Ki is much inspired by Helix and Kakoune, however, it introduces an extra layer called the Selection Mode, with this, every movement is standardized to the same set of keybindings.

Also, most importantly, syntactical selection/navigation/modification is first class, although it is somehow supported in Helix, the default keybindings are not very accessible.

Another big difference from Helix is its internal architecture, most Helix components were rebuilt from scratch, while in Ki every components uses the core editor as the base, which means all components shares the same set of keybindings, you don't need to learn different set of keybindings for different components.

I feel that the critique on the default keybinding scheme is unwarranted. One of the key concepts of editors like Helix and Vim is that the keybindings are customizable.

That's true for some users certainly, but I guess most users will not know which 4 easy-to-access keybindings to downgrade in exchange for the 4 syntax navigation keys, if it were you which 4 default keybindings are you willing to sacrifice?

The 4 movements are parent, first child, previous sibling, and next sibling.

I find alt-npoi intuitive and easy to reach. But my point was not that default key bindings don't matter, just that there is no one shoe fits all, and that different choices are not so relevant in comparing editor features when they are fully customizable.