Vim INSERT-mode key sequence remaps / Claude Code v2.1.208

What

Users who enable vim mode can now define custom two-character key sequences that trigger actions in INSERT mode, similar to the classic jj → <Esc> mapping from Vim configurations.

Usage

Add to ~/.claude/settings.json:

{
  "editorMode": "vim",
  "vimInsertModeRemaps": {
    "jj": "<Esc>",
    "jk": "<Esc>"
  }
}

Details

Each key is exactly two printable characters typed in sequence
"<Esc>" (return to NORMAL mode) is the only supported target value
Only active when editorMode is set to "vim"
Multiple remaps can be configured simultaneously

Evidence

New vimInsertModeRemaps setting schema (search for "Vim INSERT-mode key-sequence remaps")

Strings lifted out of the shipped bundle, so the claim above can be checked against them.

How sure we are

One source agreesOne thing we can check says the same as this entry.

Anthropic's release notes agreeAdded vimInsertModeRemaps setting: map two-key insert-mode sequences like jj to Escape in vim mode

See this entry in the whole of v2.1.208 →

The build it came inv2.1.208

13 Jul 2026 · 20 entries, this one is #1.

Either side of it

v2.1.207Older
v2.1.209Newer

Open the release →

Names in this entry

settingeditorMode
Use vim key bindings in the input prompt
settingvimInsertModeRemaps
Map a two-key INSERT-mode sequence such as jj to Escape

Anthropic's note

Upstream's own release notes for v2.1.208 name something this entry names, so the two are probably about the same change. Probably: the pairing is made on a shared name rather than on the words around it.

Added vimInsertModeRemaps setting: map two-key insert-mode sequences like jj to Escape in vim mode

Is this right?