Vim README

The project's README from github.com/VSCodeVim/Vim. As one markdown file: README.md.


VSCodeVim

Vim emulation for Visual Studio Code

VSCodeVim is a Vim emulator for Visual Studio Code.

Table of Contents (click to expand)

💾 Installation

VSCodeVim can be installed via the VS Code Marketplace or the OpenVSX Marketplace.

Mac

To enable key-repeating, execute the following in your Terminal, log out and back in, and then restart VS Code:

defaults write com.microsoft.VSCode ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool false              # For VS Code
defaults write com.microsoft.VSCodeInsiders ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool false      # For VS Code Insider
defaults write com.vscodium ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool false                      # For VS Codium
defaults write com.microsoft.VSCodeExploration ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool false   # For VS Codium Exploration users
defaults write com.exafunction.windsurf ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool false          # For Windsurf
defaults delete -g ApplePressAndHoldEnabled                                           # If necessary, reset global default

We also recommend increasing Key Repeat and Delay Until Repeat settings in System Settings/Preferences -> Keyboard.

Windows

Like real vim, VSCodeVim will take over your control keys. This behavior can be adjusted with the useCtrlKeys and handleKeys settings.

⚙️ Settings

The settings documented here are a subset of the supported settings; the full list is described in the FEATURES -> Settings tab of VSCodeVim's extension details page, which can be found in the extensions view of VS Code.

Quick Example

Below is an example of a settings.json file with settings relevant to VSCodeVim:

{
  "vim.easymotion": true,
  "vim.incsearch": true,
  "vim.useSystemClipboard": true,
  "vim.useCtrlKeys": true,
  "vim.hlsearch": true,
  "vim.insertModeKeyBindings": [
    {
      "before": ["j", "j"],
      "after": ["<Esc>"]
    }
  ],
  "vim.normalModeKeyBindingsNonRecursive": [
    {
      "before": ["<leader>", "d"],
      "after": ["d", "d"]
    },
    {
      "before": ["<C-n>"],
      "commands": [":nohl"]
    },
    {
      "before": ["K"],
      "commands": ["lineBreakInsert"],
      "silent": true
    }
  ],
  "vim.leader": "<space>",
  "vim.handleKeys": {
    "<C-a>": false,
    "<C-f>": false
  },
  // To improve performance
  "extensions.experimental.affinity": {
    "vscodevim.vim": 1
  }
}

VSCodeVim settings

These settings are specific to VSCodeVim.

Setting Description Type Default Value
vim.changeWordIncludesWhitespace Include trailing whitespace when changing word. This configures the cw action to act consistently as its siblings (yw and dw) instead of acting as ce. Boolean false
vim.cursorStylePerMode.{Mode} Configure a specific cursor style for {Mode}. Omitted modes will use default cursor type Supported cursors: line, block, underline, line-thin, block-outline, and underline-thin. String None
vim.digraphs.{shorthand} Set custom digraph shorthands that can override the default ones. Entries should map a two-character shorthand to a descriptive string and one or more UTF16 code points. Example: "R!": ["🚀", [55357, 56960]] Object {"R!": ["🚀", [0xD83D, 0xDE80]]
vim.disableExtension Disable VSCodeVim extension. This setting can also be toggled using toggleVim command in the Command Palette Boolean false
vim.handleKeys Delegate configured keys to be handled by VS Code instead of by the VSCodeVim extension. Any key in keybindings section of the package.json that has a vim.use<C-...> in the when argument can be delegated back to VS Code by setting "<C-...>": false. Example: to use ctrl+f for find (native VS Code behavior): "vim.handleKeys": { "<C-f>": false }. String "<C-d>": true
"<C-s>": false
"<C-z>": false
vim.overrideCopy Override VS Code's copy command with our own, which works correctly with VSCodeVim. If cmd-c/ctrl-c is giving you issues, set this to false and complain here. Boolean false
vim.useSystemClipboard Use the system clipboard register (*) as the default register Boolean false
vim.searchHighlightColor Background color of non-current search matches String findMatchHighlightBackground ThemeColor
vim.searchHighlightTextColor Foreground color of non-current search matches String None
vim.searchMatchColor Background color of current search match String findMatchBackground ThemeColor
vim.searchMatchTextColor Foreground color of current search match String None
vim.substitutionColor Background color of substitution text when vim.inccommand is enabled String "#50f01080"
vim.substitutionTextColor Foreground color of substitution text when vim.inccommand is enabled String None
vim.startInInsertMode Start in Insert mode instead of Normal Mode Boolean false
vim.useCtrlKeys Enable Vim ctrl keys overriding common VS Code operations such as copy, paste, find, etc. Boolean true
vim.visualstar In visual mode, start a search with * or # using the current selection Boolean false
vim.highlightedyank.enable Enable highlighting when yanking Boolean false
vim.highlightedyank.color Set the color of yank highlights String rgba(250, 240, 170, 0.5)
vim.highlightedyank.duration Set the duration of yank highlights Number 200

Neovim Integration

:warning: Experimental feature. Please leave feedback on neovim integration here.

To leverage neovim for Ex-commands,

  1. Install neovim
  2. Modify the following configurations:
Setting Description Type Default Value
vim.enableNeovim Enable Neovim Boolean false
vim.neovimPath Full path to neovim executable. If left empty, PATH environment variable will be automatically checked for neovim path. String
vim.neovimUseConfigFile If true, Neovim will load a config file specified by vim.neovimConfigPath. This is necessary if you want Neovim to be able to use its own plugins. Boolean false
vim.neovimConfigPath Path that Neovim will load as config file. If left blank, Neovim will search in its default location. String

Here's some ideas on what you can do with neovim integration:

Key Remapping

Custom remappings are defined on a per-mode basis.

"vim.insertModeKeyBindings"/"vim.normalModeKeyBindings"/"vim.visualModeKeyBindings"/"vim.operatorPendingModeKeyBindings"

    "vim.insertModeKeyBindings": [
        {
            "before": ["j", "j"],
            "after": ["<Esc>"]
        }
    ]

    "vim.normalModeKeyBindings": [
        {
            "before": ["£"],
            "after": ["#"]
        }
    ]

    "vim.normalModeKeyBindings": [
        {
            "before": [":"],
            "commands": [
                "workbench.action.showCommands",
            ],
            "silent": true
        }
    ]

    "vim.normalModeKeyBindings": [
        {
            "before": ["<leader>", "m"],
            "commands": [
                "bookmarks.toggle"
            ]
        },
        {
            "before": ["<leader>", "b"],
            "commands": [
                "bookmark

Vim (VSCodeVim/Vim)

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15.2K ·GitHub
Vim
What is this?VSCodeVim is a Vim emulator extension for Visual Studio Code, bringing Vim's modal editing and keybindings into the VS Code editor.
Is this a standalone app or a VS Code extension?It's a VS Code extension, not a standalone editor; it runs inside VS Code and intercepts keystrokes to add Vim-style modal editing.
Do I need a real Vim or Neovim install for this to work?No, it works standalone out of the box; Neovim is only needed optionally to power Ex-commands via an experimental Neovim integration.
Will it take over my OS-level keyboard shortcuts?Yes, on Windows and Mac it grabs control keys the way real Vim does, which can conflict with normal VS Code/OS shortcuts unless you adjust settings like useCtrlKeys or handleKeys.
Does it work the same on Mac and Windows?Mostly yes, but each platform needs a small tweak: Mac users should enable key-repeating via a Terminal command, and Windows users may need to adjust ctrl-key handling.
Does it support .vimrc settings?The README references '.vimrc support' as a feature area, meaning some of your existing Vim configuration can carry over.
Can I remap keys per Vim mode?Yes, you can define custom key remappings separately for insert, normal, visual, and operator-pending modes using settings like vim.normalModeKeyBindings with before/after/commands options.
Does it emulate popular Vim plugins?Yes, it emulates well-known plugins such as vim-surround, vim-commentary, vim-easymotion, vim-sneak, CamelCaseMotion, and vim-airline, among others.
Does it support multiple cursors?Yes, it has a dedicated Multi-Cursor Mode for editing several locations at once.
What are similar projects?LunarVim, neovide, SpaceVim, fzf.vim, oni, nerdtree, vim-surround, vim-airline
Which topics is it in?vim-plugin, code-editor, neovim, text-editor, vscode-extension, vim, vscode, editor, customization, plugin, productivity, typescript
Creator
VSCodeVim
Size
22.3 MB
Stars
15.2K
Updated
CommitOct 03Releasev1.32.4Dec 14
Age
10y
Commits · 90 Days