Why Vim?

Published: May 24, 2023 Last Modified: September 9, 2025

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Despite modern alternatives like VS Code and IntelliJ, terminal-based Vim remains compelling for developers. Three key advantages make Vim worth learning: universal availability, modal editing capabilities, and straightforward customization.

Available Nearly Everywhere

Enterprise environments often restrict approved development tools. Server-based work typically demands command-line proficiency since IDEs and GUI text editors simply aren't possible in those contexts.

Vim's ubiquity across platforms strengthens its value proposition:

  • Windows: GitBash includes Vim by default
  • Linux: Nearly all distributions ship with Vim or Vi
  • Containers: Even minimal BusyBox environments provide vi compatibility

This cross-platform consistency means skills transfer across job transitions without relearning interface fundamentals. Your muscle memory works the same whether you're on a corporate Windows laptop, a production Linux server, or a containerized development environment.

A Modal Editor

Modal editing—where keystrokes perform different functions depending on context—enables power-user efficiency. This fundamental difference from traditional editors creates an initial learning curve, but unlocks remarkable speed once mastered.

Common operations that demonstrate modal power:

  • gg navigates to document end
  • ^ jumps to line start
  • 13yy copies thirteen consecutive lines
  • dd deletes the current line
  • dw deletes from cursor to end of word
  • /searchterm finds text instantly

No mouse required for common operations.

The learning curve appears steep initially, but the included vimtutor program eases onboarding. The tutorial takes about 30 minutes and teaches fundamental commands through practice. I advocate keyboard-centric computing generally, emphasizing avoiding system-specific customizations that reduce portability.

Easily Customizable

I caution against excessive personalization in enterprise contexts where multiple systems demand productivity. Light customization balancing comfort with familiarity proves optimal.

Here's my example .vimrc configuration:

" Set numbers
set nu
set rnu

" Remap jj to Escape
inoremap jj <Esc>

" Turn on search highlighting
set hlsearch
set incsearch

" Scroll Distance
set scrolloff=3

This configuration enables:

  • Relative line numbering - Quickly count lines for commands
  • Ergonomic escape-key remapping - jj is faster than reaching for Escape
  • Search result highlighting - Visual feedback when searching
  • Scrolling buffer management - Keep context visible above/below cursor

The key is keeping customizations minimal and portable. Avoid plugins that only work on your personal machine.

The Case for Vim

I use Vim as my daily tool for Python, Bash, YAML, and Markdown work. Modal editing proficiency translates to faster editing than mouse-dependent IDEs. Professional contexts reward this efficiency, particularly during collaborative sessions where screen-sharing demonstrates command fluency rather than fumbling through interfaces.

The benefits compound over time:

  • Speed: Once internalized, modal editing is faster than mouse-based selection
  • Portability: Your editor works everywhere—servers, containers, desktops
  • Focus: Text-based interface minimizes distractions
  • Respect: Colleagues notice efficiency in pair programming and reviews

While expertise remains perpetually incomplete, Vim's versatility, power, and ubiquity make it a genuinely worthwhile investment for developers seeking durable, transferable skills.

Getting Started

Ready to try Vim? Run vimtutor in your terminal and spend 30 minutes working through the tutorial. Don't try to learn everything at once—start with basic navigation and insertion, then gradually add commands to your repertoire.

The initial frustration is real, but temporary. The long-term gains in efficiency and portability make the investment worthwhile.