File Navigation in LazyVim

Fast file navigation is the foundation of efficient coding. LazyVim provides multiple tools for finding and opening files—learn when to use each one.

The Three Ways to Navigate

1. Telescope - Fuzzy finding (most common)
2. Neo-tree - File explorer (visual browsing)
3. Buffer navigation - Switch between open files

Telescope - Fuzzy Finding

Telescope is your primary navigation tool. It's a fuzzy finder that searches files, text, symbols, and more.

Find Files

Space + f + f

How it works:

• Type partial filename (fuzzy match)
• No need for exact matches or paths
• Instant results as you type

Examples:

# Project structure:
src/components/UserProfile.tsx
src/utils/formatDate.ts
tests/components/UserProfile.test.tsx

# Find "UserProfile.tsx":
Space + f + f
Type: "upro"       → Matches UserProfile.tsx
Type: "userpro"    → Also matches
Type: "cmp/user"   → Also matches (path aware)

Pro tips:

• Use Ctrl+j / Ctrl+k to move down/up in results
• Enter to open file
• Ctrl+x to open in horizontal split
• Ctrl+v to open in vertical split
• Ctrl+t to open in new tab

Search Text in Files (Grep)

Space + s + g

Find any text across your entire project:

Space + s + g
Type: "function handleClick"
→ Shows all files containing that text
→ Shows line number and preview

Use cases:

• Find where a function is defined
• Find all TODOs
• Find API endpoint usage
• Find error messages

Pro tip: Use regex:

Space + s + g
Type: "const.*=.*useState"
→ Finds all useState declarations

Find Recent Files

Space + f + r

Shows files you recently opened:

• Faster than fuzzy finding when you just edited a file
• Great for switching between 2-3 files repeatedly

Find Buffers (Open Files)

Space + f + b

Lists currently open files:

• Use this instead of cycling with :bn / :bp
• Type partial filename to filter

Example workflow:

# You have 10 files open
Space + f + b
Type: "user"
→ Shows only UserProfile.tsx, UserSettings.tsx
Enter → Opens selected file

Find Symbols (Go to Symbol)

Space + s + s

Shows all functions, classes, variables in current file:

javascript
// Your file has:
function handleSubmit() {}
function validateForm() {}
const API_URL = "..."
class UserService {}

Space + s + s
Type: "valid"
→ Jump directly to validateForm()

Great for navigating large files without scrolling.

Find Git Files

Space + f + g

Only shows files tracked by git:

• Ignores node_modules, build artifacts, etc.
• Faster than Space + f + f in large repos

Neo-tree - File Explorer

Visual file browser for when you need to see directory structure.

Toggle Explorer

Space + e

Navigation:

• j / k - Move up/down
• Enter - Open file or expand folder
• a - Create new file/folder
• d - Delete
• r - Rename
• c - Copy
• x - Cut
• p - Paste
• q - Close explorer

Keybindings in Neo-tree:

When to Use Neo-tree

Use Neo-tree when:

• ✅ Exploring unfamiliar codebase
• ✅ Need to see folder structure
• ✅ Creating/deleting/renaming multiple files
• ✅ Visual context helps you think

Use Telescope when:

• ✅ You know the filename
• ✅ Quick file switching
• ✅ Searching for text
• ✅ You're already in flow state

Buffer Navigation

Buffers are open files in memory.

Switch Between Buffers

]b    # Next buffer
[b    # Previous buffer

Or use Telescope:

Space + f + b

Close Buffer

Space + b + d    # Close current buffer

List All Buffers

Space + f + b    # Telescope buffer search

Or see buffer list:

:buffers         # Show numbered list
:b <number>      # Jump to buffer number
:b <partial>     # Jump to buffer by partial name

Window (Split) Navigation

Windows are the visible panes on screen.

Navigate Between Windows

Ctrl + h    # Left window
Ctrl + j    # Down window
Ctrl + k    # Up window
Ctrl + l    # Right window

Create Splits

Ctrl + w + s    # Horizontal split
Ctrl + w + v    # Vertical split

Close Window

Ctrl + w + c    # Close current window
Ctrl + w + o    # Close all other windows (keep current)

Resize Windows

Ctrl + w + =    # Equal size
Ctrl + w + >    # Wider
Ctrl + w + <    # Narrower
Ctrl + w + +    # Taller
Ctrl + w + -    # Shorter

Tab Navigation

Tabs are collections of windows.

Tab Management

Space + <tab> + l    # List tabs
Space + <tab> + n    # New tab
Space + <tab> + d    # Close tab
gt                   # Next tab
gT                   # Previous tab

Tabs are useful when:

• Working on two separate features simultaneously
• Keeping different contexts (e.g., code vs config files)

Most people don't need tabs—buffers + splits are enough.

Real-World Workflows

Scenario 1: "I need to edit UserProfile.tsx"

Method 1: Telescope (fastest)

Space + f + f
Type: "upro"
Enter

Method 2: Neo-tree (visual)

Space + e
Navigate to src/components/
Enter on UserProfile.tsx

Scenario 2: "Where is the login function defined?"

Space + s + g
Type: "function login"
Enter on result

Scenario 3: "Switch between 3 files I'm actively editing"

# First time: Open via Telescope
Space + f + f → Open File1
Space + f + f → Open File2
Space + f + f → Open File3

# Then: Quick switch via buffers
Space + f + b
Type partial filename
Enter

Scenario 4: "Navigate large file"

# Inside the file:
Space + s + s       # Symbol search
Type function name
Enter → Jump there

Scenario 5: "Explore new codebase"

Space + e           # Open file explorer
Navigate folders
j/k to move
Enter to open files

Advanced Techniques

Jump to Definition (LSP)

gd    # Go to definition

This is NOT file navigation—it's code intelligence:

• Cursor on a function name
• Press gd
• Jumps to where it's defined (even in another file)

Go back:

Ctrl + o    # Jump back
Ctrl + i    # Jump forward

Jump List

Neovim tracks everywhere you've been:

Ctrl + o    # Jump to older position
Ctrl + i    # Jump to newer position

Example:

1. You're in File A
2. Press gd → Jump to File B
3. Press gd → Jump to File C
4. Press Ctrl+o → Back to File B
5. Press Ctrl+o → Back to File A

Marks

Set marks to bookmark locations:

m + a    # Set mark 'a' at cursor
`a       # Jump to mark 'a'
:marks   # List all marks

Use marks for:

• Temporary bookmarks within a file
• Quick navigation between important spots

Search and Replace in Multiple Files

# 1. Find all occurrences
Space + s + g
Type: "oldFunction"

# 2. Send results to quickfix list
Ctrl + q

# 3. Search and replace
:cdo s/oldFunction/newFunction/g

# 4. Save all changes
:wa

Keyboard Shortcut Summary

Pro Tips

1. Default to Telescope - It's fast and works for 90% of navigation
2. Learn fuzzy matching - Type "upr" instead of "UserProfile", it's faster
3. Use Neo-tree sparingly - Only when you need visual context
4. Master jump list (Ctrl+o / Ctrl+i) - Navigate your code history
5. Don't overuse tabs - Buffers are usually enough
6. Memorize gd - Jump to definition is the most used LSP feature

Common Mistakes

❌ Using arrow keys in Telescope → Use Ctrl+j / Ctrl+k instead (faster)

❌ Scrolling through file explorer → Use Telescope fuzzy find instead

❌ Opening too many splits → Keep it simple: 2-3 splits max

❌ Not learning jump list → Ctrl+o is how you navigate code efficiently

Related:

• LazyVim Setup - Initial configuration
• Code Editing Workflows - Once you've found the file
• LSP and Code Intelligence - Using gd, gr, and other LSP features
• Neovim - The Vim Ecosystem - Understanding the bigger picture