Browse webpage without a mouse using Vimium

By xngo on October 3, 2020

Install Vimium extension on your Google Chrome browser and then you can browse the internet without using a mouse. Here is the basic usage:

  1. Ctrl+n to open a new tab.
  2. Do a search.
  3. Press f to show shortcut key to hyperlinks.
    Vimium - Shortcut keys example
  4. Press the shortcut key shown to open that link.
  5. If you want to open that link to a new tab, press F instead of f.

Navigate to input fields

  • gi<tab>: Go the first input field.
  • <tab>: Move forward.
  • Shift + <tab>: Move backward.

Copy links

You can copy link by pressing yf.

Insert mode

The insert mode(i) is used when you want to bypass Vimium and use the default shortcut key of the website.

For example, on Youtube, f key is reserved for the full screen mode but f is also used by Vimium. To trigger the full screen mode, press i to get in the insert mode and then press f to turn on full screen. Press ESC to get out of the insert mode.

Or, fast forward to 10%, 20% or 30% of the video by using 1, 2 or 3 key. Press i followed by 1, 2, or 3.

Google chrome shortcuts

  • Ctrl+#: Replace # with a number. It will select the tab number.

About the author

Xuan Ngo is the founder of OpenWritings.net. He currently lives in Montreal, Canada. He loves to write about programming and open source subjects.