Entered a mode in Neovim (nvim) where every key press is interpreted as a command

Question

I'm new to Mac and nvim, I had to switch for my current role and am using nvim to setup my mac.

I don't know what I did but now every key press is a command and can't type it all. I've tried restarting the terminal reinstalling nvim everything but I can't escape my current mode.

For instance just tapping the "U" key does the "undo" command. SO each key is now just doing a command and I don't know how to reset it.

How do I go back to just being able to type, please help I know it's noob question but I've been using a Windows machine for my entire life and now that I have to switch to a Mac all of a sudden I feel completely out of my element.

This is what my nvim looks like right now

Unlike most editors, you can't just jump into using a vi-type editor, you very much need an introduction. There are a lot of tutorials on line. — John Bayko
– John Bayko, Commented Jan 2 at 17:45
Although I love vim and my Mac, what requires you to use vim on a Mac? Can you use a different text editor? Maybe you can use the same text editor you used from Windows? — Magnie Mozios
– Magnie Mozios, Commented Jan 2 at 17:51
It's a requirement in my new job because the devs I work with are very particular. Switching to a mac for instance was required to accept the job. I've never used a Mac for development before so it's a high learning curve for me — DukeOfDoors
– DukeOfDoors, Commented Jan 2 at 21:27
@DukeOfDoors I get the Mac part (my first developer job required me to use a Mac as well when I was used to a Windows/Linux machine), but vim isn't required to use a Mac. However, if the developers are requiring you to use vim, that seems a little odd to me. I'd recommend using any other non-terminal-based text editor (such as VS Code or Sublime Text), and then slowly learning vim on the side if that is important to you/required of your team. I just feel like there is something missing in the communication here with your team. Well, either way, good luck in your new role and learning vim! — Magnie Mozios
– Magnie Mozios, Commented Jan 3 at 15:30

Querenker · Accepted Answer · 2025-01-02 17:37:42Z

2

In contrast to most other editors, VIM is working with different modes.

If you start VIM, it is usually in the "normal mode" (you can also see the current mode in the button left corner, where currently "normal" is displayed).

To start typing you can for example press i. This will change the mode to "insert" and will work like you probably would expect from other editors.

In general, VIM takes some time to get used to it, so if you want to use it, I would recommend starting with a tutorial first.

answered Jan 2 at 17:37

Querenker

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2 Comments

DukeOfDoors Jan 2 at 21:25

So this is expected behaviour? I'll take your advice and look up some tutorials, it's honestly a lot to take in at once because my new job requires a tech stack I'm not familiar with on an OS I've never used so I feel like a fish out of water.

Querenker Jan 3 at 20:36

Yes, that is expected. As others have already pointed out, you don't have to use VIM because you are required to work with a Mac. Most of the editors that are available for Windows can also be used on the Mac. If you are required to use a editor in the terminal (for whatever reason), there are also alternatives such as "nano" or "emacs"?

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