Normal mode & moving with hjkl

Why Vim has modes, and how to move without arrow keys.

Four keys, four directions, no reach. j has the descender that hangs downward; l sits furthest right — the shapes are the mnemonic.

beginner » Move one character left with h.

goal

cursor

scratch.txt

1 cursor

-- NORMAL -- 1,4

keys

your keystrokes appear here as you press them

NORMAL ~/learn/vim-motions · 1/4 · h real vim keys trail · always esc in-editor

Best on a keyboard

“Normal mode & moving with hjkl” is a hands-on typing drill — it needs a physical keyboard. Open it on a laptop or desktop to play. You can still browse and read everything here on your phone.

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