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Navigation keymaps for finding files, switching buffers, and browsing the filesystem using Snacks pickers and file explorers.
Most navigation keymaps use Snacks pickers with fuzzy finding, live preview, and frecency-based sorting for faster access to frequently used files.

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File pickers

Find and open files quickly with fuzzy matching.
KeyModeDescription
<leader><leader>normalSmart find files (ivy layout)
<leader>ffnormalFind files (ivy_taller layout)
<leader>frnormalRecent files
<leader>fpnormalProjects
<leader>ncnormalNvim config files
<leader><leader> uses smart detection to choose the best finder based on context. It’s the fastest way to open files in most situations.

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Buffer navigation

Switch between open buffers efficiently.
KeyModeDescription
<leader>jknormalBuffers (picker with delete support)
<Left>normalPrevious buffer (cycle)
<Right>normalNext buffer (cycle)
<leader>bdnormalDelete buffer (Snacks)
The buffers picker (<leader>jk) opens in normal mode (not insert) and supports deleting buffers with d. See lua/plugins/snacks.lua:38.

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Content search

Search file contents across the project.
KeyModeDescription
<leader>fanormalFind all (live grep)
<leader>fvnormal, visualGrep word under cursor or selection
<leader>fa uses the ivy_split layout, or dashboard_ivy_split when opened from the dashboard. See lua/plugins/snacks.lua:64.

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File explorer

Browse the filesystem with tree-based navigation.
KeyModeDescription
<M-e>normalToggle Snacks file explorer
The Snacks explorer shows hidden files by default, includes diagnostic indicators, and auto-opens folders with diagnostics. See lua/plugins/snacks.lua:489.

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Explorer features

  • Auto-close when opening files
  • Diagnostic integration
  • Line numbers in file list
  • Replaces netrw by default
explorer = {
  replace_netrw = true,
  diagnostics = true,
  auto_close = true,
  diagnostics_open = true,
}
See lua/plugins/snacks.lua:517.

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Picker layouts

Snacks pickers support multiple layouts with different visual styles.
LayoutDescriptionUsed by
ivy_tallerBottom panel with preview<leader>ff, <leader>jk
ivy_splitSplit view with preview<leader>fa, grp
selectCompact selection list<leader>:
defaultFull-screen with preview<M-S-k>
Press <M-p> inside any picker to cycle through available layouts. See lua/plugins/snacks.lua:572.

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Picker navigation

Common keymaps available inside all pickers.
KeyModeDescription
<Esc>normal, insertClose picker
<M-p>normal, insertCycle layouts
JnormalPreview scroll down
KnormalPreview scroll up
HnormalPreview scroll left
LnormalPreview scroll right
<Tab>normal, insertFocus preview window
When focused on the preview window, press <Esc> to return focus to the input field. See lua/plugins/snacks.lua:580.

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Search and history

Browse command and search history.
KeyModeDescription
<leader>:normalCommand history
<leader>s/normalSearch history
<leader>srnormalResume last picker

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Reference navigation

Jump to word references across files.
KeyModeDescription
<leader>fnnormalNext reference
<leader>fNnormalPrevious reference
Reference navigation uses the Snacks words feature to highlight and jump between occurrences of the word under the cursor.

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Specialized pickers

Additional pickers for specific use cases.
KeyModeDescription
<M-S-k>normalKeymaps picker
<leader>sjnormalJumps
<leader>smnormalMarks
<leader>s"normalRegisters
<leader>sunormalUndo history
<leader>iinormalIcons

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Picker configuration

Pickers use frecency-based sorting to prioritize frequently and recently used files:
matcher = {
  frecency = true,
}
See lua/plugins/snacks.lua:555.

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Buffer deletion in picker

The buffers picker supports in-picker deletion: 
win = {
  input = {
    keys = {
      ["d"] = "bufdelete",
    },
  },
  list = { 
    keys = { 
      ["d"] = "bufdelete" 
    } 
  },
}
Press d on any buffer in the list to delete it without leaving the picker. See lua/plugins/snacks.lua:52.

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Explorer keymaps

Inside the Snacks explorer, additional keymaps are available:
KeyModeDescription
<a-a>normal, insertSend to Sidekick
Explorer keymaps can be customized in the win.input.keys configuration at lua/plugins/snacks.lua:531.

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Workflow tips

For best results, use <leader><leader> for quick file access, <leader>fa for content search, and <leader>jk for buffer switching.

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Efficient navigation patterns

  1. Find file by name: <leader>ff → type partial name → <CR>
  2. Search code: <leader>fa → type pattern → browse results
  3. Recent files: <leader>fr → select from MRU list
  4. Switch buffers: <leader>jk → type buffer name or use arrows
  5. Explore filesystem: <M-e> → navigate tree structure
All pickers support fuzzy matching, so you don’t need to type exact names. For example, typing usrmod will match user_model.ts.

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Hidden files

Both the file picker and explorer show hidden files by default: 
sources = {
  files = {
    hidden = true,
  },
}
explorer = {
  show_hidden = true,
}
See lua/plugins/snacks.lua:514 and lua/plugins/snacks.lua:491.

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