The Learning Curve of Neovim
Neovim is powerful, fast, and endlessly customizable. But it’s not the most intuitive tool for newcomers. Many developers jump into Neovim expecting to match their efficiency with tools like VS Code or JetBrains IDEs right away—and quickly feel frustrated when they don’t.
I get it. I’ve been there. Recently, I experienced something similar when I switched to a ZSA Moonlander keyboard. This isn’t your typical keyboard—it’s a columnar design, meaning the keys are stacked vertically instead of staggered like a traditional keyboard. I’ve been typing for 40 years, and I thought I’d adapt quickly. I didn’t.
The first time I sat down with the Moonlander, I was typing slower than I had in decades. My fingers fumbled across keys that no longer lined up the way they used to. I couldn’t hit 80+ WPM like I could on my old keyboard. It was humbling. But I reminded myself that this was part of the process. Mastery takes time, especially when you’re unlearning years of habits to embrace a new and better system.
The same principle applies to Neovim. Switching to a tool like Neovim means rethinking how you work. You won’t be as fast as you were with your old editor at first. And that’s okay. Neovim rewards patience and practice, just like learning to type on a new keyboard. The key is to climb the learning curve deliberately and avoid overwhelming yourself.
Here are the 10 things I wish I knew when I started with Neovim, designed to help you climb that curve without frustration.
1. Start Small: Master the Basics First
It’s tempting to dive into plugins, custom keybindings, and fancy configurations right away, but the fastest path to proficiency is mastering the fundamentals. Learn essential motions, commands, and modes (normal, insert, visual, and command-line) before anything else.
Tip: Focus on mastering movement first (h, j, k, l, and word motions like w, e, and b). Efficient navigation is the backbone of Vim.
2. Use Neovim Daily (Even for Small Tasks)
The only way to get comfortable with Neovim is to use it consistently. Even if it’s just opening files to make minor edits, the more you use Neovim, the more natural it will feel.
Tip: Set Neovim as the default editor for git commits (git config --global core.editor "nvim") so you interact with it regularly.
3. Resist the Urge to Over-Optimize
It’s easy to fall into the trap of endlessly tweaking your configuration instead of learning the editor itself. Plugins and custom setups can improve efficiency, but they’re no substitute for understanding how Neovim works.
Tip: Start with a minimal configuration and add plugins only when you encounter a specific need.
4. Understand That Speed Comes Later
When switching to Neovim, you’ll likely be slower at first than with your previous editor. That’s normal! The goal is to build muscle memory and familiarity over time. Just like learning to type on a new keyboard, your speed will improve as you adapt.
When I first started with the Moonlander, my WPM dropped to embarrassing levels. But over weeks of consistent practice, my speed increased. Now I can’t imagine going back to my old keyboard. The same thing happened with Neovim. It took time to feel natural, but once I hit my stride, I became far more efficient than I ever was with VS Code.
Tip: Focus on accuracy and understanding before speed. Efficiency will follow naturally as you build confidence.
5. Learn One New Thing at a Time
Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to learn everything at once. Instead, tackle one feature or concept at a time, such as:
- Basic movements.
- Text objects and operators (ciw, daw, etc.).
- Search and replace.
Tip: Keep a checklist of what you want to learn and focus on one item until it feels natural.
6. Use Cheatsheets and Reference Materials
Cheatsheets are invaluable when you’re starting out. Keep one handy for common commands and motions so you don’t get stuck trying to remember how to do something.
Tip: Create your own cheatsheet with the commands you use most often to reinforce your learning.
7. Leverage Built-In Help
Neovim has excellent built-in documentation. Whenever you’re unsure about a command, type :help to access detailed explanations.
Tip: Bookmark important help topics for quick reference (e.g., :help motion or :help text-objects).
8. Use a Guided Approach
When getting started with Neovim, many people reach for preconfigured setups like NVChad or LazyVim. These setups are tempting because they give you a fully functional environment out of the box—complete with plugins, keymaps, and custom configurations. It feels like you’re hitting the ground running.
This reminds me of when I first started programming with Ruby on Rails. With one command, I had a fully functioning CRUD application for a to-do list. The forms worked. The data updated. It was magical. But then came what Amy Hoy refers to as the fall from scaffolding.
I felt like I’d made so much progress, only to realize I didn’t actually understand anything. The smallest change—adjusting a field, modifying a form—meant confronting the fact that I’d only learned how to run a generator command. I didn’t know how Rails worked under the hood.
The same thing happens with preconfigured Neovim setups. They get you started quickly, but the moment you want to make even a small adjustment—changing a keymap, adding a plugin, or configuring something unique—you can feel lost. Worse, you may encounter issues after updating your configuration or plugins and realize you don’t know how to fix them. I’ve read stories where plugins were swapped out for others, and users found themselves completely disoriented.
The Better Approach: Build a Strong Foundation
Instead of jumping into a preconfigured setup, take the time to build your Neovim environment piece by piece. This might feel slower, but it ensures you understand how your setup works. When you add a plugin, you’ll know how it integrates. When you configure a keymap, you’ll know where to look if something breaks.
You don’t have to go it alone, though. A guided approach can save you time and frustration while still giving you the foundation you need.
Tip: Check out our course Neovim for Newbs. It’s designed to walk you through the essentials of setting up and using Neovim, so you can climb the learning curve with confidence and avoid the fall from scaffolding.
Reaching for preconfigured setups might feel like progress, but true mastery comes from understanding. Build your knowledge, one step at a time, and you’ll thank yourself later.
9. Join the Neovim Community
One of Neovim’s greatest strengths is its passionate and supportive community. Joining forums, Discord servers, or Reddit groups can provide encouragement, troubleshooting help, and insight into how others use Neovim.
Tip: Check out r/neovim for tips, discussions, and examples.
10. Celebrate Progress
The learning curve for Neovim can feel steep, but every small win is a step forward. Celebrate when you successfully execute a command or remember a new keybinding without checking your notes.
When I finally got back to my usual typing speed on the Moonlander, it felt like a victory. The same goes for Neovim—those moments where everything clicks are worth celebrating.
Tip: Track your progress weekly and reflect on how far you’ve come. The milestones will keep you motivated.
Final Thoughts
Neovim’s learning curve is real, but it’s also rewarding. By embracing the process and focusing on incremental progress, you’ll steadily gain confidence and efficiency. Remember, it’s not about mastering everything overnight—it’s about building a solid foundation and growing from there.
Whether you’re customizing your first init.lua or exploring powerful features like text objects, every step you take brings you closer to unlocking Neovim’s full potential. Take it one command at a time, and enjoy the journey.
What helped you climb the Neovim learning curve? Share your tips and experiences with us on Twitter or Bluesky.