Feature proposal: vim-style j/k navigation mode (vim-nav)

[jaehho]

Rofi version: 2.0.0-dev (next branch, wayland backend)

Context

Vim-style j/k list navigation has come up a few times — #972, a comment on #73 requested hjkl over Ctrl+n/Ctrl+p, and #1324 tried remapping Ctrl+j/Ctrl+k. I tried a workaround by binding j/k to kb-row-up/kb-row-down but that permanently captures those keys, making them unusable in the filter input. I can't find a way to have them do both depending on context without changing the source code.

Proposed solution

A new boolean config option vim-nav (default false) that makes j/k context-sensitive:

• Input empty → j/k navigate the list
• Input has text → j/k type normally into the filter
• / keybind → enters insert mode (j/k type even with empty input, for searches starting with j or k)
• Backspace to empty → automatically exits insert mode
• Arrow keys and Ctrl+n/Ctrl+p always navigate regardless of mode

Implementation

The change is ~60 lines across 5 files, gated entirely behind the config flag. It works by conditionally rejecting j/k bindings in binding_check_action — when rejected, nk_bindings falls through to normal text output. No changes to the binding library or input pipeline.

• include/keyb.h — add VIM_NAV_INSERT action + getter/setter
• include/settings.h — add vim_nav boolean
• source/keyb.c — conditional check in binding_check_action, / binding, insert mode flag
• source/view.c — handle VIM_NAV_INSERT action, reset insert mode on empty input
• source/xrmoptions.c — register config option

Working implementation: https://github.com/jaehho/rofi/commit/f9a019b

[DaveDavenport]

I am not sure how we can make a good vim mode. As an avid vim user, the above solution to me feels confusing. how 'in vim style' do I navigate columns in list view, as jk does rows (so hl should be columns)..

But then how do I move the cursor in the entry box? (also hl? in the weird combined mode we have now?)..
How does we bind the delete previous word? move word forward?