a simple neovim config you can use as init.lua

simple.lua

-- ========================================================================== --
-- ==                           EDITOR SETTINGS                            == --
-- ========================================================================== --

local set = vim.opt

set.hidden = true
set.swapfile = false
set.backup = false
set.hlsearch = false
set.wrap = false
set.mouse = 'a'
set.termguicolors = true
set.scrolloff = 2
set.relativenumber = true

set.tabstop = 2
set.shiftwidth = 2
set.softtabstop = 2
set.expandtab = true

vim.g.netrw_winsize = 30
vim.g.netrw_banner = 0

vim.cmd([[
  syntax enable
  colorscheme default
]])

-- ========================================================================== --
-- ==                             KEY MAPPINGS                             == --
-- ========================================================================== --

-- Space as leader key
vim.g.mapleader = ' '

local bind = vim.keymap.set
local remap = {remap = true}

-- Enter command mode
bind('n', '<CR>', ':')

-- Escape to normal mode
bind('', '<C-L>', '<Esc>')
bind('i', '<C-L>', '<Esc>')
bind('t', '<C-L>', '<C-\\><C-n>')

-- Shortcuts
bind('', '<Leader>h', '^') 
bind('', '<Leader>l', 'g_')
bind('', '<C-u>', '<C-u>M')
bind('', '<C-d>', '<C-d>M')
bind('n', '<Leader>e', '%', remap)
bind('v', '<Leader>e', '%', remap)
bind('n', '<Leader>a', 'ggVG')

-- Basic clipboard interaction
if vim.fn.has('clipboard') == 1 then
  bind('', 'cp', '"+y')
  bind('', 'cv', '"+p')
end

-- Moving lines and preserving indentation
bind('n', '<C-j>', ':move .+1<CR>==')
bind('n', '<C-k>', ':move .-2<CR>==')
bind('v', '<C-j>', ":move '>+1<CR>gv=gv")
bind('v', '<C-k>', ":move '<-2<CR>gv=gv")

-- Commands
bind('n', '<Leader>w', ':write<CR>')
bind('n', '<Leader>qq', ':quitall<CR>')
bind('n', '<Leader>Q', ':quitall!<CR>')
bind('n', '<Leader>bq', ':bdelete<CR>')
bind('n', '<Leader>bl', ':buffer #<CR>')
bind('n', '<Leader>bb', ':buffers<CR>:buffer<Space>')
bind('n', '<Leader>dd', ':Lexplore %:p:h<CR>')
bind('n', '<Leader>da', ':Lexplore<CR>')

local function netrw_mapping()
  local bufmap = function(lhs, rhs)
    local opts = {buffer = true, remap = true}
    vim.keymap.set('n', lhs, rhs, opts)
  end

  -- close window
  bufmap('<leader>dd', ':Lexplore<CR>')
  bufmap('<leader>da', ':Lexplore<CR>')

  -- Better navigation
  bufmap('H', 'u')
  bufmap('h', '-^')
  bufmap('l', '<CR>')
  bufmap('L', '<CR>:Lexplore<CR>')

  -- Toggle dotfiles
  bufmap('.', 'gh')
end

local user_cmds = vim.api.nvim_create_augroup('user_cmds', {clear = true})
vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd('filetype', {
  pattern = 'netrw',
  group = user_cmds,
  desc = 'Keybindings for netrw',
  callback = netrw_mapping
})

now you've got me hooked
just from reading that article on setting up a simple vim/n vim using only the vim script was still a fare entry point for beginners like me