VS Code Vim Setup - Neovim Migration Guide

This setup replicates your comprehensive Neovim configuration in VS Code with the Vim extension.

🚀 Quick Start

1. Install extensions (automated):

   ./install-extensions.sh

2. Copy configuration files:

   # For Linux/macOS
   cp settings.json ~/.config/Code/User/settings.json
   cp keybindings.json ~/.config/Code/User/keybindings.json
   
   # For Windows
   cp settings.json "%APPDATA%\Code\User\settings.json"
   cp keybindings.json "%APPDATA%\Code\User\keybindings.json"

3. Restart VS Code

📋 Extension Mapping

Core Functionality

Neovim Plugin	VS Code Extension	Description
lazy.nvim	Built-in Extension Manager	VS Code's native extension system
which-key.nvim	vspacecode.whichkey	Show available keybindings
nvim-tree	Built-in Explorer + vscode-icons-team.vscode-icons	File tree navigation
telescope.nvim	tomrijndorp.find-it-faster	Fuzzy finder
harpoon	alefragnani.bookmarks + alefragnani.numbered-bookmarks	Quick file navigation

Git Integration

Neovim Plugin	VS Code Extension	Description
gitsigns.nvim	eamodio.gitlens	Git integration in editor
lazygit.nvim	eamodio.gitlens + mhutchie.git-graph	Git workflow
neogit	donjayamanne.git-extension-pack	Advanced Git operations
git-blame.nvim	eamodio.gitlens	Git blame annotations
diffview.nvim	Built-in Git diff + mhutchie.git-graph	Diff viewing

LSP & Language Support

Neovim Plugin	VS Code Extension	Description
nvim-lspconfig	Language-specific extensions	LSP client
mason.nvim	Automatic via language extensions	LSP server management
nvim-cmp	Built-in IntelliSense + visualstudioexptteam.vscodeintellicode	Autocompletion
nvim-dap	Built-in debugger + language-specific debug extensions	Debugging
conform.nvim	esbenp.prettier-vscode + language formatters	Code formatting
nvim-lint	ms-vscode.vscode-eslint + language linters	Linting

UI & Themes

Neovim Plugin	VS Code Extension	Description
lualine.nvim	Built-in status bar	Status line
nvim-web-devicons	pkief.material-icon-theme	File icons
barbecue.nvim	Built-in breadcrumbs	LSP breadcrumbs
noice.nvim	Built-in notifications	Enhanced UI messages
onedark.nvim	zhuangtongfa.material-theme	Color scheme
tokyonight.nvim	enkia.tokyo-night	Color scheme

Coding Features

Neovim Plugin	VS Code Extension	Description
nvim-treesitter	Built-in syntax highlighting + language extensions	Syntax highlighting
nvim-autopairs	Built-in bracket completion	Auto-pairs
vim-commentary	aaron-bond.better-comments	Comment functionality
vim-visual-multi	Built-in multi-cursor (Ctrl+D)	Multiple cursors
trouble.nvim	usernamehw.errorlens	Diagnostics panel
actions-preview.nvim	Built-in Quick Fix	Code actions
refactoring.nvim	p42ai.refactor	Code refactoring

AI & Completion

Neovim Plugin	VS Code Extension	Description
copilot.lua	github.copilot	GitHub Copilot
copilot-chat.nvim	github.copilot-chat	Copilot Chat

🎯 Key Mappings

Core Navigation

• <Space> - Leader key
• , - Local leader key
• jk - Exit insert mode
• <Leader>ff - Find files (Find It Faster)
• <Leader>fg - Live grep
• <Leader>fb - Find buffers
• <Leader>fr - Recent files

File Management

• <Leader>e - Toggle file explorer
• <Leader>E - File browser (Find It Faster)
• W - Save file
• Q - Close buffer
• H/L - Navigate between tabs

Git Operations

• <Leader>gs - Git status (Source Control view)
• <Leader>gb - Git blame toggle
• <Leader>gh - Git history
• <Leader>gd - Git diff
• <Leader>gg - Git graph (GitLens)

LSP Functions

• gd - Go to definition
• gr - Find references
• gi - Go to implementation
• gy - Go to type definition
• K - Show hover information
• <Leader>rn - Rename symbol
• <Leader>xa - Code actions
• <Leader>xx - Show diagnostics
• gj/gk - Next/previous diagnostic

Debugging

• <Leader>db - Toggle breakpoint
• <Leader>dc - Continue debugging
• <Leader>dj - Step over
• <Leader>dk - Step into
• <Leader>do - Step out
• <Leader>dr - Restart debugging
• <Leader>dt - Stop debugging

Harpoon-like Bookmarks

• <Leader>ha - Add bookmark
• <Leader>hh - Show bookmarks
• <Leader>h1-9 - Jump to numbered bookmark

System Commands

• <Leader>zc - Open settings
• <Leader>zl - Show extensions
• <Leader>zn - Show notifications
• <Leader>ui - Toggle light/dark theme
• <Leader>uc - Select theme

🔧 Configuration Details

Vim Settings

"vim.leader": "<space>",
"vim.useSystemClipboard": true,
"vim.hlsearch": true,
"vim.smartcase": true,
"vim.easymotion": true,
"vim.surround": true,
"vim.camelCaseMotion.enable": true

Editor Settings

"editor.lineNumbers": "relative",
"editor.cursorStyle": "block",
"editor.tabSize": 2,
"editor.rulers": [80, 120],
"editor.wordWrap": "off"

🎨 Recommended Themes

Based on your Neovim colorschemes:

• Tokyo Night (enkia.tokyo-night) - Matches tokyonight.nvim
• Material Theme (zhuangtongfa.material-theme) - Clean, modern
• Dracula (dracula-theme.theme-dracula) - Dark theme
• Gruvbox Material (sainnhe.gruvbox-material) - Warm colors
• GitHub Theme (github.github-vscode-theme) - GitHub-inspired

🛠️ Language-Specific Setup

TypeScript/JavaScript

• Extensions: ms-vscode.vscode-typescript-next, bradlc.vscode-tailwindcss
• Formatting: esbenp.prettier-vscode
• Linting: ms-vscode.vscode-eslint

Python

• Extensions: ms-python.python, ms-python.pylint, ms-python.black-formatter
• Debugging: ms-python.debugpy
• Formatting: charliermarsh.ruff

Rust

• Extension: rust-lang.rust-analyzer
• Debugging: vadimcn.vscode-lldb

Go

• Extension: golang.go
• Includes LSP, debugging, and formatting

Java

• Extension: vscjava.vscode-java-pack
• Complete Java development environment

C/C++

• Extensions: ms-vscode.cpptools, ms-vscode.cmake-tools
• Debugging: vadimcn.vscode-lldb

Flutter/Dart

• Extensions: dart-code.dart-code, dart-code.flutter

🚀 Advanced Features

Find It Faster (Telescope Replacement)

• Ctrl+Shift+P then "Find It Faster"
• Supports fuzzy file finding
• Live grep with regex support
• Respects .gitignore

GitLens (Git Integration)

• Inline blame annotations
• Git graph visualization
• File history
• Branch comparison

Bookmarks (Harpoon Replacement)

• Toggle bookmarks with <Leader>ha
• Navigate between numbered bookmarks
• Persistent across sessions

🎯 Tips for Neovim Users

1. Use Command Palette: Ctrl+Shift+P - equivalent to : in Neovim
2. Quick Open: Ctrl+P - similar to telescope file finder
3. Go to Symbol: Ctrl+Shift+O - like telescope document symbols
4. Global Symbol Search: Ctrl+T - workspace symbol search
5. Multi-cursor: Ctrl+D - select next occurrence (vim-visual-multi)
6. Zen Mode: Ctrl+K Z - distraction-free editing

🔧 Customization

Adding Custom Keybindings

Edit keybindings.json to add your own shortcuts:

{
  "key": "space f r",
  "command": "workbench.action.openRecent",
  "when": "editorTextFocus && vim.mode == 'Normal'"
}

Custom Vim Mappings

Add to settings.json under vim.normalModeKeyBindings:

{
  "before": ["<leader>", "custom"],
  "commands": ["your.command.here"]
}

🐛 Troubleshooting

Vim Extension Performance

• Disable unused Vim plugins in settings
• Adjust vim.timeout if keys feel laggy
• Use performance monitoring extension

LSP Issues

• Check output panel for language server logs
• Restart language server via Command Palette
• Verify extension is installed and enabled

Keybinding Conflicts

• Check for conflicts in Keyboard Shortcuts editor
• Use when clauses to scope keybindings
• Test in clean VS Code profile

📚 Additional Resources

• VS Code Vim Extension Docs
• VS Code Keybinding Guide
• GitLens Documentation
• Find It Faster Usage

Enjoy your Neovim-like experience in VS Code! 🎉