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LazyVim 8020: 80% Features from 20% of Keybindings

/ 3 min read

lazyvim , neovim

After using LazyVim for a while, you will realize most keybindings never get used. Here’s what actually matters.

Jumping around:

  • */# - search word under cursor forward/backward
  • <C-o>/<C-i> - jump backward/forward in history (lifesaver when combined with gg/gd)
  • {/} - jump by paragraph
  • (/) - jump by sentence
  • % - jump between matching brackets
  • <C-^> - toggle between last two files

Keep your cursor centered while scrolling (<C-d>, <C-u>, n, N) and jumping through search results (n, N) to avoid losing context:

-- `~/.config/nvim/lua/config/keymaps.lua`
vim.keymap.set("n", "<C-d>", "<C-d>zz", { noremap = true })
vim.keymap.set("n", "<C-u>", "<C-u>zz", { noremap = true })
vim.keymap.set("n", "n", "nzzzv", { noremap = true })
vim.keymap.set("n", "N", "Nzzzv", { noremap = true })

Reposition screen without moving cursor:

  • zt/zz/zb - cursor to top/middle/bottom

flash.nvim

This plugin changes everything. Press s, type what you want to jump to, hit enter. Works across splits, multiple lines, whatever’s on screen. If there are multiple matches, just type the label character.

Same goes for f/F (find) and t/T (to). flash.nvim makes them work across lines.

Editing

The basics:

  • . - repeat last action
  • J - join lines
  • gi - jump to last insert position and enter insert mode
  • ge - go to end of previous word
  • <C-a>/<C-x> - increment/decrement number

Block insert is underrated:

  1. <C-v> to enter visual block mode
  2. Select what you want
  3. I or c to insert/change
  4. Type your text
  5. Hit <Esc> twice

Macros when you need them. The second q can be any letter to indicate the buffer you are recording the macro into:

  • qq to start recording
  • Do your thing
  • q to stop
  • @q/Q to replay

Text objects

The pattern is <verb><context><object>:

  • Context: i (inside) or a (around)
  • Objects: w word, s sentence, p paragraph, "' quotes, ()[]{} brackets, c/f/o class/function/block, t tag, i indentation

Examples: diw (delete inside word), ca" (change around quotes), vip (select inside paragraph)

Special mention for gn: selects next search match. Great for targeted find-and-replace.

Use S for Treesitter mode. Figuring out what it does is part of the fun. Hint: practice flash.nvim first.

Search (<Space>s)

  • <Space>sg/<Space>sG - grep in project/cwd
  • <Space>sk - search keymaps
  • <Space>ss/<Space>sS - search symbols (document/workspace)
  • <Space>st - search todos
  • <Space>sb - search current buffer
  • <Space>sr - search and replace
  • <Space>sR - resume last search
  • <Space>sn - search notification history

Code (<Space>c)

  • <Space>ca - code actions
  • <Space>cr - rename
  • <Space>cf - format

LSP shortcuts:

  • gd - go to definition
  • gr - go to references
  • K - hover docs

Jump patterns

The [/] prefix is your friend:

  • [b/]b - previous/next buffer
  • [d/]d - diagnostic
  • [w/]w - warning
  • [e/]e - error
  • [m/]m - method start
  • [M/]M - method end
  • [q/]q - quickfix/trouble item
  • [t/]t - todo comment
  • [h/]h - git hunk

Miscellaneous

  • <Space>fc - find config files
  • <Space>g - git/source control
  • <Space>d - debug (with dap.core extra)
  • <Space>t - test (with test.core extra)
  • <Space>a - AI features
  • gv - reselect last visual selection. Useful with gvy

Enable ui.treesitter-context to pin current function/class at the top of the screen.

That’s it. Hope you pick up a few new tricks.