Evil-mode
An extensible Vim emulation layer for the Emacs text editor.
Praised as the best Vim emulation layer, with modal editing that feels built into Emacs12 and is stable enough for full-time use.34 Commenters raised no complaints; it suits Vim users moving to Emacs, often via Doom.56
Why people recommend it
Vim emulation · 3
Called the best Vim-emulation layer, one that feels like a built-in feature of Emacs.
“Evil-mode in Emacs is just wonderful. It's the best vim-emulation layer”
“Evil-mode in Emacs feels like a built-in feature.”
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“I use it full-time and 90% of my non-web-browsing work is in Emacs”
Best of both · 3
Lets users keep Vim bindings while getting Emacs features and shortcuts.
“I use Emacs with Evil-mode – the best of both worlds!”
“I use it full-time and 90% of my non-web-browsing work is in Emacs”
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“I can always use evil-mode if I want the vim bindings”
Stability · 2
Described as very stable, including as a refuge from a fragile Neovim setup.
“I use it full-time and 90% of my non-web-browsing work is in Emacs”
“I switched to Emacs and Doom + eVil, and am relieved to be back in a nice stable system again”
Easier switching · 2
Helps Vim users make the move to Emacs.
“using evil-mode was _very_ helpful in making the switch easier so I recommend that”
“I switched to Emacs and Doom + eVil, and am relieved to be back in a nice stable system again”
Org mode · 1
Works with Org mode for quick Vim-style navigation and editing of documents.
“I use Org mode with Evil, to get VIM keybindings.”
Caveats and dissent
No one in these comments warned against it.
Often compared with
Who recommends it in their own words
Threads where it came up
- Emacs Turns 50 3 mentions
- I tried to move my notes out of Emacs. I failed. Again 1 mention
- Emacs 31 Is Around the Corner: The Changes I'm Daily Driving 1 mention
- Emacs Appearances in Pop Culture 1 mention
- Show HN: I built a system for active note-taking in regular meetings like 1-1s 1 mention
- Ask HN: Where to begin with "modern" Emacs? 1 mention
Also written as Evil, evil-mode. Data: evil-mode.json. Quotes are verbatim; the verdict and theme labels are written by a model from these comments, and every clause links to its sources.
All comments 8
“Evil-mode in Emacs is just wonderful. It's the best vim-emulation layer”
“I can always use evil-mode if I want the vim bindings”
“I switched to Emacs and Doom + eVil, and am relieved to be back in a nice stable system again”
“I use it full-time and 90% of my non-web-browsing work is in Emacs”
“Evil-mode in Emacs feels like a built-in feature.”
“I use Emacs with Evil-mode – the best of both worlds!”
“I use Org mode with Evil, to get VIM keybindings.”
“using evil-mode was _very_ helpful in making the switch easier so I recommend that”