Configurable keys 2 (Mapping keys to commands) (#268)

* Add convenience/clarity wrapper for Range initialization

* Add keycode parse and display methods

* Add remapping functions and tests

* Implement key remapping

* Add remapping book entry

* Use raw string literal for toml

* Add command constants

* Make command functions private

* Map directly to commands

* Match key parsing/displaying to Kakoune

* Formatting pass

* Update documentation

* Formatting

* Fix example in the book

* Refactor into single config file

* Formatting

* Refactor configuration and add keymap newtype wrappers

* Address first batch of PR comments

* Replace FromStr with custom deserialize

10 files changed, 928 insertions, 340 deletions

diff --git a/book/src/SUMMARY.md b/book/src/SUMMARY.md
index 474c2e70..3ea1fb9a 100644
--- a/book/src/SUMMARY.md
+++ b/book/src/SUMMARY.md
@@ -4,4 +4,5 @@
 - [Usage](./usage.md)
 - [Configuration](./configuration.md)
   - [Keymap](./keymap.md)
+  - [Key Remapping](./remapping.md)
   - [Hooks](./hooks.md)
diff --git a/book/src/remapping.md b/book/src/remapping.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..313ac72e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/book/src/remapping.md
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+# Key Remapping
+
+One-way key remapping is temporarily supported via a simple TOML configuration
+file. (More powerful solutions such as rebinding via commands will be
+available in the feature).
+
+To remap keys, write a `config.toml` file in your `helix` configuration
+directory (default `~/.config/helix` in Linux systems) with a structure like
+this:
+
+```toml
+# At most one section each of 'keys.normal', 'keys.insert' and 'keys.select'
+[keys.normal]
+a = "move_char_left" # Maps the 'a' key to the move_char_left command
+w = "move_line_up" # Maps the 'w' key move_line_up
+C-S-esc = "select_line" # Maps Control-Shift-Escape to select_line
+
+[keys.insert]
+A-x = "normal_mode" # Maps Alt-X to enter normal mode
+```
+
+Control, Shift and Alt modifiers are encoded respectively with the prefixes
+`C-`, `S-` and `A-`. Special keys are encoded as follows:
+
+* Backspace => "backspace"
+* Space => "space"
+* Return/Enter => "ret"
+* < => "lt"
+* > => "gt"
+* + => "plus"
+* - => "minus"
+* ; => "semicolon"
+* % => "percent"
+* Left => "left"
+* Right => "right"
+* Up => "up"
+* Home => "home"
+* End => "end"
+* Page Up => "pageup"
+* Page Down => "pagedown"
+* Tab => "tab"
+* Back Tab => "backtab"
+* Delete => "del"
+* Insert => "ins"
+* Null => "null"
+* Escape => "esc"
+
+Commands can be found in the source code at `../../helix-term/src/commands.rs`
diff --git a/helix-term/src/application.rs b/helix-term/src/application.rs
index 3d043441..f5cba365 100644
--- a/helix-term/src/application.rs
+++ b/helix-term/src/application.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 use helix_lsp::lsp;
 use helix_view::{document::Mode, Document, Editor, Theme, View};
 
-use crate::{args::Args, compositor::Compositor, ui};
+use crate::{args::Args, compositor::Compositor, config::Config, keymap::Keymaps, ui};
 
 use log::{error, info};
 
@@ -40,13 +40,14 @@ pub struct Application {
 }
 
 impl Application {
-    pub fn new(mut args: Args) -> Result<Self, Error> {
+    pub fn new(mut args: Args, config: Config) -> Result<Self, Error> {
         use helix_view::editor::Action;
         let mut compositor = Compositor::new()?;
         let size = compositor.size();
         let mut editor = Editor::new(size);
 
-        compositor.push(Box::new(ui::EditorView::new()));
+        let mut editor_view = Box::new(ui::EditorView::new(config.keymaps));
+        compositor.push(editor_view);
 
         if !args.files.is_empty() {
             let first = &args.files[0]; // we know it's not empty
diff --git a/helix-term/src/commands.rs b/helix-term/src/commands.rs
index e6ecda06..3ec06aaa 100644
--- a/helix-term/src/commands.rs
+++ b/helix-term/src/commands.rs
@@ -15,11 +15,13 @@ use helix_view::{
     Document, DocumentId, Editor, ViewId,
 };
 
+use anyhow::anyhow;
 use helix_lsp::{
     lsp,
     util::{lsp_pos_to_pos, lsp_range_to_range, pos_to_lsp_pos, range_to_lsp_range},
     OffsetEncoding,
 };
+use insert::*;
 use movement::Movement;
 
 use crate::{
@@ -29,7 +31,7 @@ use crate::{
 
 use crate::application::{LspCallbackWrapper, LspCallbacks};
 use futures_util::FutureExt;
-use std::future::Future;
+use std::{fmt, future::Future, path::Display, str::FromStr};
 
 use std::{
     borrow::Cow,
@@ -133,11 +135,145 @@ fn align_view(doc: &Document, view: &mut View, align: Align) {
     view.first_line = line.saturating_sub(relative);
 }
 
-/// A command is a function that takes the current state and a count, and does a side-effect on the
-/// state (usually by creating and applying a transaction).
-pub type Command = fn(cx: &mut Context);
+/// A command is composed of a static name, and a function that takes the current state plus a count,
+/// and does a side-effect on the state (usually by creating and applying a transaction).
+#[derive(Copy, Clone)]
+pub struct Command(&'static str, fn(cx: &mut Context));
+
+macro_rules! commands {
+    ( $($name:ident),* ) => {
+        $(
+            #[allow(non_upper_case_globals)]
+            pub const $name: Self = Self(stringify!($name), $name);
+        )*
+
+        pub const COMMAND_LIST: &'static [Self] = &[
+            $( Self::$name, )*
+        ];
+    }
+}
 
-pub fn move_char_left(cx: &mut Context) {
+impl Command {
+    pub fn execute(&self, cx: &mut Context) {
+        (self.1)(cx);
+    }
+
+    pub fn name(&self) -> &'static str {
+        self.0
+    }
+
+    commands!(
+        move_char_left,
+        move_char_right,
+        move_line_up,
+        move_line_down,
+        move_line_end,
+        move_line_start,
+        move_first_nonwhitespace,
+        move_next_word_start,
+        move_prev_word_start,
+        move_next_word_end,
+        move_file_start,
+        move_file_end,
+        extend_next_word_start,
+        extend_prev_word_start,
+        extend_next_word_end,
+        find_till_char,
+        find_next_char,
+        extend_till_char,
+        extend_next_char,
+        till_prev_char,
+        find_prev_char,
+        extend_till_prev_char,
+        extend_prev_char,
+        extend_first_nonwhitespace,
+        replace,
+        page_up,
+        page_down,
+        half_page_up,
+        half_page_down,
+        extend_char_left,
+        extend_char_right,
+        extend_line_up,
+        extend_line_down,
+        extend_line_end,
+        extend_line_start,
+        select_all,
+        select_regex,
+        split_selection,
+        split_selection_on_newline,
+        search,
+        search_next,
+        extend_search_next,
+        search_selection,
+        select_line,
+        extend_line,
+        delete_selection,
+        change_selection,
+        collapse_selection,
+        flip_selections,
+        insert_mode,
+        append_mode,
+        command_mode,
+        file_picker,
+        buffer_picker,
+        symbol_picker,
+        prepend_to_line,
+        append_to_line,
+        open_below,
+        open_above,
+        normal_mode,
+        goto_mode,
+        select_mode,
+        exit_select_mode,
+        goto_definition,
+        goto_type_definition,
+        goto_implementation,
+        goto_reference,
+        goto_first_diag,
+        goto_last_diag,
+        goto_next_diag,
+        goto_prev_diag,
+        signature_help,
+        insert_tab,
+        insert_newline,
+        delete_char_backward,
+        delete_char_forward,
+        delete_word_backward,
+        undo,
+        redo,
+        yank,
+        replace_with_yanked,
+        paste_after,
+        paste_before,
+        indent,
+        unindent,
+        format_selections,
+        join_selections,
+        keep_selections,
+        keep_primary_selection,
+        save,
+        completion,
+        hover,
+        toggle_comments,
+        expand_selection,
+        match_brackets,
+        jump_forward,
+        jump_backward,
+        window_mode,
+        rotate_view,
+        hsplit,
+        vsplit,
+        wclose,
+        select_register,
+        space_mode,
+        view_mode,
+        left_bracket_mode,
+        right_bracket_mode
+    );
+}
+
+fn move_char_left(cx: &mut Context) {
     let count = cx.count();
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let text = doc.text().slice(..);
@@ -147,7 +283,7 @@ pub fn move_char_left(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.set_selection(view.id, selection);
 }
 
-pub fn move_char_right(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn move_char_right(cx: &mut Context) {
     let count = cx.count();
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let text = doc.text().slice(..);
@@ -157,7 +293,7 @@ pub fn move_char_right(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.set_selection(view.id, selection);
 }
 
-pub fn move_line_up(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn move_line_up(cx: &mut Context) {
     let count = cx.count();
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let text = doc.text().slice(..);
@@ -167,7 +303,7 @@ pub fn move_line_up(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.set_selection(view.id, selection);
 }
 
-pub fn move_line_down(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn move_line_down(cx: &mut Context) {
     let count = cx.count();
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let text = doc.text().slice(..);
@@ -177,7 +313,7 @@ pub fn move_line_down(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.set_selection(view.id, selection);
 }
 
-pub fn move_line_end(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn move_line_end(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
 
     let selection = doc.selection(view.id).transform(|range| {
@@ -193,7 +329,7 @@ pub fn move_line_end(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.set_selection(view.id, selection);
 }
 
-pub fn move_line_start(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn move_line_start(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
 
     let selection = doc.selection(view.id).transform(|range| {
@@ -208,7 +344,7 @@ pub fn move_line_start(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.set_selection(view.id, selection);
 }
 
-pub fn move_first_nonwhitespace(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn move_first_nonwhitespace(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
 
     let selection = doc.selection(view.id).transform(|range| {
@@ -230,7 +366,7 @@ pub fn move_first_nonwhitespace(cx: &mut Context) {
 // Range::new(if Move { pos } if Extend { range.anchor }, pos)
 // since these all really do the same thing
 
-pub fn move_next_word_start(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn move_next_word_start(cx: &mut Context) {
     let count = cx.count();
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let text = doc.text().slice(..);
@@ -242,7 +378,7 @@ pub fn move_next_word_start(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.set_selection(view.id, selection);
 }
 
-pub fn move_prev_word_start(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn move_prev_word_start(cx: &mut Context) {
     let count = cx.count();
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let text = doc.text().slice(..);
@@ -254,7 +390,7 @@ pub fn move_prev_word_start(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.set_selection(view.id, selection);
 }
 
-pub fn move_next_word_end(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn move_next_word_end(cx: &mut Context) {
     let count = cx.count();
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let text = doc.text().slice(..);
@@ -266,13 +402,13 @@ pub fn move_next_word_end(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.set_selection(view.id, selection);
 }
 
-pub fn move_file_start(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn move_file_start(cx: &mut Context) {
     push_jump(cx.editor);
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     doc.set_selection(view.id, Selection::point(0));
 }
 
-pub fn move_file_end(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn move_file_end(cx: &mut Context) {
     push_jump(cx.editor);
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let text = doc.text();
@@ -280,7 +416,7 @@ pub fn move_file_end(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.set_selection(view.id, Selection::point(last_line));
 }
 
-pub fn extend_next_word_start(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn extend_next_word_start(cx: &mut Context) {
     let count = cx.count();
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let text = doc.text().slice(..);
@@ -294,7 +430,7 @@ pub fn extend_next_word_start(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.set_selection(view.id, selection);
 }
 
-pub fn extend_prev_word_start(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn extend_prev_word_start(cx: &mut Context) {
     let count = cx.count();
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let text = doc.text().slice(..);
@@ -307,7 +443,7 @@ pub fn extend_prev_word_start(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.set_selection(view.id, selection);
 }
 
-pub fn extend_next_word_end(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn extend_next_word_end(cx: &mut Context) {
     let count = cx.count();
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let text = doc.text().slice(..);
@@ -365,7 +501,7 @@ where
     })
 }
 
-pub fn find_till_char(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn find_till_char(cx: &mut Context) {
     find_char_impl(
         cx,
         search::find_nth_next,
@@ -374,7 +510,7 @@ pub fn find_till_char(cx: &mut Context) {
     )
 }
 
-pub fn find_next_char(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn find_next_char(cx: &mut Context) {
     find_char_impl(
         cx,
         search::find_nth_next,
@@ -383,7 +519,7 @@ pub fn find_next_char(cx: &mut Context) {
     )
 }
 
-pub fn extend_till_char(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn extend_till_char(cx: &mut Context) {
     find_char_impl(
         cx,
         search::find_nth_next,
@@ -392,7 +528,7 @@ pub fn extend_till_char(cx: &mut Context) {
     )
 }
 
-pub fn extend_next_char(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn extend_next_char(cx: &mut Context) {
     find_char_impl(
         cx,
         search::find_nth_next,
@@ -401,7 +537,7 @@ pub fn extend_next_char(cx: &mut Context) {
     )
 }
 
-pub fn till_prev_char(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn till_prev_char(cx: &mut Context) {
     find_char_impl(
         cx,
         search::find_nth_prev,
@@ -410,7 +546,7 @@ pub fn till_prev_char(cx: &mut Context) {
     )
 }
 
-pub fn find_prev_char(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn find_prev_char(cx: &mut Context) {
     find_char_impl(
         cx,
         search::find_nth_prev,
@@ -419,7 +555,7 @@ pub fn find_prev_char(cx: &mut Context) {
     )
 }
 
-pub fn extend_till_prev_char(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn extend_till_prev_char(cx: &mut Context) {
     find_char_impl(
         cx,
         search::find_nth_prev,
@@ -428,7 +564,7 @@ pub fn extend_till_prev_char(cx: &mut Context) {
     )
 }
 
-pub fn extend_prev_char(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn extend_prev_char(cx: &mut Context) {
     find_char_impl(
         cx,
         search::find_nth_prev,
@@ -437,7 +573,7 @@ pub fn extend_prev_char(cx: &mut Context) {
     )
 }
 
-pub fn extend_first_nonwhitespace(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn extend_first_nonwhitespace(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
 
     let selection = doc.selection(view.id).transform(|range| {
@@ -455,7 +591,7 @@ pub fn extend_first_nonwhitespace(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.set_selection(view.id, selection);
 }
 
-pub fn replace(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn replace(cx: &mut Context) {
     // need to wait for next key
     cx.on_next_key(move |cx, event| {
         let ch = match event {
@@ -535,31 +671,31 @@ fn scroll(cx: &mut Context, offset: usize, direction: Direction) {
     doc.set_selection(view.id, Selection::point(pos));
 }
 
-pub fn page_up(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn page_up(cx: &mut Context) {
     let view = cx.view();
     let offset = view.area.height as usize;
     scroll(cx, offset, Direction::Backward);
 }
 
-pub fn page_down(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn page_down(cx: &mut Context) {
     let view = cx.view();
     let offset = view.area.height as usize;
     scroll(cx, offset, Direction::Forward);
 }
 
-pub fn half_page_up(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn half_page_up(cx: &mut Context) {
     let view = cx.view();
     let offset = view.area.height as usize / 2;
     scroll(cx, offset, Direction::Backward);
 }
 
-pub fn half_page_down(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn half_page_down(cx: &mut Context) {
     let view = cx.view();
     let offset = view.area.height as usize / 2;
     scroll(cx, offset, Direction::Forward);
 }
 
-pub fn extend_char_left(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn extend_char_left(cx: &mut Context) {
     let count = cx.count();
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let text = doc.text().slice(..);
@@ -569,7 +705,7 @@ pub fn extend_char_left(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.set_selection(view.id, selection);
 }
 
-pub fn extend_char_right(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn extend_char_right(cx: &mut Context) {
     let count = cx.count();
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let text = doc.text().slice(..);
@@ -579,7 +715,7 @@ pub fn extend_char_right(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.set_selection(view.id, selection);
 }
 
-pub fn extend_line_up(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn extend_line_up(cx: &mut Context) {
     let count = cx.count();
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let text = doc.text().slice(..);
@@ -589,7 +725,7 @@ pub fn extend_line_up(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.set_selection(view.id, selection);
 }
 
-pub fn extend_line_down(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn extend_line_down(cx: &mut Context) {
     let count = cx.count();
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let text = doc.text().slice(..);
@@ -599,7 +735,7 @@ pub fn extend_line_down(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.set_selection(view.id, selection);
 }
 
-pub fn extend_line_end(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn extend_line_end(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
 
     let selection = doc.selection(view.id).transform(|range| {
@@ -615,7 +751,7 @@ pub fn extend_line_end(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.set_selection(view.id, selection);
 }
 
-pub fn extend_line_start(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn extend_line_start(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
 
     let selection = doc.selection(view.id).transform(|range| {
@@ -630,14 +766,14 @@ pub fn extend_line_start(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.set_selection(view.id, selection);
 }
 
-pub fn select_all(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn select_all(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
 
     let end = doc.text().len_chars().saturating_sub(1);
     doc.set_selection(view.id, Selection::single(0, end))
 }
 
-pub fn select_regex(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn select_regex(cx: &mut Context) {
     let prompt = ui::regex_prompt(cx, "select:".to_string(), move |view, doc, _, regex| {
         let text = doc.text().slice(..);
         if let Some(selection) = selection::select_on_matches(text, doc.selection(view.id), &regex)
@@ -649,7 +785,7 @@ pub fn select_regex(cx: &mut Context) {
     cx.push_layer(Box::new(prompt));
 }
 
-pub fn split_selection(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn split_selection(cx: &mut Context) {
     let prompt = ui::regex_prompt(cx, "split:".to_string(), move |view, doc, _, regex| {
         let text = doc.text().slice(..);
         let selection = selection::split_on_matches(text, doc.selection(view.id), &regex);
@@ -659,7 +795,7 @@ pub fn split_selection(cx: &mut Context) {
     cx.push_layer(Box::new(prompt));
 }
 
-pub fn split_selection_on_newline(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn split_selection_on_newline(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let text = doc.text().slice(..);
     // only compile the regex once
@@ -711,7 +847,7 @@ fn search_impl(doc: &mut Document, view: &mut View, contents: &str, regex: &Rege
 }
 
 // TODO: use one function for search vs extend
-pub fn search(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn search(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
 
     // TODO: could probably share with select_on_matches?
@@ -733,9 +869,8 @@ pub fn search(cx: &mut Context) {
 
     cx.push_layer(Box::new(prompt));
 }
-// can't search next for ""compose"" for some reason
 
-pub fn search_next_impl(cx: &mut Context, extend: bool) {
+fn search_next_impl(cx: &mut Context, extend: bool) {
     let (view, doc, registers) = cx.current_with_registers();
     if let Some(query) = registers.read('\\') {
         let query = query.first().unwrap();
@@ -745,15 +880,15 @@ pub fn search_next_impl(cx: &mut Context, extend: bool) {
     }
 }
 
-pub fn search_next(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn search_next(cx: &mut Context) {
     search_next_impl(cx, false);
 }
 
-pub fn extend_search_next(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn extend_search_next(cx: &mut Context) {
     search_next_impl(cx, true);
 }
 
-pub fn search_selection(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn search_selection(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let contents = doc.text().slice(..);
     let query = doc.selection(view.id).primary().fragment(contents);
@@ -768,7 +903,7 @@ pub fn search_selection(cx: &mut Context) {
 
 //
 
-pub fn select_line(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn select_line(cx: &mut Context) {
     let count = cx.count();
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
 
@@ -783,7 +918,7 @@ pub fn select_line(cx: &mut Context) {
 
     doc.set_selection(view.id, Selection::single(start, end));
 }
-pub fn extend_line(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn extend_line(cx: &mut Context) {
     let count = cx.count();
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
 
@@ -825,7 +960,7 @@ fn delete_selection_impl(reg: &mut Register, doc: &mut Document, view_id: ViewId
     doc.apply(&transaction, view_id);
 }
 
-pub fn delete_selection(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn delete_selection(cx: &mut Context) {
     let reg_name = cx.selected_register.name();
     let (view, doc, registers) = cx.current_with_registers();
     let reg = registers.get_or_insert(reg_name);
@@ -837,7 +972,7 @@ pub fn delete_selection(cx: &mut Context) {
     exit_select_mode(cx);
 }
 
-pub fn change_selection(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn change_selection(cx: &mut Context) {
     let reg_name = cx.selected_register.name();
     let (view, doc, registers) = cx.current_with_registers();
     let reg = registers.get_or_insert(reg_name);
@@ -845,7 +980,7 @@ pub fn change_selection(cx: &mut Context) {
     enter_insert_mode(doc);
 }
 
-pub fn collapse_selection(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn collapse_selection(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let selection = doc
         .selection(view.id)
@@ -854,7 +989,7 @@ pub fn collapse_selection(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.set_selection(view.id, selection);
 }
 
-pub fn flip_selections(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn flip_selections(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let selection = doc
         .selection(view.id)
@@ -868,7 +1003,7 @@ fn enter_insert_mode(doc: &mut Document) {
 }
 
 // inserts at the start of each selection
-pub fn insert_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn insert_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     enter_insert_mode(doc);
 
@@ -879,7 +1014,7 @@ pub fn insert_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
 }
 
 // inserts at the end of each selection
-pub fn append_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn append_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     enter_insert_mode(doc);
     doc.restore_cursor = true;
@@ -913,7 +1048,7 @@ mod cmd {
     use ui::completers::{self, Completer};
 
     #[derive(Clone)]
-    pub struct Command {
+    pub struct TypableCommand {
         pub name: &'static str,
         pub alias: Option<&'static str>,
         pub doc: &'static str,
@@ -1152,113 +1287,113 @@ mod cmd {
         quit_all_impl(editor, args, event, true)
     }
 
-    pub const COMMAND_LIST: &[Command] = &[
-        Command {
+    pub const TYPABLE_COMMAND_LIST: &[TypableCommand] = &[
+        TypableCommand {
             name: "quit",
             alias: Some("q"),
             doc: "Close the current view.",
             fun: quit,
             completer: None,
         },
-        Command {
+        TypableCommand {
             name: "quit!",
             alias: Some("q!"),
             doc: "Close the current view.",
             fun: force_quit,
             completer: None,
         },
-        Command {
+        TypableCommand {
             name: "open",
             alias: Some("o"),
             doc: "Open a file from disk into the current view.",
             fun: open,
             completer: Some(completers::filename),
         },
-        Command {
+        TypableCommand {
             name: "write",
             alias: Some("w"),
             doc: "Write changes to disk. Accepts an optional path (:write some/path.txt)",
             fun: write,
             completer: Some(completers::filename),
         },
-        Command {
+        TypableCommand {
             name: "new",
             alias: Some("n"),
             doc: "Create a new scratch buffer.",
             fun: new_file,
             completer: Some(completers::filename),
         },
-        Command {
+        TypableCommand {
             name: "format",
             alias: Some("fmt"),
             doc: "Format the file using a formatter.",
             fun: format,
             completer: None,
         },
-        Command {
+        TypableCommand {
             name: "indent-style",
             alias: None,
             doc: "Set the indentation style for editing. ('t' for tabs or 1-8 for number of spaces.)",
             fun: set_indent_style,
             completer: None,
         },
-        Command {
+        TypableCommand {
             name: "earlier",
             alias: Some("ear"),
             doc: "Jump back to an earlier point in edit history. Accepts a number of steps or a time span.",
             fun: earlier,
             completer: None,
         },
-        Command {
+        TypableCommand {
             name: "later",
             alias: Some("lat"),
             doc: "Jump to a later point in edit history. Accepts a number of steps or a time span.",
             fun: later,
             completer: None,
         },
-        Command {
+        TypableCommand {
             name: "write-quit",
             alias: Some("wq"),
             doc: "Writes changes to disk and closes the current view. Accepts an optional path (:wq some/path.txt)",
             fun: write_quit,
             completer: Some(completers::filename),
         },
-        Command {
+        TypableCommand {
             name: "write-quit!",
             alias: Some("wq!"),
             doc: "Writes changes to disk and closes the current view forcefully. Accepts an optional path (:wq! some/path.txt)",
             fun: force_write_quit,
             completer: Some(completers::filename),
         },
-        Command {
+        TypableCommand {
             name: "write-all",
             alias: Some("wa"),
             doc: "Writes changes from all views to disk.",
             fun: write_all,
             completer: None,
         },
-        Command {
+        TypableCommand {
             name: "write-quit-all",
             alias: Some("wqa"),
             doc: "Writes changes from all views to disk and close all views.",
             fun: write_all_quit,
             completer: None,
         },
-        Command {
+        TypableCommand {
             name: "write-quit-all!",
             alias: Some("wqa!"),
             doc: "Writes changes from all views to disk and close all views forcefully (ignoring unsaved changes).",
             fun: force_write_all_quit,
             completer: None,
         },
-        Command {
+        TypableCommand {
             name: "quit-all",
             alias: Some("qa"),
             doc: "Close all views.",
             fun: quit_all,
             completer: None,
         },
-        Command {
+        TypableCommand {
             name: "quit-all!",
             alias: Some("qa!"),
             doc: "Close all views forcefully (ignoring unsaved changes).",
@@ -1268,10 +1403,10 @@ mod cmd {
 
     ];
 
-    pub static COMMANDS: Lazy<HashMap<&'static str, &'static Command>> = Lazy::new(|| {
+    pub static COMMANDS: Lazy<HashMap<&'static str, &'static TypableCommand>> = Lazy::new(|| {
         let mut map = HashMap::new();
 
-        for cmd in COMMAND_LIST {
+        for cmd in TYPABLE_COMMAND_LIST {
             map.insert(cmd.name, cmd);
             if let Some(alias) = cmd.alias {
                 map.insert(alias, cmd);
@@ -1282,7 +1417,7 @@ mod cmd {
     });
 }
 
-pub fn command_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn command_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
     // TODO: completion items should have a info section that would get displayed in
     // a popup above the prompt when items are tabbed over
 
@@ -1297,7 +1432,7 @@ pub fn command_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
             if parts.len() <= 1 {
                 use std::{borrow::Cow, ops::Range};
                 let end = 0..;
-                cmd::COMMAND_LIST
+                cmd::TYPABLE_COMMAND_LIST
                     .iter()
                     .filter(|command| command.name.contains(input))
                     .map(|command| (end.clone(), Cow::Borrowed(command.name)))
@@ -1305,7 +1440,7 @@ pub fn command_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
             } else {
                 let part = parts.last().unwrap();
 
-                if let Some(cmd::Command {
+                if let Some(cmd::TypableCommand {
                     completer: Some(completer),
                     ..
                 }) = cmd::COMMANDS.get(parts[0])
@@ -1346,7 +1481,7 @@ pub fn command_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
     prompt.doc_fn = Box::new(|input: &str| {
         let part = input.split(' ').next().unwrap_or_default();
 
-        if let Some(cmd::Command { doc, .. }) = cmd::COMMANDS.get(part) {
+        if let Some(cmd::TypableCommand { doc, .. }) = cmd::COMMANDS.get(part) {
             return Some(doc);
         }
 
@@ -1356,13 +1491,13 @@ pub fn command_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
     cx.push_layer(Box::new(prompt));
 }
 
-pub fn file_picker(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn file_picker(cx: &mut Context) {
     let root = find_root(None).unwrap_or_else(|| PathBuf::from("./"));
     let picker = ui::file_picker(root);
     cx.push_layer(Box::new(picker));
 }
 
-pub fn buffer_picker(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn buffer_picker(cx: &mut Context) {
     use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
     let current = cx.editor.view().doc;
 
@@ -1393,7 +1528,7 @@ pub fn buffer_picker(cx: &mut Context) {
     cx.push_layer(Box::new(picker));
 }
 
-pub fn symbol_picker(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn symbol_picker(cx: &mut Context) {
     fn nested_to_flat(
         list: &mut Vec<lsp::SymbolInformation>,
         file: &lsp::TextDocumentIdentifier,
@@ -1464,14 +1599,14 @@ pub fn symbol_picker(cx: &mut Context) {
 }
 
 // I inserts at the first nonwhitespace character of each line with a selection
-pub fn prepend_to_line(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn prepend_to_line(cx: &mut Context) {
     move_first_nonwhitespace(cx);
     let doc = cx.doc();
     enter_insert_mode(doc);
 }
 
 // A inserts at the end of each line with a selection
-pub fn append_to_line(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn append_to_line(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     enter_insert_mode(doc);
 
@@ -1550,16 +1685,16 @@ fn open(cx: &mut Context, open: Open) {
 }
 
 // o inserts a new line after each line with a selection
-pub fn open_below(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn open_below(cx: &mut Context) {
     open(cx, Open::Below)
 }
 
 // O inserts a new line before each line with a selection
-pub fn open_above(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn open_above(cx: &mut Context) {
     open(cx, Open::Above)
 }
 
-pub fn normal_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn normal_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
 
     doc.mode = Mode::Normal;
@@ -1597,7 +1732,7 @@ fn switch_to_last_accessed_file(cx: &mut Context) {
     }
 }
 
-pub fn goto_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn goto_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
     if let Some(count) = cx.count {
         push_jump(cx.editor);
 
@@ -1658,11 +1793,11 @@ pub fn goto_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
     })
 }
 
-pub fn select_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn select_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
     cx.doc().mode = Mode::Select;
 }
 
-pub fn exit_select_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn exit_select_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
     cx.doc().mode = Mode::Normal;
 }
 
@@ -1722,7 +1857,7 @@ fn goto_impl(
     }
 }
 
-pub fn goto_definition(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn goto_definition(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let language_server = match doc.language_server() {
         Some(language_server) => language_server,
@@ -1759,7 +1894,7 @@ pub fn goto_definition(cx: &mut Context) {
     );
 }
 
-pub fn goto_type_definition(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn goto_type_definition(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let language_server = match doc.language_server() {
         Some(language_server) => language_server,
@@ -1796,7 +1931,7 @@ pub fn goto_type_definition(cx: &mut Context) {
     );
 }
 
-pub fn goto_implementation(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn goto_implementation(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let language_server = match doc.language_server() {
         Some(language_server) => language_server,
@@ -1833,7 +1968,7 @@ pub fn goto_implementation(cx: &mut Context) {
     );
 }
 
-pub fn goto_reference(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn goto_reference(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let language_server = match doc.language_server() {
         Some(language_server) => language_server,
@@ -1871,7 +2006,7 @@ fn goto_pos(editor: &mut Editor, pos: usize) {
     align_view(doc, view, Align::Center);
 }
 
-pub fn goto_first_diag(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn goto_first_diag(cx: &mut Context) {
     let editor = &mut cx.editor;
     let (view, doc) = editor.current();
 
@@ -1885,7 +2020,7 @@ pub fn goto_first_diag(cx: &mut Context) {
     goto_pos(editor, diag);
 }
 
-pub fn goto_last_diag(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn goto_last_diag(cx: &mut Context) {
     let editor = &mut cx.editor;
     let (view, doc) = editor.current();
 
@@ -1899,7 +2034,7 @@ pub fn goto_last_diag(cx: &mut Context) {
     goto_pos(editor, diag);
 }
 
-pub fn goto_next_diag(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn goto_next_diag(cx: &mut Context) {
     let editor = &mut cx.editor;
     let (view, doc) = editor.current();
 
@@ -1920,7 +2055,7 @@ pub fn goto_next_diag(cx: &mut Context) {
     goto_pos(editor, diag);
 }
 
-pub fn goto_prev_diag(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn goto_prev_diag(cx: &mut Context) {
     let editor = &mut cx.editor;
     let (view, doc) = editor.current();
 
@@ -1942,7 +2077,7 @@ pub fn goto_prev_diag(cx: &mut Context) {
     goto_pos(editor, diag);
 }
 
-pub fn signature_help(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn signature_help(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
 
     let language_server = match doc.language_server() {
@@ -2218,19 +2353,19 @@ pub mod insert {
 // TODO: each command could simply return a Option<transaction>, then the higher level handles
 // storing it?
 
-pub fn undo(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn undo(cx: &mut Context) {
     let view_id = cx.view().id;
     cx.doc().undo(view_id);
 }
 
-pub fn redo(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn redo(cx: &mut Context) {
     let view_id = cx.view().id;
     cx.doc().redo(view_id);
 }
 
 // Yank / Paste
 
-pub fn yank(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn yank(cx: &mut Context) {
     // TODO: should selections be made end inclusive?
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let values: Vec<String> = doc
@@ -2295,7 +2430,7 @@ fn paste_impl(
     Some(transaction)
 }
 
-pub fn replace_with_yanked(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn replace_with_yanked(cx: &mut Context) {
     let reg_name = cx.selected_register.name();
     let (view, doc, registers) = cx.current_with_registers();
 
@@ -2324,7 +2459,7 @@ pub fn replace_with_yanked(cx: &mut Context) {
 // replace => replace
 // default insert
 
-pub fn paste_after(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn paste_after(cx: &mut Context) {
     let reg_name = cx.selected_register.name();
     let (view, doc, registers) = cx.current_with_registers();
 
@@ -2337,7 +2472,7 @@ pub fn paste_after(cx: &mut Context) {
     }
 }
 
-pub fn paste_before(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn paste_before(cx: &mut Context) {
     let reg_name = cx.selected_register.name();
     let (view, doc, registers) = cx.current_with_registers();
 
@@ -2367,7 +2502,7 @@ fn get_lines(doc: &Document, view_id: ViewId) -> Vec<usize> {
     lines
 }
 
-pub fn indent(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn indent(cx: &mut Context) {
     let count = cx.count();
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let lines = get_lines(doc, view.id);
@@ -2386,7 +2521,7 @@ pub fn indent(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.append_changes_to_history(view.id);
 }
 
-pub fn unindent(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn unindent(cx: &mut Context) {
     let count = cx.count();
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let lines = get_lines(doc, view.id);
@@ -2426,7 +2561,7 @@ pub fn unindent(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.append_changes_to_history(view.id);
 }
 
-pub fn format_selections(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn format_selections(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
 
     // via lsp if available
@@ -2472,7 +2607,7 @@ pub fn format_selections(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.append_changes_to_history(view.id);
 }
 
-pub fn join_selections(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn join_selections(cx: &mut Context) {
     use movement::skip_while;
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let text = doc.text();
@@ -2516,7 +2651,7 @@ pub fn join_selections(cx: &mut Context) {
     doc.append_changes_to_history(view.id);
 }
 
-pub fn keep_selections(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn keep_selections(cx: &mut Context) {
     // keep selections matching regex
     let prompt = ui::regex_prompt(cx, "keep:".to_string(), move |view, doc, _, regex| {
         let text = doc.text().slice(..);
@@ -2529,7 +2664,7 @@ pub fn keep_selections(cx: &mut Context) {
     cx.push_layer(Box::new(prompt));
 }
 
-pub fn keep_primary_selection(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn keep_primary_selection(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
 
     let range = doc.selection(view.id).primary();
@@ -2539,14 +2674,14 @@ pub fn keep_primary_selection(cx: &mut Context) {
 
 //
 
-pub fn save(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn save(cx: &mut Context) {
     // Spawns an async task to actually do the saving. This way we prevent blocking.
 
     // TODO: handle save errors somehow?
     tokio::spawn(cx.doc().save());
 }
 
-pub fn completion(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn completion(cx: &mut Context) {
     // trigger on trigger char, or if user calls it
     // (or on word char typing??)
     // after it's triggered, if response marked is_incomplete, update on every subsequent keypress
@@ -2636,7 +2771,7 @@ pub fn completion(cx: &mut Context) {
     //}
 }
 
-pub fn hover(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn hover(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
 
     let language_server = match doc.language_server() {
@@ -2686,7 +2821,7 @@ pub fn hover(cx: &mut Context) {
 }
 
 // comments
-pub fn toggle_comments(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn toggle_comments(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
     let transaction = comment::toggle_line_comments(doc.text(), doc.selection(view.id));
 
@@ -2696,7 +2831,7 @@ pub fn toggle_comments(cx: &mut Context) {
 
 // tree sitter node selection
 
-pub fn expand_selection(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn expand_selection(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
 
     if let Some(syntax) = doc.syntax() {
@@ -2706,7 +2841,7 @@ pub fn expand_selection(cx: &mut Context) {
     }
 }
 
-pub fn match_brackets(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn match_brackets(cx: &mut Context) {
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
 
     if let Some(syntax) = doc.syntax() {
@@ -2720,7 +2855,7 @@ pub fn match_brackets(cx: &mut Context) {
 
 //
 
-pub fn jump_forward(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn jump_forward(cx: &mut Context) {
     let count = cx.count();
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
 
@@ -2734,7 +2869,7 @@ pub fn jump_forward(cx: &mut Context) {
     };
 }
 
-pub fn jump_backward(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn jump_backward(cx: &mut Context) {
     let count = cx.count();
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
 
@@ -2752,7 +2887,7 @@ pub fn jump_backward(cx: &mut Context) {
     };
 }
 
-pub fn window_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn window_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
     cx.on_next_key(move |cx, event| {
         if let KeyEvent {
             code: KeyCode::Char(ch),
@@ -2770,12 +2905,14 @@ pub fn window_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
     })
 }
 
-pub fn rotate_view(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn rotate_view(cx: &mut Context) {
     cx.editor.focus_next()
 }
 
 // split helper, clear it later
 use helix_view::editor::Action;
+
+use self::cmd::TypableCommand;
 fn split(cx: &mut Context, action: Action) {
     use helix_view::editor::Action;
     let (view, doc) = cx.current();
@@ -2791,21 +2928,21 @@ fn split(cx: &mut Context, action: Action) {
     doc.set_selection(view.id, selection);
 }
 
-pub fn hsplit(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn hsplit(cx: &mut Context) {
     split(cx, Action::HorizontalSplit);
 }
 
-pub fn vsplit(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn vsplit(cx: &mut Context) {
     split(cx, Action::VerticalSplit);
 }
 
-pub fn wclose(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn wclose(cx: &mut Context) {
     let view_id = cx.view().id;
     // close current split
     cx.editor.close(view_id, /* close_buffer */ false);
 }
 
-pub fn select_register(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn select_register(cx: &mut Context) {
     cx.on_next_key(move |cx, event| {
         if let KeyEvent {
             code: KeyCode::Char(ch),
@@ -2817,7 +2954,7 @@ pub fn select_register(cx: &mut Context) {
     })
 }
 
-pub fn space_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn space_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
     cx.on_next_key(move |cx, event| {
         if let KeyEvent {
             code: KeyCode::Char(ch),
@@ -2839,7 +2976,7 @@ pub fn space_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
     })
 }
 
-pub fn view_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn view_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
     cx.on_next_key(move |cx, event| {
         if let KeyEvent {
             code: KeyCode::Char(ch),
@@ -2882,7 +3019,7 @@ pub fn view_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
     })
 }
 
-pub fn left_bracket_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn left_bracket_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
     cx.on_next_key(move |cx, event| {
         if let KeyEvent {
             code: KeyCode::Char(ch),
@@ -2898,7 +3035,7 @@ pub fn left_bracket_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
     })
 }
 
-pub fn right_bracket_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn right_bracket_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
     cx.on_next_key(move |cx, event| {
         if let KeyEvent {
             code: KeyCode::Char(ch),
@@ -2913,3 +3050,29 @@ pub fn right_bracket_mode(cx: &mut Context) {
         }
     })
 }
+
+impl fmt::Display for Command {
+    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut std::fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> std::fmt::Result {
+        let Command(name, _) = self;
+        f.write_str(name)
+    }
+}
+
+impl std::str::FromStr for Command {
+    type Err = anyhow::Error;
+
+    fn from_str(s: &str) -> Result<Self, Self::Err> {
+        Command::COMMAND_LIST
+            .iter()
+            .copied()
+            .find(|cmd| cmd.0 == s)
+            .ok_or_else(|| anyhow!("No command named '{}'", s))
+    }
+}
+
+impl fmt::Debug for Command {
+    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut std::fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> std::fmt::Result {
+        let Command(name, _) = self;
+        f.debug_tuple("Command").field(name).finish()
+    }
+}
diff --git a/helix-term/src/config.rs b/helix-term/src/config.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..bd84e0b1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/helix-term/src/config.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+use anyhow::{Error, Result};
+use std::{collections::HashMap, str::FromStr};
+
+use serde::{de::Error as SerdeError, Deserialize, Serialize};
+
+use crate::keymap::{parse_keymaps, Keymaps};
+
+#[derive(Default)]
+pub struct Config {
+    pub keymaps: Keymaps,
+}
+
+#[derive(Serialize, Deserialize)]
+struct TomlConfig {
+    keys: Option<HashMap<String, HashMap<String, String>>>,
+}
+
+impl<'de> Deserialize<'de> for Config {
+    fn deserialize<D>(deserializer: D) -> Result<Self, D::Error>
+    where
+        D: serde::Deserializer<'de>,
+    {
+        let config = TomlConfig::deserialize(deserializer)?;
+        Ok(Self {
+            keymaps: config
+                .keys
+                .map(|r| parse_keymaps(&r))
+                .transpose()
+                .map_err(|e| D::Error::custom(format!("Error deserializing keymap: {}", e)))?
+                .unwrap_or_else(Keymaps::default),
+        })
+    }
+}
diff --git a/helix-term/src/keymap.rs b/helix-term/src/keymap.rs
index 1402d29d..a2fdbdd1 100644
--- a/helix-term/src/keymap.rs
+++ b/helix-term/src/keymap.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,14 @@
-use crate::commands::{self, Command};
+use crate::commands;
+pub use crate::commands::Command;
+use anyhow::{anyhow, Error, Result};
 use helix_core::hashmap;
 use helix_view::document::Mode;
-use std::collections::HashMap;
+use std::{
+    collections::HashMap,
+    fmt::Display,
+    ops::{Deref, DerefMut},
+    str::FromStr,
+};
 
 // Kakoune-inspired:
 // mode = {
@@ -95,8 +102,10 @@ use std::collections::HashMap;
 // #[cfg(feature = "term")]
 pub use crossterm::event::{KeyCode, KeyEvent, KeyModifiers};
 
-pub type Keymap = HashMap<KeyEvent, Command>;
-pub type Keymaps = HashMap<Mode, Keymap>;
+#[derive(Clone, Debug)]
+pub struct Keymap(pub HashMap<KeyEvent, Command>);
+#[derive(Clone, Debug)]
+pub struct Keymaps(pub HashMap<Mode, Keymap>);
 
 #[macro_export]
 macro_rules! key {
@@ -132,188 +141,491 @@ macro_rules! alt {
     };
 }
 
-pub fn default() -> Keymaps {
-    let normal = hashmap!(
-        key!('h') => commands::move_char_left as Command,
-        key!('j') => commands::move_line_down,
-        key!('k') => commands::move_line_up,
-        key!('l') => commands::move_char_right,
-
-        key!(Left) => commands::move_char_left,
-        key!(Down) => commands::move_line_down,
-        key!(Up) => commands::move_line_up,
-        key!(Right) => commands::move_char_right,
-
-        key!('t') => commands::find_till_char,
-        key!('f') => commands::find_next_char,
-        key!('T') => commands::till_prev_char,
-        key!('F') => commands::find_prev_char,
-        // and matching set for select mode (extend)
-        //
-        key!('r') => commands::replace,
-        key!('R') => commands::replace_with_yanked,
-
-        key!(Home) => commands::move_line_start,
-        key!(End) => commands::move_line_end,
-
-        key!('w') => commands::move_next_word_start,
-        key!('b') => commands::move_prev_word_start,
-        key!('e') => commands::move_next_word_end,
-
-        key!('v') => commands::select_mode,
-        key!('g') => commands::goto_mode,
-        key!(':') => commands::command_mode,
-
-        key!('i') => commands::insert_mode,
-        key!('I') => commands::prepend_to_line,
-        key!('a') => commands::append_mode,
-        key!('A') => commands::append_to_line,
-        key!('o') => commands::open_below,
-        key!('O') => commands::open_above,
-        // [<space>  ]<space> equivalents too (add blank new line, no edit)
-
-
-        key!('d') => commands::delete_selection,
-        // TODO: also delete without yanking
-        key!('c') => commands::change_selection,
-        // TODO: also change delete without yanking
-
-        // key!('r') => commands::replace_with_char,
-
-        key!('s') => commands::select_regex,
-        alt!('s') => commands::split_selection_on_newline,
-        key!('S') => commands::split_selection,
-        key!(';') => commands::collapse_selection,
-        alt!(';') => commands::flip_selections,
-        key!('%') => commands::select_all,
-        key!('x') => commands::select_line,
-        key!('X') => commands::extend_line,
-        // or select mode X?
-        // extend_to_whole_line, crop_to_whole_line
-
-
-        key!('m') => commands::match_brackets,
-        // TODO: refactor into
-        // key!('m') => commands::select_to_matching,
-        // key!('M') => commands::back_select_to_matching,
-        // select mode extend equivalents
-
-        // key!('.') => commands::repeat_insert,
-        // repeat_select
-
-        // TODO: figure out what key to use
-        // key!('[') => commands::expand_selection, ??
-        key!('[') => commands::left_bracket_mode,
-        key!(']') => commands::right_bracket_mode,
-
-        key!('/') => commands::search,
-        // ? for search_reverse
-        key!('n') => commands::search_next,
-        key!('N') => commands::extend_search_next,
-        // N for search_prev
-        key!('*') => commands::search_selection,
-
-        key!('u') => commands::undo,
-        key!('U') => commands::redo,
-
-        key!('y') => commands::yank,
-        // yank_all
-        key!('p') => commands::paste_after,
-        // paste_all
-        key!('P') => commands::paste_before,
-
-        key!('>') => commands::indent,
-        key!('<') => commands::unindent,
-        key!('=') => commands::format_selections,
-        key!('J') => commands::join_selections,
-        // TODO: conflicts hover/doc
-        key!('K') => commands::keep_selections,
-        // TODO: and another method for inverse
-
-        // TODO: clashes with space mode
-        key!(' ') => commands::keep_primary_selection,
-
-        // key!('q') => commands::record_macro,
-        // key!('Q') => commands::replay_macro,
-
-        // ~ / apostrophe => change case
-        // & align selections
-        // _ trim selections
-
-        // C / altC = copy (repeat) selections on prev/next lines
-
-        key!(Esc) => commands::normal_mode,
-        key!(PageUp) => commands::page_up,
-        key!(PageDown) => commands::page_down,
-        ctrl!('b') => commands::page_up,
-        ctrl!('f') => commands::page_down,
-        ctrl!('u') => commands::half_page_up,
-        ctrl!('d') => commands::half_page_down,
-
-        ctrl!('w') => commands::window_mode,
-
-        // move under <space>c
-        ctrl!('c') => commands::toggle_comments,
-        key!('K') => commands::hover,
-
-        // z family for save/restore/combine from/to sels from register
-
-        // supposedly ctrl!('i') but did not work
-        key!(Tab) => commands::jump_forward,
-        ctrl!('o') => commands::jump_backward,
-        // ctrl!('s') => commands::save_selection,
-
-        key!(' ') => commands::space_mode,
-        key!('z') => commands::view_mode,
-
-        key!('"') => commands::select_register,
-    );
-    // TODO: decide whether we want normal mode to also be select mode (kakoune-like), or whether
-    // we keep this separate select mode. More keys can fit into normal mode then, but it's weird
-    // because some selection operations can now be done from normal mode, some from select mode.
-    let mut select = normal.clone();
-    select.extend(
-        hashmap!(
-            key!('h') => commands::extend_char_left as Command,
-            key!('j') => commands::extend_line_down,
-            key!('k') => commands::extend_line_up,
-            key!('l') => commands::extend_char_right,
-
-            key!(Left) => commands::extend_char_left,
-            key!(Down) => commands::extend_line_down,
-            key!(Up) => commands::extend_line_up,
-            key!(Right) => commands::extend_char_right,
-
-            key!('w') => commands::extend_next_word_start,
-            key!('b') => commands::extend_prev_word_start,
-            key!('e') => commands::extend_next_word_end,
-
-            key!('t') => commands::extend_till_char,
-            key!('f') => commands::extend_next_char,
-
-            key!('T') => commands::extend_till_prev_char,
-            key!('F') => commands::extend_prev_char,
-            key!(Home) => commands::extend_line_start,
-            key!(End) => commands::extend_line_end,
-            key!(Esc) => commands::exit_select_mode,
-        )
-        .into_iter(),
-    );
-
-    hashmap!(
-        // as long as you cast the first item, rust is able to infer the other cases
-        // TODO: select could be normal mode with some bindings merged over
-        Mode::Normal => normal,
-        Mode::Select => select,
-        Mode::Insert => hashmap!(
-            key!(Esc) => commands::normal_mode as Command,
-            key!(Backspace) => commands::insert::delete_char_backward,
-            key!(Delete) => commands::insert::delete_char_forward,
-            key!(Enter) => commands::insert::insert_newline,
-            key!(Tab) => commands::insert::insert_tab,
-
-            ctrl!('x') => commands::completion,
-            ctrl!('w') => commands::insert::delete_word_backward,
-        ),
-    )
+impl Default for Keymaps {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        let normal = Keymap(hashmap!(
+            key!('h') => Command::move_char_left,
+            key!('j') => Command::move_line_down,
+            key!('k') => Command::move_line_up,
+            key!('l') => Command::move_char_right,
+
+            key!(Left) => Command::move_char_left,
+            key!(Down) => Command::move_line_down,
+            key!(Up) => Command::move_line_up,
+            key!(Right) => Command::move_char_right,
+
+            key!('t') => Command::find_till_char,
+            key!('f') => Command::find_next_char,
+            key!('T') => Command::till_prev_char,
+            key!('F') => Command::find_prev_char,
+            // and matching set for select mode (extend)
+            //
+            key!('r') => Command::replace,
+            key!('R') => Command::replace_with_yanked,
+
+            key!(Home) => Command::move_line_start,
+            key!(End) => Command::move_line_end,
+
+            key!('w') => Command::move_next_word_start,
+            key!('b') => Command::move_prev_word_start,
+            key!('e') => Command::move_next_word_end,
+
+            key!('v') => Command::select_mode,
+            key!('g') => Command::goto_mode,
+            key!(':') => Command::command_mode,
+
+            key!('i') => Command::insert_mode,
+            key!('I') => Command::prepend_to_line,
+            key!('a') => Command::append_mode,
+            key!('A') => Command::append_to_line,
+            key!('o') => Command::open_below,
+            key!('O') => Command::open_above,
+            // [<space>  ]<space> equivalents too (add blank new line, no edit)
+
+
+            key!('d') => Command::delete_selection,
+            // TODO: also delete without yanking
+            key!('c') => Command::change_selection,
+            // TODO: also change delete without yanking
+
+            // key!('r') => Command::replace_with_char,
+
+            key!('s') => Command::select_regex,
+            alt!('s') => Command::split_selection_on_newline,
+            key!('S') => Command::split_selection,
+            key!(';') => Command::collapse_selection,
+            alt!(';') => Command::flip_selections,
+            key!('%') => Command::select_all,
+            key!('x') => Command::select_line,
+            key!('X') => Command::extend_line,
+            // or select mode X?
+            // extend_to_whole_line, crop_to_whole_line
+
+
+            key!('m') => Command::match_brackets,
+            // TODO: refactor into
+            // key!('m') => commands::select_to_matching,
+            // key!('M') => commands::back_select_to_matching,
+            // select mode extend equivalents
+
+            // key!('.') => commands::repeat_insert,
+            // repeat_select
+
+            // TODO: figure out what key to use
+            // key!('[') => Command::expand_selection, ??
+            key!('[') => Command::left_bracket_mode,
+            key!(']') => Command::right_bracket_mode,
+
+            key!('/') => Command::search,
+            // ? for search_reverse
+            key!('n') => Command::search_next,
+            key!('N') => Command::extend_search_next,
+            // N for search_prev
+            key!('*') => Command::search_selection,
+
+            key!('u') => Command::undo,
+            key!('U') => Command::redo,
+
+            key!('y') => Command::yank,
+            // yank_all
+            key!('p') => Command::paste_after,
+            // paste_all
+            key!('P') => Command::paste_before,
+
+            key!('>') => Command::indent,
+            key!('<') => Command::unindent,
+            key!('=') => Command::format_selections,
+            key!('J') => Command::join_selections,
+            // TODO: conflicts hover/doc
+            key!('K') => Command::keep_selections,
+            // TODO: and another method for inverse
+
+            // TODO: clashes with space mode
+            key!(' ') => Command::keep_primary_selection,
+
+            // key!('q') => Command::record_macro,
+            // key!('Q') => Command::replay_macro,
+
+            // ~ / apostrophe => change case
+            // & align selections
+            // _ trim selections
+
+            // C / altC = copy (repeat) selections on prev/next lines
+
+            key!(Esc) => Command::normal_mode,
+            key!(PageUp) => Command::page_up,
+            key!(PageDown) => Command::page_down,
+            ctrl!('b') => Command::page_up,
+            ctrl!('f') => Command::page_down,
+            ctrl!('u') => Command::half_page_up,
+            ctrl!('d') => Command::half_page_down,
+
+            ctrl!('w') => Command::window_mode,
+
+            // move under <space>c
+            ctrl!('c') => Command::toggle_comments,
+            key!('K') => Command::hover,
+
+            // z family for save/restore/combine from/to sels from register
+
+            // supposedly ctrl!('i') but did not work
+            key!(Tab) => Command::jump_forward,
+            ctrl!('o') => Command::jump_backward,
+            // ctrl!('s') => Command::save_selection,
+
+            key!(' ') => Command::space_mode,
+            key!('z') => Command::view_mode,
+
+            key!('"') => Command::select_register,
+        ));
+        // TODO: decide whether we want normal mode to also be select mode (kakoune-like), or whether
+        // we keep this separate select mode. More keys can fit into normal mode then, but it's weird
+        // because some selection operations can now be done from normal mode, some from select mode.
+        let mut select = normal.clone();
+        select.0.extend(
+            hashmap!(
+                key!('h') => Command::extend_char_left,
+                key!('j') => Command::extend_line_down,
+                key!('k') => Command::extend_line_up,
+                key!('l') => Command::extend_char_right,
+
+                key!(Left) => Command::extend_char_left,
+                key!(Down) => Command::extend_line_down,
+                key!(Up) => Command::extend_line_up,
+                key!(Right) => Command::extend_char_right,
+
+                key!('w') => Command::extend_next_word_start,
+                key!('b') => Command::extend_prev_word_start,
+                key!('e') => Command::extend_next_word_end,
+
+                key!('t') => Command::extend_till_char,
+                key!('f') => Command::extend_next_char,
+
+                key!('T') => Command::extend_till_prev_char,
+                key!('F') => Command::extend_prev_char,
+                key!(Home) => Command::extend_line_start,
+                key!(End) => Command::extend_line_end,
+                key!(Esc) => Command::exit_select_mode,
+            )
+            .into_iter(),
+        );
+
+        Keymaps(hashmap!(
+            // as long as you cast the first item, rust is able to infer the other cases
+            // TODO: select could be normal mode with some bindings merged over
+            Mode::Normal => normal,
+            Mode::Select => select,
+            Mode::Insert => Keymap(hashmap!(
+                key!(Esc) => Command::normal_mode as Command,
+                key!(Backspace) => Command::delete_char_backward,
+                key!(Delete) => Command::delete_char_forward,
+                key!(Enter) => Command::insert_newline,
+                key!(Tab) => Command::insert_tab,
+                ctrl!('x') => Command::completion,
+                ctrl!('w') => Command::delete_word_backward,
+            )),
+        ))
+    }
+}
+
+// Newtype wrapper over keys to allow toml serialization/parsing
+#[derive(Debug, PartialEq, PartialOrd, Clone, Copy, Hash)]
+pub struct RepresentableKeyEvent(pub KeyEvent);
+impl Display for RepresentableKeyEvent {
+    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut std::fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> std::fmt::Result {
+        let Self(key) = self;
+        f.write_fmt(format_args!(
+            "{}{}{}",
+            if key.modifiers.contains(KeyModifiers::SHIFT) {
+                "S-"
+            } else {
+                ""
+            },
+            if key.modifiers.contains(KeyModifiers::ALT) {
+                "A-"
+            } else {
+                ""
+            },
+            if key.modifiers.contains(KeyModifiers::CONTROL) {
+                "C-"
+            } else {
+                ""
+            },
+        ))?;
+        match key.code {
+            KeyCode::Backspace => f.write_str("backspace")?,
+            KeyCode::Enter => f.write_str("ret")?,
+            KeyCode::Left => f.write_str("left")?,
+            KeyCode::Right => f.write_str("right")?,
+            KeyCode::Up => f.write_str("up")?,
+            KeyCode::Down => f.write_str("down")?,
+            KeyCode::Home => f.write_str("home")?,
+            KeyCode::End => f.write_str("end")?,
+            KeyCode::PageUp => f.write_str("pageup")?,
+            KeyCode::PageDown => f.write_str("pagedown")?,
+            KeyCode::Tab => f.write_str("tab")?,
+            KeyCode::BackTab => f.write_str("backtab")?,
+            KeyCode::Delete => f.write_str("del")?,
+            KeyCode::Insert => f.write_str("ins")?,
+            KeyCode::Null => f.write_str("null")?,
+            KeyCode::Esc => f.write_str("esc")?,
+            KeyCode::Char('<') => f.write_str("lt")?,
+            KeyCode::Char('>') => f.write_str("gt")?,
+            KeyCode::Char('+') => f.write_str("plus")?,
+            KeyCode::Char('-') => f.write_str("minus")?,
+            KeyCode::Char(';') => f.write_str("semicolon")?,
+            KeyCode::Char('%') => f.write_str("percent")?,
+            KeyCode::F(i) => f.write_fmt(format_args!("F{}", i))?,
+            KeyCode::Char(c) => f.write_fmt(format_args!("{}", c))?,
+        };
+        Ok(())
+    }
+}
+
+impl FromStr for RepresentableKeyEvent {
+    type Err = Error;
+
+    fn from_str(s: &str) -> Result<Self, Self::Err> {
+        let mut tokens: Vec<_> = s.split('-').collect();
+        let code = match tokens.pop().ok_or_else(|| anyhow!("Missing key code"))? {
+            "backspace" => KeyCode::Backspace,
+            "space" => KeyCode::Char(' '),
+            "ret" => KeyCode::Enter,
+            "lt" => KeyCode::Char('<'),
+            "gt" => KeyCode::Char('>'),
+            "plus" => KeyCode::Char('+'),
+            "minus" => KeyCode::Char('-'),
+            "semicolon" => KeyCode::Char(';'),
+            "percent" => KeyCode::Char('%'),
+            "left" => KeyCode::Left,
+            "right" => KeyCode::Right,
+            "up" => KeyCode::Down,
+            "home" => KeyCode::Home,
+            "end" => KeyCode::End,
+            "pageup" => KeyCode::PageUp,
+            "pagedown" => KeyCode::PageDown,
+            "tab" => KeyCode::Tab,
+            "backtab" => KeyCode::BackTab,
+            "del" => KeyCode::Delete,
+            "ins" => KeyCode::Insert,
+            "null" => KeyCode::Null,
+            "esc" => KeyCode::Esc,
+            single if single.len() == 1 => KeyCode::Char(single.chars().next().unwrap()),
+            function if function.len() > 1 && function.starts_with('F') => {
+                let function: String = function.chars().skip(1).collect();
+                let function = str::parse::<u8>(&function)?;
+                (function > 0 && function < 13)
+                    .then(|| KeyCode::F(function))
+                    .ok_or_else(|| anyhow!("Invalid function key '{}'", function))?
+            }
+            invalid => return Err(anyhow!("Invalid key code '{}'", invalid)),
+        };
+
+        let mut modifiers = KeyModifiers::empty();
+        for token in tokens {
+            let flag = match token {
+                "S" => KeyModifiers::SHIFT,
+                "A" => KeyModifiers::ALT,
+                "C" => KeyModifiers::CONTROL,
+                _ => return Err(anyhow!("Invalid key modifier '{}-'", token)),
+            };
+
+            if modifiers.contains(flag) {
+                return Err(anyhow!("Repeated key modifier '{}-'", token));
+            }
+            modifiers.insert(flag);
+        }
+
+        Ok(RepresentableKeyEvent(KeyEvent { code, modifiers }))
+    }
+}
+
+pub fn parse_keymaps(toml_keymaps: &HashMap<String, HashMap<String, String>>) -> Result<Keymaps> {
+    let mut keymaps = Keymaps::default();
+
+    for (mode, map) in toml_keymaps {
+        let mode = Mode::from_str(&mode)?;
+        for (key, command) in map {
+            let key = str::parse::<RepresentableKeyEvent>(&key)?;
+            let command = str::parse::<Command>(&command)?;
+            keymaps.0.get_mut(&mode).unwrap().0.insert(key.0, command);
+        }
+    }
+    Ok(keymaps)
+}
+
+impl Deref for Keymap {
+    type Target = HashMap<KeyEvent, Command>;
+    fn deref(&self) -> &Self::Target {
+        &self.0
+    }
+}
+
+impl Deref for Keymaps {
+    type Target = HashMap<Mode, Keymap>;
+    fn deref(&self) -> &Self::Target {
+        &self.0
+    }
+}
+
+impl DerefMut for Keymap {
+    fn deref_mut(&mut self) -> &mut Self::Target {
+        &mut self.0
+    }
+}
+
+impl DerefMut for Keymaps {
+    fn deref_mut(&mut self) -> &mut Self::Target {
+        &mut self.0
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod test {
+    use crate::config::Config;
+
+    use super::*;
+
+    impl PartialEq for Command {
+        fn eq(&self, other: &Self) -> bool {
+            self.name() == other.name()
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parsing_keymaps_config_file() {
+        let sample_keymaps = r#"
+            [keys.insert]
+            y = "move_line_down"
+            S-C-a = "delete_selection"
+
+            [keys.normal]
+            A-F12 = "move_next_word_end"
+        "#;
+
+        let config: Config = toml::from_str(sample_keymaps).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            *config
+                .keymaps
+                .0
+                .get(&Mode::Insert)
+                .unwrap()
+                .0
+                .get(&KeyEvent {
+                    code: KeyCode::Char('y'),
+                    modifiers: KeyModifiers::NONE
+                })
+                .unwrap(),
+            Command::move_line_down
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            *config
+                .keymaps
+                .0
+                .get(&Mode::Insert)
+                .unwrap()
+                .0
+                .get(&KeyEvent {
+                    code: KeyCode::Char('a'),
+                    modifiers: KeyModifiers::SHIFT | KeyModifiers::CONTROL
+                })
+                .unwrap(),
+            Command::delete_selection
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            *config
+                .keymaps
+                .0
+                .get(&Mode::Normal)
+                .unwrap()
+                .0
+                .get(&KeyEvent {
+                    code: KeyCode::F(12),
+                    modifiers: KeyModifiers::ALT
+                })
+                .unwrap(),
+            Command::move_next_word_end
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parsing_unmodified_keys() {
+        assert_eq!(
+            str::parse::<RepresentableKeyEvent>("backspace").unwrap(),
+            RepresentableKeyEvent(KeyEvent {
+                code: KeyCode::Backspace,
+                modifiers: KeyModifiers::NONE
+            })
+        );
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            str::parse::<RepresentableKeyEvent>("left").unwrap(),
+            RepresentableKeyEvent(KeyEvent {
+                code: KeyCode::Left,
+                modifiers: KeyModifiers::NONE
+            })
+        );
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            str::parse::<RepresentableKeyEvent>(",").unwrap(),
+            RepresentableKeyEvent(KeyEvent {
+                code: KeyCode::Char(','),
+                modifiers: KeyModifiers::NONE
+            })
+        );
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            str::parse::<RepresentableKeyEvent>("w").unwrap(),
+            RepresentableKeyEvent(KeyEvent {
+                code: KeyCode::Char('w'),
+                modifiers: KeyModifiers::NONE
+            })
+        );
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            str::parse::<RepresentableKeyEvent>("F12").unwrap(),
+            RepresentableKeyEvent(KeyEvent {
+                code: KeyCode::F(12),
+                modifiers: KeyModifiers::NONE
+            })
+        );
+    }
+
+    fn parsing_modified_keys() {
+        assert_eq!(
+            str::parse::<RepresentableKeyEvent>("S-minus").unwrap(),
+            RepresentableKeyEvent(KeyEvent {
+                code: KeyCode::Char('-'),
+                modifiers: KeyModifiers::SHIFT
+            })
+        );
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            str::parse::<RepresentableKeyEvent>("C-A-S-F12").unwrap(),
+            RepresentableKeyEvent(KeyEvent {
+                code: KeyCode::F(12),
+                modifiers: KeyModifiers::SHIFT | KeyModifiers::CONTROL | KeyModifiers::ALT
+            })
+        );
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            str::parse::<RepresentableKeyEvent>("S-C-2").unwrap(),
+            RepresentableKeyEvent(KeyEvent {
+                code: KeyCode::F(2),
+                modifiers: KeyModifiers::SHIFT | KeyModifiers::CONTROL
+            })
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parsing_nonsensical_keys_fails() {
+        assert!(str::parse::<RepresentableKeyEvent>("F13").is_err());
+        assert!(str::parse::<RepresentableKeyEvent>("F0").is_err());
+        assert!(str::parse::<RepresentableKeyEvent>("aaa").is_err());
+        assert!(str::parse::<RepresentableKeyEvent>("S-S-a").is_err());
+        assert!(str::parse::<RepresentableKeyEvent>("C-A-S-C-1").is_err());
+        assert!(str::parse::<RepresentableKeyEvent>("FU").is_err());
+        assert!(str::parse::<RepresentableKeyEvent>("123").is_err());
+        assert!(str::parse::<RepresentableKeyEvent>("S--").is_err());
+    }
 }
diff --git a/helix-term/src/lib.rs b/helix-term/src/lib.rs
index 2fd40358..60190372 100644
--- a/helix-term/src/lib.rs
+++ b/helix-term/src/lib.rs
@@ -4,5 +4,6 @@ pub mod application;
 pub mod args;
 pub mod commands;
 pub mod compositor;
+pub mod config;
 pub mod keymap;
 pub mod ui;
diff --git a/helix-term/src/main.rs b/helix-term/src/main.rs
index 9d4e1c5b..ef912480 100644
--- a/helix-term/src/main.rs
+++ b/helix-term/src/main.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use helix_term::application::Application;
 use helix_term::args::Args;
-
+use helix_term::config::Config;
 use std::path::PathBuf;
 
 use anyhow::{Context, Result};
@@ -89,10 +89,17 @@ FLAGS:
         std::fs::create_dir_all(&conf_dir).ok();
     }
 
+    let config = std::fs::read_to_string(conf_dir.join("config.toml"))
+        .ok()
+        .map(|s| toml::from_str(&s))
+        .transpose()?
+        .or_else(|| Some(Config::default()))
+        .unwrap();
+
     setup_logging(logpath, args.verbosity).context("failed to initialize logging")?;
 
     // TODO: use the thread local executor to spawn the application task separately from the work pool
-    let mut app = Application::new(args).context("unable to create new appliction")?;
+    let mut app = Application::new(args, config).context("unable to create new application")?;
     app.run().await.unwrap();
 
     Ok(())
diff --git a/helix-term/src/ui/editor.rs b/helix-term/src/ui/editor.rs
index 63b3e277..07107c9e 100644
--- a/helix-term/src/ui/editor.rs
+++ b/helix-term/src/ui/editor.rs
@@ -11,10 +11,7 @@ use helix_core::{
     syntax::{self, HighlightEvent},
     Position, Range,
 };
-use helix_view::{
-    document::{IndentStyle, Mode},
-    Document, Editor, Theme, View,
-};
+use helix_view::{document::Mode, Document, Editor, Theme, View};
 use std::borrow::Cow;
 
 use crossterm::{
@@ -30,7 +27,7 @@ use tui::{
 };
 
 pub struct EditorView {
-    keymap: Keymaps,
+    keymaps: Keymaps,
     on_next_key: Option<Box<dyn FnOnce(&mut commands::Context, KeyEvent)>>,
     last_insert: (commands::Command, Vec<KeyEvent>),
     completion: Option<Completion>,
@@ -40,16 +37,16 @@ const OFFSET: u16 = 7; // 1 diagnostic + 5 linenr + 1 gutter
 
 impl Default for EditorView {
     fn default() -> Self {
-        Self::new()
+        Self::new(Keymaps::default())
     }
 }
 
 impl EditorView {
-    pub fn new() -> Self {
+    pub fn new(keymaps: Keymaps) -> Self {
         Self {
-            keymap: keymap::default(),
+            keymaps,
             on_next_key: None,
-            last_insert: (commands::normal_mode, Vec::new()),
+            last_insert: (commands::Command::normal_mode, Vec::new()),
             completion: None,
         }
     }
@@ -546,8 +543,8 @@ impl EditorView {
     }
 
     fn insert_mode(&self, cx: &mut commands::Context, event: KeyEvent) {
-        if let Some(command) = self.keymap[&Mode::Insert].get(&event) {
-            command(cx);
+        if let Some(command) = self.keymaps[&Mode::Insert].get(&event) {
+            command.execute(cx);
         } else if let KeyEvent {
             code: KeyCode::Char(ch),
             ..
@@ -568,7 +565,7 @@ impl EditorView {
             // special handling for repeat operator
             key!('.') => {
                 // first execute whatever put us into insert mode
-                (self.last_insert.0)(cxt);
+                self.last_insert.0.execute(cxt);
                 // then replay the inputs
                 for key in &self.last_insert.1 {
                     self.insert_mode(cxt, *key)
@@ -584,8 +581,8 @@ impl EditorView {
                 // set the register
                 cxt.selected_register = cxt.editor.selected_register.take();
 
-                if let Some(command) = self.keymap[&mode].get(&event) {
-                    command(cxt);
+                if let Some(command) = self.keymaps[&mode].get(&event) {
+                    command.execute(cxt);
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -699,7 +696,7 @@ impl Component for EditorView {
                         // how we entered insert mode is important, and we should track that so
                         // we can repeat the side effect.
 
-                        self.last_insert.0 = self.keymap[&mode][&key];
+                        self.last_insert.0 = self.keymaps[&mode][&key];
                         self.last_insert.1.clear();
                     }
                     (Mode::Insert, Mode::Normal) => {
diff --git a/helix-view/src/document.rs b/helix-view/src/document.rs
index a1c4b407..254e01b0 100644
--- a/helix-view/src/document.rs
+++ b/helix-view/src/document.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
-use anyhow::{Context, Error};
+use anyhow::{anyhow, Context, Error};
 use std::cell::Cell;
+use std::fmt::Display;
 use std::future::Future;
 use std::path::{Component, Path, PathBuf};
+use std::str::FromStr;
 use std::sync::Arc;
 
 use helix_core::{
@@ -86,6 +88,29 @@ impl fmt::Debug for Document {
     }
 }
 
+impl Display for Mode {
+    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
+        match self {
+            Mode::Normal => f.write_str("normal"),
+            Mode::Select => f.write_str("select"),
+            Mode::Insert => f.write_str("insert"),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl FromStr for Mode {
+    type Err = Error;
+
+    fn from_str(s: &str) -> Result<Self, Self::Err> {
+        match s {
+            "normal" => Ok(Mode::Normal),
+            "select" => Ok(Mode::Select),
+            "insert" => Ok(Mode::Insert),
+            _ => Err(anyhow!("Invalid mode '{}'", s)),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /// Like std::mem::replace() except it allows the replacement value to be mapped from the
 /// original value.
 fn take_with<T, F>(mut_ref: &mut T, closure: F)