Neovim is a hyperextensible, modern fork of Vim that maintains full compatibility with Vim's keybindings while adding first-class Lua scripting, built-in LSP client support, tree-sitter-based syntax highlighting, and an asynchronous plugin architecture. Neovim retains all of Vim's modal editing shortcuts and extends them with powerful new capabilities. Its configuration through Lua enables a modern IDE-like experience while keeping Vim's efficient keyboard-driven workflow.
This reference covers 25 essential Neovim keyboard shortcuts organized across 8 categories: Mode Switching, Navigation, Editing, and more. Each shortcut lists both macOS and Windows/Linux key combinations where applicable, making it easy to find the right key combo regardless of your operating system.
Learning keyboard shortcuts is one of the highest-leverage investments you can make in your daily workflow. Studies show that developers and designers who rely on keyboard shortcuts are measurably faster at common tasks. Rather than memorizing every shortcut at once, focus on the ones you use most frequently and gradually expand your repertoire.
Bookmark this page for quick reference whenever you need to look up a Neovim shortcut. The categorized layout makes it easy to find shortcuts by their function, whether you need navigation, editing, or specialized commands.