How I Setup Neovim To Make It AMAZING in 2024: The Ultimate Guide

This is my complete beginner's guide to setting up Neovim from scratch in 2024. Neovim has evolved a lot since my last complete setup guide which I created more than a year ago. I hope you enjoy the video, find it helpful and it sets you on your own Neovim journey!
✍🏽 Blog Post With Code & Commands: bit.ly/4agkTyQ
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🎥 How To Use Nvim With Tmux: • How I Use Tmux With Ne...
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⌨️ Corne Keyboard Parts
1. Cherry MX Corne V3 Kit:
- Partially Assembled Kit: bit.ly/3wPLofX
- Regular Kit: bit.ly/3PicaE5
2. Elite-C Microcontroller:
- Little Keyboards: bit.ly/48Q9CDR
- Keebio: bit.ly/3Pm9lBJ
3. Low Profile Sockets & Mill-Max Pins: bit.ly/3TePp4V
4. 128x32 Oled Screens: bit.ly/3TdjZMf
5. Corne Keyboard Case: bit.ly/48W6bLP or etsy.me/4ca7fPc
6. Corne Display Covers: bit.ly/48QgkJW
7. Switches & Keycaps: bit.ly/3Vbvrus
8. TRRS Cable: amzn.to/3PjyfBX
⏰ Timestamps
00:00 - introduction
01:17 - initial installs
03:03 - setup file structure
05:06 - basic options
10:36 - basic keymaps
14:33 - lazy.nvim plugin manager
16:08 - vim-tmux-navigator
18:16 - colorscheme
20:45 - file explorer
24:17 - which-key
26:43 - fuzzy finder
30:48 - greeter
32:38 - auto sessions
35:43 - bufferline
37:30 - statusline
41:02 - dressing.nvim
42:07 - maximize splits
43:46 - treesitter
47:19 - indent guides
48:22 - autocomplete
51:34 - autopairs
52:58 - comments
54:51 - todo comments
57:17 - substitution
58:50 - surround plugin
1:00:47 - lsp setup
1:11:47 - trouble.nvim
1:13:36 - formatting
1:17:31 - linting
1:20:39 - git integration
1:26:03 - conclusion
** Disclaimers **
Links included in the description may be affiliate links. By clicking and/or purchasing from these affiliate links I receive a small commission (at no cost to you). This really helps me out in funding my videos and growing my channel! Thank you for all of your support.

[@mshirey]

I’ve watched a few of these videos ranging from monolithic 5 hours to completely inadequate 20 minutes. This setup video is almost perfect. You cover everything in a well thought out well ordered manner. You explain everything with just enough detail without breaking off into any severely opinionated sermons about why your way is the correct way and everyone else is wrong (not naming names ;) ). You explain nearly every keystroke and also include on on-screen display of the keys pressed. I cannot tell you how extraordinarily helpful this is. Thank you for the obvious time and effort spent creating and delivering this video. Thank you!

[@joseanmartinez]

That really means a lot. Putting this together is a lot of work, so I’m really happy to hear you’ve found it to be really helpful! Thank you so much for your feedback!

[@jocelyn-n-tech]

@@joseanmartinez I couldn't agree more. I was so confused / frustrated / intimidated by the vim/neovim ecosystem that I avoided it for years and just admired the ones who used it from afar. Then I ran across one of your earlier setup videos using LazyVim package manager. I followed it and actually got the darn thing up and running! I forced myself to use is for 60 days straight and now it's been over a year and half since I've used VSCode as my daily editor! I'll be honest that sometimes I do keep it open and minimized solely for when I have to do some Git Foo and will used it's source control panel to resolve some heavy conflicts but other than that it's neovim all day long. Something about your teaching style just clicks with me and makes it make sense. Thanks so much.

[@codingwithrendi]

I love neovim because you 😊

[@s8x.]

ur the reason i switched to neovim over a year ago since ur last video. thank u 🙏

[@joseanmartinez]

Awesome!!

[@JefCollier]

Same here! I've mentioned it to @joseanmartinez before, but my workflow is heavily influenced by his dotFiles. I wouldn't have even known about sketchybar without him. I'm pretty happy with my current .nvim configs, but that's not stopping me from watching this in its entirety in case I want to procrastinate on real work so I can fiddle with my setup "one last time."

[@TheDaddyLuigi]

Been looking forward to this 🙏🏽

[@runonce]

Just getting started with NeoVim and this is great material, thank you!

[@Peter-CDs]

These videos are the best! You have helped me set up my nvim, mac desktop and even tmux! Thank you and please, keep it up!

[@joseanmartinez]

Awesome! Thanks for your feedback, really appreciate it!

[@ebodshojaei4967]

Ditto. I'm a better developer thanks to Josean's crystal crisp tutorials. The best I've seen so far. Plus I now find Lua very fascinating. Thank you!

[@joseanmartinez]

@@ebodshojaei4967 Means a lot! Happy to hear the vids have been helpful!

[@JefCollier]

I started down this rabbit-hole because of his Yabai tutorial. Next thing I know, I'm copying almost everything that Josean has taught us.

[@a1b2c3d4x]

Been waiting for this:)

[@sebby5336]

Literally getting into neovim and you recently uploaded this, is this heaven sent??

[@DAVE-GM]

This is an absolute gem! 🌟 Clear, concise, and incredibly detailed. Thank you so much for delivering such an insightful and easy-to-follow guide!

[@joseanmartinez]

Thank you! That means a lot!

[@_HetShah_]

Maybe most of the viewers may have noticed it, but the way you keep you video behind the terminal transperency really hooks the viewer. Usually when I watching this type of video, I get distracted ton of times but your idea WHAT A GREAT ONE! Huge props to you for making such a informative video, as one who's eager to learn linux in general, this tutorial is the best one I have ever seen. Once again HUGE PROPS to you and your efforts. You gained a follower!

[@joseanmartinez]

Thank you!

[@mbrochh82]

Loved your video a year ago! Very nice to see that you are still going strong! Production value of your videos is really amazing!

[@vichl3853]

This was amazing Josean, keep it up man, you're doing very useful content!

[@adamdrake39]

Man, thank you for taking the time to make these videos. I can't imagine its easy or quick but you have really helped me tweak my neovim setup and now I use it almost fully for my coding. 👍

[@joseanmartinez]

It’s a ton of work so I’m really happy to hear they’ve been helpful for you! Thank you!

[@amrjaafar4522]

Most beginner friendly guide and the cleanest setup I've seen on KZbin.

[@mediablitzeast]

this is the best. Love your videos Josean

[@joseanmartinez]

Thank you! Means a lot!

[@jebotipasmater]

Just found this channel and this is the second video I'm watching. Great tutorials, loving them! Keep up the great work!

[@ChecedRodgers]

Subbed! Echoing what others have said, this is the optimal level of detail and content density. Many thanks!

[@farazahmed9247]

Just redid my configuration. I built my old one by following your videos last year. Great videos bro!

[@joseanmartinez]

Thanks!

[@fredericvannier2848]

This is an amazing video explaining everything just enough to understand and going quickly. Great quality video, time well spent!

[@latch909]

This is an incredibly impressive video and blog. I will absolutely be referring to a lot of great stuff in this to re-organise my config thanks for publishing!

[@joseanmartinez]

Happy to hear that! Thank you!

[@sherlockjunior8612]

Oh my gosh I've been practically trying to set up my neovim for months now but 10 minutes into this video and I already have understood so much that i never did before, thanks so so much mate ❤

[@prashlovessamosa]

Mr Martinez I have configured mine all credit goes to you thanks for making this video very grateful to you.

[@mqhg]

Thats really helpful for me, thanks a lot 🤗

[@stevemccauley]

This is a fantastic video. Thanks, Josean!

[@Raspace]

If you are a beginner looking to learn neovim configuration, this is the best video to start with

[@matsomo]

This is an absolute gold mine for a nvim noob like myself, thanks

[@ThugLifeModafocah]

Learn a lot by following along executing the commands with the video. Thank you.

[@annakarolinafranz5946]

And congratulations on the channel, I watched all your videos

[@joseanmartinez]

Thank you!

[@twettatwaarr]

Loving your KZbin series over the past year. Well done Sir. And would love to see more of the git commit in nvim and push to GitHub if possible.

[@Goras147]

Thank you SO much, it was a great learning process for me how lazy, LSPs, navigation and general configuration of Neovim works. I am so glad I found this, otherwise I'd just stay at LazyVim, but this actually gives me so much more control! Again, thank you!

[@user-re1qy6kd6p]

That is such an amazing setup guide!

[@philiscoolerthanu]

That was amazing. Efficient. To the point. Keep doing what you are doing. You are helping bring many to the amazing world of vim, nvim and tmux. Bravo!

[@joseanmartinez]

Thank you🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@neuskonto12]

I'm working back and forth with nvim, vscode and intelliJ for different purposes all the time, but I started vim about 5 years and nvim about 2 years ago. The struggle with nvim for me, is that I'm not familiar with a lot of the plugins and eco system in general, people in the industry almost never explain what cmp, lsp, fugitive, mason, lazy, etc. is, which makes it hard to distinguish the things in an unknown environment. But not Josean, he explains everything from scratch, which is amazing, I can see the work that you put into that video and the blog post, you're a great guy man. Wish you the best for you and your family!

[@tdcode]

As always, I can rely on you to deliver the best updated nvim setup. Awesome stuff. Lazygit - a must 😄

[@RazoBeckett.]

thanks, really helped me lot fixing my LSP-Setup !

[@joseanmartinez]

Happy to hear that!

[@saquibherman1637]

Awesome work Josean 😇

[@mr.bojangles6111]

This was an excellent tutorial. Thank you so much for making it! Between you, TJ and typecraft Neovim is starting to make sense. And, consider this a vote for a LazyGit tutorial. Definitely looking forward to more!

[@user-tt1ru8og2n]

Put it in my bookmarks. Thank you for making such video!

[@joseanmartinez]

Glad you liked it!

[@MaximKuleshov]

Literally just yesterday watched your video about configuring lazyvim, and today you release this one! Well.. I guess it’s time to update my configuration😅

[@wiseskeshom4673]

Thank you so much, this is very helpful.

[@muhommodshahjalal9811]

brother from bangladesh,,, you can't believe how much gratitude for you,, may Allay peace on you and your whole family

[@Fullflexno]

Thank you for this. Looking forward to check it out! Your last similiar video was epic=)

[@AlexGhoro]

Thanks for the video! I bet it was a lot of work to make it, works perfectly on my new Mac I got from work last week. The video quality is perfect too.

[@ronaldinhour]

Thank you very much ! I discovered your channel recently and it's great !

[@joseanmartinez]

Thanks!! Happy to hear that!

[@oovnow4422]

Your videos it is the best way to learn VIM. Thx!

[@a_maxed_out_handle_of_30_chars]

this was well done, thank you :)

[@joseanmartinez]

Thank you!

[@itisciprian]

because of you I switched fully to neovim - all the config refactor to my needs and my liking . Will wait for lazygit video. Cheapeau!

[@regather59]

Stunningly well made and informative presentation, thanks!

[@joseanmartinez]

Happy to hear that, thank you!

[@hotdaq]

This is sick bro, good work!

[@joseanmartinez]

Thank you!

[@astroflexx82]

bro thanks a lot!!!!!! you helped me a lot in setting up neovim

[@skallen59]

Brilliant, I learned a lot from this. Thanks!

[@joseanmartinez]

Awesome!

[@SergioOlivieri89]

Thanks to this video i completely switched to Neovim 🎉🎉🎉 much love from Italy

[@joseanmartinez]

That's awesome!

[@zeal514]

This is a great video. im only 23 minutes in. But as a user of neovim and lazyvim, who just initiated the starter lazyvim repo. I felt like i really didnt understand it. So watching this, its very concise and clear, but also extremely informative as to what everything does. Just being 23 minutes in, i feel like i really understand how this is working now, and that understanding will continue to grow. Way to go man, you did a really great job with this video. Deff subscribing. Looking forward to seeing more great things from you!

[@joseanmartinez]

Thank you! That means a lot, happy to hear I could help!

[@green3216]

Thank you ❤

[@scorpionesp6510]

You know.. I wanted to watch this just to see the brilliance of how you setup neovim.. not expecting to want to use majority of your plugins. Tell me why I found myself wanting to add majority of your plugins.. Likes this is just brilliant!!!

[@mnucuello]

thanks for taking the time to explain everything

[@Remeroska]

On the train of people that switched because of you. Thanks!

[@joseanmartinez]

Awesome!!

[@mmazeto]

Absolute genius tutorial!

[@JustFreakazoid]

Very good stuff, thanks a lot!

[@joseanmartinez]

Thank you!

[@flaviogalon]

Awesome video, thanks for sharing!

[@joseanmartinez]

🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@Yesterday_i_ate_rat]

If you are beginner in nvim, then this is the perfect video

[@benarcher372]

Amazing! What a fantastic video. I normally never change my neovim setup more than twice a year (I need to do some actual work as well :-) ), but next time I'll use this as a template. Thanks and take care.

[@joseanmartinez]

Awesome, thank you!

[@a21ambre]

Man this made me start using vim. Epic video. 🙌

[@joseanmartinez]

Love it, hope you enjoy Neovim as much as I do!

[@ayushkumar2436]

Omg omg omg this is so perfect 😮

[@andyheld3136]

This is awesome like all the other tutorials from your side! For me it was not easy the first time but with your help i was able to get my nvim to the next level. Do you plan or already have a video how to debug i.e. typescript jest/vitest tests? How to debug, set breakpoints and which plugins do you use here? Would love to see a video focusing on debugging :) Thx a lot!

[@user-hh4br5tk5p]

Much appreciated. Thanks.

[@joseanmartinez]

Happy to hear that!

[@user-hh4br5tk5p]

@@joseanmartinez I recommend you to not lock the title to MacOS, because Linux and BSD users like me can get the same value out of it. This video is one of the best to configure neovim from scratch in my opinion. Good luck Josean, thanks again.

[@joseanmartinez]

@@user-hh4br5tk5p I think you’re right! I’ll make the change. Thanks for the tip!

[@tryanderrorworld7421]

Great content though i got nothing but it was so satisfying seeing u setup neovim from scratch, i will be on the look out for u.

[@1rk1n]

First 5 options alone (not sure if i'll add everything...)make me feel like Tank from the Matrix. Thank you for the configs..!

[@gnrsn9714]

Thank you for making these videos man, your last one really got me re-started on my nvim journey after initially giving up and resorting to the nvim VScode extension. Since a couple of months back I’m using nvim full time at work 🎉 For those of us who have watched your previous videos, I think it would be awesome if you could do a comparison video about what you’ve changed and maybe why? Possibly would that format also allow going more in depth than the tutorials. Just an idea 😇

[@joseanmartinez]

That’s really great to hear! Thanks for the suggestion as well! I’ll consider it for the future

[@IvesLiu184]

It’s sick dude, big thx

[@0ShinigamiDN0]

It would be nice a video on lazy git, looking forward to it. Amazing work as always, thank you!

[@issasafar]

finally i found an understandable neovim video

[@joseanmartinez]

🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@jagraj7015]

Would love to see a video where you discuss your opinion as a web developer on A.I.

[@subbunittala2012]

you are the reason for switching to neovim sir ..thank you so much from BHARAT (INDIA)!..please do a video on OBSIDIAN + NEOVIM !

[@user-th8gt8gp3u]

Only person I turn to for a solid setup guide

[@joseanmartinez]

🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@pablocoyote9647]

ok I might be a weirdo but I did follow every single step with only one issue on the formatting part which was easily resolved by using your blogpost One of the best tut ever followed thank you so much (also I have awesome corne case with 750mah bat if you are looking to print some)

[@Reducer]

Haven't had time to watch yet, but checking out the repo/blog post is already inspirational! I started with NVChad about a year ago, then started on my own config from scratch after a couple of months, but it's still a bit confusing.

[@joseanmartinez]

Awesome! Hopefully the video helps clear things up for you!

[@ixirsii]

Great video, would love to see a video going over LazyGit some more.

[@bryansanchez1039]

Excelente video!!

[@assaidy]

Amazing conf

[@joseanmartinez]

Thanks!

[@yuxiang4218]

awesome!

[@joseanmartinez]

Thanks!!

[@joergw]

This was the best tutorial for neovim. Normally I don't like so long tutorials, but this was awesome. Not to much talk (yada yada yada) - you kept it short and simple. And thanks for the detailled blog post and git repo. I would really like to see more :-)

[@joseanmartinez]

Thank you! Really happy to hear that🙏🏽

[@fegyi001]

Yes, please make an in-depth lazygit tutorial as well. I've been using lazygit almost exclusively in the last few months, but only basic operations, e.g. resolving merge conflicts is still something I've yet to master with lazygit. So a good tutorial would be highly appreciated!

[@ewhac]

12:30: The default mapping ^L (CTRL-L) also clears highlighted search results.

[@emidio2701]

Very nice tutorial, many thanks!!! Josean I know you are not a pure python developer but it would be very nice to see some specific python content.

[@destinlee]

Thanks!

[@joseanmartinez]

Thanks Destin! Your support means a lot!

[@destinlee]

@@joseanmartinez Not sure why it did not let me edit the not but. Really enjoy your style and pace!! Keep 'em coming ;)

[@heshes-pe5rd]

thanks for sharing

[@charfractal9441]

hello ,big fan here , you are the reason i was able to start my neovim journey , i really want to subscribe to your newsletter but i can not find any button or link in the blog post, nevermind found it

[@jaspersanchez7606]

thank you for this looking forward for the lazygit tutorial

[@kleoCodes]

let's go!

[@joseanmartinez]

🚀

[@kirillvoloshin2065]

great video! looks like it is time to switch from vim-motions style editor plugins to neovim 😀

[@joseanmartinez]

Awesome!

[@destinlee]

Hey hey. Been a min. Thanks for this. Request. DAP all things DAP. I'm really struggling to get JS/TS setup and it makes me sad

[@seanpe8474]

tj devries has a great dap setup video, but js/ts is a little funky

[@destinlee]

​@@seanpe8474 Thank you 🙏TJs is where i got what I use now and the kickstart dap set up is a great place to start. It would be fun to have Josean spin on it tough ;)

[@4crafters597]

Two more plugins i use are DAP&DAP-Ui for Debugging and a Plugin that automatically switches Views depending on Current Activity, like opening Nvim Tree on opening, auto opening a Code Map when in certain Languages etc.

[@TutorialsByLarry]

Showing your video feed in your iTerm background is a brilliant touch. Thanks for the tutorial!

[@joseanmartinez]

Happy to hear that!

[@888ccg6]

This was an awesome video! I set up my neovim twice over and hopefully after watching your video, I won't have to go through it a 3rd time lol. Only thing I was wondering, do you use dap or any debugger for your work?? I am trying to set up DAP for my javascript and i think i got it, but i do run into some errors while trying to run it properly.

[@kabir5359]

awesome video, definitely interested in an in depth guide for lazygit

[@sawhtetnaing4938]

I want to use vim or neo vim badly in the past ,Now,I'm able to switch Neo Vim because of this video.Thank u so much for ur efforts .Can u also make for flutter set up in Neo Vim ,Please?

[@cacososa]

Hi Josean, really loving your videos! total NVIM newbie here and already getting the hang of it thanks to your tutorials and tips. Keep up the good work!!. I wanted to know if you could let us know how to integrate Copilot and/or ChatGPT to NVIM and if you use does tools. Any tips on that matter would be great! thanks.

[@adriannlara]

u are the best!

[@joseanmartinez]

🙏🏽

[@alessandroserra885]

HI Josean, thank you very much, your nvim setup is just amazing!! Could you make a video on how to change the colorschemes? I'm trying but keep running into errors :(

[@xtinctspecies]

Brilliant video. What would you consider the bare minimum set of plugins for web dev?