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I believe that the art of Vim has nothing to do with disallowing any tools available for you, but rather finding the best (i.e., most efficient) path to altering text. The truth is that sometimes the arrow keys really are the most efficient. This is particularly true in cases where several small insert-mode changes need to be made that are interspersed with several small navigations.

Here is a small test to illustrate this:

Fast: Using Arrow Keys (Insert Mode)

Slow: Using HJKL Navigation (Command Mode)

Using arrow keys here is clearly faster. I particularly noticed the cost of exiting and re-entering insert mode. Not only does it take extra keystrokes, but it also forces me to reset my left hand position. A different set of characters to add (maybe more right-hand focused) could change the results, but I believe the effect would be similar.

Here is a similar example where HJKL navigation will typically prove better:

Slow: Using Arrow Keys (Insert Mode)

Fast: Using HJKL Navigation (Command Mode)

When it comes down to it, the best we can do is to approximate the fastest path to the target document state. If it's helpful to do so with Vim's command mode, then use it, but if arrow keys in insert mode will suit you best then use that instead.

I believe that the art of Vim has nothing to do with disallowing any tools available for you, but rather finding the best (i.e., most efficient) path to altering text. The truth is that sometimes the arrow keys really are the most efficient. This is particularly true in cases where several small insert-mode changes need to be made that are interspersed with several small navigations.

Here is a small test to illustrate this:

Fast: Using Arrow Keys (Insert Mode)

Slow: Using HJKL Navigation (Normal Mode)

Using arrow keys here is clearly faster. Not only does exiting and re-entering insert mode cost extra keystrokes, but it also requires the user to reset their left hand position. A different set of characters to add (maybe more right-hand focused) could change the results, but I believe the effect would be similar.

Here is a similar example where HJKL navigation will typically prove better:

Slow: Using Arrow Keys (Insert Mode)

Fast: Using HJKL Navigation (Normal Mode)

When it comes down to it, all we can do is to approximate the fastest path. Oftentimes this is best without arrow keys, and this is where Vim shines -- we could all share countless tricks and tools for normal mode manipulation. But, sometimes, there's just nothing better than arrow keys.

The true art of Vim has nothing to do with disallowing any tools available for you, but rather finding the best (i.e., most efficient) path to altering text. The truth is that sometimes the arrow keys really are the most efficient. This is particularly true in cases where several small changes need to be made that are interspersed with several small navigations.

I decided to try a small test of this on my own:

Using Arrow Keys (Insert Mode)

Using HJKL Navigation (Command Mode)

I particularly noticed the cost of exiting and re-entering insert mode. Not only does it take extra keystrokes, but it also forces me to reset my left hand position, when I could keep both hands in the same position for the whole process when using the arrow keys. I have to admit, a different set of characters to add (maybe more right-hand focused) could change the results, but I believe the effect would be similar.

When it comes down to it, the best we can do is to approximate the fastest path to the target document state. If it's helpful to do so with Vim's command mode tooling, then use it, but if arrow keys in insert mode will suit you best then use that instead.

Here is a similar example where HJKL navigation might prove better:

Using Arrow Keys (Insert Mode)

Using HJKL Navigation (Command Mode)

I believe that the art of Vim has nothing to do with disallowing any tools available for you, but rather finding the best (i.e., most efficient) path to altering text. The truth is that sometimes the arrow keys really are the most efficient. This is particularly true in cases where several small insert-mode changes need to be made that are interspersed with several small navigations.

Here is a small test to illustrate this:

Fast: Using Arrow Keys (Insert Mode)

Slow: Using HJKL Navigation (Command Mode)

Using arrow keys here is clearly faster. I particularly noticed the cost of exiting and re-entering insert mode. Not only does it take extra keystrokes, but it also forces me to reset my left hand position. A different set of characters to add (maybe more right-hand focused) could change the results, but I believe the effect would be similar.

Here is a similar example where HJKL navigation will typically prove better:

Slow: Using Arrow Keys (Insert Mode)

Fast: Using HJKL Navigation (Command Mode)

When it comes down to it, the best we can do is to approximate the fastest path to the target document state. If it's helpful to do so with Vim's command mode, then use it, but if arrow keys in insert mode will suit you best then use that instead.

The true art of Vim has nothing to do with disallowing any tools available for you, but rather finding the best (and most efficient) path to altering text. The truth is that sometimes the arrow keys really are the most efficient. This is particularly true in cases where several small changes need to be made that are interspersed with several small navigations.

I decided to try a small test of this on my own:

Using Arrow Keys (Insert Mode)

Using HJKL Navigation (Command Mode)

I particularly noticed the cost of exiting and re-entering insert mode. Not only does it take extra keystrokes, but it also forces me to reset my left hand position, when I could keep both hands in the same position for the whole process when using the arrow keys. I have to admit, a different set of characters to add (maybe more right-hand focused) could change the results, but I believe the effect would be similar.

When it comes down to it, the best we can do is to approximate the fastest path to the target document state. If it's helpful to do so with Vim's command mode tooling, then use it, but if arrow keys in insert mode will suit you best then use that instead.

The true art of Vim has nothing to do with disallowing any tools available for you, but rather finding the best (i.e., most efficient) path to altering text. The truth is that sometimes the arrow keys really are the most efficient. This is particularly true in cases where several small changes need to be made that are interspersed with several small navigations.

I decided to try a small test of this on my own:

Using Arrow Keys (Insert Mode)

Using HJKL Navigation (Command Mode)

I particularly noticed the cost of exiting and re-entering insert mode. Not only does it take extra keystrokes, but it also forces me to reset my left hand position, when I could keep both hands in the same position for the whole process when using the arrow keys. I have to admit, a different set of characters to add (maybe more right-hand focused) could change the results, but I believe the effect would be similar.

When it comes down to it, the best we can do is to approximate the fastest path to the target document state. If it's helpful to do so with Vim's command mode tooling, then use it, but if arrow keys in insert mode will suit you best then use that instead.

Here is a similar example where HJKL navigation might prove better:

Using Arrow Keys (Insert Mode)

Using HJKL Navigation (Command Mode)