ViVim

ViVim is an open-source text editor project that seeks to merge the traditional modal editing approach of Vi with the extensible features and user experience of Vim. The project envisions a single editor that preserves Vi's modal workflow while adding asynchronous operations, improved plugin interoperability, and modern GUI options.

Key features include modal editing with normal, insert, and visual modes; command-line ex commands; compatibility with Vimscript and Lua-based extensions; a robust plugin API; asynchronous background tasks; split and tabbed views; syntax highlighting; and cross-platform GUI support.

Development and history: The ViVim project was initiated in 2019 by a group of contributors from the open-source community. The first public release appeared in 2020, followed by major revisions in 2021 and 2022. The project is hosted on a public repository; contributions span core editing engine, UI front-ends, and language support packs. The project emphasizes maintaining compatibility with existing Vim configurations while offering a unified workflow.

Architecture and compatibility: ViVim is implemented in C for performance with optional bindings to scripting languages. It aims to be compatible with most Vim configurations and plugins, converting existing vimrc and ex commands with minimal changes. It supports both a terminal-based interface and a GUI front-end, and it provides a modular architecture to facilitate alternative UIs and extension points.

Reception and status: ViVim has been adopted by a subset of users who prefer a unified experience bridging Vi and Vim. Critics note its ambitious scope and the challenges of migrating established workflows. As of 2024, ongoing development continues with regular releases and community-driven documentation. Related topics include Vi, Vim, and the broader ecosystem of modal editors.