# Keymap - [Normal mode](#normal-mode) - [Movement](#movement) - [Changes](#changes) - [Shell](#shell) - [Selection manipulation](#selection-manipulation) - [Search](#search) - [Minor modes](#minor-modes) - [View mode](#view-mode) - [Goto mode](#goto-mode) - [Match mode](#match-mode) - [Window mode](#window-mode) - [Space mode](#space-mode) - [Popup](#popup) - [Unimpaired](#unimpaired) - [Insert mode](#insert-mode) - [Select / extend mode](#select--extend-mode) - [Picker](#picker) - [Prompt](#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 `` | `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` | | `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` | | `"` `` | 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 `"`. | 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--extend-mode) | `select_mode` | | `g` | Enter [goto mode](#goto-mode) | N/A | | `m` | Enter [match mode](#match-mode) | N/A | | `:` | Enter command mode | `command_mode` | | `z` | Enter [view mode](#view-mode) | N/A | | `Z` | Enter sticky [view mode](#view-mode) | N/A | | `Ctrl-w` | Enter [window mode](#window-mode) | N/A | | `Space` | Enter [space mode](#space-mode) | N/A | These modes (except command mode) can be configured by [remapping keys](https://docs.helix-editor.com/remapping.html#minor-modes). #### View mode Accessed by typing `z` in [normal mode](#normal-mode). 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](#normal-mode). Jumps to various locations. | Key | Description | Command | | ----- | ----------- | ------- | | `g` | Go to line number `` 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](#normal-mode). See the relevant section in [Usage](./usage.md) for an explanation about [surround](./usage.md#surround) and [textobject](./usage.md#navigating-using-tree-sitter-textobjects) usage. | Key | Description | Command | | ----- | ----------- | ------- | | `m` | Goto matching bracket (**TS**) | `match_brackets` | | `s` `` | Surround current selection with `` | `surround_add` | | `r` `` | Replace surround character `` with `` | `surround_replace` | | `d` `` | Delete surround character `` | `surround_delete` | | `a` `` | Select around textobject | `select_textobject_around` | | `i` `` | 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](#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](#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](#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](#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. ##### Popup 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](https://github.com/tpope/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](#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. ```toml [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](#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.