# jeffreytse/zsh-vi-mode

💻 A better and friendly vi(vim) mode plugin for ZSH.

Repository: https://github.com/jeffreytse/zsh-vi-mode
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/zsh-vi-mode
Language: Shell
License: MIT
License Family: permissive
Topics: zsh, zsh-plugin, awesome, oh-my-zsh, shell-scripts, zsh-plugins, vi-keybinds, vim, terminal, shell, zplug, antigen, zgen, surround, command-line-tool, clipboard, zinit, like, keybinding, productivity
Last push: 2026-07-19T15:19:45+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 67/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-02T17:46:02.011165+00:00)
- activity 93, release rhythm 16, longevity 100
- inputs: {"age_days": 2091, "days_push": 45, "days_rel": 351, "gap_med": null, "n_releases_24m": 1}
- flags: none
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 4432, forks 154 (observed 2026-08-28T04:08:49.185620+00:00)

## What it is
A ZSH plugin that provides a full, faithful vi/vim modal editing experience in the shell command line, improving on Zsh's built-in vi mode. It supports modal keybindings, surround operations, text objects, cursor styling, and works with popular plugin managers.

## Use cases
- use vim keybindings in my zsh terminal
- fix zsh's broken default vi mode
- edit shell commands with modal editing like vim
- add surround and text object support to zsh command line
- switch between normal and insert mode in the terminal
- get vim-style cursor and mode indicators in zsh

## When to choose
- you are a vim user who wants modal editing in the zsh command line
- you found zsh's built-in vi mode incomplete or buggy
- you want surround, text objects, and other vim features in your shell

## When to avoid
- you use bash or another shell instead of zsh
- you prefer emacs-style or default zsh keybindings
- you use fish, which has its own vi mode

## Facets
- artifact type: plugin
- maturity: active
- function: developer-tools, cli
- domain: developer-tools, text-editors
- platform: cli, cross-platform
- tags: zsh, zsh-plugin, vi-mode, vim-keybindings, shell, terminal, oh-my-zsh, command-line, linux, macos

## Member repositories
- jeffreytse/zsh-vi-mode (main) score 67

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-08-28T04:08:49.185620+00:00.
- Health v2: computed from the inputs above; adoption is never an input.
- Inferred fields (summary, facets, guidance): AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, on 2026-08-29T18:20:54.031171+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - readme: https://github.com/jeffreytse/zsh-vi-mode (fetched 2026-08-28T04:08:49.185620+00:00, sha f13e4129c13f)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.