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Overview

blink.cmp is a performant alternative to nvim-cmp. Avante.nvim provides full compatibility with blink.cmp through blink.compat, enabling you to use mentions, slash commands, and shortcuts with better performance.
When using blink.cmp with Avante, choose a selector other than native as it currently has known issues.

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Installation

Install blink.cmp and configure it with Avante sources:

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LazyVim Users

If you’re using LazyVim, extend the blink.cmp configuration: 
return {
  {
    "saghen/blink.cmp",
    opts = {
      sources = {
        compat = {
          "avante_commands",
          "avante_mentions",
          "avante_files",
        },
      },
    },
  },
  {
    "yetone/avante.nvim",
    opts = {
      selector = {
        provider = "telescope", -- Don't use "native"
      },
    },
  },
}

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Manual Setup

For other setups, configure blink.cmp with custom providers: 
return {
  {
    "saghen/blink.cmp",
    version = "v0.*",
    dependencies = {
      "rafamadriz/friendly-snippets",
    },
    opts = {
      sources = {
        default = {
          "lsp",
          "path",
          "snippets",
          "buffer",
          -- Avante sources
          "avante_commands",
          "avante_mentions",
          "avante_shortcuts",
          "avante_files",
        },
        providers = {
          avante_commands = {
            name = "avante_commands",
            module = "blink.compat.source",
            score_offset = 90, -- Higher priority than LSP
            opts = {},
          },
          avante_files = {
            name = "avante_files",
            module = "blink.compat.source",
            score_offset = 100,
            opts = {},
          },
          avante_mentions = {
            name = "avante_mentions",
            module = "blink.compat.source",
            score_offset = 1000, -- Highest priority
            opts = {},
          },
          avante_shortcuts = {
            name = "avante_shortcuts",
            module = "blink.compat.source",
            score_offset = 1000,
            opts = {},
          },
        },
      },
      keymap = { preset = "default" },
      appearance = {
        use_nvim_cmp_as_default = true,
        nerd_font_variant = "mono",
      },
      signature = { enabled = true },
    },
  },
}

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Avante Sources Explained

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avante_commands

Provides slash command completions when you type /:
  • /help - Show help
  • /init - Initialize project instructions
  • /clear - Clear chat history
  • /new - Start new chat
  • /compact - Compact history
  • /lines - Query specific lines
  • /commit - Generate commit message
Priority: score_offset = 90 (above LSP)

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avante_mentions

Provides mention completions when you type @:
  • @codebase - Enable project context
  • @diagnostics - Include diagnostics
  • @file - Add files to context
  • @quickfix - Add quickfix files
  • @buffers - Add open buffers
Priority: score_offset = 1000 (highest)

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avante_shortcuts

Provides shortcut completions when you type #:
  • #refactor - Refactoring prompt
  • #test - Test generation prompt
  • #explain - Code explanation prompt
  • Custom shortcuts you define
Priority: score_offset = 1000 (highest)

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avante_files

Provides file path completions in Avante context. Priority: score_offset = 100

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Complete Configuration Example

Here’s a full example with both blink.cmp and Avante configured: 
return {
  -- blink.cmp
  {
    "saghen/blink.cmp",
    version = "v0.*",
    dependencies = {
      "rafamadriz/friendly-snippets",
    },
    opts = {
      sources = {
        default = {
          "lsp",
          "path",
          "snippets",
          "buffer",
          "avante_commands",
          "avante_mentions",
          "avante_shortcuts",
          "avante_files",
        },
        providers = {
          avante_commands = {
            name = "avante_commands",
            module = "blink.compat.source",
            score_offset = 90,
            opts = {},
          },
          avante_files = {
            name = "avante_files",
            module = "blink.compat.source",
            score_offset = 100,
            opts = {},
          },
          avante_mentions = {
            name = "avante_mentions",
            module = "blink.compat.source",
            score_offset = 1000,
            opts = {},
          },
          avante_shortcuts = {
            name = "avante_shortcuts",
            module = "blink.compat.source",
            score_offset = 1000,
            opts = {},
          },
        },
      },
      keymap = { preset = "default" },
      appearance = {
        use_nvim_cmp_as_default = true,
        nerd_font_variant = "mono",
      },
      signature = { enabled = true },
      completion = {
        menu = {
          draw = {
            treesitter = { "lsp" },
          },
        },
        documentation = {
          auto_show = true,
          auto_show_delay_ms = 500,
        },
      },
    },
  },
  
  -- Avante.nvim
  {
    "yetone/avante.nvim",
    event = "VeryLazy",
    build = "make",
    opts = {
      provider = "claude",
      selector = {
        provider = "telescope", -- Use telescope instead of native
      },
      shortcuts = {
        {
          name = "refactor",
          description = "Refactor code with best practices",
          prompt = "Please refactor this code following best practices.",
        },
        {
          name = "test",
          description = "Generate unit tests",
          prompt = "Please generate comprehensive unit tests.",
        },
      },
    },
    dependencies = {
      "nvim-lua/plenary.nvim",
      "MunifTanjim/nui.nvim",
      "nvim-telescope/telescope.nvim",
      "saghen/blink.cmp", -- Add blink.cmp as dependency
    },
  },
}
You can also use the dedicated Kaiser-Yang/blink-cmp-avante plugin: 
return {
  {
    "Kaiser-Yang/blink-cmp-avante",
    dependencies = {
      "saghen/blink.cmp",
      "yetone/avante.nvim",
    },
  },
}

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Selector Provider Configuration

When using blink.cmp, you must configure a non-native selector:

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Priority Configuration

Adjust score_offset to change completion priority: 
providers = {
  avante_mentions = {
    score_offset = 1000, -- Show first
  },
  avante_commands = {
    score_offset = 90,   -- Show before LSP (usually 50-80)
  },
  avante_files = {
    score_offset = 100,  -- Show before commands
  },
}
Higher values = higher priority in completion menu.

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Usage

Once configured, completions work automatically:

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Slash Commands

  1. Type / in Avante chat
  2. Completion menu shows available commands
  3. Select with arrow keys or <C-n>/<C-p>
  4. Press <CR> to accept

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Mentions

  1. Type @ in Avante chat
  2. See mentions like @codebase, @file
  3. Select and accept
  4. For @file, a file picker opens

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Shortcuts

  1. Type # in Avante chat
  2. See shortcuts like #refactor, #test
  3. Select to expand the prompt

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Troubleshooting

  1. Verify blink.cmp is installed and loaded
  2. Check that Avante sources are in sources.default
  3. Ensure module = "blink.compat.source" is set
  4. Look for errors in :messages
  5. Try :BlingCmpDebug to check sources
Change selector provider:
selector = {
  provider = "telescope", -- Not "native"
}
Install the corresponding dependency (telescope, fzf-lua, etc.)
Adjust score_offset values to change priority:
score_offset = 1000, -- Higher = more priority
  1. blink.cmp should be faster than nvim-cmp
  2. If still slow, reduce number of active sources
  3. Check for conflicts with other completion plugins
Featurenvim-cmpblink.cmp
PerformanceGoodExcellent
Lua APIStableEvolving
EcosystemLargeGrowing
Setup ComplexityMediumMedium
Avante SupportNativeVia compat
Recommendation: Use blink.cmp if you prioritize performance; use nvim-cmp for a more mature ecosystem.

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Migration from nvim-cmp

If migrating from nvim-cmp to blink.cmp:
1

Install blink.cmp

Add blink.cmp to your plugin manager with the configuration above.
2

Remove nvim-cmp

Remove or disable nvim-cmp from your config.
3

Configure Avante Sources

Use blink.compat.source module for Avante completion sources.
4

Test Completions

Verify slash commands, mentions, and shortcuts work in Avante chat.
5

Adjust Priorities

Fine-tune score_offset values based on your preferences.

Completion Sources

Learn about all completion sources

Slash Commands

Complete slash command reference

File Selector

Configure file picker providers

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