Vim ships with a "dvorak" plugin; you can load it with ":packadd dvorak".

Curiously, this is not documented unless I'm missing something; after loading you can enable "dvorak mode" with ",d" (w/o quotes), and disable it with ",q". It just maps some keys, see: https://github.com/vim/vim/blob/master/runtime/pack/dist/opt...

Hasn't been updated in 6 years, and there may be better plugins/ways. I'm sure you're not the only person.

I was a dvorak user for years, and the standard vim key-bindings were not a problem. I mean, j and k are still right next to each other, and h is still to the left of l. Most of the other commands are mnemonic like (i)nsert (d)elete, so the location of the key relative to others isn't all that important. I always use both left and right control keys, so no chord is a stretch.

(like many people, I went back to QWERTY because I was losing QWERTY speed and was tired of looking like an idiot when using other people's computers. But sometimes I turn dvorak back on for fun and I'm surprised how I still have muscle memory for common words, even after years.)

Can't say that I'm using Vim effectively, but at least the basic keys are fine.

Basic movement keys are split into two hands. J / K (up & down) are still next to each other and are operated with the left hand. H / L (left & right) are still close together and are operated with the right hand. It actually feels better to use and easier to remember than the one-row arrow cluster on QWERTY.

W / B (to next word & to previous word) are close together and are operated by the right hand. I actually use W B much more than H L and it feels great.

Y / P (copy & paste) are next to each other which is great.

Ctrl B / F (page up & down) are a bit counter intuitive because of the position (page up is below page down). Ctrl U / D (half page up & down) are fine.

A I O (various ways to enter insert mode) are clustered into left hand home row. S C R (various ways to replace text) are clustered into right hand.

I started using vim about 5 years ago, and switched to Dvorak 2 years ago. It was painful at first, but so was everything with Dvorak. The muscle memory takes over eventually and now it’s very comfortable. The only thing I still occasionally use QWERTY for is games.

I never bothered to learn HJKL navigation since I nearly simultaneously started using Dvorak, Vim and DreymaR's incredible Extend layer. The Extend layer is a software XKB mapping where holding Caps Lock lets me use arrow keys, Home/End, Backspace/Delete, PgUp/PgDown etc. Directly from my home row position. It is responsible for tripling my editing efficiency as it lets me make instant corrections and jumps anywhere.

Been using both vim and dvorak for nigh on 20 years now (started learning both in university), and have zero problems with the default keymappings, including hjkl navigation--once it becomes muscle memory you can get used to anything.

I use neo2. The keys for hjkl are totally scattered and left and right switched. Still, working in qwerty or without vimbindings seems like hell. Keep at it, it will become muscle memory.

I also use neo2 and am using the neo arrow keys and Esc on layer 4. Works like a charm.

Fun thing with neo: You have additional keys free for keybindings: hjkläöüß

I'm using ä, ö and ü to save, close buffer and quit vim. I'm very happy with that.

Can you use those layer 4 keys in macros though?

Great idea to reuse äöüß!

Yes, layer 4 keys (like arrow keys) in macros are working well.

Here are my üöä bindings: https://github.com/fdietze/dotfiles/blob/83455c587ccdacaf681...

Checkout ThePrimagen on YouTube. He makes videos about Vim while recording his hand movements on a Dvorak keyboard

if you avoid the hjkl thing all the other keys are mnemonic for the most part... if you are on mac os you can remap caps-hjkl(well the dvorak equivalent if it doesn't mess up) to arrow keys system wide and get that