Vim keybindings for the whole web — and why they are free
Motions, link hints, a which-key leader menu, caret browsing, and in-field editing — the whole Vim layer, on every plan, for every website.
Vim keybindings for the whole web let you scroll, follow links, navigate, and edit text on any site using the motions you already know — no mouse, no site cooperation. HotKeyNavigator brings the full layer to every website: motions and link hints, a which-key leader menu, caret browsing, a command palette, and true modal editing inside text fields. All of it is free on every plan.
If you live in Vim, leaving its motions behind every time you open a browser tab is a small daily papercut. This guide covers what a complete web Vim layer includes — navigation, a command palette, and in-field editing — and why the whole thing sits on the free plan instead of behind an upgrade.
What a full web Vim layer includes
A complete web Vim layer covers four things: navigating the page with motions and link hints, running any mapped action from a command palette, driving a real cursor with caret browsing, and editing text inside fields with modal commands. Most keyboard extensions stop at the first; the editing layer is what closes the gap with your actual editor.
| Layer | What it does | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Motions & link hints | Scroll, jump, and click by typing a hint | Free |
| Command palette | Fuzzy-find and run any mapped action | Free |
| Which-key leader menu | Pops up every action you can run next | Free |
| Caret browsing | A real cursor driven with hjkl, w/b, f, marks | Free |
| In-field editing | NORMAL/INSERT/VISUAL inside text boxes | Free |
Get moving in a minute
There is nothing to configure to start. Install Vim mode, open any page, and the motions work immediately; the editing layer inside text fields is the one piece that is opt-in, so you turn it on when you want it.
- Install the extension and open any website.
- Scroll and jump with Vim motions right away.
- Trigger link hints and type a label to click without the mouse.
- Open the command palette to find and run any mapped action.
Motions and link hints
Motions and link hints replace the mouse for moving around a page. You scroll and jump with familiar Vim motions, and link hints overlay short labels on every clickable element so you follow a link or press a button by typing its hint — no reaching for the mouse, no tabbing through the whole page to reach one control. Full keyboard operability is a recognised web standard — WCAG’s keyboard criterion requires all functionality to work from a keyboard — even if most sites fall short of it.
A command palette for everything
The command palette puts every action you have mapped one search away. Start typing, narrow to the action you want, and run it — the same muscle memory as a fuzzy finder in your editor. It scales as your key map grows, so you never have to remember which key does what.
A full editing layer
The navigation basics are just the start; the editing layer is where web Vim becomes complete. It adds a which-key leader menu, caret browsing with a real cursor, and modal editing inside text fields, so the keys that move you around a page also edit the text you write there.
Which-key and caret browsing
The which-key leader menu pops up every action you can run next, so a large key map stays discoverable. Caret browsing gives you a real cursor you drive with hjkl, w/b, f-to-char, marks, and jump history — selecting and moving through page text without the mouse.
In-field modal editing
When you opt in, text fields get true NORMAL, INSERT, and VISUAL modes, including rich editors like the Gmail compose box. Every key is remappable and individually disablable, with conflict detection, so the layer fits your existing muscle memory instead of fighting it. This is the piece most keyboard extensions lack, and it gets its own deep dive in Vim inside Gmail.
The two halves work as one flow: hint to a field, edit it with NORMAL-mode operators, Esc out, and hint to the next control — no mouse from start to finish. Pair the palette and hints with your own custom shortcuts and the whole browser answers to the keyboard.
- Vim motions and link hints on any page.
- A fuzzy command palette over all your shortcuts.
- Which-key leader menu, caret browsing, and in-field editing.
- Every key remappable and disablable, with conflict detection.
- The whole layer included free — no upgrade required.
Why the whole layer is free
The Vim layer is free because keyboard-first people are exactly who HotKeyNavigator was built for. Gating the motions, palette, and modal editing that define that workflow behind a paywall would undercut the point. The paid plan unlocks capability breadth — macros, sequences, unlimited profiles — not the keyboard navigation itself.
Frequently asked questions
Are Vim keybindings really free on every plan?
Yes. The entire Vim layer — motions, link hints, the command palette, the which-key leader menu, caret browsing, and in-field modal editing — is free on every plan. It is not a limited trial or a teaser; keyboard navigation is treated as core, not a paid upgrade.
Do the keybindings work on any website?
Yes. The layer runs on top of any site, so motions, link hints, and the command palette work regardless of whether the site offers keyboard support. In-field editing works in plain inputs, textareas, and rich editors like the Gmail compose box.
Can I remap the Vim keys to match my own setup?
Yes. Every key is individually remappable and can be disabled, with conflict detection to catch overlaps. That lets you match your existing muscle memory and avoid clashes with a site’s own shortcuts, rather than adopting a fixed key map you cannot change.
How is this different from basic browser keyboard navigation?
Browser tab-navigation moves focus between controls one at a time. A Vim layer adds motions, link hints to jump straight to any element, a searchable command palette, a real caret you drive with keys, and modal text editing — a far more complete keyboard workflow than tabbing.
What does the paid plan add if Vim is free?
The paid plan unlocks capability breadth beyond navigation — DOM click macros, multi-step sequences, the JavaScript runner, unlimited domain profiles, and cloud sync. The Vim layer stays free because it is core to the keyboard-first workflow, while the paid powers extend what a shortcut can do.
Keyboard-first people are the ones we built this for, so the whole Vim layer is free for everyone.