CLI input should have a vi/vim input mode

[RyanHecht]

Describe the feature or problem you'd like to solve

The core problem is the lack of efficient, keyboard-driven navigation and editing for users familiar with modal editors (like Vim/Vi) within the interactive portions of the GitHub Copilot CLI. The feature requested is the implementation of a Vim mode to enable users to navigate, select, and edit text (e.g., suggested commands, explanations, or input prompts) using standard Vim keybindings (h, j, k, l, w, d, y, etc.) in addition to the default keybindings.

Proposed solution

We need to introduce Normal, Insert, and Visual modes to allow power users to edit and manipulate text with high speed and precision, mirroring the functionality found in other modern, interactive CLIs.

Example prompts or workflows

No response

Additional context

No response

[Gelio]

Perhaps a simpler alternative would be to use open the prompt using $EDITOR and then after it is closed, replace the current prompt with whatever the user typed in that editor?

Gemini CLI does that and I liked that. See CTRL+X in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/blob/main/docs/cli/keyboard-shortcuts.md

IMO that would achieve full Vim compatibility, since users would be able to edit the prompt in a real vim/nvim (or even use VSCode if they want to).

[hackel]

Basic keybindings for prompt editing would be more than sufficient, but it might be worthwhile to integrate with Neovim (like vscode-neovim), using its API to do most of the work for you. That would be rather epic!

[AtomicMegaNerd]

Just basic vim motions for prompt editing would go a long way here. Claude code gets this part right. Don't need anything super comprehensive or fancy. Editing plans in the external editor already works well.

[ahmelkholy]

yes every time i hit escap key it stop it form wokring i want have such a mode vim in cli mode

[Ram-G]

This is needed, please.

[pjvds]

Perhaps a simpler alternative would be to use open the prompt using $EDITOR and then after it is closed, replace the current prompt with whatever the user typed in that editor?

ℹ️ this is supported for a while now with ctrl+g as default shortcut.

[karnull]

In interactive mode the navigation feels quite inconsistent. Some prompts let me use j/k, but others only work with the arrow keys. Bit confusing and breaks the flow a bit, would be good to have it consistent

[austinorth]

Pleeeeeease! 🙏🏻

[RyanHecht]

Hey folks! We've shipped a vim mode in 1.0.81 -- update to the latest and try it out with /vim!

[cpolish]

Hey folks! We've shipped a vim mode in 1.0.81 -- update to the latest and try it out with /vim!

Hey @RyanHecht, thanks so much for this. I've tried to use /vim in my Copilot CLI installation on 1.0.83, but unfortunately, it's not recognised as a command: is there any more info on this feature?

[aidangannon]

Hey @RyanHecht is this released for everyone or slowly rolled out via feature toggles or canary? I can't access it either... Doesn't seem to work with the --experimental flag either

[dsayling]

/settings editorMode vim seems to be a valid setting, but the editor doesn't seem to be able to switch from insert mode to visual or normal mode 🤷