A Neovim distribution optimized for writing, inspired by WordStar

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VimStar turns Neovim into a word processor while retaining Neovim's powerful completion, debugging, and navigation for all your coding needs. With a menu system inspired by WordStar, it's ideal for technical writing, creative writing, coding, and even publishing. The goal for VimStar is to provide the best writing and editing environment possible for text and code alike by combining the functionality of two of the best editors that have ever existed.

Why VimStar?

📝 Writing First

Markdown, LaTeX, Typst, word count, and one-click Pandoc publishing.

⚡ WordStar Menus

Space-K (Block & Save), Space-O (Onscreen Format), Space-P (Print Controls), Space-Q (Quick Menu) organize word processing functions.

🤖 AI Assistant

Integrates CodeCompanion with Ollama for inline suggestions and chat.

💻 Language Support

LSPs and debugging for Python, Lua, TypeScript, Java, C, Go, and more.

📚 Wiki System

Complete time management system implemented with wiki.vim and Markdown.

🛠️ Batteries Included

Lazy.nvim, Mason, Tree-sitter: everything auto-installed.

Screenshots

Dashboard

Start right away with a new or recent file.

Markdown Editing

Defaults to Markdown, with full Git support.

Install

The installation script clones or updates VimStar to the active user’s home directory and links that to Neovim’s config directory:

• Linux: ~/.config/nvim
• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/nvim
• Windows: $env:LOCALAPPDATA\nvim

If you have a Neovim configuration already, rename the config directory or back it up and remove it before installing.

Requirements

• Neovim 0.11+
• Git (must be available in PATH)

Optional Requirements:

• Pandoc with Typst for publishing/conversions
• npm for some Markdown plugins
• Ollama for AI chat/completion features
• Yarn to compile Markdown preview

Linux/macOS

curl -sLf https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sez11a/VimStar/master/install-vimstar.sh | bash

Windows

Make sure you have Git installed first! Then open PowerShell and run

Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process -Force
irm https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sez11a/VimStar/master/install-vimstar.ps1 | iex

Manual Installation

You should read the scripts above before running them. If you don’t want to or you want to install manually, here’s how:

Clone the Repository

git clone https://github.com/sez11a/VimStar ~/.VimStar

Create symlink (Linux)

ln -sfn ~/.VimStar ~/.config/nvim

Create symlink (macOS)

ln -sfn ~/.VimStar ~/Library/Application\ Support/nvim

Create symlink (Windows PowerShell)

New-Item -ItemType SymbolicLink -Path $env:LOCALAPPDATA\nvim -Target ~/.VimStar -Force

First Launch

1. Run nvim.
2. Wait for Lazy.nvim to install plugins.
3. Quit and restart nvim. It is now VimStar!

Troubleshooting

• Plugins not installing: Run Space-ql to open Lazy.nvim and check for errors
• Treesitter highlighting broken: Run Space-qt to update parsers and build the missing ones
• Spell check not working: Ensure ~/.VimStar/spell/ directory exists

License

MIT License - see LICENSE for details.