kindaVim

kindaVim is a desktop application for macOS that puts Vim-style keyboard navigation into virtually any app on your computer. It's not a text editor plugin or a port of Vim itself. Instead, it uses the macOS Accessibility API to read and interact with on-screen elements, letting you move the cursor, select text, and execute commands using familiar Vim keybindings like `h`, `j`, `k`, `l`, and `w`. This works in native apps like Safari, Notes, Xcode, and many others. If an app doesn't support Accessibility, kindaVim has a fallback mode that remaps your key presses to simulate Vim behavior.

What sets kindaVim apart is its scope. It goes beyond simple text fields. You can use Vim moves to navigate Google search suggestions, select emails in a list, move through dropdown menus, or even control media playback. You can customize how you enter Normal Mode—using the Escape key, a two-letter sequence like `jk`, or a custom shortcut. The app provides visual feedback with a floating characters window that shows your current move or mode, and it can highlight the active window to keep you oriented.

The tool is built for macOS users who are fluent in Vim and want that efficiency everywhere. It's particularly useful for developers writing code in IDEs, writers drafting in text editors, or anyone who prefers keyboard shortcuts over the mouse. The trial version is full-featured and unlimited, but it sleeps in the mornings unless you subscribe for a small monthly fee to keep it active 24/7.