Keymap

Normal mode +
- Movement
- Changes +
  - Shell
  +
- Selection manipulation
- Search
- Minor modes +
  - View mode
  - Goto mode
  - Match mode
  - Window mode
  - Space mode +
    - Popup
    +
  - Unimpaired
  +
+
Insert mode
Select / extend mode
Picker
Prompt

+
💡 Mappings marked (LSP) require an active language server for the file.
+

+
💡 Mappings marked (TS) require a tree-sitter grammar for the file type.
+

Normal mode

Normal mode is the default mode when you launch helix. Return to it from other modes by typing Escape.

Movement

+
NOTE: Unlike Vim, f, F, t and T are not confined to the current line.
+

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Key	Description	Command
`h`, `Left`	Move left	`move_char_left`
`j`, `Down`	Move down	`move_visual_line_down`
`k`, `Up`	Move up	`move_visual_line_up`
`l`, `Right`	Move right	`move_char_right`
`w`	Move next word start	`move_next_word_start`
`b`	Move previous word start	`move_prev_word_start`
`e`	Move next word end	`move_next_word_end`
`W`	Move next WORD start	`move_next_long_word_start`
`B`	Move previous WORD start	`move_prev_long_word_start`
`E`	Move next WORD end	`move_next_long_word_end`
`t`	Find 'till next char	`find_till_char`
`f`	Find next char	`find_next_char`
`T`	Find 'till previous char	`till_prev_char`
`F`	Find previous char	`find_prev_char`
`G`	Go to line number `<n>`	`goto_line`
`Alt-.`	Repeat last motion (`f`, `t` or `m`)	`repeat_last_motion`
`Home`	Move to the start of the line	`goto_line_start`
`End`	Move to the end of the line	`goto_line_end`
`Ctrl-b`, `PageUp`	Move page up	`page_up`
`Ctrl-f`, `PageDown`	Move page down	`page_down`
`Ctrl-u`	Move half page up	`half_page_up`
`Ctrl-d`	Move half page down	`half_page_down`
`Ctrl-i`	Jump forward on the jumplist	`jump_forward`
`Ctrl-o`	Jump backward on the jumplist	`jump_backward`
`Ctrl-s`	Save the current selection to the jumplist	`save_selection`

Changes

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Key	Description	Command
`r`	Replace with a character	`replace`
`R`	Replace with yanked text	`replace_with_yanked`
`~`	Switch case of the selected text	`switch_case`
`	Set the selected text to lower case	`switch_to_lowercase`
Alt-`	Set the selected text to upper case	`switch_to_uppercase`
`i`	Insert before selection	`insert_mode`
`a`	Insert after selection (append)	`append_mode`
`I`	Insert at the start of the line	`insert_at_line_start`
`A`	Insert at the end of the line	`insert_at_line_end`
`\`	Insert digraphs	`insert_digraph`
`o`	Open new line below selection	`open_below`
`O`	Open new line above selection	`open_above`
`.`	Repeat last insert	N/A
`u`	Undo change	`undo`
`U`	Redo change	`redo`
`Alt-u`	Move backward in history	`earlier`
`Alt-U`	Move forward in history	`later`
`y`	Yank selection	`yank`
`p`	Paste after selection	`paste_after`
`P`	Paste before selection	`paste_before`
`"` `<reg>`	Select a register to yank to or paste from	`select_register`
`>`	Indent selection	`indent`
`<`	Unindent selection	`unindent`
`=`	Format selection (currently nonfunctional/disabled) (LSP)	`format_selections`
`d`	Delete selection	`delete_selection`
`Alt-d`	Delete selection, without yanking	`delete_selection_noyank`
`c`	Change selection (delete and enter insert mode)	`change_selection`
`Alt-c`	Change selection (delete and enter insert mode, without yanking)	`change_selection_noyank`
`Ctrl-a`	Increment object (number) under cursor	`increment`
`Ctrl-x`	Decrement object (number) under cursor	`decrement`
`Q`	Start/stop macro recording to the selected register (experimental)	`record_macro`
`q`	Play back a recorded macro from the selected register (experimental)	`replay_macro`

Shell

+ + + + + +

Key	Description	Command
`\|`	Pipe each selection through shell command, replacing with output	`shell_pipe`
`Alt-\|`	Pipe each selection into shell command, ignoring output	`shell_pipe_to`
`!`	Run shell command, inserting output before each selection	`shell_insert_output`
`Alt-!`	Run shell command, appending output after each selection	`shell_append_output`
`$`	Pipe each selection into shell command, keep selections where command returned 0	`shell_keep_pipe`

Selection manipulation

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Key	Description	Command
`s`	Select all regex matches inside selections	`select_regex`
`S`	Split selection into sub selections on regex matches	`split_selection`
`Alt-s`	Split selection on newlines	`split_selection_on_newline`
`Alt-minus`	Merge selections	`merge_selections`
`Alt-_`	Merge consecutive selections	`merge_consecutive_selections`
`&`	Align selection in columns	`align_selections`
`_`	Trim whitespace from the selection	`trim_selections`
`;`	Collapse selection onto a single cursor	`collapse_selection`
`Alt-;`	Flip selection cursor and anchor	`flip_selections`
`Alt-:`	Ensures the selection is in forward direction	`ensure_selections_forward`
`,`	Keep only the primary selection	`keep_primary_selection`
`Alt-,`	Remove the primary selection	`remove_primary_selection`
`C`	Copy selection onto the next line (Add cursor below)	`copy_selection_on_next_line`
`Alt-C`	Copy selection onto the previous line (Add cursor above)	`copy_selection_on_prev_line`
`(`	Rotate main selection backward	`rotate_selections_backward`
`)`	Rotate main selection forward	`rotate_selections_forward`
`Alt-(`	Rotate selection contents backward	`rotate_selection_contents_backward`
`Alt-)`	Rotate selection contents forward	`rotate_selection_contents_forward`
`%`	Select entire file	`select_all`
`x`	Select current line, if already selected, extend to next line	`extend_line_below`
`X`	Extend selection to line bounds (line-wise selection)	`extend_to_line_bounds`
`Alt-x`	Shrink selection to line bounds (line-wise selection)	`shrink_to_line_bounds`
`J`	Join lines inside selection	`join_selections`
`Alt-J`	Join lines inside selection and select the inserted space	`join_selections_space`
`K`	Keep selections matching the regex	`keep_selections`
`Alt-K`	Remove selections matching the regex	`remove_selections`
`Ctrl-c`	Comment/uncomment the selections	`toggle_comments`
`Alt-o`, `Alt-up`	Expand selection to parent syntax node (TS)	`expand_selection`
`Alt-i`, `Alt-down`	Shrink syntax tree object selection (TS)	`shrink_selection`
`Alt-p`, `Alt-left`	Select previous sibling node in syntax tree (TS)	`select_prev_sibling`
`Alt-n`, `Alt-right`	Select next sibling node in syntax tree (TS)	`select_next_sibling`

Search

Search commands all operate on the / register by default. To use a different register, use "<char>.

+ + + + + +

Key	Description	Command
`/`	Search for regex pattern	`search`
`?`	Search for previous pattern	`rsearch`
`n`	Select next search match	`search_next`
`N`	Select previous search match	`search_prev`
`*`	Use current selection as the search pattern	`search_selection`

Minor modes

These sub-modes are accessible from normal mode and typically switch back to normal mode after a command.

+ + + + + + + + +

Key	Description	Command
`v`	Enter select (extend) mode	`select_mode`
`g`	Enter goto mode	N/A
`m`	Enter match mode	N/A
`:`	Enter command mode	`command_mode`
`z`	Enter view mode	N/A
`Z`	Enter sticky view mode	N/A
`Ctrl-w`	Enter window mode	N/A
`Space`	Enter space mode	N/A

These modes (except command mode) can be configured by +remapping keys.

View mode is intended for scrolling and manipulating the view without changing +the selection. The "sticky" variant of this mode (accessed by typing Z in +normal mode) is persistent and can be exited using the escape key. This is +useful when you're simply looking over text and not actively editing it.

+ + + + + + + + + + +

Key	Description	Command
`z`, `c`	Vertically center the line	`align_view_center`
`t`	Align the line to the top of the screen	`align_view_top`
`b`	Align the line to the bottom of the screen	`align_view_bottom`
`m`	Align the line to the middle of the screen (horizontally)	`align_view_middle`
`j`, `down`	Scroll the view downwards	`scroll_down`
`k`, `up`	Scroll the view upwards	`scroll_up`
`Ctrl-f`, `PageDown`	Move page down	`page_down`
`Ctrl-b`, `PageUp`	Move page up	`page_up`
`Ctrl-d`	Move half page down	`half_page_down`
`Ctrl-u`	Move half page up	`half_page_up`

Goto mode

Accessed by typing g in normal mode.

Jumps to various locations.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Key	Description	Command
`g`	Go to line number `<n>` else start of file	`goto_file_start`
`e`	Go to the end of the file	`goto_last_line`
`f`	Go to files in the selection	`goto_file`
`h`	Go to the start of the line	`goto_line_start`
`l`	Go to the end of the line	`goto_line_end`
`s`	Go to first non-whitespace character of the line	`goto_first_nonwhitespace`
`t`	Go to the top of the screen	`goto_window_top`
`c`	Go to the middle of the screen	`goto_window_center`
`b`	Go to the bottom of the screen	`goto_window_bottom`
`d`	Go to definition (LSP)	`goto_definition`
`y`	Go to type definition (LSP)	`goto_type_definition`
`r`	Go to references (LSP)	`goto_reference`
`i`	Go to implementation (LSP)	`goto_implementation`
`a`	Go to the last accessed/alternate file	`goto_last_accessed_file`
`m`	Go to the last modified/alternate file	`goto_last_modified_file`
`n`	Go to next buffer	`goto_next_buffer`
`p`	Go to previous buffer	`goto_previous_buffer`
`.`	Go to last modification in current file	`goto_last_modification`
`j`	Move down textual (instead of visual) line	`move_line_down`
`k`	Move up textual (instead of visual) line	`move_line_up`

Match mode

Accessed by typing m in normal mode.

See the relevant section in Usage for an explanation about +surround and textobject usage.

+ + + + + + +

Key	Description	Command
`m`	Goto matching bracket (TS)	`match_brackets`
`s` `<char>`	Surround current selection with `<char>`	`surround_add`
`r` `<from><to>`	Replace surround character `<from>` with `<to>`	`surround_replace`
`d` `<char>`	Delete surround character `<char>`	`surround_delete`
`a` `<object>`	Select around textobject	`select_textobject_around`
`i` `<object>`	Select inside textobject	`select_textobject_inner`

TODO: Mappings for selecting syntax nodes (a superset of [).

Window mode

Accessed by typing Ctrl-w in normal mode.

This layer is similar to Vim keybindings as Kakoune does not support windows.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Key	Description	Command
`w`, `Ctrl-w`	Switch to next window	`rotate_view`
`v`, `Ctrl-v`	Vertical right split	`vsplit`
`s`, `Ctrl-s`	Horizontal bottom split	`hsplit`
`f`	Go to files in the selection in horizontal splits	`goto_file`
`F`	Go to files in the selection in vertical splits	`goto_file`
`h`, `Ctrl-h`, `Left`	Move to left split	`jump_view_left`
`j`, `Ctrl-j`, `Down`	Move to split below	`jump_view_down`
`k`, `Ctrl-k`, `Up`	Move to split above	`jump_view_up`
`l`, `Ctrl-l`, `Right`	Move to right split	`jump_view_right`
`q`, `Ctrl-q`	Close current window	`wclose`
`o`, `Ctrl-o`	Only keep the current window, closing all the others	`wonly`
`H`	Swap window to the left	`swap_view_left`
`J`	Swap window downwards	`swap_view_down`
`K`	Swap window upwards	`swap_view_up`
`L`	Swap window to the right	`swap_view_right`

Space mode

Accessed by typing Space in normal mode.

This layer is a kludge of mappings, mostly pickers.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Key	Description	Command
`f`	Open file picker	`file_picker`
`F`	Open file picker at current working directory	`file_picker_in_current_directory`
`b`	Open buffer picker	`buffer_picker`
`j`	Open jumplist picker	`jumplist_picker`
`g`	Debug (experimental)	N/A
`k`	Show documentation for item under cursor in a popup (LSP)	`hover`
`s`	Open document symbol picker (LSP)	`symbol_picker`
`S`	Open workspace symbol picker (LSP)	`workspace_symbol_picker`
`d`	Open document diagnostics picker (LSP)	`diagnostics_picker`
`D`	Open workspace diagnostics picker (LSP)	`workspace_diagnostics_picker`
`r`	Rename symbol (LSP)	`rename_symbol`
`a`	Apply code action (LSP)	`code_action`
`h`	Select symbol references (LSP)	`select_references_to_symbol_under_cursor`
`'`	Open last fuzzy picker	`last_picker`
`w`	Enter window mode	N/A
`p`	Paste system clipboard after selections	`paste_clipboard_after`
`P`	Paste system clipboard before selections	`paste_clipboard_before`
`y`	Yank selections to clipboard	`yank_to_clipboard`
`Y`	Yank main selection to clipboard	`yank_main_selection_to_clipboard`
`R`	Replace selections by clipboard contents	`replace_selections_with_clipboard`
`/`	Global search in workspace folder	`global_search`
`?`	Open command palette	`command_palette`
`e`	Reveal current file in explorer	`reveal_current_file`

+
💡 Global search displays results in a fuzzy picker, use Space + ' to bring it back up after opening a file.
+

+ +

Displays documentation for item under cursor.

+ + +

Key	Description
`Ctrl-u`	Scroll up
`Ctrl-d`	Scroll down

Unimpaired

These mappings are in the style of vim-unimpaired.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Key	Description	Command
`]d`	Go to next diagnostic (LSP)	`goto_next_diag`
`[d`	Go to previous diagnostic (LSP)	`goto_prev_diag`
`]D`	Go to last diagnostic in document (LSP)	`goto_last_diag`
`[D`	Go to first diagnostic in document (LSP)	`goto_first_diag`
`]f`	Go to next function (TS)	`goto_next_function`
`[f`	Go to previous function (TS)	`goto_prev_function`
`]t`	Go to next type definition (TS)	`goto_next_class`
`[t`	Go to previous type definition (TS)	`goto_prev_class`
`]a`	Go to next argument/parameter (TS)	`goto_next_parameter`
`[a`	Go to previous argument/parameter (TS)	`goto_prev_parameter`
`]c`	Go to next comment (TS)	`goto_next_comment`
`[c`	Go to previous comment (TS)	`goto_prev_comment`
`]T`	Go to next test (TS)	`goto_next_test`
`[T`	Go to previous test (TS)	`goto_prev_test`
`]p`	Go to next paragraph	`goto_next_paragraph`
`[p`	Go to previous paragraph	`goto_prev_paragraph`
`]g`	Go to next change	`goto_next_change`
`[g`	Go to previous change	`goto_prev_change`
`]G`	Go to last change	`goto_last_change`
`[G`	Go to first change	`goto_first_change`
`]Space`	Add newline below	`add_newline_below`
`[Space`	Add newline above	`add_newline_above`

Insert mode

Accessed by typing i in normal mode.

Insert mode bindings are minimal by default. Helix is designed to +be a modal editor, and this is reflected in the user experience and internal +mechanics. Changes to the text are only saved for undos when +escaping from insert mode to normal mode.

+
💡 New users are strongly encouraged to learn the modal editing paradigm +to get the smoothest experience.
+

+ + + + + + + + + + + +

Key	Description	Command
`Escape`	Switch to normal mode	`normal_mode`
`Ctrl-s`	Commit undo checkpoint	`commit_undo_checkpoint`
`Ctrl-x`	Autocomplete	`completion`
`Ctrl-r`	Insert a register content	`insert_register`
`Ctrl-w`, `Alt-Backspace`	Delete previous word	`delete_word_backward`
`Alt-d`, `Alt-Delete`	Delete next word	`delete_word_forward`
`Ctrl-u`	Delete to start of line	`kill_to_line_start`
`Ctrl-k`	Delete to end of line	`kill_to_line_end`
`Ctrl-h`, `Backspace`, `Shift-Backspace`	Delete previous char	`delete_char_backward`
`Ctrl-d`, `Delete`	Delete next char	`delete_char_forward`
`Ctrl-j`, `Enter`	Insert new line	`insert_newline`

These keys are not recommended, but are included for new users less familiar +with modal editors.

+ + + + + + + + +

Key	Description	Command
`Up`	Move to previous line	`move_line_up`
`Down`	Move to next line	`move_line_down`
`Left`	Backward a char	`move_char_left`
`Right`	Forward a char	`move_char_right`
`PageUp`	Move one page up	`page_up`
`PageDown`	Move one page down	`page_down`
`Home`	Move to line start	`goto_line_start`
`End`	Move to line end	`goto_line_end_newline`

As you become more comfortable with modal editing, you may want to disable some +insert mode bindings. You can do this by editing your config.toml file.

[keys.insert]
+up = "no_op"
+down = "no_op"
+left = "no_op"
+right = "no_op"
+pageup = "no_op"
+pagedown = "no_op"
+home = "no_op"
+end = "no_op"
+

Select / extend mode

Accessed by typing v in normal mode.

Select mode echoes Normal mode, but changes any movements to extend +selections rather than replace them. Goto motions are also changed to +extend, so that vgl, for example, extends the selection to the end of +the line.

Search is also affected. By default, n and N will remove the current +selection and select the next instance of the search term. Toggling this +mode before pressing n or N makes it possible to keep the current +selection. Toggling it on and off during your iterative searching allows +you to selectively add search terms to your selections.

Picker

Keys to use within picker. Remapping currently not supported.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + +

Key	Description
`Shift-Tab`, `Up`, `Ctrl-p`	Previous entry
`Tab`, `Down`, `Ctrl-n`	Next entry
`PageUp`, `Ctrl-u`	Page up
`PageDown`, `Ctrl-d`	Page down
`Home`	Go to first entry
`End`	Go to last entry
`Enter`	Open selected
`Alt-Enter`	Open selected in the background without closing the picker
`Ctrl-s`	Open horizontally
`Ctrl-v`	Open vertically
`Ctrl-t`	Toggle preview
`Escape`, `Ctrl-c`	Close picker

Prompt

Keys to use within prompt, Remapping currently not supported.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Key	Description
`Escape`, `Ctrl-c`	Close prompt
`Alt-b`, `Ctrl-Left`	Backward a word
`Ctrl-b`, `Left`	Backward a char
`Alt-f`, `Ctrl-Right`	Forward a word
`Ctrl-f`, `Right`	Forward a char
`Ctrl-e`, `End`	Move prompt end
`Ctrl-a`, `Home`	Move prompt start
`Ctrl-w`, `Alt-Backspace`, `Ctrl-Backspace`	Delete previous word
`Alt-d`, `Alt-Delete`, `Ctrl-Delete`	Delete next word
`Ctrl-u`	Delete to start of line
`Ctrl-k`	Delete to end of line
`Backspace`, `Ctrl-h`, `Shift-Backspace`	Delete previous char
`Delete`, `Ctrl-d`	Delete next char
`Ctrl-s`	Insert a word under doc cursor, may be changed to Ctrl-r Ctrl-w later
`Ctrl-p`, `Up`	Select previous history
`Ctrl-n`, `Down`	Select next history
`Ctrl-r`	Insert the content of the register selected by following input char
`Tab`	Select next completion item
`BackTab`	Select previous completion item
`Enter`	Open selected

File explorer

Press ? to see keymaps. Remapping currently not supported.

+ +