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macvim-dev/macvim

A macOS GUI version of the Vim text editor, with native menus, full-screen modes, Touch Bar and macOS system integration.

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What is it?

MacVim is a macOS build of the Vim text editor that adds a graphical user interface on top of Vim's modal editing. It uses native windows, menus, dialog boxes, toolbars and scroll bars, so it behaves more like a typical Mac application than the terminal version.

The project integrates with macOS features such as native and non-native full-screen modes, trackpad gestures, the Touch Bar, Command key shortcuts, system services and dictionary lookup. Vim GUI tabs can be customized with colors, and font ligatures are supported.

MacVim is a downstream fork that regularly merges changes from upstream Vim. It can be installed with Homebrew, either as a formula or as a cask that provides the prebuilt app, and it is launched from the Dock or with the mvim command.

Key features

  • 01Native GUI with menus, dialog boxes, toolbars and scroll bars.
  • 02Native and non-native full-screen modes.
  • 03Trackpad gestures, Touch Bar and Command key shortcuts can be mapped to Vim actions.
  • 04Integration with system services, dictionary lookup and Apple Intelligence Writing Tools.
  • 05Customizable GUI tabs and font ligatures.

Use cases

  • Using Vim's modal editing in a windowed macOS app instead of the terminal.
  • Editing code or text with Vim keybindings while using macOS system services and shortcuts.
  • Installing a Vim GUI on a Mac through Homebrew.

Quick start

  1. 1

    Install via Homebrew

    brew install macvim
  2. 2

    Or install the cask app

    brew install --cask macvim-app
  3. 3

    Launch MacVim from the Dock or terminal

    mvim

Things to know

  • Only runs on macOS.

Topics

#vim#text-editor#macos#gui#editor#terminal-alternative#macvim

FAQ

What is macvim?
A macOS GUI version of the Vim text editor, with native menus, full-screen modes, Touch Bar and macOS system integration. MacVim is a macOS build of the Vim text editor that adds a graphical user interface on top of Vim's modal editing. It uses native windows, menus, dialog boxes, toolbars and scroll bars, so it behaves more like a typical Mac application than the terminal version.
Is macvim free to use? What license does it have?
macvim is open source under the Vim license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is macvim still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to macvim was on Oct 19, 2026.
What can I use macvim for?
Using Vim's modal editing in a windowed macOS app instead of the terminal. Editing code or text with Vim keybindings while using macOS system services and shortcuts. Installing a Vim GUI on a Mac through Homebrew.
How do I install macvim?
Install via Homebrew: brew install macvim Or install the cask app: brew install --cask macvim-app Launch MacVim from the Dock or terminal: mvim
Where can I get macvim?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/macvim-dev/macvim

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