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Neovim

Last updatedUpdated: by Simon Späti · CreatedCreated:

Text editor evolved from the old vim. People call it not IDE, such as VSCode or similar, but PDE (Personalized Development Environment).

I use Neovim with tmux for everything I can. I have mentioned in Personal Knowledge Management Workflow for a Deeper Life, how it gives me clarity for writing, especially Vim Language (and Motions), a modular way of editing text that came with vim but can be found through plugins on any other IDE as well.

See also Why Vim Is More than Just an Editor – Vim Language, Motions, and Modes Explained, where I wrote 3000 words about why I still use Neovim in the modern world of editors. Also, check out DHH’s article about Finding The Last Editor.

My Text Editors History (IDEs)

My history texteditor history goes like this:

  • Dreamweaver (2003)
  • Toad (2008)
  • UltraEdit (2009)
  • SQLDeveloper (2011)
  • Eclipse (2012): Studies
  • SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) (2013)
  • Notepad++ (2014): Windows
  • TextMate (2016): Mac
  • Sublime (2017): Mac
  • VSCode (2018)
  • Vim (2021)
  • Neovim (2022)
  • Added Claude Code (2025), still using neovim when editing or reading code/text.

# Printscreens

# Basic

# File-tree, LSP, Outline

LSP (Language Server Protocol), Outline, neo-tree, and Rose Pine Color Palette theme.

# LSP Referenece Search/Lookup

LSP reference and file search:

# Git (Lazygit)

Git integration with lazygit:

# Markdown Rendering for Writing

Markdown (showing titles, bold, italic with hiding symbols, except on the current line):

Kanagawa with render-markdown.nvim:

An older Rose Pine version:

Tools and plugins for Markdown:

# Wordprocessor Config

Writing text as a Wordprocessor in Nvim - NeoVim as a WordProcessor:

# My Setup Images: All in One (Tmux and Neovim)

It’s scary how versatile/productive your terminal, and specifically Neovim, can get.


Shared on X, Bsky and LinkedIn. Also, check my demo of SQL-IDE in vim.

In one screen:

  1. data integration/dbt code
  2. analysis of SQL queries -> Query databases in vim (vim-dadbod)
  3. db connections/browser -> Query databases in vim (vim-dadbod)
  4. result of queries -> Query databases in vim (vim-dadbod)
  5. docker build
  6. dbt run
  7. postgres
  8. more windows/sessions (tmux)

See more on my Neovim Setup.

# Neovim Distributions

# Why I Do not Use Neovim for Notes

You might wonder why I don’t use Neovim for notes. I tried a couple of times, and sometimes, when writing my book, I use Neovim. But for the most part, Obsidian is optimized for notes specifically, and Neovim is optimized for programming.

With Obsidian based on Markdown, I have access to my  Second Brain with forward/backlinks to any note or article. Better integration with images, text-based diagrams with  Mermaid, and text-based images with  Exaclidraw, and  Canvas.

Integration with Plugins such as  ReadWise syncing my highlights and notes I read,  Obsidian Dataview to use Notes as databases,  Admonition (Call-outs) to write lovely in-side comments without distracting the reading flow, Templates, Mobile support, and many  more. I write more about that in  Obsidian in Rich Text vs Markdown.

# The Connection to self-hosting

(Neo)vim is to text editors what self-hosting is to blogging platforms. Here’s why

People often jump between:

  • Blogging platforms: WordPress → Medium → Substack -> …a
  • Text editors: Dreamweaer -> Notepad++ → Sublime → VSCode → Zed → Cursor (see My Text Editors History (IDEs))

But (Neo)vim, like self-hosting:

  • Has a steeper learning curve initially
  • Requires more setup and maintenance
  • Rewards long-term investment
  • Can be customized exactly to your needs
  • Grows with your skills
  • Gives you complete control
  • Is a sustainable, long-term solution" Bsky

# Settings

Neovim and Vim Shortcuts

# Light and Dark Mode

In Neovim, run one of these commands:

  • For dark mode: :set background=dark
  • For light mode: :set background=light

# Further Reads

Origin:
References: VSCode

Interactive Graph

Backlinks