VSCode key bindings to navigate like Neovim

keybindings.json

[
  // Navigation
  {
    "key": "ctrl-h",
    "command": "workbench.action.navigateLeft"
  },
  {
    "key": "ctrl-l",
    "command": "workbench.action.navigateRight"
  },
  {
    "key": "ctrl-k",
    "command": "workbench.action.navigateUp"
  },
  {
    "key": "ctrl-j",
    "command": "workbench.action.navigateDown"
  },
  {
    "key": "space ,",
    "command": "workbench.action.showAllEditors",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && (editorTextFocus || !inputFocus)"
  },
  {
    "key": "space e",
    "command": "runCommands",
    "args": {
      "commands": [
        "workbench.action.toggleSidebarVisibility",
        "workbench.files.action.focusFilesExplorer"
      ]
    },
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && (editorTextFocus || !inputFocus) && !sideBarFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "space e",
    "command": "runCommands",
    "args": {
      "commands": [
        "workbench.action.toggleSidebarVisibility",
        "workbench.action.focusActiveEditorGroup"
      ]
    },
    "when": "sideBarFocus && !inputFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "space e",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && editorTextFocus && foldersViewVisible",
    "command": "workbench.action.toggleSidebarVisibility"
  },
  {
    "key": "tab",
    "command": "workbench.action.nextEditorInGroup",
    "when": "(vim.mode == 'Normal' || vim.mode == 'Visual') && (editorTextFocus || !inputFocus)"
  },
  {
    "key": "shift-tab",
    "command": "workbench.action.previousEditorInGroup",
    "when": "(vim.mode == 'Normal' || vim.mode == 'Visual') && (editorTextFocus || !inputFocus)"
  },

  // Coding
  {
    "key": "shift-j",
    "command": "editor.action.moveLinesDownAction",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'VisualLine' && editorTextFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "shift-k",
    "command": "editor.action.moveLinesUpAction",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'VisualLine' && editorTextFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "shift-k",
    "command": "editor.action.showHover",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && editorTextFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "space c a",
    "command": "editor.action.codeAction",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && editorTextFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "space c r",
    "command": "editor.action.rename",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && editorTextFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "space c s",
    "command": "workbench.action.gotoSymbol",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && editorTextFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "space b d",
    "command": "workbench.action.closeActiveEditor",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && editorTextFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "space space",
    "command": "workbench.action.quickOpen",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && (editorTextFocus || !inputFocus)"
  },
  {
    "key": "space g d",
    "command": "editor.action.revealDefinition",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && editorTextFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "space g r",
    "command": "editor.action.goToReferences",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && editorTextFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "space g i",
    "command": "editor.action.goToImplementation",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && editorTextFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "space s g",
    "command": "workbench.action.findInFiles",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && (editorTextFocus || !inputFocus)"
  },
  {
    "key": "space g g",
    "command": "runCommands",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && (editorTextFocus || !inputFocus)",
    "args": {
      "commands": ["workbench.view.scm", "workbench.scm.focus"]
    }
  },
  {
    "key": "ctrl-n",
    "command": "editor.action.addSelectionToNextFindMatch",
    "when": "(vim.mode == 'Normal' || vim.mode == 'Visual') && (editorTextFocus || !inputFocus)"
  },

  // File Explorer
  {
    "key": "r",
    "command": "renameFile",
    "when": "filesExplorerFocus && foldersViewVisible && !explorerResourceIsRoot && !explorerResourceReadonly && !inputFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "c",
    "command": "filesExplorer.copy",
    "when": "filesExplorerFocus && foldersViewVisible && !explorerResourceIsRoot && !explorerResourceReadonly && !inputFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "p",
    "command": "filesExplorer.paste",
    "when": "filesExplorerFocus && foldersViewVisible && !explorerResourceIsRoot && !explorerResourceReadonly && !inputFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "x",
    "command": "filesExplorer.cut",
    "when": "filesExplorerFocus && foldersViewVisible && !explorerResourceIsRoot && !explorerResourceReadonly && !inputFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "d",
    "command": "deleteFile",
    "when": "filesExplorerFocus && foldersViewVisible && !explorerResourceIsRoot && !explorerResourceReadonly && !inputFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "a",
    "command": "explorer.newFile",
    "when": "filesExplorerFocus && foldersViewVisible && !explorerResourceIsRoot && !explorerResourceReadonly && !inputFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "shift-a",
    "command": "explorer.newFolder",
    "when": "filesExplorerFocus && foldersViewVisible && !explorerResourceIsRoot && !explorerResourceReadonly && !inputFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "s",
    "command": "explorer.openToSide",
    "when": "filesExplorerFocus && foldersViewVisible && !explorerResourceIsRoot && !explorerResourceReadonly && !inputFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "shift-s",
    "command": "runCommands",
    "when": "filesExplorerFocus && foldersViewVisible && !explorerResourceIsRoot && !explorerResourceReadonly && !inputFocus",
    "args": {
      "commands": [
        "workbench.action.splitEditorDown",
        "explorer.openAndPassFocus",
        "workbench.action.closeOtherEditors"
      ]
    }
  },
  {
    "key": "enter",
    "command": "explorer.openAndPassFocus",
    "when": "filesExplorerFocus && foldersViewVisible && !explorerResourceIsRoot && !explorerResourceIsFolder && !inputFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "enter",
    "command": "list.toggleExpand",
    "when": "filesExplorerFocus && foldersViewVisible && !explorerResourceIsRoot && explorerResourceIsFolder && !inputFocus"
  }
]

I've just added three space e commands that toggle the visibility of the sidebar. Previously, the sidebar toggled correctly, but the focus didn't move to it when opening it, so we had to do <C-Right> to focus into it. After talking with @zdravkoiliev4814 in the comments of the YouTube video, we came up with three commands that handle toggling the visibility and also moving the focus. Really like how the sidebar behaves now!

@nikolovlazar Hi. I just wonder if extension.multiCommand.execute could be replaced by runCommands? Because it's builtin, no need to install any extension.

{
  "key": "space e",
-  "command": "extension.multiCommand.execute",
+  "command": "runCommands",
  "args": {
-    "sequence": [
+    "commands": [
      "workbench.action.toggleSidebarVisibility",
      "workbench.files.action.focusFilesExplorer"
    ]
  },
  "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && (editorTextFocus || !inputFocus) && !sideBarFocus"
}

It works fine for me.

@KevinNitroG yes it can! I'll update the keybindings. Thanks!

Also, I just updated Coding > Shift J and K commands to happen when the vim mode is "VisualLine" only. Previously it was when it's not "Insert" but the Shift K command clashed with the "Hover" command.

The extension author recommends adding keymaps in settings.json (link), Are there any downsides using keybindings.json ?

The extension author recommends adding keymaps in settings.json (link), Are there any downsides using keybindings.json ?

I prefer using the keybindings.json instead of the vim specific configuration

Thank you so much. This key mapping is fantastic.

@nikolovlazar
We can add one more mapping which is reveal in explorer to go direct to file in explorer
{
"key": "space r e",
"command": "runCommands",
"args": {
"commands": [
"workbench.action.toggleSidebarVisibility",
"workbench.files.action.focusFilesExplorer"
]
},
"when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && (editorTextFocus || !inputFocus) && !sideBarFocus"
},

It appears that when you are focused on a file, like a project file displayed in the explorer, and then open the explorer using 'space + e', you are unable to use 'shift + s' to open a file in a vertical split.

I've slightly modified that entry to make it work (VSCode version: 1.93.1).

  {
    "args": {
      "commands": [
        "workbench.action.newGroupBelow",
        "explorer.openAndPassFocus",
      ]
    },
    "command": "runCommands",
    "key": "shift-s",
    "when": "filesExplorerFocus && foldersViewVisible && !explorerResourceIsRoot && !explorerResourceReadonly && !inputFocus"
  },

Initially, the script functioned when it focused on certain external files, like settings.json, which were not displayed in the project explorer.

how can i set space jk to exit insert mode and enter normal mode?

Update: I've added a "Go To Implementation" keybinding on space g I:

  {
    "key": "space g i",
    "command": "editor.action.goToImplementation",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && editorTextFocus"
  },

Just wanted to say BIG BIG thanks for this. I usually work in NeoVim, but lately I've been working in Python notebooks, which is cumbersome using the default Jupyter web-interface. Working with VSCode for notebooks made life a bit easier, but these mappings make a big difference.. No more painful wrists! 🙇🏼‍♂️

Somehow g g was not working from the getgo, so I added

  {
    "key": "g g",
    "command": "cursorTop",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && (editorTextFocus || !inputFocus)"
  },

You should use "vim.normalModeKeyBindingsNonRecursive" for writing shortcuts. Check this out.