diff --git a/book/src/editor.md b/book/src/editor.md
index b091eea87b4a..b6e589d7132b 100644
--- a/book/src/editor.md
+++ b/book/src/editor.md
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ The `[editor.statusline]` key takes the following sub-keys:
 
 | Key           | Description | Default |
 | ---           | ---         | ---     |
-| `left`        | A list of elements aligned to the left of the statusline | `["mode", "spinner", "file-name", "read-only-indicator", "file-modification-indicator"]` |
+| `left`        | A list of elements aligned to the left of the statusline | `["mode", "spinner", "file-name", "read-only-indicator", "zoom", "file-modification-indicator"]` |
 | `center`      | A list of elements aligned to the middle of the statusline | `[]` |
 | `right`       | A list of elements aligned to the right of the statusline | `["diagnostics", "selections", "register", "position", "file-encoding"]` |
 | `separator`   | The character used to separate elements in the statusline | `"│"` |
@@ -139,6 +139,7 @@ The following statusline elements can be configured:
 | `spacer` | Inserts a space between elements (multiple/contiguous spacers may be specified) |
 | `version-control` | The current branch name or detached commit hash of the opened workspace |
 | `register` | The current selected register |
+| `zoom` | The current window zoom/zen state |
 
 ### `[editor.lsp]` Section
 
diff --git a/book/src/generated/static-cmd.md b/book/src/generated/static-cmd.md
index 08c8e7023a7f..c7fc05d74e11 100644
--- a/book/src/generated/static-cmd.md
+++ b/book/src/generated/static-cmd.md
@@ -234,6 +234,7 @@
 | `vsplit_new` | Vertical right split scratch buffer | normal: `` <C-w>nv ``, `` <space>wnv ``, `` <C-w>n<C-v> ``, `` <space>wn<C-v> ``, select: `` <C-w>nv ``, `` <space>wnv ``, `` <C-w>n<C-v> ``, `` <space>wn<C-v> `` |
 | `wclose` | Close window | normal: `` <C-w>q ``, `` <space>wq ``, `` <C-w><C-q> ``, `` <space>w<C-q> ``, select: `` <C-w>q ``, `` <space>wq ``, `` <C-w><C-q> ``, `` <space>w<C-q> `` |
 | `wonly` | Close windows except current | normal: `` <C-w>o ``, `` <space>wo ``, `` <C-w><C-o> ``, `` <space>w<C-o> ``, select: `` <C-w>o ``, `` <space>wo ``, `` <C-w><C-o> ``, `` <space>w<C-o> `` |
+| `toggle_zoom` | Toggle zoom for current window | normal: `` <C-w>z ``, `` <space>wz ``, select: `` <C-w>z ``, `` <space>wz `` |
 | `select_register` | Select register | normal: `` " ``, select: `` " `` |
 | `insert_register` | Insert register | insert: `` <C-r> `` |
 | `align_view_middle` | Align view middle | normal: `` Zm ``, `` zm ``, select: `` Zm ``, `` zm `` |
diff --git a/book/src/generated/typable-cmd.md b/book/src/generated/typable-cmd.md
index f0d9a0f492a5..e9dbc9c6fee4 100644
--- a/book/src/generated/typable-cmd.md
+++ b/book/src/generated/typable-cmd.md
@@ -88,3 +88,4 @@
 | `:move`, `:mv` | Move the current buffer and its corresponding file to a different path |
 | `:yank-diagnostic` | Yank diagnostic(s) under primary cursor to register, or clipboard by default |
 | `:read`, `:r` | Load a file into buffer |
+| `:set-max-width` | Set the maximum width of the editor, or swap between 2 widths. If set to 0 it will take up the entire width. |
diff --git a/book/src/keymap.md b/book/src/keymap.md
index 2797eaee2908..f7f854ed34a5 100644
--- a/book/src/keymap.md
+++ b/book/src/keymap.md
@@ -274,6 +274,7 @@ This layer is similar to Vim keybindings as Kakoune does not support windows.
 | `J`                    | Swap window downwards                                | `swap_view_down`  |
 | `K`                    | Swap window upwards                                  | `swap_view_up`    |
 | `L`                    | Swap window to the right                             | `swap_view_right` |
+| `z`                    | Toggle zoom for the focused view                     | `toggle_zoom`     |
 
 #### Space mode
 
diff --git a/book/src/remapping.md b/book/src/remapping.md
index 4eb14c558e29..85f8281bf7eb 100644
--- a/book/src/remapping.md
+++ b/book/src/remapping.md
@@ -68,6 +68,9 @@ k = "scroll_down"
 m = ":run-shell-command make"
 c = ":run-shell-command cargo build"
 t = ":run-shell-command cargo test"
+
+# Creates a basic 'zen-mode' similar to VSCode's
+z = ["toggle_zoom", ":set-max-width 120 0", ":set gutters.layout []"]
 ```
 
 ## Special keys and modifiers
diff --git a/helix-term/src/commands.rs b/helix-term/src/commands.rs
index 85842523ca81..126875fbc4a4 100644
--- a/helix-term/src/commands.rs
+++ b/helix-term/src/commands.rs
@@ -527,6 +527,7 @@ impl MappableCommand {
         vsplit_new, "Vertical right split scratch buffer",
         wclose, "Close window",
         wonly, "Close windows except current",
+        toggle_zoom, "Toggle zoom for current window",
         select_register, "Select register",
         insert_register, "Insert register",
         align_view_middle, "Align view middle",
@@ -5475,6 +5476,11 @@ fn wonly(cx: &mut Context) {
     }
 }
 
+fn toggle_zoom(cx: &mut Context) {
+    cx.editor.tree.zoom = !cx.editor.tree.zoom;
+    cx.editor.tree.recalculate();
+}
+
 fn select_register(cx: &mut Context) {
     cx.editor.autoinfo = Some(Info::from_registers(&cx.editor.registers));
     cx.on_next_key(move |cx, event| {
diff --git a/helix-term/src/commands/typed.rs b/helix-term/src/commands/typed.rs
index 4a2546d7c8d8..7fc6440f89bd 100644
--- a/helix-term/src/commands/typed.rs
+++ b/helix-term/src/commands/typed.rs
@@ -2539,6 +2539,44 @@ fn read(cx: &mut compositor::Context, args: &[Cow<str>], event: PromptEvent) ->
     Ok(())
 }
 
+fn set_max_width(
+    cx: &mut compositor::Context,
+    args: &[Cow<str>],
+    event: PromptEvent,
+) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+    if event != PromptEvent::Validate {
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+
+    let mut args = args.iter();
+    let Some(width) = args.next() else {
+        bail!(":set-max-width takes 1 or 2 arguments")
+    };
+    let width: u16 = width.parse()?;
+    let alt_width: Option<u16> = args.next().map(|w| w.parse()).transpose()?;
+
+    let set_width = match alt_width {
+        Some(alt_width) if cx.editor.tree.max_width == width => {
+            cx.editor.tree.max_width = alt_width;
+            alt_width
+        }
+        _ => {
+            cx.editor.tree.max_width = width;
+            width
+        }
+    };
+    cx.editor.tree.recalculate();
+
+    if set_width == 0 {
+        cx.editor.set_status("Unset maximum width");
+    } else {
+        cx.editor
+            .set_status(format!("Set maximum width to {}", set_width));
+    }
+
+    Ok(())
+}
+
 pub const TYPABLE_COMMAND_LIST: &[TypableCommand] = &[
     TypableCommand {
         name: "quit",
@@ -3160,6 +3198,13 @@ pub const TYPABLE_COMMAND_LIST: &[TypableCommand] = &[
         fun: read,
         signature: CommandSignature::positional(&[completers::filename]),
     },
+    TypableCommand {
+        name: "set-max-width",
+        aliases: &[],
+        doc: "Set the maximum width of the editor, or swap between 2 widths. If set to 0 it will take up the entire width.",
+        fun: set_max_width,
+        signature: CommandSignature::positional(&[completers::none]),
+    },
 ];
 
 pub static TYPABLE_COMMAND_MAP: Lazy<HashMap<&'static str, &'static TypableCommand>> =
diff --git a/helix-term/src/keymap/default.rs b/helix-term/src/keymap/default.rs
index c6cefd927574..660b25b46974 100644
--- a/helix-term/src/keymap/default.rs
+++ b/helix-term/src/keymap/default.rs
@@ -208,6 +208,7 @@ pub fn default() -> HashMap<Mode, KeyTrie> {
                 "C-s" | "s" => hsplit_new,
                 "C-v" | "v" => vsplit_new,
             },
+            "z" => toggle_zoom,
         },
 
         // move under <space>c
@@ -273,6 +274,7 @@ pub fn default() -> HashMap<Mode, KeyTrie> {
                     "C-s" | "s" => hsplit_new,
                     "C-v" | "v" => vsplit_new,
                 },
+                "z" => toggle_zoom,
             },
             "y" => yank_to_clipboard,
             "Y" => yank_main_selection_to_clipboard,
diff --git a/helix-term/src/ui/editor.rs b/helix-term/src/ui/editor.rs
index 5d028415e85f..e42e0c338b2b 100644
--- a/helix-term/src/ui/editor.rs
+++ b/helix-term/src/ui/editor.rs
@@ -212,8 +212,8 @@ impl EditorView {
         );
         Self::render_rulers(editor, doc, view, inner, surface, theme);
 
-        // if we're not at the edge of the screen, draw a right border
-        if viewport.right() != view.area.right() {
+        // if we're not at the edge of the screen or zoomed, draw a right border
+        if viewport.right() != view.area.right() && !editor.tree.zoom {
             let x = area.right();
             let border_style = theme.get("ui.window");
             for y in area.top()..area.bottom() {
@@ -1150,8 +1150,13 @@ impl EditorView {
             ..
         } = *event;
 
+        // In zoom, only the focused view is interactable.
+        let zoom = cxt.editor.tree.zoom;
         let pos_and_view = |editor: &Editor, row, column, ignore_virtual_text| {
-            editor.tree.views().find_map(|(view, _focus)| {
+            editor.tree.views().find_map(|(view, focus)| {
+                if zoom && !focus {
+                    return None;
+                }
                 view.pos_at_screen_coords(
                     &editor.documents[&view.doc],
                     row,
@@ -1163,7 +1168,10 @@ impl EditorView {
         };
 
         let gutter_coords_and_view = |editor: &Editor, row, column| {
-            editor.tree.views().find_map(|(view, _focus)| {
+            editor.tree.views().find_map(|(view, focus)| {
+                if zoom && !focus {
+                    return None;
+                }
                 view.gutter_coords_at_screen_coords(row, column)
                     .map(|coords| (coords, view.id))
             })
@@ -1558,8 +1566,12 @@ impl Component for EditorView {
         }
 
         for (view, is_focused) in cx.editor.tree.views() {
-            let doc = cx.editor.document(view.doc).unwrap();
-            self.render_view(cx.editor, doc, view, area, surface, is_focused);
+            // If in zoom, only the focused document is rendered, with the unfocused ones being
+            // positioned off-screen.
+            if !cx.editor.tree.zoom || is_focused {
+                let doc = cx.editor.document(view.doc).unwrap();
+                self.render_view(cx.editor, doc, view, area, surface, is_focused);
+            }
         }
 
         if config.auto_info {
diff --git a/helix-term/src/ui/statusline.rs b/helix-term/src/ui/statusline.rs
index 7437cbd074e5..6eeb27392107 100644
--- a/helix-term/src/ui/statusline.rs
+++ b/helix-term/src/ui/statusline.rs
@@ -163,6 +163,7 @@ where
         helix_view::editor::StatusLineElement::Spacer => render_spacer,
         helix_view::editor::StatusLineElement::VersionControl => render_version_control,
         helix_view::editor::StatusLineElement::Register => render_register,
+        helix_view::editor::StatusLineElement::Zoom => render_zoom,
     }
 }
 
@@ -531,3 +532,12 @@ where
         write(context, format!(" reg={} ", reg), None)
     }
 }
+
+fn render_zoom<F>(context: &mut RenderContext, write: F)
+where
+    F: Fn(&mut RenderContext, String, Option<Style>) + Copy,
+{
+    if context.editor.tree.zoom {
+        write(context, "[zoom]".to_string(), None)
+    }
+}
diff --git a/helix-view/src/editor.rs b/helix-view/src/editor.rs
index 151b26538fde..9833f2029b63 100644
--- a/helix-view/src/editor.rs
+++ b/helix-view/src/editor.rs
@@ -496,6 +496,7 @@ impl Default for StatusLineConfig {
                 E::Spinner,
                 E::FileName,
                 E::ReadOnlyIndicator,
+                E::Zoom,
                 E::FileModificationIndicator,
             ],
             center: vec![],
@@ -595,6 +596,9 @@ pub enum StatusLineElement {
 
     /// Indicator for selected register
     Register,
+
+    /// Current zoom/zen state
+    Zoom,
 }
 
 // Cursor shape is read and used on every rendered frame and so needs
diff --git a/helix-view/src/tree.rs b/helix-view/src/tree.rs
index aba947a218cc..d981d4eed786 100644
--- a/helix-view/src/tree.rs
+++ b/helix-view/src/tree.rs
@@ -8,8 +8,13 @@ pub struct Tree {
     root: ViewId,
     // (container, index inside the container)
     pub focus: ViewId,
-    // fullscreen: bool,
     area: Rect,
+    // Maximum width the views will take up. If 0 then they will take up the
+    // entire width regardless of state.
+    pub max_width: u16,
+    // If true, the focused view gets all the available space and the rest are
+    // not rendered.
+    pub zoom: bool,
 
     nodes: HopSlotMap<ViewId, Node>,
 
@@ -96,8 +101,9 @@ impl Tree {
         Self {
             root,
             focus: root,
-            // fullscreen: false,
             area,
+            max_width: 0,
+            zoom: false,
             nodes,
             stack: Vec::new(),
         }
@@ -360,7 +366,27 @@ impl Tree {
             return;
         }
 
-        self.stack.push((self.root, self.area));
+        let area = if self.max_width > 0 {
+            let width = std::cmp::min(self.max_width, self.area.width);
+            Rect::new(
+                self.area.width / 2 - width / 2,
+                self.area.y,
+                width,
+                self.area.height,
+            )
+        } else {
+            self.area
+        };
+
+        if self.zoom {
+            for (view, _focused) in self.views_mut() {
+                view.area = area;
+            }
+
+            return;
+        }
+
+        self.stack.push((self.root, area));
 
         // take the area
         // fetch the node