How to use vim (key-bindings) with Visual Studio Code vim extension

Question

I just started using Visual Studio Code and think it's really great. Also installed the vim extension, but I'm struggling with mapping esc to a another key.

Normally I have this:

:imap jj <Esc> 

And I can see that VS Code has a keybindings.json file. I tried this:

[{     "key": "jj",     "command": "vim.Esc",     "when": "editorTextFocus" }] 

Also there is a settings.json file, so I tried:

{   "vim.keyboardLayout": "en-US (QWERTY)",     "vim.insertModeKeyBindings": {         "j": "vim.Esc"     } } 

Also did not work. So does anyone know how to use the a vim extension with VS Code where I can map jj to Esc or something else to Esc perhaps?

Answer 1

Add the following to settings.json (open the Command Pallete and search for "User Settings"):

"vim.insertModeKeyBindings": [      {          "before": ["j", "j"],          "after": ["<esc>"]      } ] 

That should do it.

Answer 2

If you running on Linux and have used setxkbmap to remap Esc to Caps-Lock and have problems, I suggest the following workaround Fix for Esc remapping.

The solution is to add the following to your User Settings

"keyboard.dispatch": "keyCode"

You should save and restart after that