Neovim Configuration Guide: Is the Terminal Editor Still Worth It in 2025?

After using Neovim for a year, here are my configuration insights.

Why Neovim

  • Fast startup (50ms vs Code's 5s)
  • Low memory usage (200MB vs Code's 1GB+)
  • Pure keyboard operation, no mouse needed
  • Config files are code, version-controllable
  • Works on remote servers too

Core Plugins

I don't use many plugins, but the ones I do are essential:

  • Lazy.nvim: Plugin manager (replacing Packer)
  • nvim-lspconfig: LSP configuration (code completion, go-to-definition, error diagnostics)
  • nvim-cmp: Autocompletion engine
  • Telescope: Fuzzy finder (files, symbols, Git)
  • neo-tree: File explorer
  • gitsigns: Git status display
  • tokyonight: Color scheme

Configuration Approach

Don't just copy someone else's config. The best way is: 1. Start with the minimum number of plugins 2. Find solutions when you hit pain points 3. Understand each plugin's configuration 4. Regularly clean up unused plugins

Should VS Code Users Switch?

  • If you often write code on remote servers → Highly recommended
  • If you primarily write Java/C# → Skip it (IDEs are better)
  • If you write Python/Go/Rust/JS → Worth trying
  • If you pursue a "hands never leave the keyboard" experience → Must try

Neovim's learning curve is indeed steep, but once you get used to it, there's no going back.

About Zihao Zhang

Data Platform Engineer. Distributed systems, OLAP databases, AI Agent development.

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