First Launch

When timvim opens for the first time you are greeted by the alpha dashboard — a Kartoza-branded start screen with quick actions for creating, finding and restoring files. From here you can jump straight into editing.

Everything is already wired up

Because timvim is built declaratively with Nix, there is no plugin manager to run and nothing to bootstrap. The editor ships complete:

• Language servers and formatters are on the editor's PATH from the first launch — no :Mason step, no manual installs. Open a supported file and the LSP attaches automatically.
• Fuzzy finding, git tooling, treesitter and the UI are all pre-configured.

Supported languages out of the box

Python (pyright, black), Nix (nixd, nixfmt), Lua (stylua), Shell (shfmt), Web/Markdown (prettier) and Java (google-java-format), among others.

Copilot needs Node.js

GitHub Copilot ghost-text completion requires Node.js 22+. This is bundled with the timvim package and the Home Manager module, so it works automatically when you install timvim the supported way.

Running Neovim outside the wrapper

If you launch a plain nvim that is not the wrapped timvim package, Node.js may not be on your PATH and Copilot will not start. Use nix run, the built package, or the Home Manager install so the bundled Node.js is available.

Opening the which-key menu

timvim uses the Space key as its leader. Press Space in normal mode and pause — a which-key popup lists every available command group (git, find, Claude Code, refactoring, toggles and more) with icons and descriptions.

Discoverability first

You do not need to memorise keybindings. Press Space, read the menu, and drill down. For example <leader>ff finds files and <leader>ac toggles the Claude Code chat.

Where to get help

• Press Space to browse the which-key menu.
• Run :help inside Neovim for the built-in documentation.
• Browse this handbook for guides on features and keybindings.
• File issues or questions at github.com/timlinux/nix-vim.

Next, get to know the dashboard.