(for kakoune, not helix) i've used kakoune daily for almost 2 years now, and i still mix up e.g. `(?<!` vs `(?!<` for lookbehind regexes. i appreciate the ability to select a region and watch whether my regex has selected what i expect.

but, this is probably less important than the simplicity of the selection first model, as it ties into multisel, etc. a selection is a cursor and an anchor. other keys manipulate the selection(s) in very particular ways, which are predictable. external tools interface easily with the selection format, as it represents cursors and anchors.

each benefit taken alone is quite small, but together they offer kakoune a very lean, predictable design when combined with its use of external programs for tasks like sorts or paragraph reflows.

helix is similar to kakoune w.r.t. the editing model. kakoune has `w` to select the next word (and move the anchor to the start of the next word), and `W` to select the next word (and keep the anchor where it is, so you now have two words selected). helix has `v` to enter visual mode, which is essentially equivalent to caps lock with kakoune --- `vw` in helix is equivalent to `W` in kakoune (i believe).

i think selection first is better, but i think it's fair to prefer vim's style, obviously. but there's certainly ample reasoning, though helix might not explain it thoroughly, because (at least, at one point) they may have expected users to have viewed kakoune previously, and understand its philosophy, as helix is essentially a batteries-included kakoune (and kakoune explains the reasoning quite thoroughly).