Should you learn vim in 2026

Learning Vim/NeoVim in 2026 presents a challenge in an era focused on AI code generation and typing less. The value proposition requires significant upfront investment to memorize motions and build muscle memory. Once mastered, Vim excels at code navigation and review, but achieving proficiency demands supreme discipline when AI tools dominate. The author still uses NeoVim as their primary editor for reviewing AI-generated code and manual editing, having invested the time years ago.