Nevi

A fast, Neovim-inspired terminal editor written in Rust.

Your vim muscle memory, without the configuration overhead.

Tip: To see every keybinding available in Nevi, run :Keymaps (or press <Space>fk) — a searchable list with a description for each one. See CHANGELOG.md for release notes and upgrade highlights.

Why Nevi?

The Problem: I love Neovim and Zed. Zed is an amazing editor - fast, modern, and beautiful. But it doesn't have all the vim keybinds I use daily, which stopped me from fully migrating to it. Neovim is powerful but can become slow with plugins. Helix uses Kakoune-style keybindings which require relearning muscle memory.

Nevi's Goal: A fast, native terminal editor where your existing vim/neovim muscle memory just works. No relearning keybindings, no plugin configuration overhead, no compromise on modern features like LSP and tree-sitter.

Editor	Vim Keybinds	Built-in Features	Notes
Neovim	Full	Via plugins	Powerful but plugin-dependent
Zed	Partial	Yes	Fast but vim mode incomplete
Helix	Kakoune-style	Yes	Different keybind philosophy
Nevi	In Progress	Yes	Aiming for full vim compatibility

Note: Nevi is under active development. Most common vim keybindings are implemented, with more being added regularly. See Keybindings for current status.

Features

Note: Nevi currently supports macOS and Linux from source. Homebrew is available for macOS. Linux release tarballs and distro packages are planned. Windows support is planned.

• Vim/neovim keybindings - Most common keybinds implemented, more being added regularly
• Built-in LSP - rust-analyzer, typescript-language-server, pyright, and more
• Tree-sitter syntax highlighting - Fast, accurate highlighting for Rust, Go, Ruby, PHP, TypeScript, JavaScript, Python, CSS, JSON, TOML, HTML, Markdown
• Theme selection - Multiple built-in colorschemes with easy switching
• Fuzzy file finder - Telescope-style file and content search
• Previewed project replace - Project-wide literal replace with a read-only preview and explicit apply step
• Keybinding cheatsheet - Searchable :Keymaps picker (<Space>fk) listing every binding with a description
• GitHub Copilot integration - AI-powered completions
• File explorer - Built-in tree view
• Git signs - Gutter indicators for added/modified/deleted lines
• Harpoon-style quick file switching - Pin and jump to frequently used files
• Markdown preview - Open a fast, terminal-native rendered reader with :MarkdownPreview
• External formatter support - Biome, Prettier, and other formatters
• Split windows - Vertical and horizontal splits
• Configurable via TOML - Simple, readable configuration

Installation

Homebrew (macOS)

brew install anthonyamaro15/nevi/nevi

Or tap first:

brew tap anthonyamaro15/nevi
brew install nevi

Update an existing Homebrew install after a new Nevi release:

brew update
brew upgrade nevi

If you installed with the fully qualified formula name, this also works:

brew upgrade anthonyamaro15/nevi/nevi

Verify the installed version:

nevi --version

Linux

Linux users can build from source or install directly from GitHub with Cargo.

Install system build dependencies first:

# Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y build-essential cmake pkg-config libssl-dev zlib1g-dev \
  libx11-dev libxcb1-dev libxcb-render0-dev libxcb-shape0-dev libxcb-xfixes0-dev

# Fedora
sudo dnf install -y gcc gcc-c++ make cmake pkgconf-pkg-config openssl-devel \
  zlib-devel libX11-devel libxcb-devel

# Arch
sudo pacman -S --needed base-devel cmake pkgconf openssl zlib libx11 libxcb

Then install Nevi:

cargo install --git https://github.com/anthonyamaro15/nevi

Update a Cargo-installed binary:

cargo install --git https://github.com/anthonyamaro15/nevi --force

Or build a local release binary:

git clone https://github.com/anthonyamaro15/nevi.git
cd nevi
cargo build --release
./target/release/nevi

Update a local source checkout:

git pull --ff-only
cargo build --release

Linux binary tarballs and distro packages (.deb, .rpm, AUR) are not published yet.

Requirements

Nevi currently supports macOS and Linux from source.

Required for Homebrew install on macOS:

• Homebrew. Build dependencies such as Rust are installed by the formula when needed.

Required to build from source:

• Rust toolchain with cargo
  • Minimum Rust version is 1.85
• Git, if cloning the repository with git clone
• macOS: Xcode Command Line Tools if your Rust setup prompts for native build tools
• Linux: native build packages such as build-essential, pkg-config, and OpenSSL development headers

Required at runtime after any install method:

• A terminal emulator

Verify an installed binary with:

nevi --version

Not required:

• ripgrep, grep, fd, fzf, or the tree-sitter CLI. Nevi's file finder, live grep, fuzzy matching, and syntax highlighting are built into the binary.

Optional tools unlock optional features:

Feature	Optional tool	Install hint
:LazyGit / <Space>gg	lazygit	brew install lazygit
Rust LSP	rust-analyzer	rustup component add rust-analyzer
TypeScript / JavaScript LSP	typescript-language-server and typescript	npm install -g typescript typescript-language-server
CSS / JSON / HTML LSP	vscode-langservers-extracted	npm install -g vscode-langservers-extracted
TOML LSP	taplo	cargo install taplo-cli --locked
Python LSP	pyright	npm install -g pyright
PHP LSP	PHP 8.2+ and phpactor	brew install php, then mkdir -p ~/.local/bin && curl -Lo phpactor.phar https://github.com/phpactor/phpactor/releases/latest/download/phpactor.phar && chmod +x phpactor.phar && mv phpactor.phar ~/.local/bin/phpactor
Go LSP	gopls	go install golang.org/x/tools/gopls@latest
Ruby LSP	ruby-lsp	gem install ruby-lsp
Markdown LSP	marksman	Optional and disabled by default
External formatters	Whatever formatter you configure	Examples: biome, prettier, black, gofmt
Git signs / :GitChanges	A Git repository	No external git CLI required
GitHub Copilot completions	GitHub account and network access	No local Copilot binary required

If an optional tool is missing, the rest of Nevi still works. Run :checkhealth or :Health inside Nevi to inspect config paths, keymap overrides, optional tool availability, LSP settings, formatter commands, profiling status, and common setup issues. Run :ToolInstall or :LspInstall to open a read-only install plan for missing configured LSP servers and formatters.

From Source

git clone https://github.com/anthonyamaro15/nevi.git
cd nevi
cargo build --release
./target/release/nevi

Add to PATH (optional)

cp target/release/nevi ~/.local/bin/
# or
sudo cp target/release/nevi /usr/local/bin/

Quick Start

# Open current directory
nevi .

# Open a file
nevi src/main.rs

# Open a file as a read-only terminal viewer
nevi view src/main.rs

# Pick a file path from the terminal; Enter prints the path, Esc cancels
nevi pick .

# Compare any two text files in a read-only diff view.
# Wide terminals use side-by-side output; narrow terminals use stacked changes.
nevi diff before.rs after.rs

# Open multiple files
nevi file1.rs file2.rs

Basic commands:

• :w - Save, refusing to overwrite external disk changes
• :w! - Force save and overwrite external disk changes
• :q - Quit
• :wq - Save and quit
• ZZ / :x - Save if modified and quit
• :checkhealth / :Health - Open editor health report in a read-only [health] buffer
• :ToolInstall / :LspInstall - Open missing LSP/tool install guidance in a read-only [tool-installer] buffer
• :FlightRecorder / :WhySlow - Open recent in-memory timing report in a read-only [flight-recorder] buffer
• :ConfigOpen / :config - Open your user config file
• :ConfigDefaults - View the latest built-in default config in a read-only [config-defaults] buffer
• :MarkdownPreview - Open rendered Markdown reader for .md files (j/k, Ctrl-d/u, g/G, q)
• :ProjectReplace/{pattern}/{replacement}/g - Preview project-wide literal replace
• :ProjectReplaceApply - Apply the last project replace preview
• :Jump - Labeled jump to visible text
• <Space>ff - Find files
• <Space>fg - Live grep
• <Space>fl - Find lines in current buffer
• <Space>j - Labeled jump to visible text
• <Space>gc - Git changes picker
• <Space>e - File explorer
• <Space>tt - Terminal picker
• <Space>tn / <Space>tj / <Space>tk - New / next / previous terminal session
• <Space>tr - Rename active terminal session
• <Space>fk - Search keymaps (keybinding cheatsheet)

Configuration

Config location: ~/.config/nevi/config.toml

A template config file is created automatically on first run. Here's an example:

[editor]
tab_width = 2
format_on_save = true
relative_numbers = true
scroll_off = 8

[theme]
colorscheme = "onedark"

[terminal]
popup_width_ratio = 0.9
popup_height_ratio = 0.9

[lsp]
enabled = true

[copilot]
enabled = true

Run :ConfigOpen (or :config) to open your user config file from inside Nevi. Run :ConfigDefaults to view the latest built-in default config template in a read-only [config-defaults] buffer without changing your existing config. Existing config files stay user-owned; Nevi does not rewrite them when new defaults are added.

See the generated config file at ~/.config/nevi/config.toml for all available options with documentation.

Custom Themes

Nevi comes with 15+ built-in themes. You can also create your own custom themes.

Built-in Themes

Select a theme with :theme <name> or <Space>ft to open the theme picker.

Available themes: onedark, dracula, gruvbox, nord, tokyonight, catppuccin-mocha, rose-pine, solarized-dark, kanagawa, monokai, everforest, github-dark, github-light, ayu-dark, palenight, nightfox

Creating Custom Themes

1. Location: Place .toml files in ~/.config/nevi/themes/
2. Template: A commented template is auto-generated at ~/.config/nevi/themes/_template.toml
3. Naming: The filename becomes the theme name (e.g., mytheme.toml → :theme mytheme)

Copy the template to get started:

cp ~/.config/nevi/themes/_template.toml ~/.config/nevi/themes/mytheme.toml

Theme Structure

# Define reusable colors
[palette]
red = "#e06c75"
blue = "#61afef"
bg = "#282c34"

# Syntax highlighting (can reference palette or use hex)
[syntax]
keyword = { fg = "purple" }
string = { fg = "green" }
comment = { fg = "gray", italic = true }

# UI elements
[ui]
background = "bg"
foreground = "#abb2bf"
cursor_line = "#2c313c"

[ui.statusline]
mode_normal = "blue"
mode_insert = "green"

# And more: [ui.completion], [ui.finder], [diagnostic], [git]

See ~/.config/nevi/themes/_template.toml for the complete reference with all available options.

Keybindings

Nevi aims for full vim/neovim keybind compatibility. Most common keybindings are already implemented.

Full reference: See KEYBINDINGS.md for the complete keybind documentation with examples and tips.

Movement

h/j/k/l, w/b/e/W/B/E, 0/^/$, +/-, gg/G, {/}, (/), f/F/t/T, ;/,, %, H/M/L, gj/gk/g0/g$/g^

Editing

d/c/y + motions, dd/cc/yy, p/P/gp/gP, x/X, r, J/gJ, ==/={motion}, ., u/Ctrl+r

Text Objects

iw/aw, iW/aW, i"/a", i'/a', i(/a(, i{/a{, i[/a[, i</a<, ip/ap, is/as, it/at

Search

/, ?, n/N, */#, gn/gN

LSP

gd (definition), gD (declaration), gI (implementation), gf (file under cursor), gx (URL under cursor), gr (references), K (hover), gl (diagnostic), ]d/[d (next/prev diagnostic)

Surround

ds{char} (delete), cs{old}{new} (change), ys{motion}{char} (add)

Comment

gcc (line), gc{motion} (motion)

Leader (<Space>)

Press <Space> by itself to show available leader continuations. Set [keymap] show_leader_popup = false to disable that popup.

Key	Action
ff	Find files
fg	Live grep
fl	Find lines in current buffer
sw	Search word under cursor
j	Labeled jump to visible text
fb	Find buffers
ft	Theme picker
fk	Search keymaps
tt	Terminal picker
e	File explorer
ca	Code actions
rn	Rename symbol
d	Search diagnostics
D	Line diagnostic
w	Save file
q	Quit
gg	Open lazygit
gc	Git changes picker
m	Add to harpoon
h	Harpoon menu
1-4	Jump to harpoon slot

Window Management

Ctrl+w v (vsplit), Ctrl+w s (hsplit), Ctrl+w q (close), Ctrl+w h/j/k/l or Ctrl+h/j/k/l (navigate), Ctrl+w w/W (next/previous), Ctrl+w = (equalize), Ctrl+w r/R (rotate), Ctrl+w x (exchange)

And More

Visual mode (v/V/Ctrl+v), macros (q{a-z}/@{a-z}), marks (m{a-z}/'), read-only/expression registers ("%, ":, "#, "., "=), insert helpers (Ctrl+t/Ctrl+d/Ctrl+a/Ctrl+r/Ctrl+o), replace mode (R)

Missing a keybind? Check KEYBINDINGS.md for the full list of what's implemented. If you don't see the one you want, take a look at the keybind roadmap to see if it's already planned — and if it's not, open an issue to request it (PRs welcome too).

Language Support

LSP Servers

Language	Server	Status
Rust	rust-analyzer	Supported
TypeScript/JavaScript	typescript-language-server	Supported
Python	pyright	Supported
PHP	phpactor	Supported
Ruby	ruby-lsp	Supported
CSS/SCSS	vscode-css-language-server	Supported
JSON	vscode-json-language-server	Supported
TOML	taplo	Supported
HTML	vscode-html-language-server	Supported
Go	gopls	Supported
Markdown	marksman	Optional, disabled by default

LSP servers are auto-detected when installed. See ~/.config/nevi/config.toml for LSP configuration options.

If a server is missing, Nevi shows an install hint in the LSP status/error message. You can also run :checkhealth to review the active LSP configuration, or :ToolInstall / :LspInstall to open a missing-tool install plan.

Missing a language? Open a GitHub issue and we'll work on adding support!

External Formatters

Configure formatters in ~/.config/nevi/languages.toml:

[typescript]
formatter = { command = "biome", args = ["format", "--stdin-file-path", "{file}"] }

Formatters are external commands. Nevi only runs a formatter if you configure one; otherwise it falls back to LSP formatting when available.

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit issues and pull requests.

• Report a bug
• Request a feature

Vim/Neovim Parity Checks

Nevi includes a test-only Vim oracle harness for checking selected key sequences against headless Neovim. The suite covers grouped deterministic motion, editing, and undo/redo cases, and failures include the key sequence plus Nevi/Neovim snapshots. The normal test suite does not require Neovim:

cargo test vim_oracle --quiet

To run the real Neovim comparison, install nvim and opt in explicitly:

NEVI_VIM_ORACLE=1 cargo test vim_oracle_smoke -- --ignored --nocapture

Performance Profiling

Nevi keeps a small in-memory flight recorder for recent hot-path timings. Run :FlightRecorder or :WhySlow to open a read-only [flight-recorder] buffer with recent render, input, syntax, LSP, finder, and terminal timing events.

Verbose file profiling is opt-in and disabled by default. To capture raw timing events while using Nevi locally:

NEVI_PROFILE=1 cargo run --release -- path/to/file

Nevi writes raw timing events and a summary to /tmp/nevi_profile.log. The summary includes count, retained sample count, total, average, p50, p95, and max microseconds for metrics such as key handling, syntax updates, full renders, and terminal-only renders.

Run :checkhealth (or :Health) inside Nevi to open a read-only [health] buffer with config paths, config discoverability commands, keymap overrides and warnings, LSP settings, optional external tool checks, formatter command checks, profiling status, large-file thresholds, the active buffer's large-file mode, and any profile summary from /tmp/nevi_profile.log. When syntax highlighting is degraded for a very large buffer, the statusline shows [large] and :checkhealth reports the active threshold. Because it is a regular buffer, normal motions, search, and yank commands work there. Profile summaries are written when a profiled Nevi session exits.

License

MIT License

Acknowledgments

Inspired by Neovim, Helix, and Zed.

Built with:

• ropey - Rope data structure for text
• tree-sitter - Syntax highlighting
• crossterm - Terminal handling
• nucleo - Fuzzy matching
• git2 - Git integration