Vimium: Browse Chrome With the Keyboard Instead of the Mouse
Vimium · for Windows, macOS and Linux
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
The download link points to the program’s official source; the file is not hosted on this site. Link address: chromewebstore.google.com
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Vimium is a free, open-source Chrome extension by Phil Crosby and Ilya Sukhar that adds Vim-style keyboard shortcuts for scrolling, following links, managing tabs and searching. It is released under the MIT licence.
Vimium is for people who would rather keep their hands on the keyboard. Inspired by the Vim text editor, it turns single keys into browser commands: scrolling, opening links, switching tabs and more.
Keys worth learning first
- ? shows the help dialog with every available command.
- j and k scroll down and up; h and l scroll left and right.
- gg jumps to the top of the page, G to the bottom.
- d and u scroll half a page down or up.
- f labels the links on the page so you can open one by typing its letters; F opens it in a new tab.
- r reloads the page, yy copies the current URL.
- i enters insert mode, so you can type in forms without triggering commands; press Esc to leave it.
Keys can be remapped, and the README on GitHub explains how.
Install
- Use the Download button to open the Vimium page on the Chrome Web Store.
- Click Add to Chrome and press ? on any page to see the commands.
About the permission warning
Chrome shows a strong warning because Vimium asks to load its script into every page. The developers note that this is what it needs to listen for your keys, and that Vimium never talks to any server and does nothing with your data. The store listing confirms that the developer declares no data collection, and the MIT-licensed source code is public.
Where it does not work
Google does not let Vimium run on the Chrome Web Store itself or on Chrome’s New Tab page, by design. For managing large numbers of open tabs, see OneTab.
Pros
- Fast keyboard-only browsing
- Customizable key bindings
- Open source, no data collection
Cons
- Has a learning curve
- Cannot run on the New Tab page or Chrome Web Store
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Vimium not work on the New Tab page?
Chrome does not allow extensions like Vimium to run on the New Tab page or the Chrome Web Store, by design.
How do I type in a text field without triggering Vimium?
Clicking a text field lets you type normally. You can also press i to enter insert mode, which ignores Vimium commands until you press Esc.
VimiumOpen source
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