Migrating from VSCode

Welcome to FtVim! This guide helps Visual Studio Code users transition to Neovim by mapping familiar features and shortcuts.

Key Differences

Modal Editing

The biggest difference is modal editing. In VSCode, you're always in "insert mode". In Vim:

Mode	Purpose	Enter With
Normal	Navigation, commands	Esc or Ctrl+[
Insert	Typing text	i, a, o, etc.
Visual	Selecting text	v, V, Ctrl+v
Command	Running commands	:

Tip: Press Esc whenever you're unsure. It returns you to Normal mode.

No Mouse Required

While FtVim supports mouse, you'll be much faster using the keyboard. Give it a few days!

Configuration is Code

Instead of a settings GUI, you configure FtVim with Lua code. This is more powerful and version-controllable.

Keyboard Shortcuts Comparison

File Navigation

VSCode	FtVim	Description
Ctrl+P	<leader>ff	Find files
Ctrl+Shift+F	<leader>fs	Search in files (grep)
Ctrl+Shift+E	<leader>e	Toggle file explorer
Ctrl+Tab	<leader>fb	Switch between open files
Ctrl+Shift+P	<leader>fC	Command palette
Ctrl+G	:<number>	Go to line
Ctrl+R	<leader>fr	Recent files

Editing

VSCode	FtVim	Description
Ctrl+C	y (yank)	Copy (in visual mode)
Ctrl+V	p (paste)	Paste
Ctrl+X	d (delete)	Cut (in visual mode)
Ctrl+Z	u	Undo
Ctrl+Shift+Z	Ctrl+r	Redo
Ctrl+D	* then cgn	Select next occurrence
Ctrl+/	gcc or <leader>/	Toggle line comment
Alt+Up/Down	<A-k> / <A-j>	Move line up/down
Ctrl+Shift+K	dd	Delete line
Ctrl+Enter	o	Insert line below
Ctrl+Shift+Enter	O	Insert line above

Code Intelligence

VSCode	FtVim	Description
F12	gd	Go to definition
Shift+F12	gr	Find references
Ctrl+Space	Ctrl+Space	Trigger autocomplete
Ctrl+.	<leader>ca	Quick fix / code actions
F2	<leader>cr	Rename symbol
Ctrl+Shift+O	:lua Snacks.picker.lsp_symbols()	Go to symbol in file
Ctrl+T	:lua Snacks.picker.lsp_workspace_symbols()	Go to symbol in workspace
Ctrl+Hover	K	Show hover documentation
Shift+Alt+F	<leader>cf	Format document

Search & Replace

VSCode	FtVim	Description
Ctrl+F	/	Search in file
Ctrl+H	:%s/old/new/g	Replace in file
F3	n	Next match
Shift+F3	N	Previous match
Ctrl+Shift+F	<leader>fs	Search in project
Ctrl+Shift+H	:cdo s/old/new/g	Replace in project (after sending the search results to the quickfix list)

Window Management

VSCode	FtVim	Description
Ctrl+\	<leader>wsv	Split editor vertically
Ctrl+1/2/3	<C-h/l>	Focus editor group
Ctrl+W	<leader>bd	Close editor
Ctrl+Shift+T	-	Reopen closed editor
Ctrl+B	<leader>e	Toggle sidebar
Ctrl+`	<C-\>	Toggle terminal

Git

VSCode	FtVim	Description
Source Control view	<leader>go	Git status
-	<leader>ghb	Git blame (line)
Git: Stage Changes	<leader>ghs / <leader>ghS	Stage hunk / whole file
Git: Commit	:!git commit or the terminal (<C-\>)	Commit

VSCode Extensions → FtVim Equivalents

VSCode Extension	FtVim Plugin	Notes
IntelliSense	nvim-lspconfig + blink.cmp	Built-in
GitLens	gitsigns.nvim	Built-in
Prettier	conform.nvim	Built-in, prettier comes with the Web extra
ESLint	eslint language server	Web extra
Auto Rename Tag	nvim-ts-autotag	Add it as a plugin
Bracket Pair Colorizer	Built-in Neovim	matchparen
Path Intellisense	blink.cmp	Path source
Project Manager	-	<leader>fr (recent files)
TODO Highlight	todo-comments.nvim	Add it as a plugin
Error Lens	LSP virtual text	Built-in
C/C++ Debugger	nvim-dap	Debugging extra

Concepts Translation

Files vs Buffers

VSCode	Neovim
Open file = Tab	Open file = Buffer
Tab = One file	Tab = Window layout

In Neovim, buffers are open files (even if not visible). Windows are viewports showing buffers. Tabs are collections of windows.

Think of it as: You can have many buffers, arrange them in windows, and save window arrangements as tabs.

The Explorer

VSCode's sidebar explorer → FtVim's Neo-tree

• <leader>e - Toggle explorer
• a - Create file/folder
• d - Delete
• r - Rename
• c - Copy
• p - Paste
• Enter - Open file

Integrated Terminal

VSCode: Ctrl+`
FtVim: <C-\> (Ctrl + backslash)

The terminal floats over your editor. Press the same key to hide it.

Settings

VSCode: Ctrl+, opens settings GUI
FtVim: Edit ~/.config/nvim/lua/plugins/*.lua

Quick Tips for Transitioning

1. Don't Fight Modal Editing

It feels strange at first, but modal editing is more efficient. Stick with it for a week.

2. Learn Motions Gradually

Start with basics:

• h j k l - Movement
• w b - Word movement
• gg G - Start/end of file
• 0 $ - Start/end of line

3. Use Which-Key

Press <leader> (Space) and wait. FtVim shows all available commands!

4. Master the Dot Command

. repeats your last change. It's incredibly powerful.

Example:

1. ciw - Change inner word
2. Type new word
3. Esc
4. Move to next word
5. . - Repeat the change!

5. Embrace Text Objects

Instead of selecting with mouse:

• diw - Delete inner word
• ci" - Change inside quotes
• da{ - Delete around braces
• vip - Select inner paragraph

6. Use Registers for Multiple Clipboards

"ay - Yank to register a
"ap - Paste from register a

You have 26 registers (a-z)!

Your First Week

Day 1-2: Survival Mode

• Focus on i, Esc, :w, :q
• Use <leader>ff to find files
• Use the mouse if needed

Day 3-4: Basic Motions

• Practice h j k l movement
• Learn w b e word motions
• Try 0 $ gg G jumps

Day 5-7: Editing Commands

• d (delete), c (change), y (yank)
• Combine with motions: dw, c$, yy
• Use . to repeat

Week 2+: Advanced Features

• Text objects (ciw, da{)
• Macros (q to record)
• Marks (m to set, ' to jump)

Getting Help

If you're stuck:

1. Press <leader> to see available commands
2. :help <topic> for built-in docs
3. Check Troubleshooting for common issues
4. Tips and Tricks for more techniques

Remember: Every Vim expert was once a beginner. The learning curve is worth it!