Hardtime.nvim is a Neovim plugin designed to help users break their reliance on inefficient editing habits, particularly excessive use of the arrow keys and mouse. It achieves this by imposing configurable restrictions, such as disabling or delaying certain keys and actions, forcing the user to learn and utilize more efficient Vim motions and commands. The plugin offers varying levels of difficulty and customization options, allowing users to tailor the restrictions to their specific needs and gradually improve their Vim proficiency. It aims to encourage a more immersive and productive editing experience by promoting mastery of Vim's core functionalities.
The GitHub repository introduces "hardtime.nvim," a Neovim plugin designed to help users break free from inefficient editing habits and cultivate mastery of Vim's powerful motion commands. The plugin operates by strategically disabling or restricting certain keys and key combinations, forcing the user to rely on Vim's more advanced movement capabilities. This enforced reliance on optimal motions aims to instill muscle memory and improve overall editing speed and efficiency within the Neovim environment. Hardtime.nvim provides a high degree of configurability, allowing users to tailor the restrictions to their specific needs and learning goals. This includes defining which keys to disable, the duration of the restrictions, and the specific Neovim modes in which the restrictions are active (e.g., normal mode, insert mode, etc.). The plugin also offers the flexibility to temporarily disable the restrictions using a dedicated toggle command, providing an escape hatch for situations where alternative navigation is genuinely necessary. By gradually exposing the user to progressively challenging constraints, hardtime.nvim encourages a deliberate and structured approach to learning Vim motions, ultimately leading to a more fluent and intuitive editing experience. The plugin's core functionality revolves around the concept of "challenges," pre-configured sets of restrictions that target specific bad habits. Users can select from pre-existing challenges or create their own custom challenges to address individual areas of improvement. The stated objective of hardtime.nvim is to promote the internalization of efficient Vim motions, transforming them from conscious actions to ingrained reflexes, thereby enhancing productivity and reducing reliance on less efficient editing methods.
Summary of Comments ( 40 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44020734
HN users generally praised the idea behind hardtime.nvim, finding it a novel and potentially helpful way to improve Vim proficiency. Some expressed interest in incorporating similar mechanics into their own workflows, while others suggested specific improvements, like the ability to disable specific motions or a "Zen mode" for focused practice sessions. A few commenters questioned the plugin's long-term effectiveness, arguing that it might hinder workflow more than help it or encourage reliance on the escape key. One commenter suggested using a modal editor like Kakoune might inherently discourage the use of arrow keys, thereby negating the need for such a plugin. There was also some discussion of existing plugins and Vim features like key remapping that offer similar functionality.
The Hacker News post titled "Show HN: Hardtime.nvim – break bad habits and master Vim motions" sparked a relatively brief discussion with a handful of comments, focusing primarily on practical uses and alternative approaches rather than in-depth analysis.
One commenter suggested that a similar outcome could be achieved through key remapping and expressed a preference for a modal approach where such restrictions could be toggled on/off. They envisioned a mode where inefficient commands wouldn't function and a normal mode where all commands would be available. This suggests a desire for more control and flexibility than a constant restriction.
Another commenter pointed out the existing plugin called "vim-hardmode" and questioned the need for a new plugin with overlapping functionality. They implied that perhaps this new plugin offered some distinct features or improvements, but without specifying what those might be, leaving it open for interpretation.
A third commenter shared their personal experience and strategy for improving Vim proficiency. They explained that they consciously avoid using the arrow keys and the mouse, relying instead on Vim's hjkl movement keys and other efficient commands. They framed this as a self-imposed challenge that has yielded positive results in their Vim workflow.
Finally, the author of the "hardtime.nvim" plugin responded to the comment mentioning "vim-hardmode," clarifying that their plugin offers a more granular level of control. Specifically, they highlighted the ability to define custom rules and the option to selectively disable specific keys, which they contrasted with the more general approach of "vim-hardmode." This suggests a focus on customization and tailored restrictions as a differentiating feature.
In summary, the comments section primarily revolves around alternative methods for achieving similar goals, comparisons to an existing plugin, and a brief explanation of the new plugin's key features, particularly its granular customization options. The discussion remains concise and doesn't delve into extensive debates or complex technical details.