diff --git a/spec/selection-spec.js b/spec/selection-spec.js
index cb586da26..8afc67575 100644
--- a/spec/selection-spec.js
+++ b/spec/selection-spec.js
@@ -154,4 +154,118 @@ describe('Selection', () => {
       expect(editor.isFoldedAtBufferRow(0)).toBe(false)
     })
   })
+
+  describe('within a read-only editor', () => {
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      editor.setReadOnly(true)
+      selection.setBufferRange([[0, 0], [0, 13]])
+    })
+
+    const modifications = [
+      {
+        name: 'insertText',
+        op: opts => selection.insertText('yes', opts)
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'backspace',
+        op: opts => selection.backspace(opts)
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'deleteToPreviousWordBoundary',
+        op: opts => selection.deleteToPreviousWordBoundary(opts)
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'deleteToNextWordBoundary',
+        op: opts => selection.deleteToNextWordBoundary(opts)
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'deleteToBeginningOfWord',
+        op: opts => selection.deleteToBeginningOfWord(opts)
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'deleteToBeginningOfLine',
+        op: opts => selection.deleteToBeginningOfLine(opts)
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'delete',
+        op: opts => selection.delete(opts)
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'deleteToEndOfLine',
+        op: opts => selection.deleteToEndOfLine(opts)
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'deleteToEndOfWord',
+        op: opts => selection.deleteToEndOfWord(opts)
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'deleteToBeginningOfSubword',
+        op: opts => selection.deleteToBeginningOfSubword(opts)
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'deleteToEndOfSubword',
+        op: opts => selection.deleteToEndOfSubword(opts)
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'deleteSelectedText',
+        op: opts => selection.deleteSelectedText(opts)
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'deleteLine',
+        op: opts => selection.deleteLine(opts)
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'joinLines',
+        op: opts => selection.joinLines(opts)
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'outdentSelectedRows',
+        op: opts => selection.outdentSelectedRows(opts)
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'autoIndentSelectedRows',
+        op: opts => selection.autoIndentSelectedRows(opts)
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'toggleLineComments',
+        op: opts => selection.toggleLineComments(opts)
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'cutToEndOfLine',
+        op: opts => selection.cutToEndOfLine(false, opts)
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'cutToEndOfBufferLine',
+        op: opts => selection.cutToEndOfBufferLine(false, opts)
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'cut',
+        op: opts => selection.cut(false, false, opts.bypassReadOnly)
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'indent',
+        op: opts => selection.indent(opts)
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'indentSelectedRows',
+        op: opts => selection.indentSelectedRows(opts)
+      },
+    ]
+
+    describe('without bypassReadOnly', () => {
+      for (const {name, op} of modifications) {
+        it(`throws an error on ${name}`, () => {
+          expect(op).toThrow()
+        })
+      }
+    })
+
+    describe('with bypassReadOnly', () => {
+      for (const {name, op} of modifications) {
+        it(`permits ${name}`, () => {
+          op({bypassReadOnly: true})
+        })
+      }
+    })
+  })
 })
diff --git a/spec/text-editor-spec.js b/spec/text-editor-spec.js
index 815a0e8d4..a84a1f233 100644
--- a/spec/text-editor-spec.js
+++ b/spec/text-editor-spec.js
@@ -5488,6 +5488,195 @@ describe('TextEditor', () => {
         })
       })
     })
+
+    describe('when readonly', () => {
+      beforeEach(() => {
+        editor.setReadOnly(true)
+      })
+
+      const modifications = [
+        {
+          name: 'moveLineUp',
+          op: (opts = {}) => {
+            editor.setCursorBufferPosition([1, 0])
+            editor.moveLineUp(opts)
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'moveLineDown',
+          op: (opts = {}) => {
+            editor.setCursorBufferPosition([0, 0])
+            editor.moveLineDown(opts)
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'insertText',
+          op: (opts = {}) => {
+            editor.setSelectedBufferRange([[1, 0], [1, 2]])
+            editor.insertText('xxx', opts)
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'insertNewline',
+          op: (opts = {}) => {
+            editor.setCursorScreenPosition({row: 1, column: 0})
+            editor.insertNewline(opts)
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'insertNewlineBelow',
+          op: (opts = {}) => {
+            editor.setCursorBufferPosition([0, 2])
+            editor.insertNewlineBelow(opts)
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'insertNewlineAbove',
+          op: (opts = {}) => {
+            editor.setCursorBufferPosition([0])
+            editor.insertNewlineAbove(opts)
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'backspace',
+          op: (opts = {}) => {
+            editor.setCursorScreenPosition({row: 1, column: 7})
+            editor.backspace(opts)
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'deleteToPreviousWordBoundary',
+          op: (opts = {}) => {
+            editor.setCursorBufferPosition([0, 16])
+            editor.deleteToPreviousWordBoundary(opts)
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'deleteToNextWordBoundary',
+          op: (opts = {}) => {
+            editor.setCursorBufferPosition([0, 15])
+            editor.deleteToNextWordBoundary(opts)
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'deleteToBeginningOfWord',
+          op: (opts = {}) => {
+            editor.setCursorBufferPosition([1, 24])
+            editor.deleteToBeginningOfWord(opts)
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'deleteToEndOfLine',
+          op: (opts = {}) => {
+            editor.setCursorBufferPosition([1, 24])
+            editor.deleteToEndOfLine(opts)
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'deleteToBeginningOfLine',
+          op: (opts = {}) => {
+            editor.setCursorBufferPosition([1, 24])
+            editor.deleteToBeginningOfLine(opts)
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'delete',
+          op: (opts = {}) => {
+            editor.setCursorScreenPosition([1, 6])
+            editor.delete(opts)
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'deleteToEndOfWord',
+          op: (opts = {}) => {
+            editor.setCursorBufferPosition([1, 24])
+            editor.deleteToEndOfWord(opts)
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'indent',
+          op: (opts = {}) => {
+            editor.indent(opts)
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'cutSelectedText',
+          op: (opts = {}) => {
+            editor.setSelectedBufferRanges([[[0, 4], [0, 13]], [[1, 6], [1, 10]]])
+            editor.cutSelectedText(opts)
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'cutToEndOfLine',
+          op: (opts = {}) => {
+            editor.setCursorBufferPosition([2, 20])
+            editor.cutToEndOfLine(opts)
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'cutToEndOfBufferLine',
+          op: (opts = {}) => {
+            editor.setCursorBufferPosition([2, 20])
+            editor.cutToEndOfBufferLine(opts)
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'pasteText',
+          op: (opts = {}) => {
+            editor.setSelectedBufferRanges([[[0, 4], [0, 13]], [[1, 6], [1, 10]]])
+            atom.clipboard.write('first')
+            editor.pasteText(opts)
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'indentSelectedRows',
+          op: (opts = {}) => {
+            editor.setSelectedBufferRange([[0, 3], [0, 3]])
+            editor.indentSelectedRows(opts)
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'outdentSelectedRows',
+          op: (opts = {}) => {
+            editor.setSelectedBufferRange([[1, 3], [1, 3]])
+            editor.outdentSelectedRows(opts)
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'autoIndentSelectedRows',
+          op: (opts = {}) => {
+            editor.setCursorBufferPosition([2, 0])
+            editor.insertText('function() {\ninside=true\n}\n  i=1\n', opts)
+            editor.getLastSelection().setBufferRange([[2, 0], [6, 0]])
+            editor.autoIndentSelectedRows(opts)
+          }
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'undo/redo',
+          op: (opts = {}) => {
+            editor.insertText('foo', opts)
+            editor.undo(opts)
+            editor.redo(opts)
+          }
+        }
+      ]
+
+      describe('without bypassReadOnly', () => {
+        for (const {name, op} of modifications) {
+          it(`throws an error on ${name}`, () => {
+            expect(op).toThrow()
+          })
+        }
+      })
+
+      describe('with bypassReadOnly', () => {
+        for (const {name, op} of modifications) {
+          it(`permits ${name}`, () => {
+            op({bypassReadOnly: true})
+          })
+        }
+      })
+    })
   })
 
   describe('reading text', () => {
diff --git a/src/register-default-commands.coffee b/src/register-default-commands.coffee
index a367e6188..7f1503b73 100644
--- a/src/register-default-commands.coffee
+++ b/src/register-default-commands.coffee
@@ -166,15 +166,35 @@ module.exports = ({commandRegistry, commandInstaller, config, notificationManage
     false
   )
 
+  commandRegistry.add(
+    'atom-text-editor:not([readonly])',
+    stopEventPropagation({
+      'core:undo': -> @undo()
+      'core:redo': -> @redo()
+    }),
+    false
+  )
+
   commandRegistry.add(
     'atom-text-editor',
+    stopEventPropagationAndGroupUndo(
+      config,
+      {
+        'core:copy': -> @copySelectedText()
+        'editor:copy-selection': -> @copyOnlySelectedText()
+      }
+    ),
+    false
+  )
+
+  commandRegistry.add(
+    'atom-text-editor:not([readonly])',
     stopEventPropagationAndGroupUndo(
       config,
       {
         'core:backspace': -> @backspace()
         'core:delete': -> @delete()
         'core:cut': -> @cutSelectedText()
-        'core:copy': -> @copySelectedText()
         'core:paste': -> @pasteText()
         'editor:paste-without-reformatting': -> @pasteText({
           normalizeLineEndings: false,
@@ -195,7 +215,6 @@ module.exports = ({commandRegistry, commandInstaller, config, notificationManage
         'editor:transpose': -> @transpose()
         'editor:upper-case': -> @upperCase()
         'editor:lower-case': -> @lowerCase()
-        'editor:copy-selection': -> @copyOnlySelectedText()
       }
     ),
     false
@@ -266,7 +285,7 @@ module.exports = ({commandRegistry, commandInstaller, config, notificationManage
   )
 
   commandRegistry.add(
-    'atom-text-editor:not([mini])',
+    'atom-text-editor:not([mini]):not([readonly])',
     stopEventPropagationAndGroupUndo(
       config,
       {
diff --git a/src/selection.js b/src/selection.js
index 2c64fa126..b41095e26 100644
--- a/src/selection.js
+++ b/src/selection.js
@@ -407,6 +407,25 @@ class Selection {
     if (autoscroll) this.cursor.autoscroll()
   }
 
+  // Private: Ensure that the {TextEditor} is not marked read-only before allowing a buffer modification to occur. if
+  // the editor is read-only, require an explicit opt-in option to proceed (`bypassReadOnly`) or throw an Error.
+  ensureWritable (methodName, opts) {
+    if (!opts.bypassReadOnly && this.editor.isReadOnly()) {
+      if (atom.inDevMode() || atom.inSpecMode()) {
+        const e = new Error('Attempt to mutate a read-only TextEditor through a Selection')
+        e.detail =
+          `Your package is attempting to call ${methodName} on a selection within an editor that has been marked ` +
+          ' read-only. Pass {bypassReadOnly: true} to modify it anyway, or test editors with .isReadOnly() before ' +
+          ' attempting modifications.'
+        throw e
+      }
+
+      return false
+    }
+
+    return true
+  }
+
   /*
   Section: Modifying the selected text
   */
@@ -428,7 +447,10 @@ class Selection {
   //     level between the first lines and the trailing lines.
   //   * `normalizeLineEndings` (optional) {Boolean} (default: true)
   //   * `undo` If `skip`, skips the undo stack for this operation.
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
   insertText (text, options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('insertText', options)) return
+
     let desiredIndentLevel, indentAdjustment
     const oldBufferRange = this.getBufferRange()
     const wasReversed = this.isReversed()
@@ -492,90 +514,134 @@ class Selection {
 
   // Public: Removes the first character before the selection if the selection
   // is empty otherwise it deletes the selection.
-  backspace () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify text within a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  backspace (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('backspace', options)) return
     if (this.isEmpty()) this.selectLeft()
-    this.deleteSelectedText()
+    this.deleteSelectedText(options)
   }
 
   // Public: Removes the selection or, if nothing is selected, then all
   // characters from the start of the selection back to the previous word
   // boundary.
-  deleteToPreviousWordBoundary () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify text within a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  deleteToPreviousWordBoundary (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('deleteToPreviousWordBoundary', options)) return
     if (this.isEmpty()) this.selectToPreviousWordBoundary()
-    this.deleteSelectedText()
+    this.deleteSelectedText(options)
   }
 
   // Public: Removes the selection or, if nothing is selected, then all
   // characters from the start of the selection up to the next word
   // boundary.
-  deleteToNextWordBoundary () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify text within a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  deleteToNextWordBoundary (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('deleteToNextWordBoundary', options)) return
     if (this.isEmpty()) this.selectToNextWordBoundary()
-    this.deleteSelectedText()
+    this.deleteSelectedText(options)
   }
 
   // Public: Removes from the start of the selection to the beginning of the
   // current word if the selection is empty otherwise it deletes the selection.
-  deleteToBeginningOfWord () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify text within a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  deleteToBeginningOfWord (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('deleteToBeginningOfWord', options)) return
     if (this.isEmpty()) this.selectToBeginningOfWord()
-    this.deleteSelectedText()
+    this.deleteSelectedText(options)
   }
 
   // Public: Removes from the beginning of the line which the selection begins on
   // all the way through to the end of the selection.
-  deleteToBeginningOfLine () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify text within a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  deleteToBeginningOfLine (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('deleteToBeginningOfLine', options)) return
     if (this.isEmpty() && this.cursor.isAtBeginningOfLine()) {
       this.selectLeft()
     } else {
       this.selectToBeginningOfLine()
     }
-    this.deleteSelectedText()
+    this.deleteSelectedText(options)
   }
 
   // Public: Removes the selection or the next character after the start of the
   // selection if the selection is empty.
-  delete () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify text within a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  delete (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('delete', options)) return
     if (this.isEmpty()) this.selectRight()
-    this.deleteSelectedText()
+    this.deleteSelectedText(options)
   }
 
   // Public: If the selection is empty, removes all text from the cursor to the
   // end of the line. If the cursor is already at the end of the line, it
   // removes the following newline. If the selection isn't empty, only deletes
   // the contents of the selection.
-  deleteToEndOfLine () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify text within a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  deleteToEndOfLine (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('deleteToEndOfLine', options)) return
     if (this.isEmpty()) {
       if (this.cursor.isAtEndOfLine()) {
-        this.delete()
+        this.delete(options)
         return
       }
       this.selectToEndOfLine()
     }
-    this.deleteSelectedText()
+    this.deleteSelectedText(options)
   }
 
   // Public: Removes the selection or all characters from the start of the
   // selection to the end of the current word if nothing is selected.
-  deleteToEndOfWord () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify text within a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  deleteToEndOfWord (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('deleteToEndOfWord', options)) return
     if (this.isEmpty()) this.selectToEndOfWord()
-    this.deleteSelectedText()
+    this.deleteSelectedText(options)
   }
 
   // Public: Removes the selection or all characters from the start of the
   // selection to the end of the current word if nothing is selected.
-  deleteToBeginningOfSubword () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify text within a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  deleteToBeginningOfSubword (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('deleteToBeginningOfSubword', options)) return
     if (this.isEmpty()) this.selectToPreviousSubwordBoundary()
-    this.deleteSelectedText()
+    this.deleteSelectedText(options)
   }
 
   // Public: Removes the selection or all characters from the start of the
   // selection to the end of the current word if nothing is selected.
-  deleteToEndOfSubword () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify text within a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  deleteToEndOfSubword (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('deleteToEndOfSubword', options)) return
     if (this.isEmpty()) this.selectToNextSubwordBoundary()
-    this.deleteSelectedText()
+    this.deleteSelectedText(options)
   }
 
   // Public: Removes only the selected text.
-  deleteSelectedText () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify text within a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  deleteSelectedText (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('deleteSelectedText', options)) return
     const bufferRange = this.getBufferRange()
     if (!bufferRange.isEmpty()) this.editor.buffer.delete(bufferRange)
     if (this.cursor) this.cursor.setBufferPosition(bufferRange.start)
@@ -584,7 +650,11 @@ class Selection {
   // Public: Removes the line at the beginning of the selection if the selection
   // is empty unless the selection spans multiple lines in which case all lines
   // are removed.
-  deleteLine () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify text within a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  deleteLine (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('deleteLine', options)) return
     const range = this.getBufferRange()
     if (range.isEmpty()) {
       const start = this.cursor.getScreenRow()
@@ -607,7 +677,11 @@ class Selection {
   // be separated by a single space.
   //
   // If there selection spans more than one line, all the lines are joined together.
-  joinLines () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify text within a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  joinLines (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('joinLines', options)) return
     let joinMarker
     const selectedRange = this.getBufferRange()
     if (selectedRange.isEmpty()) {
@@ -629,7 +703,7 @@ class Selection {
       })
       if (trailingWhitespaceRange) {
         this.setBufferRange(trailingWhitespaceRange)
-        this.deleteSelectedText()
+        this.deleteSelectedText(options)
       }
 
       const currentRow = selectedRange.start.row
@@ -638,7 +712,7 @@ class Selection {
         (nextRow <= this.editor.buffer.getLastRow()) &&
         (this.editor.buffer.lineLengthForRow(nextRow) > 0) &&
         (this.editor.buffer.lineLengthForRow(currentRow) > 0)
-      if (insertSpace) this.insertText(' ')
+      if (insertSpace) this.insertText(' ', options)
 
       this.cursor.moveToEndOfLine()
 
@@ -647,7 +721,7 @@ class Selection {
         this.cursor.moveRight()
         this.cursor.moveToFirstCharacterOfLine()
       })
-      this.deleteSelectedText()
+      this.deleteSelectedText(options)
 
       if (insertSpace) this.cursor.moveLeft()
     }
@@ -660,7 +734,11 @@ class Selection {
   }
 
   // Public: Removes one level of indent from the currently selected rows.
-  outdentSelectedRows () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify text within a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  outdentSelectedRows (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('outdentSelectedRows', options)) return
     const [start, end] = this.getBufferRowRange()
     const {buffer} = this.editor
     const leadingTabRegex = new RegExp(`^( {1,${this.editor.getTabLength()}}|\t)`)
@@ -674,7 +752,11 @@ class Selection {
 
   // Public: Sets the indentation level of all selected rows to values suggested
   // by the relevant grammars.
-  autoIndentSelectedRows () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify text within a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  autoIndentSelectedRows (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('autoIndentSelectedRows', options)) return
     const [start, end] = this.getBufferRowRange()
     return this.editor.autoIndentBufferRows(start, end)
   }
@@ -683,29 +765,45 @@ class Selection {
   // of a comment.
   //
   // Removes the comment if they are currently wrapped in a comment.
-  toggleLineComments () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify text within a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  toggleLineComments (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('toggleLineComments', options)) return
     this.editor.toggleLineCommentsForBufferRows(...(this.getBufferRowRange() || []))
   }
 
   // Public: Cuts the selection until the end of the screen line.
-  cutToEndOfLine (maintainClipboard) {
+  //
+  // * `maintainClipboard` {Boolean}
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify text within a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  cutToEndOfLine (maintainClipboard, options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('cutToEndOfLine', options)) return
     if (this.isEmpty()) this.selectToEndOfLine()
-    return this.cut(maintainClipboard)
+    return this.cut(maintainClipboard, false, options.bypassReadOnly)
   }
 
   // Public: Cuts the selection until the end of the buffer line.
-  cutToEndOfBufferLine (maintainClipboard) {
+  //
+  // * `maintainClipboard` {Boolean}
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify text within a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  cutToEndOfBufferLine (maintainClipboard, options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('cutToEndOfBufferLine', options)) return
     if (this.isEmpty()) this.selectToEndOfBufferLine()
-    this.cut(maintainClipboard)
+    this.cut(maintainClipboard, false, options.bypassReadOnly)
   }
 
   // Public: Copies the selection to the clipboard and then deletes it.
   //
   // * `maintainClipboard` {Boolean} (default: false) See {::copy}
   // * `fullLine` {Boolean} (default: false) See {::copy}
-  cut (maintainClipboard = false, fullLine = false) {
+  // * `bypassReadOnly` {Boolean} (default: false) Must be `true` to modify text within a read-only editor.
+  cut (maintainClipboard = false, fullLine = false, bypassReadOnly = false) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('cut', {bypassReadOnly})) return
     this.copy(maintainClipboard, fullLine)
-    this.delete()
+    this.delete({bypassReadOnly})
   }
 
   // Public: Copies the current selection to the clipboard.
@@ -783,7 +881,9 @@ class Selection {
   // * `options` (optional) {Object} with the keys:
   //   * `autoIndent` If `true`, the line is indented to an automatically-inferred
   //     level. Otherwise, {TextEditor::getTabText} is inserted.
-  indent ({autoIndent} = {}) {
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify text within a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  indent ({autoIndent, bypassReadOnly} = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('indent', {bypassReadOnly})) return
     const {row} = this.cursor.getBufferPosition()
 
     if (this.isEmpty()) {
@@ -793,17 +893,21 @@ class Selection {
 
       if (autoIndent && delta > 0) {
         if (!this.editor.getSoftTabs()) delta = Math.max(delta, 1)
-        this.insertText(this.editor.buildIndentString(delta))
+        this.insertText(this.editor.buildIndentString(delta), {bypassReadOnly})
       } else {
-        this.insertText(this.editor.buildIndentString(1, this.cursor.getBufferColumn()))
+        this.insertText(this.editor.buildIndentString(1, this.cursor.getBufferColumn()), {bypassReadOnly})
       }
     } else {
-      this.indentSelectedRows()
+      this.indentSelectedRows({bypassReadOnly})
     }
   }
 
   // Public: If the selection spans multiple rows, indent all of them.
-  indentSelectedRows () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object} with the keys:
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify text within a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  indentSelectedRows (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('indentSelectedRows', options)) return
     const [start, end] = this.getBufferRowRange()
     for (let row = start; row <= end; row++) {
       if (this.editor.buffer.lineLengthForRow(row) !== 0) {
diff --git a/src/text-editor.js b/src/text-editor.js
index 51470a6b2..5e0984802 100644
--- a/src/text-editor.js
+++ b/src/text-editor.js
@@ -42,9 +42,10 @@ const DEFAULT_NON_WORD_CHARACTERS = "/\\()\"':,.;<>~!@#$%^&*|+=[]{}`?-…"
 // then be called with all current editor instances and also when any editor is
 // created in the future.
 //
-// ```coffee
-// atom.workspace.observeTextEditors (editor) ->
+// ```js
+// atom.workspace.observeTextEditors(editor => {
 //   editor.insertText('Hello World')
+// })
 // ```
 //
 // ## Buffer vs. Screen Coordinates
@@ -1306,7 +1307,12 @@ class TextEditor {
   // Essential: Replaces the entire contents of the buffer with the given {String}.
   //
   // * `text` A {String} to replace with
-  setText (text) { return this.buffer.setText(text) }
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor.
+  setText (text, options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('setText', options)) return
+    return this.buffer.setText(text)
+  }
 
   // Essential: Set the text in the given {Range} in buffer coordinates.
   //
@@ -1315,9 +1321,11 @@ class TextEditor {
   // * `options` (optional) {Object}
   //   * `normalizeLineEndings` (optional) {Boolean} (default: true)
   //   * `undo` (optional) {String} 'skip' will skip the undo system
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
   //
   // Returns the {Range} of the newly-inserted text.
-  setTextInBufferRange (range, text, options) {
+  setTextInBufferRange (range, text, options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('setTextInBufferRange', options)) return
     return this.getBuffer().setTextInRange(range, text, options)
   }
 
@@ -1326,9 +1334,9 @@ class TextEditor {
   // * `text` A {String} representing the text to insert.
   // * `options` (optional) See {Selection::insertText}.
   //
-  // Returns a {Range} when the text has been inserted
-  // Returns a {Boolean} false when the text has not been inserted
+  // Returns a {Range} when the text has been inserted. Returns a {Boolean} `false` when the text has not been inserted.
   insertText (text, options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('insertText', options)) return
     if (!this.emitWillInsertTextEvent(text)) return false
 
     let groupLastChanges = false
@@ -1352,20 +1360,31 @@ class TextEditor {
   }
 
   // Essential: For each selection, replace the selected text with a newline.
-  insertNewline (options) {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  insertNewline (options = {}) {
     return this.insertText('\n', options)
   }
 
   // Essential: For each selection, if the selection is empty, delete the character
   // following the cursor. Otherwise delete the selected text.
-  delete () {
-    return this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.delete())
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  delete (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('delete', options)) return
+    return this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.delete(options))
   }
 
   // Essential: For each selection, if the selection is empty, delete the character
   // preceding the cursor. Otherwise delete the selected text.
-  backspace () {
-    return this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.backspace())
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  backspace (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('backspace', options)) return
+    return this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.backspace(options))
   }
 
   // Extended: Mutate the text of all the selections in a single transaction.
@@ -1386,7 +1405,12 @@ class TextEditor {
 
   // Move lines intersecting the most recent selection or multiple selections
   // up by one row in screen coordinates.
-  moveLineUp () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  moveLineUp (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('moveLineUp', options)) return
+
     const selections = this.getSelectedBufferRanges().sort((a, b) => a.compare(b))
 
     if (selections[0].start.row === 0) return
@@ -1454,7 +1478,12 @@ class TextEditor {
 
   // Move lines intersecting the most recent selection or multiple selections
   // down by one row in screen coordinates.
-  moveLineDown () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  moveLineDown (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('moveLineDown', options)) return
+
     const selections = this.getSelectedBufferRanges()
     selections.sort((a, b) => b.compare(a))
 
@@ -1526,7 +1555,11 @@ class TextEditor {
   }
 
   // Move any active selections one column to the left.
-  moveSelectionLeft () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  moveSelectionLeft (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('moveSelectionLeft', options)) return
     const selections = this.getSelectedBufferRanges()
     const noSelectionAtStartOfLine = selections.every(selection => selection.start.column !== 0)
 
@@ -1550,7 +1583,11 @@ class TextEditor {
   }
 
   // Move any active selections one column to the right.
-  moveSelectionRight () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  moveSelectionRight (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('moveSelectionRight', options)) return
     const selections = this.getSelectedBufferRanges()
     const noSelectionAtEndOfLine = selections.every(selection => {
       return selection.end.column !== this.buffer.lineLengthForRow(selection.end.row)
@@ -1575,7 +1612,12 @@ class TextEditor {
     }
   }
 
-  duplicateLines () {
+  // Duplicate all lines containing active selections.
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  duplicateLines (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('duplicateLines', options)) return
     this.transact(() => {
       const selections = this.getSelectionsOrderedByBufferPosition()
       const previousSelectionRanges = []
@@ -1662,7 +1704,11 @@ class TextEditor {
   //
   // If the selection is empty, the characters preceding and following the cursor
   // are swapped. Otherwise, the selected characters are reversed.
-  transpose () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  transpose (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('transpose', options)) return
     this.mutateSelectedText(selection => {
       if (selection.isEmpty()) {
         selection.selectRight()
@@ -1680,23 +1726,35 @@ class TextEditor {
   //
   // For each selection, if the selection is empty, converts the containing word
   // to upper case. Otherwise convert the selected text to upper case.
-  upperCase () {
-    this.replaceSelectedText({selectWordIfEmpty: true}, text => text.toUpperCase())
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  upperCase (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('upperCase', options)) return
+    this.replaceSelectedText({selectWordIfEmpty: true}, text => text.toUpperCase(options))
   }
 
   // Extended: Convert the selected text to lower case.
   //
   // For each selection, if the selection is empty, converts the containing word
   // to upper case. Otherwise convert the selected text to upper case.
-  lowerCase () {
-    this.replaceSelectedText({selectWordIfEmpty: true}, text => text.toLowerCase())
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  lowerCase (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('lowerCase', options)) return
+    this.replaceSelectedText({selectWordIfEmpty: true}, text => text.toLowerCase(options))
   }
 
   // Extended: Toggle line comments for rows intersecting selections.
   //
   // If the current grammar doesn't support comments, does nothing.
-  toggleLineCommentsInSelection () {
-    this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.toggleLineComments())
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  toggleLineCommentsInSelection (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('toggleLineCommentsInSelection', options)) return
+    this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.toggleLineComments(options))
   }
 
   // Convert multiple lines to a single line.
@@ -1707,20 +1765,32 @@ class TextEditor {
   //
   // Joining a line means that multiple lines are converted to a single line with
   // the contents of each of the original non-empty lines separated by a space.
-  joinLines () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  joinLines (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('joinLines', options)) return
     this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.joinLines())
   }
 
   // Extended: For each cursor, insert a newline at beginning the following line.
-  insertNewlineBelow () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  insertNewlineBelow (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('insertNewlineBelow', options)) return
     this.transact(() => {
       this.moveToEndOfLine()
-      this.insertNewline()
+      this.insertNewline(options)
     })
   }
 
   // Extended: For each cursor, insert a newline at the end of the preceding line.
-  insertNewlineAbove () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  insertNewlineAbove (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('insertNewlineAbove', options)) return
     this.transact(() => {
       const bufferRow = this.getCursorBufferPosition().row
       const indentLevel = this.indentationForBufferRow(bufferRow)
@@ -1728,7 +1798,7 @@ class TextEditor {
 
       this.moveToBeginningOfLine()
       this.moveLeft()
-      this.insertNewline()
+      this.insertNewline(options)
 
       if (this.shouldAutoIndent() && (this.indentationForBufferRow(bufferRow) < indentLevel)) {
         this.setIndentationForBufferRow(bufferRow, indentLevel)
@@ -1744,62 +1814,117 @@ class TextEditor {
   // Extended: For each selection, if the selection is empty, delete all characters
   // of the containing word that precede the cursor. Otherwise delete the
   // selected text.
-  deleteToBeginningOfWord () {
-    this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.deleteToBeginningOfWord())
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  deleteToBeginningOfWord (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('deleteToBeginningOfWord', options)) return
+    this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.deleteToBeginningOfWord(options))
   }
 
   // Extended: Similar to {::deleteToBeginningOfWord}, but deletes only back to the
   // previous word boundary.
-  deleteToPreviousWordBoundary () {
-    this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.deleteToPreviousWordBoundary())
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  deleteToPreviousWordBoundary (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('deleteToPreviousWordBoundary', options)) return
+    this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.deleteToPreviousWordBoundary(options))
   }
 
   // Extended: Similar to {::deleteToEndOfWord}, but deletes only up to the
   // next word boundary.
-  deleteToNextWordBoundary () {
-    this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.deleteToNextWordBoundary())
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  deleteToNextWordBoundary (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('deleteToNextWordBoundary', options)) return
+    this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.deleteToNextWordBoundary(options))
   }
 
   // Extended: For each selection, if the selection is empty, delete all characters
   // of the containing subword following the cursor. Otherwise delete the selected
   // text.
-  deleteToBeginningOfSubword () {
-    this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.deleteToBeginningOfSubword())
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  deleteToBeginningOfSubword (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('deleteToBeginningOfSubword', options)) return
+    this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.deleteToBeginningOfSubword(options))
   }
 
   // Extended: For each selection, if the selection is empty, delete all characters
   // of the containing subword following the cursor. Otherwise delete the selected
   // text.
-  deleteToEndOfSubword () {
-    this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.deleteToEndOfSubword())
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  deleteToEndOfSubword (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('deleteToEndOfSubword', options)) return
+    this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.deleteToEndOfSubword(options))
   }
 
   // Extended: For each selection, if the selection is empty, delete all characters
   // of the containing line that precede the cursor. Otherwise delete the
   // selected text.
-  deleteToBeginningOfLine () {
-    this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.deleteToBeginningOfLine())
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  deleteToBeginningOfLine (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('deleteToBeginningOfLine', options)) return
+    this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.deleteToBeginningOfLine(options))
   }
 
   // Extended: For each selection, if the selection is not empty, deletes the
   // selection; otherwise, deletes all characters of the containing line
   // following the cursor. If the cursor is already at the end of the line,
   // deletes the following newline.
-  deleteToEndOfLine () {
-    this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.deleteToEndOfLine())
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  deleteToEndOfLine (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('deleteToEndOfLine', options)) return
+    this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.deleteToEndOfLine(options))
   }
 
   // Extended: For each selection, if the selection is empty, delete all characters
   // of the containing word following the cursor. Otherwise delete the selected
   // text.
-  deleteToEndOfWord () {
-    this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.deleteToEndOfWord())
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  deleteToEndOfWord (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('deleteToEndOfWord', options)) return
+    this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.deleteToEndOfWord(options))
   }
 
   // Extended: Delete all lines intersecting selections.
-  deleteLine () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  deleteLine (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('deleteLine', options)) return
     this.mergeSelectionsOnSameRows()
-    this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.deleteLine())
+    this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.deleteLine(options))
+  }
+
+  // Private: Ensure that this editor is not marked read-only before allowing a buffer modification to occur. If
+  // the editor is read-only, require an explicit opt-in option to proceed (`bypassReadOnly`) or throw an Error.
+  ensureWritable (methodName, opts) {
+    if (!opts.bypassReadOnly && this.isReadOnly()) {
+      if (atom.inDevMode() || atom.inSpecMode()) {
+        const e = new Error('Attempt to mutate a read-only TextEditor')
+        e.detail =
+          `Your package is attempting to call ${methodName} on an editor that has been marked read-only. ` +
+          'Pass {bypassReadOnly: true} to modify it anyway, or test editors with .isReadOnly() before attempting ' +
+          'modifications.'
+        throw e
+      }
+
+      return false
+    }
+
+    return true
   }
 
   /*
@@ -1807,13 +1932,21 @@ class TextEditor {
   */
 
   // Essential: Undo the last change.
-  undo () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  undo (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('undo', options)) return
     this.avoidMergingSelections(() => this.buffer.undo({selectionsMarkerLayer: this.selectionsMarkerLayer}))
     this.getLastSelection().autoscroll()
   }
 
   // Essential: Redo the last change.
-  redo () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor. (default: false)
+  redo (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('redo', options)) return
     this.avoidMergingSelections(() => this.buffer.redo({selectionsMarkerLayer: this.selectionsMarkerLayer}))
     this.getLastSelection().autoscroll()
   }
@@ -1967,11 +2100,11 @@ class TextEditor {
   //
   // ## Examples
   //
-  // ```coffee
-  // editor.clipBufferPosition([-1, -1]) # -> `[0, 0]`
+  // ```js
+  // editor.clipBufferPosition([-1, -1]) // -> `[0, 0]`
   //
-  // # When the line at buffer row 2 is 10 characters long
-  // editor.clipBufferPosition([2, Infinity]) # -> `[2, 10]`
+  // // When the line at buffer row 2 is 10 characters long
+  // editor.clipBufferPosition([2, Infinity]) // -> `[2, 10]`
   // ```
   //
   // * `bufferPosition` The {Point} representing the position to clip.
@@ -1996,11 +2129,11 @@ class TextEditor {
   //
   // ## Examples
   //
-  // ```coffee
-  // editor.clipScreenPosition([-1, -1]) # -> `[0, 0]`
+  // ```js
+  // editor.clipScreenPosition([-1, -1]) // -> `[0, 0]`
   //
-  // # When the line at screen row 2 is 10 characters long
-  // editor.clipScreenPosition([2, Infinity]) # -> `[2, 10]`
+  // // When the line at screen row 2 is 10 characters long
+  // editor.clipScreenPosition([2, Infinity]) // -> `[2, 10]`
   // ```
   //
   // * `screenPosition` The {Point} representing the position to clip.
@@ -3558,13 +3691,21 @@ class TextEditor {
   }
 
   // Extended: Indent rows intersecting selections by one level.
-  indentSelectedRows () {
-    return this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.indentSelectedRows())
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor.
+  indentSelectedRows (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('indentSelectedRows', options)) return
+    return this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.indentSelectedRows(options))
   }
 
   // Extended: Outdent rows intersecting selections by one level.
-  outdentSelectedRows () {
-    return this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.outdentSelectedRows())
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor.
+  outdentSelectedRows (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('outdentSelectedRows', options)) return
+    return this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.outdentSelectedRows(options))
   }
 
   // Extended: Get the indentation level of the given line of text.
@@ -3595,13 +3736,21 @@ class TextEditor {
 
   // Extended: Indent rows intersecting selections based on the grammar's suggested
   // indent level.
-  autoIndentSelectedRows () {
-    return this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.autoIndentSelectedRows())
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor.
+  autoIndentSelectedRows (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('autoIndentSelectedRows', options)) return
+    return this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.autoIndentSelectedRows(options))
   }
 
   // Indent all lines intersecting selections. See {Selection::indent} for more
   // information.
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor.
   indent (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('indent', options)) return
     if (options.autoIndent == null) options.autoIndent = this.shouldAutoIndent()
     this.mutateSelectedText(selection => selection.indent(options))
   }
@@ -3739,14 +3888,18 @@ class TextEditor {
   }
 
   // Essential: For each selection, cut the selected text.
-  cutSelectedText () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor.
+  cutSelectedText (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('cutSelectedText', options)) return
     let maintainClipboard = false
     this.mutateSelectedText(selection => {
       if (selection.isEmpty()) {
         selection.selectLine()
-        selection.cut(maintainClipboard, true)
+        selection.cut(maintainClipboard, true, options.bypassReadOnly)
       } else {
-        selection.cut(maintainClipboard, false)
+        selection.cut(maintainClipboard, false, options.bypassReadOnly)
       }
       maintainClipboard = true
     })
@@ -3760,7 +3913,8 @@ class TextEditor {
   // corresponding clipboard selection text.
   //
   // * `options` (optional) See {Selection::insertText}.
-  pasteText (options) {
+  pasteText (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('parseText', options)) return
     options = Object.assign({}, options)
     let {text: clipboardText, metadata} = this.constructor.clipboard.readWithMetadata()
     if (!this.emitWillInsertTextEvent(clipboardText)) return false
@@ -3801,10 +3955,14 @@ class TextEditor {
   // Essential: For each selection, if the selection is empty, cut all characters
   // of the containing screen line following the cursor. Otherwise cut the selected
   // text.
-  cutToEndOfLine () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor.
+  cutToEndOfLine (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('cutToEndOfLine', options)) return
     let maintainClipboard = false
     this.mutateSelectedText(selection => {
-      selection.cutToEndOfLine(maintainClipboard)
+      selection.cutToEndOfLine(maintainClipboard, options)
       maintainClipboard = true
     })
   }
@@ -3812,10 +3970,14 @@ class TextEditor {
   // Essential: For each selection, if the selection is empty, cut all characters
   // of the containing buffer line following the cursor. Otherwise cut the
   // selected text.
-  cutToEndOfBufferLine () {
+  //
+  // * `options` (optional) {Object}
+  //   * `bypassReadOnly` (optional) {Boolean} Must be `true` to modify a read-only editor.
+  cutToEndOfBufferLine (options = {}) {
+    if (!this.ensureWritable('cutToEndOfBufferLine', options)) return
     let maintainClipboard = false
     this.mutateSelectedText(selection => {
-      selection.cutToEndOfBufferLine(maintainClipboard)
+      selection.cutToEndOfBufferLine(maintainClipboard, options)
       maintainClipboard = true
     })
   }