DIR" >> $GITHUB_ENV
+    
+    - name: Build with all languages enabled
+      run: |
+        cd "$TEST_MULTI_DIR"
+        nix build
+    
+    - name: Test all languages work together
+      run: |
+        cd "$TEST_MULTI_DIR"
+        nix develop --command bash -c "python3 --version && R --version && julia --version"
+    
+    - name: Test all language packages are available
+      run: |
+        cd "$TEST_MULTI_DIR"
+        nix develop --command bash -c "python3 -c 'import duckdb' && R -e 'library(fixest)' && julia -e 'using StatsBase'"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/check_macos.yml b/.github/workflows/check_macos.yml
index 06578c7..4e49161 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/check_macos.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/check_macos.yml
@@ -23,5 +23,23 @@ jobs:
         name: rde
         authToken: '${{ secrets.CACHIX_AUTH_TOKEN }}'
         extraPullNames: rstats-on-nix, nix-community
-    - run: nix build ./templates/rde
-    - run: nix build ./templates/ed
+    
+    # Test RDE template
+    - name: Build RDE template
+      run: nix build ./templates/rde
+    - name: Check RDE flake
+      run: nix flake check ./templates/rde
+    - name: Test RDE dev shell
+      run: |
+        cd templates/rde
+        nix develop --command bash -c "p --headless --version"
+    
+    # Test ED template
+    - name: Build ED template
+      run: nix build ./templates/ed
+    - name: Check ED flake
+      run: nix flake check ./templates/ed
+    - name: Test ED dev shell
+      run: |
+        cd templates/ed
+        nix develop --command bash -c "vv --headless --version"
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index bfa3c32..daf004d 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -4,9 +4,32 @@ A collection of Nix flake templates for reproducible development environments.
 
 ## Templates
 
+### ED (Editor)
+
+A simple Neovim-based development environment with optional language support.
+
+**Quick start:**
+```bash
+nix flake init -t github:dwinkler1/np#ed
+nix develop
+vv  # Launch Neovim (custom binary name)
+```
+
+**Features:**
+- ✨ Lightweight Neovim configuration
+- 🔧 Configurable language support (Python, R, Julia, Nix)
+- 📦 Reproducible with Nix
+- 🎨 Custom theming (Kanagawa by default)
+- 🔔 Mini-notify plugin for notifications
+
+**Default configuration:**
+- Nix support enabled
+- Custom binary: `vv`
+- Includes: cowsay, updateR utility
+
 ### RDE (Research Development Environment)
 
-The default template for data science and research projects with support for R, Python, and Julia.
+A comprehensive template for data science and research projects with support for R, Python, and Julia.
 
 **Quick start:**
 ```bash
@@ -34,12 +57,63 @@ All templates are automatically tested to ensure functionality:
 
 ### CI Workflows
 
-- `.github/workflows/check.yml` - Comprehensive functionality tests (Ubuntu)
-- `.github/workflows/check_macos.yml` - macOS compatibility tests
+**RDE Template:**
+- `.github/workflows/check.yml` - Comprehensive functionality tests for RDE (Ubuntu)
+  - Basic build and flake checks
+  - Dev shell functionality
+  - R command availability and functionality
+  - Neovim integration
+  - Utility commands (p-initProject, p-updateDeps)
+  - Separate jobs for Python and Julia configurations
+
+**ED Template:**
+- `.github/workflows/check_ed.yml` - Comprehensive functionality tests for ED (Ubuntu)
+  - Basic build and flake checks
+  - Dev shell functionality
+  - Neovim (vv) command tests
+  - updateR utility tests
+  - Extra packages (cowsay) verification
+  - Separate jobs for Python, R, Julia, and multi-language configurations
+
+**Cross-platform:**
+- `.github/workflows/check_macos.yml` - macOS compatibility tests for both templates
 - `.github/workflows/update.yml` - Automated dependency updates
 
 ## Usage
 
+### ED Template
+
+1. **Initialize a new project:**
+   ```bash
+   nix flake init -t github:dwinkler1/np#ed
+   ```
+
+2. **Enter development environment:**
+   ```bash
+   nix develop
+   # or with direnv
+   echo "use flake" > .envrc && direnv allow
+   ```
+
+3. **Start editing:**
+   ```bash
+   vv              # Launch Neovim
+   updateR         # Update R packages (when R is enabled)
+   cowsay "Hello!" # Fun utility included
+   ```
+
+4. **Enable languages:**
+   Edit `flake.nix` and change `false` to `true` in the `cats` section:
+   ```nix
+   cats = {
+     python = true;  # Enable Python support
+     r = true;       # Enable R support
+     julia = true;   # Enable Julia support
+   };
+   ```
+
+### RDE Template
+
 1. **Initialize a new project:**
    ```bash
    nix flake init -t github:dwinkler1/np#rde
diff --git a/templates/ed/README.md b/templates/ed/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b78c32d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/ed/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,284 @@
+# ED Template - Simple Editor Environment
+
+A lightweight, customizable Neovim-based development environment with optional language support for Python, R, Julia, and Nix.
+
+## Features
+
+- ✨ **Lightweight**: Minimal configuration, fast startup
+- 🔧 **Configurable**: Enable only the languages you need
+- 📦 **Reproducible**: Nix-based environment management
+- 🎨 **Themed**: Beautiful Kanagawa colorscheme (customizable)
+- 🔔 **Notifications**: Mini-notify plugin for user feedback
+
+## Quick Start
+
+```bash
+# Initialize a new project with the ED template
+nix flake init -t github:dwinkler1/np#ed
+
+# Enter the development environment
+nix develop
+
+# Launch Neovim
+vv
+```
+
+## Configuration
+
+The ED template uses a centralized configuration structure at the top of `flake.nix`:
+
+```nix
+cats = {
+  clickhouse = false;
+  gitPlugins = false;
+  julia = false;
+  lua = false;
+  markdown = false;
+  nix = true;        # Enabled by default
+  optional = false;
+  python = false;
+  r = false;
+};
+```
+
+### Enabling Languages
+
+To enable support for a specific language, edit `flake.nix` and set the corresponding cat to `true`:
+
+#### Python
+```nix
+cats = {
+  python = true;
+  # ... other settings
+};
+```
+
+Includes: Python 3, duckdb, polars packages by default
+
+#### R
+```nix
+cats = {
+  r = true;
+  # ... other settings
+};
+```
+
+Includes: fixest package by default
+
+#### Julia
+```nix
+cats = {
+  julia = true;
+  # ... other settings
+};
+```
+
+Includes: StatsBase package by default
+
+### Custom Package Files
+
+You can specify additional packages by creating these files in your project:
+
+- `python-packages.nix` - Additional Python packages
+  ```nix
+  p: with p; [
+    numpy
+    pandas
+    # ... more packages
+  ]
+  ```
+
+- `r-packages.nix` - Additional R packages
+  ```nix
+  p: with p.rPackages; [
+    ggplot2
+    dplyr
+    # ... more packages
+  ]
+  ```
+
+- `julia-packages.nix` - Additional Julia packages
+  ```nix
+  [
+    "DataFrames"
+    "Plots"
+    # ... more packages
+  ]
+  ```
+
+## Available Commands
+
+### Neovim
+- `vv` - Launch Neovim (custom binary name)
+- `vv --headless` - Run Neovim in headless mode for scripting
+
+### Utilities
+- `updateR` - Update R package snapshots from rstats-on-nix
+- `cowsay` - Fun ASCII art text formatter (included as example)
+
+## Customization
+
+### Binary Name
+
+The default binary name is `vv`. To change it, edit the `binName` in `flake.nix`:
+
+```nix
+binName = "myeditor";  # Changes command from 'vv' to 'myeditor'
+```
+
+### Colorscheme
+
+Change the colorscheme in the settings section:
+
+```nix
+settings = {
+  colorscheme = "kanagawa";  # or "gruvbox", "tokyonight", etc.
+  background = "dark";        # or "light"
+  # ...
+};
+```
+
+### Extra Packages
+
+Add more system packages in the `extraPackages` section:
+
+```nix
+extraPackages = with pkgs; [
+  cowsay
+  ripgrep
+  fd
+  # ... more packages
+];
+```
+
+### Welcome Message
+
+The template includes a welcome notification. Customize it in the `specs.extraLua` section:
+
+```nix
+config = ''
+  require("mini.notify").setup()
+  vim.notify = MiniNotify.make_notify()
+  vim.notify("Welcome to ${name}!")
+'';
+```
+
+## Environment Variables
+
+The template sets the following environment variables:
+
+- `IS_PROJECT_EDITOR=1` - Indicates you're in the project editor environment
+- `R_LIBS_USER=./.nvimcom` - Project-local R package directory
+
+## Language Package Management
+
+### Replace vs Merge
+
+By default, language packages are **replaced** rather than merged with base packages. This is controlled by:
+
+```nix
+let
+  replace = pkgs.lib.mkForce;
+in {
+  lang_packages = {
+    python = replace ([...]);  # Replaces base packages
+    r = replace ([...]);       # Replaces base packages
+    julia = replace ([...]);   # Replaces base packages
+  };
+}
+```
+
+To **merge** with base packages instead, remove the `replace` wrapper:
+
+```nix
+lang_packages = {
+  python = (with pkgs.python3Packages; [...]);
+  # ...
+};
+```
+
+## Development Shell
+
+The development shell provides access to the Neovim package plus additional utilities:
+
+```bash
+nix develop  # Enter the dev shell
+```
+
+Available in dev shell:
+- `vv` - The configured Neovim
+- `updateR` - Update R packages (when R support is enabled)
+- All packages listed in `extraPackages`
+
+## Testing
+
+The ED template has comprehensive CI/CD tests:
+
+### Automated Tests (`.github/workflows/check_ed.yml`)
+
+1. **Basic Tests** (Ubuntu)
+   - Build verification
+   - Flake check
+   - Dev shell entry
+   - Neovim launch and version check
+   - Utility commands availability
+
+2. **Language-Specific Tests**
+   - Python configuration: Package imports, code execution
+   - R configuration: Package loading, code execution
+   - Julia configuration: Version check, code execution
+   - Multi-language: All languages enabled together
+
+3. **macOS Tests** (`.github/workflows/check_macos.yml`)
+   - Build verification on macOS
+   - Basic functionality tests
+
+## Tips
+
+1. **Use direnv for automatic environment loading:**
+   ```bash
+   echo "use flake" > .envrc
+   direnv allow
+   ```
+
+2. **Pin specific package versions** by editing `flake.lock`:
+   ```bash
+   nix flake update  # Update all inputs
+   nix flake lock --update-input nixpkgs  # Update specific input
+   ```
+
+3. **Check what's included in your build:**
+   ```bash
+   nix path-info -Sh ./result
+   ```
+
+4. **Build for different platforms:**
+   ```bash
+   nix build .#packages.x86_64-linux.default
+   nix build .#packages.aarch64-darwin.default
+   ```
+
+## Comparison with RDE Template
+
+| Feature | ED Template | RDE Template |
+|---------|-------------|--------------|
+| **Complexity** | Lightweight | Comprehensive |
+| **Binary Name** | `vv` | `p` |
+| **Project Structure** | Manual | `p-initProject` command |
+| **Language Support** | Optional (Python, R, Julia, Nix) | Built-in (R default, Python/Julia optional) |
+| **Research Tools** | None | Quarto, Marimo, Pluto.jl |
+| **Package Management** | updateR | p-updateDeps (comprehensive) |
+| **Use Case** | Simple editing, lightweight projects | Research, data science, complex projects |
+
+## Contributing
+
+When modifying the ED template, please ensure:
+
+1. All tests pass in `.github/workflows/check_ed.yml`
+2. The template builds on both Linux and macOS
+3. Documentation is updated to reflect changes
+4. Changes follow the existing code patterns
+
+## License
+
+See [LICENSE](../../LICENSE) file for details.