Vim mode gives the Claude Code prompt input a modal editing model based on Neovim/Vim conventions. It applies to the prompt input field only — not to the conversation output displayed above it.
Enabling vim mode
Toggle vim mode with the /vim slash command. The change takes effect immediately and persists across sessions.
You can also enable it in your Claude Code settings.
Modes
Claude Code vim mode implements three modes:
| Mode | Indicator | Description |
|---|
INSERT | -- INSERT -- | Text is typed directly into the prompt (default when vim mode is off) |
NORMAL | -- NORMAL -- | Keystrokes are interpreted as commands — movement, operators, etc. |
VISUAL | -- VISUAL -- | Character-wise text selection |
Escape from INSERT mode to enter NORMAL mode.
Normal mode
Entering insert mode
| Key | Action |
|---|
i | Enter INSERT before the cursor |
a | Enter INSERT after the cursor |
I | Enter INSERT at the first non-blank character of the line |
A | Enter INSERT at the end of the line |
o | Open a new line below and enter INSERT |
O | Open a new line above and enter INSERT |
Motions
Motions move the cursor. They can be prefixed with a count (e.g., 3w moves forward three words).
Character and line movement
| Key | Action |
|---|
h | Move left one character |
l | Move right one character |
j | Move down one logical line |
k | Move up one logical line |
gj | Move down one visual (wrapped) line |
gk | Move up one visual (wrapped) line |
| Key | Action |
|---|
w | Move to the start of the next word |
b | Move to the start of the previous word |
e | Move to the end of the current or next word |
W | Move to the start of the next WORD (whitespace-delimited) |
B | Move to the start of the previous WORD |
E | Move to the end of the current or next WORD |
| Key | Action |
|---|
0 | Move to the start of the line |
^ | Move to the first non-blank character of the line |
$ | Move to the end of the line |
| Key | Action |
|---|
gg | Move to the beginning of the buffer |
G | Move to the last line (or line N with count prefix) |
| Key | Action |
|---|
f{char} | Move to the next occurrence of {char} on the line |
F{char} | Move to the previous occurrence of {char} on the line |
t{char} | Move to just before the next occurrence of {char} |
T{char} | Move to just after the previous occurrence of {char} |
; | Repeat the last find in the same direction |
, | Repeat the last find in the opposite direction |
Operators
Operators act on a range of text defined by a motion or text object. The pattern is {operator}{motion} or {operator}{text-object}.
| Operator | Key | Description |
|---|
| Delete | d | Delete the text in the range and place it in the register |
| Change | c | Delete the text in the range and enter INSERT mode |
| Yank | y | Copy the text in the range into the register |
dd deletes the line, cc changes the line, yy yanks the line.
Shorthand operators
| Key | Equivalent | Description |
|---|
D | d$ | Delete from cursor to end of line |
C | c$ | Change from cursor to end of line |
Y | yy | Yank the current line |
x | dl | Delete the character under the cursor |
Paste
| Key | Action |
|---|
p | Paste the register contents after the cursor |
P | Paste the register contents before the cursor |
Other normal mode commands
| Key | Action |
|---|
r{char} | Replace the character under the cursor with {char} |
~ | Toggle the case of the character under the cursor |
J | Join the current line with the line below |
u | Undo the last change |
. | Repeat the last change |
>> | Indent the current line |
<< | De-indent the current line |
Text objects
Text objects define a structured range of text. They are used after an operator in the form {operator}{scope}{object}, where scope is i (inner) or a (around/outer).
Word objects
| Object | Inner (i) | Around (a) |
|---|
w | Word characters only | Word plus surrounding whitespace |
W | WORD characters only | WORD plus surrounding whitespace |
| Object | Inner (i) | Around (a) |
|---|
" | Contents inside double quotes | Contents plus the quote characters |
' | Contents inside single quotes | Contents plus the quote characters |
` | Contents inside backticks | Contents plus the backtick characters |
( or ) or b | Contents inside parentheses | Contents plus the parentheses |
[ or ] | Contents inside brackets | Contents plus the brackets |
{ or } or B | Contents inside braces | Contents plus the braces |
< or > | Contents inside angle brackets | Contents plus the angle brackets |
diw — delete inner word (the word under the cursor)
ca" — change around double quotes (including the quotes)
yi( — yank inner parentheses (the contents, not the parens)
da{ — delete around braces (contents and the braces)
Visual mode
| Key | Action |
|---|
v | Enter character-wise VISUAL mode |
Escape | Return to NORMAL mode |
d, c, y) to act on the selected text.
Count prefixes
Most motions and operators accept a numeric count prefix that repeats the action. Type the count before the key:
3w — move forward 3 words
5j — move down 5 lines
2dd — delete 2 lines
4f, — move to the 4th comma on the line
10000.
Scope
Vim mode applies to the prompt input field only. The conversation output above the input is not affected by vim mode and uses the standard scroll keybindings (Page Up, Page Down, Ctrl+Home, Ctrl+End) regardless of the current vim mode.
While in NORMAL mode, Enter executes the vim command buffer rather than submitting the prompt. Switch to INSERT mode before pressing Enter to submit, or use the chat:submit keybinding directly.