IdeaVIM: How do I conveniently rename a variable I extract?

Question

In IdeaVIM, if I extract a variable and want to name it, it seems like I'm in visual mode (the name of the variable is highlighted), yet I can't figure out a way to change what's highlighted. Here's an image:

If I type c, it doesn't do anything. If I type cc, it changes the whole line. Basically, it acts like I'm in command mode yet the name is highlighted as if it's in visual mode. What I want to do 99% of the time is change this word. Yet, the cursor is annoyingly one character after the word so ciw doesn't change it.

What's a convenient way to rename this variable? I've normally done hciw. I'd prefer that "extract variable" put me directly into insert mode, though.

Answer 1

It's a little counterintuitive, but the easiest thing to do is just immediately hit i to enter insert mode, then start typing the new name, and it will replace the highlighted text.

The problem, as I see it, is that vim is modal and vanilla IntelliJ is also modal, and what you have here is the interaction of two sets of modes. To understand the IntelliJ modes, try turning off IdeaVIM with ^Z and use the extract variable refactoring. Notice how if you start typing right away, what you type replaces the selected text, but if you move the cursor first and then start typing, what you type is inserted at the cursor. Now add IdeaVIM to the mix: once you are in insert mode, IntelliJ's behavior kicks in.

See VIM-274 for a request to change this behavior and some discussion of alternatives.

Answer 2

For "Extract Variable" once you've got to the point where it's suggesting names:

What always works is pressing Escape, b, cw and then typing the new name. Sometimes you can press b right away, but often that puts me into visual mode for some reason, so pressing Escape is guaranteed.