If you are a vim person it can be frustraiting to work in vscode without vim keystrokes. The fantastic plugin vscodevim only goes so far. If you, like me, are used to M-h,M-j,M-k,M-l (where M == 'Alt key') and vim-like tab movements things get freaking nuts. Note that these keys in default vim are the same as pressing escape [I HATE ever having to hit the esc key -ever].
This configuration demonstrates how to switch to vscode easily from vim. In addition a method for you to switch tabs in a vim-like way.Lastly, these settings allow you to navigate vscode with bookmarks in a way you would use marks in regular vim.
Wait there's more! Read though the code (below) and find many vim-like jems that will make vscode feel a bit closer to home.
- Tested with:
- vscode v1.32.1
- vim 8.1 how to compile
- MX Linux 18.1
- Debian Stretch 9.8
Vim configuration (at your discretion)
Open you current vim document in vcode
- Add this following line to your
~/.vimrc - This (default) means
\ovwill open the current file in vscode from vim
nnoremap <leader>ov :exe ':silent !code %'<CR>:redraw!<CR>
Use ctrl+j and ctrl+k to change tabs in vim (I prefer up/down -adjust as needed)
" switch tabs (same as gt & gT)
nnoremap <C-j> :tabprevious<CR>
nnoremap <C-k> :tabnext<CR>
"
" (bonus) move tabls right or left
map <C-h> :execute "tabmove" tabpagenr() - 2 <CR>
map <C-l> :execute "tabmove" tabpagenr() + 1 <CR>
VS Code changes
This get's really complicated to explain. I'm going to list the functions with examples here and then the code -edit as needed. I had to configure keybindings.json and settings.json -I haven't tried combining the configurations.
- install plugin Vim - Visual Studio Marketplace
- install plugin Numbered Bookmarks - Visual Studio Marketplace
- config:
~/.config/Code/User/keybindings.json - config:
~/.config/Code/User/settings.json
features from keybindings.json (+noted settings.json)
-
focus active editor (vim windows)
- i.e. (similar to vim
C-wshortcuts)
- i.e. (similar to vim
{
"key": "ctrl+w j",
"command": "workbench.action.focusBelowGroup",
},
-
focus window groups
- (similar to tmux panes)
{
"key": "ctrl+w down",
"command": "workbench.action.moveActiveEditorGroupDown",
},
-
do nothing for
<ALT>+h,j,k,l- be sure to disable menu keys in vscode settings:
Uncheck"Settings->Window->Enable Menubar Mneumonics" - Same as default vim behavior
- be sure to disable menu keys in vscode settings:
{
"key": "alt+h",
"command": "extension.vim_escape",
"when": "editorTextFocus && vim.active && vim.mode == 'Insert'"
},
-
create
mark- see file (
/.conf/Code/User/settings.json)
- see file (
"vim.normalModeKeyBindingsNonRecursive": [
{
"before": ["m","a"],
"commands": [
"numberedBookmarks.toggleBookmark1"
]
}
]
-
jump to
mark- i.e. jump to
mark a
- i.e. jump to
{
"key": "' a",
"command": "numberedBookmarks.jumpToBookmark1",
"when": "editorTextFocus && vim.active && vim.mode == 'Normal'"
},
The files / configs
At this point I think you get the idea. There are several other vim-like settins I've added into the config files but, like Vim, you'll have to read the code to find the gems.
-
~/.config/Code/User/keybindings.json
{
"vim.easymotion": true,
"vim.sneak": true,
"vim.incsearch": true,
"vim.useSystemClipboard": true,
"vim.useCtrlKeys": true,
"vim.hlsearch": true,
"vim.leader": "\\",
"vim.handleKeys": {
"<C-a>": false,
"<C-f>": false
},
"vim.normalModeKeyBindingsNonRecursive": [
{
"before": ["<C-n>"],
"commands": [":nohl"]
},
{
"before": ["m","a"],
"commands": [
"numberedBookmarks.toggleBookmark1"
]
},
{
"before": ["m","b"],
"commands": [
"numberedBookmarks.toggleBookmark2"
]
},
{
"before": ["m","c"],
"commands": [
"numberedBookmarks.toggleBookmark3"
]
},
{
"before": ["m","d"],
"commands": [
"numberedBookmarks.toggleBookmark4"
]
},
{
"before": ["m","e"],
"commands": [
"numberedBookmarks.toggleBookmark5"
]
},
{
"before": ["m","f"],
"commands": [
"numberedBookmarks.toggleBookmark6"
]
},
{
"before": ["m","g"],
"commands": [
"numberedBookmarks.toggleBookmark7"
]
},
{
"before": ["m","h"],
"commands": [
"numberedBookmarks.toggleBookmark8"
]
},
{
"before": ["m","i"],
"commands": [
"numberedBookmarks.toggleBookmark9"
]
},
{
"before": ["m","j"],
"commands": [
"numberedBookmarks.toggleBookmark0"
]
},
],
"breadcrumbs.enabled": true,
"workbench.activityBar.visible": true,
"workbench.statusBar.visible": true,
"workbench.sideBar.location": "left",
"zenMode.hideStatusBar": false,
"zenMode.hideTabs": false,
"window.enableMenuBarMnemonics": false,
"window.menuBarVisibility": "default",
"window.zoomLevel": 1,
"telemetry.enableTelemetry": false,
"telemetry.enableCrashReporter": false
}
-
~/.config/Code/User/settings.json
// Place your key bindings in this file to override the defaults
[
{
"key": "ctrl+w j",
"command": "workbench.action.focusBelowGroup",
},
{
"key": "ctrl+w k",
"command": "workbench.action.focusAboveGroup",
},
{
"key": "ctrl+w h",
"command": "workbench.action.focusLeftGroup",
},
{
"key": "ctrl+w l",
"command": "workbench.action.focusRightGroup",
},
{
"key": "ctrl+w down",
"command": "workbench.action.moveActiveEditorGroupDown",
},
{
"key": "ctrl+w up",
"command": "workbench.action.moveActiveEditorGroupUp",
},
{
"key": "ctrl+w left",
"command": "workbench.action.moveActiveEditorGroupLeft",
},
{
"key": "ctrl+w right",
"command": "workbench.action.moveActiveEditorGroupRight",
},
{
"key": "alt+h",
"command": "extension.vim_escape",
"when": "editorTextFocus && vim.active && vim.mode == 'Insert'"
},
{
"key": "alt+j",
"command": "extension.vim_escape",
"when": "editorTextFocus && vim.active && vim.mode == 'Insert'"
},
{
"key": "alt+k",
"command": "extension.vim_escape",
"when": "editorTextFocus && vim.active && vim.mode == 'Insert'"
},
{
"key": "alt+l",
"command": "extension.vim_escape",
"when": "editorTextFocus && vim.active && vim.mode == 'Insert'"
},
{
"key": "' a",
"command": "numberedBookmarks.jumpToBookmark1",
"when": "editorTextFocus && vim.active && vim.mode == 'Normal'"
},
{
"key": "' b",
"command": "numberedBookmarks.jumpToBookmark2",
"when": "editorTextFocus && vim.active && vim.mode == 'Normal'"
},
{
"key": "' c",
"command": "numberedBookmarks.jumpToBookmark3",
"when": "editorTextFocus && vim.active && vim.mode == 'Normal'"
},
{
"key": "' d",
"command": "numberedBookmarks.jumpToBookmark4",
"when": "editorTextFocus && vim.active && vim.mode == 'Normal'"
},
{
"key": "' e",
"command": "numberedBookmarks.jumpToBookmark5",
"when": "editorTextFocus && vim.active && vim.mode == 'Normal'"
},
{
"key": "' f",
"command": "numberedBookmarks.jumpToBookmark6",
"when": "editorTextFocus && vim.active && vim.mode == 'Normal'"
},
{
"key": "' g",
"command": "numberedBookmarks.jumpToBookmark7",
"when": "editorTextFocus && vim.active && vim.mode == 'Normal'"
},
{
"key": "' h",
"command": "numberedBookmarks.jumpToBookmark8",
"when": "editorTextFocus && vim.active && vim.mode == 'Normal'"
},
{
"key": "' i",
"command": "numberedBookmarks.jumpToBookmark9",
"when": "editorTextFocus && vim.active && vim.mode == 'Normal'"
},
{
"key": "' j",
"command": "numberedBookmarks.jumpToBookmark0",
"when": "editorTextFocus && vim.active && vim.mode == 'Normal'"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+1",
"command": "-numberedBookmarks.jumpToBookmark1",
"when": "editorTextFocus"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+2",
"command": "-numberedBookmarks.jumpToBookmark2",
"when": "editorTextFocus"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+3",
"command": "-numberedBookmarks.jumpToBookmark3",
"when": "editorTextFocus"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+4",
"command": "-numberedBookmarks.jumpToBookmark4",
"when": "editorTextFocus"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+5",
"command": "-numberedBookmarks.jumpToBookmark5",
"when": "editorTextFocus"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+6",
"command": "-numberedBookmarks.jumpToBookmark6",
"when": "editorTextFocus"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+7",
"command": "-numberedBookmarks.jumpToBookmark7",
"when": "editorTextFocus"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+8",
"command": "-numberedBookmarks.jumpToBookmark8",
"when": "editorTextFocus"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+9",
"command": "-numberedBookmarks.jumpToBookmark9",
"when": "editorTextFocus"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+shift+tab",
"command": "workbench.action.focusNextGroup"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+j",
"command": "workbench.action.previousEditorInGroup"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+pagedown",
"command": "workbench.action.nextEditorInGroup"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+w shift+-",
"command": "workbench.action.minimizeOtherEditors"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+w =",
"command": "workbench.action.evenEditorWidths"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+w v",
"command": "workbench.action.splitEditorRight"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+w s",
"command": "workbench.action.splitEditorDown"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+w c",
"command": "workbench.action.closeActiveEditor"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+w shift+k",
"command": "workbench.action.moveEditorToAboveGroup"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+w shift+j",
"command": "workbench.action.moveEditorToBelowGroup"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+w shift+h",
"command": "workbench.action.moveEditorToLeftGroup"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+w shift+l",
"command": "workbench.action.moveEditorToRightGroup"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+b",
"command": "-extension.vim_ctrl+b",
"when": "editorTextFocus && vim.active && vim.use<C-b> && !inDebugRepl && vim.mode != 'Insert'"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+k",
"command": "-extension.vim_ctrl+k",
"when": "editorTextFocus && vim.active && vim.use<C-k> && !inDebugRepl"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+b b",
"command": "workbench.action.toggleSidebarVisibility"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+b",
"command": "-workbench.action.toggleSidebarVisibility"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+b a",
"command": "workbench.action.toggleActivityBarVisibility"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+b f",
"command": "workbench.files.action.showActiveFileInExplorer"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+b n",
"command": "workbench.action.nextSideBarView"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+b p",
"command": "workbench.action.previousSideBarView"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+b m",
"command": "workbench.action.toggleMenuBar"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+b s",
"command": "workbench.action.toggleStatusbarVisibility"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+b l",
"command": "workbench.action.toggleSidebarPosition"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+b o",
"command": "outline.focus"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+b e",
"command": "workbench.files.action.focusFilesExplorer"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+b r",
"command": "search.action.focusSearchList"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+' l",
"command": "workbench.action.togglePanelPosition"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+' '",
"command": "workbench.action.togglePanel"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+j",
"command": "-workbench.action.togglePanel"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+' c",
"command": "workbench.debug.panel.action.clearReplAction",
"when": "inDebugRepl"
},
{
"key": "meta+l",
"command": "-workbench.debug.panel.action.clearReplAction",
"when": "inDebugRepl"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+' c",
"command": "workbench.action.closePanel"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+' space",
"command": "workbench.action.focusPanel"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+' n",
"command": "workbench.action.nextPanelView"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+' p",
"command": "workbench.action.previousPanelView"
},
{
"key": "ctrl+' shift+-",
"command": "workbench.action.toggleMaximizedPanel"
}
]
Top comments (6)
but there is one problem: when you are in insert mode and you want to delete a word, normally the command is crtl+w. but right now is not working.
i am not good with vscode setting if you have a solution for that, really like to know
Daniel,
Yea, I replaced ctrl+w with the slew of window controlling combinations within the configuration -all using
ctrl+w+<something>. TheVim wayof deleting a word works thoughdwif you are using the plugins that I've specified.Basically I wanted something that operated like
Vimand ditches anywysiwygeditor methods.I think I probably should have emphasized that my goal was to make VsCode work/feel like
Vimover other editor experiences.Something that might be good to add here is a Vim Cheat Sheet -hope this helps
thanks for the answer.
actually you can delete the word in insert mode with
ctrl+w, but when I use your setting I couldn't (because when you pressctrl+wvscode is waiting for the next word/command). so I change that toalt+ufor now.and just another question which I don't get about vim, when we split the window horizontal/vertical, why in vim (or vscodevim I don't know) it split the file we are in it.
here is the picture:
dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/...
shouldn't it actually split another file in the right??
for example, shouldn't be like
ctrl+w v {filename}??(and sorry for my English and my lack of knowledge in vim in general)
Daniel, I completely glossed over that you were talking about insert mode and not normal mode. Sorry about that and I'm glad you found a solution that works for you.
Nonetheless, in
Vimproper the way to delete the word under the cursor while ininsert modewould be(ctrl+o)dw. I have not found a solution to doinsert modeoperations in VsCode.I should also mention that I almost never do any commands in
insert mode-not even inVim. Also, and this might be useful(?), I never use theEsckey to toggle back tonormalmode -I haveAlt+[hjkl]mapped for that (i.e. hittingAlt+kwhile ininsert modeputs me back innormal mode). This way I don't move my hands around as much :DAs far as the split goes, yes,
(ctrl+w)vis emulating normalVimbehavior. However, if you want to create a new split with a new file in bothVimandVsCodeyou can use the command:vnew. So you may want to replace the normalvsplitcommand withvnewinstead.Also note:
vsplitis really for editing/reviewing long files in different places at the same time. In VsCode splits have a different context because a split also opens a new tab within a "view". Vim's concept of window vs. tab vs. view is not a 1:1 match with VsCode.thanks for the answer.
actually what I want to open an existing file, vertically.
so around that, I usually, used
ctrl+w vto open a file vertically, and when I open file withctrl+p(go to file... which is for vscode), and when i open the file, i will close the previous file.just watch this:
dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/...
as you can see, the only thing i wanted in that video is to open
all the flag.txtvertically.I just love it, thanks
I just start using all of this setting, and it makes a lot of stuff easier in vscode 😎(❁´◡`❁)