---
publish: true
permalink: /10-19 LIFE/13 TECH SETUP/13.11 APPS/nvim.md
title: nvim (Neovim)
created: 2026-01-30T08:08:10.433-07:00
modified: 2026-02-05T09:12:58.916-07:00
tags:
  - editor
  - terminal
  - development
cssclasses: ""
---

Neovim is a hyperextensible Vim-based text editor. I use [LazyVim](http://www.lazyvim.org/) as a pre-configured distribution for a batteries-included experience.

## Installation

**Arch Linux:**
```bash
sudo pacman -S neovim
```

**Dependencies for full LazyVim experience:**
```bash
sudo pacman -S git lazygit ripgrep fd nodejs npm
```

## LazyVim Setup

LazyVim provides sensible defaults, plugin management, and a curated set of plugins.

**Backup existing config:**
```bash
mv ~/.config/nvim ~/.config/nvim.bak
mv ~/.local/share/nvim ~/.local/share/nvim.bak
```

**Install LazyVim:**
```bash
git clone https://github.com/LazyVim/starter ~/.config/nvim
rm -rf ~/.config/nvim/.git
nvim
```

On first launch, LazyVim will install all plugins automatically.

## Key Bindings (LazyVim defaults)

### General
| Key | Action |
|-----|--------|
| `Space` | Leader key |
| `Space Space` | Find files |
| `Space /` | Live grep |
| `Space e` | File explorer |
| `Space gg` | LazyGit |

### Buffers
| Key | Action |
|-----|--------|
| `Space bd` | Delete buffer |
| `H` / `L` | Prev/next buffer |
| `Space bb` | Switch buffer |

### Windows
| Key | Action |
|-----|--------|
| `Ctrl+h/j/k/l` | Navigate windows |
| `Space w-` | Split horizontal |
| `Space w\|` | Split vertical |

### Code
| Key | Action |
|-----|--------|
| `gd` | Go to definition |
| `gr` | Find references |
| `K` | Hover documentation |
| `Space ca` | Code action |
| `Space cf` | Format |

## Configuration

LazyVim config lives in `~/.config/nvim/lua/`:

### Add plugins
`~/.config/nvim/lua/plugins/custom.lua`:
```lua
return {
  -- Add plugins here
  { "tpope/vim-surround" },
  
  -- Override existing plugin config
  {
    "nvim-treesitter/nvim-treesitter",
    opts = {
      ensure_installed = { "lua", "python", "typescript" },
    },
  },
}
```

### Options
`~/.config/nvim/lua/config/options.lua`:
```lua
vim.opt.relativenumber = true
vim.opt.wrap = true
vim.opt.tabstop = 4
```

## Resources

- LazyVim docs: http://www.lazyvim.org/
- Neovim docs: https://neovim.io/doc/
- `:Lazy` - Plugin manager UI
- `:Mason` - LSP/formatter installer