venn.nvim
A Neovim plugin for drawing ASCII diagrams directly in the editor using visual block mode.
What is venn.nvim?
venn.nvim is a Neovim plugin designed for drawing ASCII diagrams directly inside the editor. It allows users to create boxes, lines, and arrows using visual block selections and custom key mappings, eliminating the need for external diagramming tools. The plugin solves the problem of quickly sketching technical diagrams or flowcharts while maintaining focus within Neovim.
Neovim users who frequently create documentation, notes, or technical diagrams and prefer a keyboard-centric workflow without switching applications.
Developers choose venn.nvim for its seamless integration with Neovim, minimal setup, and efficiency in creating ASCII graphics. Its flexibility with modal keymapping systems and compatibility with other plugins like hydra.nvim offer a tailored diagramming experience directly in the editor.
Overview
Draw ASCII diagrams in Neovim
Use Cases
Best For
- Creating quick ASCII flowcharts in Neovim
- Drawing boxes and lines for technical documentation
- Making simple diagrams in markdown or text files
- Enhancing note-taking with visual elements
- Building ASCII art or schematics directly in the editor
- Integrating diagramming into a keyboard-driven Neovim workflow
Not Ideal For
- Projects requiring graphical or high-fidelity diagrams beyond ASCII art
- Teams needing real-time collaborative diagram editing with non-technical users
- Users who prefer zero-configuration, GUI-based tools for diagram creation
Pros & Cons
Pros
Select a region in visual block mode and invoke :VBox to draw rectangles or lines, simplifying diagram creation directly in the buffer.
Custom keymaps like HJKL allow rapid line drawing without leaving normal mode, enhancing speed for frequent diagrammers.
Seamlessly works with modal systems like hydra.nvim and movers like mini.move, offering extended drawing and repositioning capabilities.
Uses UTF characters for diagrams, providing enhanced visual representation over basic ASCII, as shown in the README examples.
Cons
Setting up key mappings requires custom Lua code, such as the toggle function in the README, which can be complex for users not versed in Neovim configuration.
Primarily supports boxes and lines; lacks built-in support for advanced shapes or flowchart symbols without manual character input.
For features like moving selections, it relies on plugins like mini.move, which have known issues like incorrect collision fixup, adding fragility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Projects
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zk-nvimNeovim extension for zk
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