Skip to content

Why I left my IDE — my journey to Neovim

My IT journey started with configuring a router based on Linux Slackware — of course, with no monitor, no keyboard, no mouse, no IDE. There, I discovered the beauty and simplicity of vim over ssh.

In my professional career, projects were done in VSCode and PyCharm. It was comfortable... until it wasn't anymore. This is a short story about my return to the place where it all began. Luckily, the vim and neovim projects were never abandoned :)

The repository with my growing configuration: repo

What started to bother me?

  • Slow startup
  • Constant clicking and searching
  • Plugins I don't control
  • Too many distractions, too little focus

I felt that I needed a simpler tool — one that does not distract, but supports me.

Why Neovim?

  • It starts instantly
  • I do everything from the keyboard
  • I have full control over the configuration
  • It works with Pytest, Git, and linters — without leaving the editor

This is not a trend. It's a conscious choice for simplicity.

My goals

  • Replace the IDE with something that truly serves me
  • Understand everything in my init.lua file
  • Write tests without leaving the editor
  • Share this journey — maybe it helps someone else

Not everyone needs Neovim. But if you're also tired of the chaos, maybe this path is for you too.

— Andrzej 🐢

→ The plugins I use

→ How I test in Neovim