Helix-like config for IdeaVim

.ideavimrc

" Based on comment by mchlstckl
" https://www.reddit.com/r/HelixEditor/comments/14aqztf/comment/jocslxs/
" Check the history of this gist for a changelist

" Read NOTES and WARNINGS lower


" Must be done first to tell other plugins that <space> is the leader key
let mapleader=" "

set clipboard+=unnamed
set clipboard+=ideaput
set ideajoin
set idearefactormode=keep
set ignorecase
set smartcase
set incsearch
set relativenumber
set showmode
set hlsearch
set visualbell
set commentary
" Can be installed / enabled with command from the comment
set surround " Plug 'tpope/vim-surround' " (https://github.com/tpope/vim-surround/blob/master/doc/surround.txt)
set highlightedyank " Plug 'machakann/vim-highlightedyank' " (https://github.com/machakann/vim-highlightedyank/blob/master/doc/highlightedyank.txt)
set argtextobj " Plug 'vim-scripts/argtextobj.vim' " (https://github.com/JetBrains/ideavim/wiki/IdeaVim-Plugins#argtextobj)
set matchit " Plug 'chrisbra/matchit' " (https://github.com/adelarsq/vim-matchit/blob/master/doc/matchit.txt)


" Recommended plugins:
" ====================
"
" INFO: 
" This section contains plugins that I found useful.
" Uncomment plugin to enable it
" Plugins website:
" https://github.com/JetBrains/ideavim/wiki/IdeaVim-Plugins

" " Indent Object
" " Docs: https://github.com/michaeljsmith/vim-indent-object/blob/master/doc/indent-object.txt
" Plug 'michaeljsmith/vim-indent-object'

" " Vim textobj entire
" " Docs: https://github.com/kana/vim-textobj-entire/blob/master/doc/textobj-entire.txt
" Plug 'kana/vim-textobj-entire' 

" " NERDTree
" " Docs: https://github.com/JetBrains/ideavim/wiki/NERDTree-support
" Plug 'preservim/nerdtree'

" " Exchange plugin
" " Docs: https://github.com/tommcdo/vim-exchange/blob/master/doc/exchange.txt
" Plug 'tommcdo/vim-exchange'

" " Multiple cursors plugin
" " Docs: https://github.com/JetBrains/ideavim/wiki/IdeaVim-Plugins#multiple-cursors
" Plug 'terryma/vim-multiple-cursors'

" " Which key plugin
" " Install: https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/15976-which-key
" " Docs: https://github.com/TheBlob42/idea-which-key?tab=readme-ov-file#installation
" set which-key
" set timeoutlen=10000

" " Sneak plugin
" " Install (alternative syntax): Plug 'justinmk/vim-sneak' 
" " Docs: https://github.com/Mishkun/ideavim-sneak
" set sneak

" " Quickscope plugin
" " Install: https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/19417-ideavim-quickscope
" " Docs: https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/19417-ideavim-quickscope
" set quickscope
" " Configure which keys to highlight on
" " let g:qs_highlight_on_keys = ['f', 'F', 't', 'T']


" " Other plugins: 
" " ==============

" " Vim paragraph motion
" " Docs: https://github.com/dbakker/vim-paragraph-motion#vim-paragraph-motion
" Plug 'dbakker/vim-paragraph-motion'

" " EasyMotion plugin
" " Requires: https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/7086-acejump
" " Install: https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/13360-ideavim-easymotion/
" " Docs: https://github.com/AlexPl292/IdeaVim-EasyMotion?tab=readme-ov-file#how-does-it-work
" set easymotion

" " Multicursor plugin (not recommended, honestly)
" set multicursor

" Key mappings:
" =============

" " make x a line selection (READ WARNING below)
" nnoremap x V
" vnoremap x j

" " WARNING:
" " Remapping x to V and j makes it impossible to delete single character.
" " You can use this to enable deleting with d, but then you cannot execute d<motion>

" nnoremap d x

" inoremap <A-BS> <Action>(EditorDeleteToWordStart)

" Quick access with '\' leader
" ============================

" NOTE:
" This actions are found useful by me.
" You can (*should*) customize them to your liking.
" Hence most of them are commented out (they require plugins)

" IdeaVim utilites
" ----------------

" Quick edit ideavimrc file
map \\e :e ~/.ideavimrc<CR>

" Reload ideavim
map \\r <Action>(IdeaVim.ReloadVimRc.reload)

" Settings -> plugins quick access
map \\p <Action>(WelcomeScreen.Plugins)

" Allows to quickly toggle action identification (notification)
map \\a <Action>(VimFindActionIdAction)

" Scratch buffers and files
" -------------------------
map \\ss <Action>(NewScratchBuffer)
map \\sb \\ss
map \\sf <Action>(NewScratchFile)
map \\sl <Action>(Scratch.ShowFilesPopup)

" Editor utilities
" ----------------
map \\tf <Action>(ToggleFullScreen)
map \\tz <Action>(ToggleDistractionFreeMode)
map \\tw <Action>(EditorToggleShowWhitespaces)
" Change theme
map \\tt <Action>(ChangeLaf)
" Switch theme (REQUIRES https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/21998-theme-switcher)
" map \\ts <Action>(com.intellij.themeswitcher.ThemeSwitcherAction)
map \\tb <Action>(ToggleLineBreakpoint)
map \\nc <Action>(ClearAllNotifications)
map \\ti <Action>(ToggleInlayHintsGloballyAction)
map \\tr <Action>(ToggleReadOnlyAttribute)
" REQUIRES https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/7499-gittoolbox
" map \\tb <Action>(GitToolBox.ShowInlineBlame)
" REQUIRES https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/16873-test-data
" map \\g <Action>(GenerateTestDataAction)

" use \tm as m for marks to work
noremap \\tm m

" NerdTree
" ========

" " REQUIRES NerdTree
" map \\nt :NERDTree<CR>
" map \\nts :NERDTree<CR>
" map \\nta :NERDTreeFocus<CR>
" map \\ntt :NERDTreeToggle<CR>
" map \\ntc :NERDTreeClose<CR>
" map \\ntf :NERDTreeFind<CR>
" map \\ntr :NERDTreeRefreshRoot<CR>
" " END REQUIRES NerdTree

" String manipulation
" ===================

" " REQUIRES String manipulation plugin (https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/2162-string-manipulation)
" " \\ = string manipulation popup window
" map \\\\ <Action>(osmedile.intellij.stringmanip.PopupChoiceAction)
"
" vmap gU <Action>(osmedile.intellij.stringmanip.ToUpperCaseAction)
" vmap gu <Action>(osmedile.intellij.stringmanip.ToLowerCaseAction)
" vmap gC <Action>(StringManipulation.Group.SwitchCase)
"
" map g' <Action>(osmedile.intellij.stringmanip.swap.SwapQuote)
" map g# <Action>(StringManipulation.Group.IncrementDecrement)
" map g\\ <Action>(osmedile.intellij.stringmanip.RepeatAction)
"
" map <C-a> <Action>(osmedile.intellij.stringmanip.IncrementAction)
" map <C-A-a> <Action>(osmedile.intellij.stringmanip.DuplicateAndIncrementAction)
" map <C-x> <Action>(osmedile.intellij.stringmanip.DecrementAction)
" map <C-A-x> <Action>(osmedile.intellij.stringmanip.DuplicateAndDecrementAction)
" map <C-A-s> <Action>(StringManipulation.CreateSequenceAction)
" map <A-S-s> <Action>(StringManipulation.IncrementDuplicateNumbersAction)
" " END REQUIRES String manipulation plugin


" Editor actions
" ==============

" IDEA contexts
" -------------
nmap \\cs <Action>(context.save)
nmap \\cl <Action>(context.load)
nmap \\cc <Action>(context.clear)
nmap \\cf <Action>(tasks.and.contexts)

" Indentation
" -----------
" This (un)indent selection does not get rid of the selection
vmap < <Action>(EditorUnindentSelection)
vmap > <Action>(EditorIndentLineOrSelection)

" Other
" -----

vmap <C-r> <Action>(Replace)
vmap s <Action>(Find)
" Alt+s - adds a caret at the end of each selected line
vmap <A-s> <Action>(EditorAddCaretPerSelectedLine)

" Add another caret below current one
map <A-c> <Action>(EditorCloneCaretBelow)
" An alternative is: Ctrl, Ctrl + arrows

" Move line up / down
map <a-up> <Action>(MoveLineUp)
map <a-k> <a-up>
map <a-down> <Action>(MoveLineDown)
map <a-j> <a-down>

" Extend selection / shrink selection
map <a-o> <Action>(EditorSelectWord)
map <a-i> <Action>(EditorUnSelectWord)

" Duplicate line up / down
map <a-s-down> <Action>(EditorDuplicate)
map <a-s-j> <a-s-down>
map <a-s-up> <Action>(EditorDuplicate)<Action>(MoveLineUp)
map <a-s-k> <a-s-up>

" These two are moved to the multicursor section
" vmap <C-n> <Action>(SelectNextOccurrence)
" vmap <C-p> <Action>(UnselectPreviousOccurrence)

" map m to v for 'miw' and similar actions
nnoremap m v
nnoremap mm %

" Simulate % behavior
nnoremap % ggVG

" This was supposed to be a mapping for 'mim', but it is broken
" vnoremap im %v%

" Bookmarks
" ---------
map <C-A-k0> <Action>(ToggleBookmarkWithMnemonic)
" This one collides with the one above, so i turned it off
" nmap <C-A-k0> <Action>(ToggleBookmark0)
map <C-A-k1> <Action>(ToggleBookmark1)
map <C-A-k2> <Action>(ToggleBookmark2)
map <C-A-k3> <Action>(ToggleBookmark3)
map <C-A-k4> <Action>(ToggleBookmark4)
map <C-A-k5> <Action>(ToggleBookmark5)
map <C-A-k6> <Action>(ToggleBookmark6)
map <C-A-k7> <Action>(ToggleBookmark7)
map <C-A-k8> <Action>(ToggleBookmark8)
map <C-A-k9> <Action>(ToggleBookmark9)

" Undo and redo
" -------------
" OR: noremap U <C-r>
map U <Action>($Redo)
map u <Action>($Undo)

" Editor utilities and settings
" -----------------------------
nmap <c-z> <Action>(ToggleDistractionFreeMode)
map <c-c> <Action>(CommentByLineComment)

" Ctrl+Enter = noh
map <leader><cr> :nohlsearch<CR>

" Jump history forward/back
map <c-o> <Action>(Back)
map <c-i> <Action>(Forward)

map <leader>z <Action>(ChangeIdeScale)
map <leader>uh <Action>(ToggleInlayHintsGloballyAction)
map <leader>uw <Action>(EditorToggleShowWhitespaces)

" Copy and paste
" --------------
map <leader>p <Action>($Paste)
map <leader>P <Action>(PasteMultiple)
map <leader>y <Action>($Copy)
map <leader>Y <Action>(CopyReferencePopupGroup)

" Builtin terminal
" ----------------
map <c-t> <Action>(ActivateTerminalToolWindow)
map <leader>t <Action>(Terminal.OpenInTerminal)

" Windows and tabs
" ----------------
map <c-w>v <Action>(SplitVertically)
map <c-w>s <Action>(SplitHorizontally)
map <c-w>W <Action>(MoveEditorToOppositeTabGroup)
map <leader>T <Action>(EditorTabPopupMenu)

map <c-w>w <Action>(NextWindow)
map <leader>q <Action>(CloseContent)
map <leader>Q <Action>(CloseAllEditors)
map <leader>x <Action>(HideAllWindows)

" previous/next tab
map gp <Action>(PreviousTab)
map gn <Action>(NextTab)

" Goto actions
" ------------
map ]d <Action>(GotoNextError)
map [d <Action>(GotoPreviousError)
map ]g <Action>(VcsShowNextChangeMarker)
map [g <Action>(VcsShowPrevChangeMarker)
map ]m <Action>(MethodDown)
map [m <Action>(MethodUp)
map ]p <Action>(EditorForwardParagraph)
map [p <Action>(EditorBackwardParagraph)
map ]P <Action>(EditorForwardParagraphWithSelection)
map [P <Action>(EditorBackwardParagraphWithSelection)

" Popup tool windows, pickers and panels
" --------------------------------------
map <leader>r <Action>(Refactorings.QuickListPopupAction)
map <leader>= <Action>(ReformatCode)
map <leader>j <Action>(RecentLocations)

map gR <Action>(FindUsages)
" show usages is a popup so it is 'default'
map gr <Action>(ShowUsages)
map gi <Action>(GotoImplementation)
map gd <Action>(GotoDeclaration)
map gT <Action>(GotoTest)
map gy <Action>(GotoTypeDeclaration)
" original binding
" nmap gp <Action>(GotoSuperMethod)

" intelliJ search popup
map <leader>S <Action>(GotoSymbol)
map <leader>s <Action>(FileStructurePopup)
" OR alternatively
" :nmap <leader>s <Action>(GotoSymbol)
map <leader>F <Action>(FindInPath)
map <leader>f <Action>(GotoFile)
map <c-f> <Action>(ActivateFindToolWindow)

map <leader>g <Action>(Vcs.QuickListPopupAction)
map <leader>b <Action>(RecentFiles)

map <leader>d <Action>(ActivateProblemsViewToolWindow)

map <leader>n <Action>(Switcher)
map <leader>B <Action>(RecentChangedFiles)
" NOTE:
" RecentChangedFiles displays list of edited files. To show all, press C-e
" or you can simply show a list of all files
" nmap <leader>B <Action>(GotoFile)

" Mimics helix fuzzy-find command
map <leader>? <Action>(GotoAction)
" You can substitute this for <leader>? to search everything not only actions
map <leader>e <Action>(SearchEverywhere)
map <leader>o <Action>(ActivateProjectToolWindow)
map <leader>O <Action>(SelectInProjectView)
map <leader>E <Action>(EditorActions)

" Helix-like motions
" ------------------
map gh 0
map gs ^
map gl $
map ge G

" Refactorings and LSP actions
" ----------------------------
map <leader>a <Action>(ShowIntentionActions)
map <s-k> <Action>(ExpressionTypeInfo)
map <leader>k <Action>(QuickJavaDoc)
map <leader><A-k> <Action>(ShowHoverInfo)
map <leader><A-S-k> <Action>(ShowErrorDescription)
map <A-S-k> <Action>(ShowErrorDescription)
map <leader>K <Action>(QuickImplementations)

" REQUIRES HarpoonIJ

" map <leader><C-h> :action SetHarpoon1<cr>
" map <leader><C-j> :action SetHarpoon2<cr>
" map <leader><C-k> :action SetHarpoon3<cr>
" map <leader><C-l> :action SetHarpoon4<cr>
"
" map <C-h> :action GotoHarpoon1<cr>
" map <C-j> :action GotoHarpoon2<cr>
" map <C-k> :action GotoHarpoon3<cr>
" map <C-l> :action GotoHarpoon4<cr>
"
" map <C-e> :action ShowHarpoon<cr>
" map <C-a> :action AddToHarpoon<cr>

" END REQUIRES HarpoonIJ

" REQUIRES Harpooner

" map <C-e> <Action>(com.github.erotourtes.harpoon.pluginsGroup)
" map <leader><C-e> <Action>(HarpoonerAddFile)
" 
" map <C-h> <Action>(HarpoonerOpenFile0)
" map <C-j> <Action>(HarpoonerOpenFile1)
" map <C-k> <Action>(HarpoonerOpenFile2)
" map <C-l> <Action>(HarpoonerOpenFile3)
" map <C-S-h> <Action>(HarpoonerOpenFile4)
" map <C-S-j> <Action>(HarpoonerOpenFile5)
" map <C-S-k> <Action>(HarpoonerOpenFile6)
" map <C-S-l> <Action>(HarpoonerOpenFile7)

" END REQUIRES Harpooner


" REQUIRES multiple-cursors

" " Remap multiple-cursors shortcuts to match terryma/vim-multiple-cursors
" map <C-n> <Plug>NextWholeOccurrence
" " Does not work on column selection mode
" map g<C-n> <Plug>NextOccurrence
" vmap <C-S-n> <Plug>SkipOccurrence
" map <C-p> <Plug>RemoveOccurrence
" 
" " Note that the default <A-n> and g<A-n> shortcuts don't work on Mac due to dead keys.
" " <A-n> is used to enter accented text e.g. ñ
" " Alternatively use the Unicode hex keyboard in macOS
" map <S-C-n> <Plug>AllWholeOccurrences
" map g<S-C-n> <Plug>AllOccurrences

" END REQUIRES multiple-cursors


""" Running and Debugging
nmap ,r <Action>(ContextRun)
nmap ,R <Action>(Run)
nmap ,s <Action>(Stop)
nmap ,c <Action>(RunClass)
nmap ,f <Action>(ChooseRunConfiguration)
nmap ,t <Action>(ActivateRunToolWindow)
nmap ,u <Action>(Rerun)
nmap ,f <Action>(RerunFailedTests)
nmap ,b <Action>(ToggleLineBreakpoint)
nmap ,d <Action>(ContextDebug)
nmap ,n <Action>(ActivateDebugToolWindow)
nmap ,p <Action>(XDebugger.AttachToProcess)

if i understand the reddit post and this gist correctly, this maps helix keystrokes to vim keystrokes, which are then executed by the ideavim-plugin?
love that you are working on this! i never worked with vim beyond the absolute basics, but really enjoy helix and its bindings.

i tried out this gist, adding

Plug 'terryma/vim-multiple-cursors'
Plug 'liuchengxu/vim-which-key'

and uncommenting the lines i thought to be relevant. however, i can't use two workflows that i work with often:

• x then d to select, then delete (or yank) a line, as x is still mapped to delete (which is the vim default i think?)
• S-c to add a multicursor on the next line

are there conceptual problems why they can't work or are you simply not using them and therefore haven't implemented them?
thanks again for publishing this!

Hi @johannesrave!
I am very happy that you found it useful

This file is like any other .vimrc file. It tells vim (or ideavim in this case) the keybindings and their mappings.
Since the last update I've updated this file with a handful of new keybindings. I am going to release them soon, but before that happens I need to sort them nicely and write some comments for clarity.

Plugins

These two plugins you have added have nothing to do with your issues. You can keep them enabled as they're useful, however your two points have other causes, see next heading.

vim-multiple-cursors allows for highlighting multiple entries. In my (new) config it works and has following bindings:

• C-n highlight next occurrence (selects word under cursor or current selection) (press again and again for next)
• C-S-n highlight all occurrences
• C-p skip last highlighted occurrence
• C-x deselect last selected occurrence
  (i might have mixed up last two)

vim-which-key shows the useful popup at the bottom of the screen with all keys that you can press and what they will do.

xd and S-c

I use those very often! I have included them, but xd is opt-in as it replaces other behaviors.
In a nutshell:

S-c is actually A-c and you can find and rebind it on this line.

For xd to work you need to uncomment two lines after this one. Be sure to read the note in the file below for the reason it is disabled by default.

Why A-c not S-c?

It is for better consistency. I use S-d for action delete from cursor to line end and it made sense to have S-c as change from cursor to line end. This is why I decided to use A-c as clone the caret below. BTW, you can also use default IntelliJ keybindings for that.

hey @ADIOP55550, thank you for taking the time for the in-depth and helpful reply!
i now have those actions set back to "default" like you explained, and will further shape the keymap to suit me over time :)
also, i subscribed and am looking forward to the release of your updated gist!

@ADIOP55550 I found selection expansion / shrinking extremely useful:

nmap <A-o> <Action>(EditorSelectWord)
vmap <A-o> <Action>(EditorSelectWord)
nmap <A-i> <Action>(EditorUnSelectWord)
vmap <A-i> <Action>(EditorUnSelectWord)

This works in my rider instance; not sure if the action names will differ elsewhere.

For anyone looking to expand this as well, the Track Action IDs switch is extremely useful to find out these identifiers.

Hi, I've finally gathered myself to update this gist. And the update is quite big. I've added a ton of mappings (especially to the \ section) and included plugins info (docs links and installation commands). I hope y'all find it useful.

@ADIOP55550 I found selection expansion / shrinking extremely useful:

nmap <A-o> <Action>(EditorSelectWord)
vmap <A-o> <Action>(EditorSelectWord)
nmap <A-i> <Action>(EditorUnSelectWord)
vmap <A-i> <Action>(EditorUnSelectWord)

This works in my rider instance; not sure if the action names will differ elsewhere.

Yes! Actuall I've been using it for some time, but it wasn't included in this gist. I've added it now.
I've used a simple map. I think it should be enough

" Extend selection / shrink selection
map <a-o> <Action>(EditorSelectWord)
map <a-i> <Action>(EditorUnSelectWord)

For anyone looking to expand this as well, the Track Action IDs switch is extremely useful to find out these identifiers.

This is also true, you can quickly access it via \a keymap.

hey @ADIOP55550, thank you for taking the time for the in-depth and helpful reply! i now have those actions set back to "default" like you explained, and will further shape the keymap to suit me over time :) also, i subscribed and am looking forward to the release of your updated gist!

Thank you! Hope you find this version useful 😄

Thanks for this. It's super helpful !

Do you think there is a way to implement gw ? That's one of the commands I use the most in Helix.

Thanks for this. It's super helpful !

Do you think there is a way to implement gw ? That's one of the commands I use the most in Helix.

Hi!
Until February 2024 there was a plugin IdeaVim Sneak that implemented this functionality. Now it is archived, but take a look here:
JetBrains/ideavim#818 (comment)
It is part of core IdeaVim now, and should be able to be enabled by simply setting:

map gw <Plug>Sneak_s
map gW <Plug>Sneak_S

If it works for you then I'll add it to the gist soon.

Thanks for the quick answer. I've tried it but it didn't work for now.
But I've just copy/pasted your Gist as it is without trying to understand it yet so it's very probable I've done something wrong.

Same 🤷 can't seem to get it working. I still only have access to the vim keybindings despite uncommenting a lot of keybinds...