Is Alchemist.vim still maintained or updated?

No, the README states the project is archived and recommends using neovim-lspconfig with elixir-ls or next-ls for Neovim users, indicating it's no longer under active development.

How do I install Alchemist.vim with Vundle plugin manager?

Add 'Plugin slashmili/alchemist.vim' to your .vimrc and run :PluginInstall in Vim. Ensure Erlang OTP >=19 and Elixir are installed first, as specified in the installation instructions.

Alchemist.vim vs elixir-ls for Vim: which should I choose?

Alchemist.vim is Vim-native but archived, while elixir-ls with LSP clients like vim-lsp offers more features and active maintenance. For new projects, elixir-ls is generally better due to ongoing support.

Can Alchemist.vim work with Neovim instead of Vim?

It might run in Neovim, but the README directs Neovim users to neovim-lspconfig, suggesting compatibility issues or inferior performance compared to dedicated LSP setups for Neovim.

How to use documentation lookup in Alchemist.vim?

After installation, refer to the wiki for key mappings or commands; typically, you can hover over symbols or use shortcuts like :AlchemistDoc to display Elixir documentation inline.

What happens if I encounter bugs in Alchemist.vim now?

Since it's archived, you'll need to rely on community forks or workarounds; the issue tracker is likely inactive, making troubleshooting difficult compared to supported plugins.

Open-Awesome

Alchemist.vim

GPL-3.0Elixir3.5.0

A Vim plugin providing Elixir language integration with completion, documentation, and navigation using ElixirSense.

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645 stars38 forks0 contributors

What is Alchemist.vim?

Alchemist.vim is a Vim plugin that integrates Elixir language support into the Vim editor. It uses ElixirSense to provide features like code completion, documentation lookup, and navigation, helping developers write and understand Elixir code more efficiently within Vim.

Target Audience

Elixir developers who prefer using Vim as their primary code editor and want enhanced language tooling without switching to a different IDE.

Value Proposition

It offers a lightweight, Vim-native solution for Elixir development with reliable language intelligence, avoiding the overhead of larger IDEs while maintaining a familiar editing workflow.

Overview

Elixir Integration Into Vim

Use Cases

Best For

Adding Elixir language support to Vim configurations
Getting intelligent code completion for Elixir modules and functions
Looking up Elixir documentation without leaving the editor
Navigating Elixir codebases by jumping to definitions
Integrating Mix and IEx tools directly into Vim workflows
Enhancing productivity for Vim users working on Elixir projects

Not Ideal For

Neovim users seeking modern Language Server Protocol (LSP) integration
Teams requiring actively maintained plugins with ongoing updates and security patches
Developers working in polyglot environments who need unified editor tooling across multiple languages

Pros & Cons

Pros

Vim-Native ElixirSense

Leverages ElixirSense directly within Vim for intelligent completion, documentation lookup, and jump-to-definition, avoiding external IDE bloat as highlighted in the README.

Mix and IEx Integration

Seamlessly integrates Elixir's build tool Mix and interactive shell IEx, enabling project tasks and code evaluation without leaving Vim, per the feature list.

Lightweight Configuration

Requires only Erlang/OTP and Elixir installation, with setup via plugin managers like Vundle, keeping the Vim environment minimal and fast.

Cons

Archived and Unmaintained

The repository is explicitly archived, meaning no bug fixes, feature updates, or compatibility improvements, risking obsolescence with newer Vim or Elixir versions.

Setup and Dependency Hassles

Manual installation of Erlang and Elixir is required, and configuration relies on external wikis, making it less turnkey than modern LSP solutions that auto-manage dependencies.

Limited Ecosystem Support

Lacks advanced LSP features like code actions or real-time diagnostics, and the wiki-based documentation may be incomplete compared to actively developed alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

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