I’ve been using VIM (or VIM mode in other editors) since undergrad. I would often have to context switch between the command line (usually defaulting to EMACS style keybindings) and my editors.

However, someone showed me that you can enable VIM keybindings in a .inputrc config file.

This .inputrc config file is read by the readline program. By enabling vi editing-mode and vi-command keymap - your terminal will behave like a VIM editor.

Moreover - readline based command line utilities (psql, python, etc.) also now use a VIM interface.

You get dropped into insert mode - so it feels pretty typical. But you can escape to normal mode - navigate back through your history like you’re navigating through a file in VIM (via the k key). If you pick an old line - you can edit the line as you would any other line in VIM. If you’re used to working in VIM - it feels very ergonomic to always use those keybindings.

Here is what that looks like in my .inputrc config file.

set editing-mode vi
set keymap vi-command

It is a simple enough change that I’ll manually make it on most hosts I work on.

Here is a more in-depth post discussing more configuration options - though I have always found the simple one good for my use.