VSCodeVim / VSCodeVim/Vim

README needs more information about Multi-Cursor mode for Vim users

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area/documentation area/multicursor
Dominant language
TypeScript
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Description

I've been using VSCode for a couple of months after using Vim + vim-multiple-cursors for years. I'm still having way too hard a time using the Multi-Cursor mode in VSCode + Vim.

The only "official" information I've found about how to use it is in the plugin README, where it says I can use "gb" to select the next matching word. That still leaves me with many questions that I think should be addressed in the Multi-Cursor mode section of the README:

  • How do I skip selections (like vim-multiple-cursors Ctrl+x)
  • How do I undo a selection (like vim-multiple-cursors Ctrl+p)
  • How do I go from visual block mode to Multi-Cursor mode? For example, if I have visual block selection over 30 lines, is it possible to press a keyboard shortcut and convert that visual block selection to one cursor per line? I'm almost positive I've done this by accident a couple of times, but I can't figure out how I did it.
  • Is it possible to modify the keybinds to match vim-multiple-cursors (or other plugins) without breaking something? For example, can I rebind Ctrl+n to start Multi-Cursor mode without breaking the Ctrl+n keybind in other contexts, like selecting the next line in a auto-complete suggestion list.
  • How do I "Add Cursor Below" (or Above) without moving my hands away from the "Vim position" (to the arrow keys)
  • How do I "Add Cursor Below" x times? If I have 20-30 lines to select, I feel like I should be able to press 30<C-S-Down> to do that instantly, instead I have to move my right hand down to the arrow keys and spam down 30 times - very un-vim-like. Although I wouldn't ever need to use this keybind if I could go from visual block mode to Multi-Cursor mode.

I think adding some more information about how Multi-Cursor mode is used would help relatively new users like me a lot.

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start with the plugin README and the Multi-Cursor mode section referenced in the issue. Verify each listed Vim and VSCodeVim workflow, including skipped or undone selections, visual-block conversion, keybinding changes, and adding cursors above or below. Done means the README answers these user questions with accurate usage guidance.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
typescript, vim
Domain
documentation
Issue type
Documentation
Difficulty
3/5
Estimated time
1-2 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
45/100

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