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": "s h",
    "command": "workbench.action.splitEditor",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && (editorTextFocus || !inputFocus)"
  },
  {
    "key": "s v",
    "command": "workbench.action.splitEditorDown",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && (editorTextFocus || !inputFocus)"
  },

  // Coding
  {
    "key": "space c a",
    "command": "editor.action.codeAction",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && editorTextFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "shift-k",
    "command": "editor.action.moveLinesUpAction",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'VisualLine' && editorTextFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "shift-j",
    "command": "editor.action.moveLinesDownAction",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'VisualLine' && editorTextFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "shift-k",
    "command": "editor.action.showHover",
    "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) || !inputFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "space b o",
    "command": "workbench.action.closeOtherEditors",
    "when": "(vim.mode == 'Normal' && editorTextFocus) || !inputFocus"
  },
  {
    "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": "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"
  },

  // Debug
  {
    "key": "space d a",
    "command": "workbench.action.debug.selectandstart",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && (editorTextFocus || !inputFocus) && debuggersAvailable"
  },
  {
    "key": "space d t",
    "command": "workbench.action.debug.stop",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && editorTextFocus && inDebugMode && !focusedSessionIsAttached"
  },
  {
    "key": "space d o",
    "command": "workbench.action.debug.stepOver",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && (editorTextFocus || !inputFocus) && inDebugMode && debugState == 'stopped'"
  },
  {
    "key": "space d b",
    "command": "editor.debug.action.toggleBreakpoint",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && editorTextFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "space d e",
    "command": "editor.debug.action.showDebugHover",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && editorTextFocus && inDebugMode && debugState == 'stopped'"
  },
  {
    "key": "space d c",
    "command": "workbench.action.debug.continue",
    "when": "vim.mode == 'Normal' && (editorTextFocus || !inputFocus) && inDebugMode && debugState == 'stopped'"
  }
]

@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.

@nikolovlazar , what's the difference between goToImplementaiton and revealDefinition?

because, in my case, the revealDefinition is showing all the implementations of the interface.

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

Although it's true that the VIM extension has this feature, using the settings.json/vim.normalModeKeyBindingsNonRecursive setting has a few drawback. keybinds.json file is preferred for almost all situations.

1. Keybinds within settings.json/vim.normalModeKeyBindingsNonRecursive only register when within normal mode in an editor. There are many situations where we want to use keybinds outside an editor, like space e. That simply isn't possible through the VIM extension.
2. Using this abstraction is inherently slower than the built-in VSCode keybinds.json and relies on the VIM extension to be loaded before keybinds can be pressed.

keybinds.json is the correct choice even if it's not as concise to write your configs

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)"
  },

+1

woah I've missed a lot of comments 😅 glad you find this useful!

@sumanth-lingappa the difference between goToImplementation and revealDefinition is most obvious when you're triggering it on interfaces or interface methods. revealDefinition will take you to the interface, while goToImplementation will show you all the classes that implement that interface.

@imsakg I knew about that feature, but @leviFrosty's message is the reason I modified keybindings.json instead. The whole "Navigation" section wouldn't be possible with just the vim.normalModeKeyBindingsNonRecursive because we'll be out of the editor and in the file explorer or terminal.

Also, I've just added Debugging keybindings (bottom of file), so feel free to copy-paste them in your configs if you're doing breakpoint debugging.

If the space key is set, EasyMotion will become ineffective.

If the space key is set, EasyMotion will become ineffective.

@qingzhoufeihu I don't use EasyMotion, so I didn't know about that. How would you get around this? Space is oftentimes set as the leaderkeys in vim/neovim, so I'd look into changing EasyMotion's trigger instead (if it's possible).

If the space key is set, EasyMotion will become ineffective.

@qingzhoufeihu I don't use EasyMotion, so I didn't know about that. How would you get around this? Space is oftentimes set as the leaderkeys in vim/neovim, so I'd look into changing EasyMotion's trigger instead (if it's possible).

Thank you for your reply. I changed the leader to < , and it perfectly solved the problem.