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quickui.nvim

★ 14 Open GitHub ↗

Not just a UI plugin — manage the cognitive load of your own Neovim setup

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# quickui.nvim

> It provides a UI — but the goal isn't UI.  
> It's about managing the cognitive load of your own Neovim setup, so nothing gets lost.

![English concept](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/f5985d92-0526-4113-9a72-3ea4a00f9cd2)

Lightweight, keyboard-friendly TUI-style menus for Neovim (menubar + context menus)

- **Menubar** — a title strip at the top of the editor with a dropdown that opens below the selected title
- **Context menus** — floating popups positioned at the cursor (normal and visual mode)
- Nested submenus (multi-level)
- Per-item conditions (`conditions`) and filetype filters (`ft`)
- Fully configurable keybindings
- Global keybindings are suppressed inside quickui buffers by default (configurable via `suppress_all_keys`)
- [Fuzzy finder integration (Telescope, fzf-lua, snacks, mini.pick)](#fuzzy-finder-integration)

This plugin provides similar functionality to [skywind3000/vim-quickui](https://github.com/skywind3000/vim-quickui) and [nvzone/menu](https://github.com/nvzone/menu). Both were a great source of inspiration, and I'm grateful to their authors.

---

## Requirements

- Neovim 0.10+

---

## Demo

### Menubar

Menubar with nested submenus:

![Menubar demo](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/89e5229e-65c6-4f5b-978f-0d37ec69e0bb)

### Context Menu

Context menu at cursor position:

![Context menu demo](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/05e99d4f-959b-4ec5-ad62-4de233f86a2a)

## 🧠 Why quickui.nvim?

Modern Neovim setups often include dozens of plugins,
but their commands and keybindings are fragmented and hard to manage.

quickui.nvim provides a structured UI — not for recalling or searching,
but for organizing your tools by meaning.

Search-based workflows work well when you already remember what exists.
But for infrequent actions, what matters more is having a structure you can navigate.

Do you have plugins that seemed useful when you installed them,
but ended up unused because you couldn’t remember how to use them?

quickui.nvim makes those features accessible again by turning them into something you can navigate.

It complements the traditional “memorize commands” workflow
by adding a new approach: organizing capabilities.

As a result, your menus can act as a portable UI layer — staying consistent
even when switching between setups like LazyVim, NvChad, or your own config.

## Installation

### [lazy.nvim](https://github.com/folke/lazy.nvim)

```lua
{
  "mjmjm0101/quickui.nvim",
  lazy = false,
  config = function()
    require("quickui").setup({})
  end,
}
```

### [packer.nvim](https://github.com/wbthomason/packer.nvim)

```lua
use {
  "mjmjm0101/quickui.nvim",
  config = function()
    require("quickui").setup({})
  end,
}
```

### [vim-plug](https://github.com/junegunn/vim-plug)

```vim
Plug 'mjmjm0101/quickui.nvim'

lua require("quickui").setup({})
```

---

## Quick Start

```lua
require("quickui").setup({
  keymap = "<Space>",  -- toggle the menubar
  border = "single",

menus = {
    {
      name  = "&File",
      items = {
        { name = "&New",   cmd = ":enew<CR>", key = "<C-n>" },
        { name = "&Open",  cmd = ":e ",       key = "<C-o>" },
        { name = "&Save",  cmd = ":w<CR>",    key = "<C-s>" },
        { name = "separator" },
        { name = "&Quit",  cmd = ":qa<CR>",   key = "<C-q>", rtxt = "Ctrl-q" },
      },
    },
    {
      name  = "&Edit",
      items = {
        { name = "&Undo",  cmd = "u",      key = "<C-z>" },
        { name = "&Redo",  cmd = "<C-r>",  key = "<C-y>", rtxt = "Ctrl-y" },
        { name = "&Copy",  cmd = '"+y',    key = "<C-c>" },
        { name = "&Paste", cmd = '"+p',    key = "<C-v>" },
      },
    },
  },
})
```

Or try the sample

```lua
require("quickui-sample")
```

The sample includes:
- `context/normal.lua` — normal-mode context menu (LSP, diagnostics, edit, filetype-specific items)
- `context/visual.lua` — visual-mode context menu (case conversion, clipboard, indent, sort, LSP range)
- `context/snacks_explorer.lua` — context menu for [snacks.nvim](https://github.com/folke/snacks.nvim) explorer (open, new, rename, delete, copy path); see the file header for setup instructions

> The sample is only a starting point.  
> quickui.nvim becomes truly useful when you organize your own setup in your own structure — not someone else's.

---

## Configuration Reference

```lua
require("quickui").setup({

-- Key to toggle the menubar (default: "<Space>")
  keymap = "<Space>",

-- Transparency 0-100. number = both bar and menu, table = individual
  -- Defaults: bar = 0, menu = 40
  winblend = { bar = 0, menu = 40 },

-- Number of padding spaces on each side of a menubar item (default: 1)
  menubar_padding = 2,

-- Separator character between menubar items. "" to disable (default: "│")
  menubar_separator = "│",

-- Scroll indicator shown when menus overflow the screen width (defaults: "<" / ">")
  menubar_indicator_left  = "<",
  menubar_indicator_right = ">",

-- Icon displayed at the right edge of a submenu item (default: "›")
  submenu_icon = "›",

-- When true, render `key` in a dedicated column with QuickUIMenuKey highlight,
  -- separate from `rtxt`. When false, `key` falls back to the rtxt column when
  -- `rtxt` is not set (default: false)
  showkeys = false,

-- Highlight group overrides
  highlights = {
    accent            = "#89b4fa",  -- shortcut letter (character after &)
    rtxt              = "#a6e3a1",  -- right-aligned text (rtxt field)
    key               = "#f9e2af",  -- key column when showkeys = true
    menu              = { bg = "#1e1e2e", fg = "#cdd6f4" },
    menu_sel          = { bg = "#4974aa", fg = "#cdd6f4" },
    menu_border       = { fg = "#89b4fa" },
    menubar           = { bg = "#181825", fg = "#cdd6f4" },
    menubar_sel       = { bg = "#313244", fg = "#89b4fa" },
    menubar_separator = { fg = "#585b70", bg = "#181825" },
    menubar_indicator = { fg = "#f38ba8", bold = true },
  },

-- Keymap overrides (merged on top of defaults)
  keymaps = {
    up        = { "k", "<Up>" },
    down      = { "j", "<Down>" },
    exec      = { "<CR>" },           -- execute item (opens submenu if item has one)
    close     = { "<Esc>", "q" },
    submenu   = { "<Tab>" },             -- open submenu
    back      = { "<BS>", "<S-Tab>" },   -- close submenu and return to parent
    menu_prev = { "h" },                 -- menubar: move to previous menu
    menu_next = { "l" },                 -- menubar: move to next menu
    nav_prev  = { "<Left>" },            -- context-sensitive: close submenu or prev menu
    nav_next  = { "<Right>" },           -- context-sensitive: open submenu or next menu
    mouse     = { "<LeftMouse>" },
  },

-- If true, start from an empty keymap set (only user-defined keys are active)
  disable_default_keymaps = false,

-- When true (default), map all keys to <Nop> in plugin buffers to block
  -- global keymaps. Set to false to leave global keymaps untouched.
  suppress_all_keys = true,

-- When true (default), remember the last open top-level menu and scroll
  -- position and restore them when the menubar is reopened.
  -- When false, always start from the leftmost menu.
  menubar_restore = true,

-- List of top-level menu specs (see Menu Definition below)
  menus = { ... },
})
```

---

## Default Keybindings

| Action                        | Keys                         |
|-------------------------------|------------------------------|
| Move up                       | `k` / `<Up>`                 |
| Move down                     | `j` / `<Down>`               |
| Execute                       | `<CR>`                       |
| Close                         | `<Esc>` / `q`                |
| Open submenu                  | `<Tab>`                      |
| Close submenu / back to parent| `<BS>` / `<S-Tab>`           |
| Menubar: previous menu        | `h`                          |
| Menubar: next menu            | `l`                          |
| Close submenu / prev menu     | `<Left>`                     |
| Open submenu / next menu      | `<Right>`                    |
| Mouse click                   | `<LeftMouse>`                |
| Shortcut key (`&`)            | Character after `&` in name  |
| Shortcut key (`key`)          | Value of the `key` item field |

---

## Menu Definition

### Top-level menu spec

Pass a list of specs to `setup()` via `menus`, or register dynamically with `require("quickui").menu_install()`.

```lua
{
  name       = "&File",        -- & marks the shortcut character
  priority   = 100,            -- display order, ascending left-to-right (default: 100)
  conditions = function(opt)   -- nil = always shown, false = hidden
    return true
  end,
  items = { ... },             -- item list, or function(opt) → list
}
```

Names prefixed with `&@` or `@` default to `priority = 10000` and are sorted to the far right.

### Item fields

```lua
items = {
  -- key only: "<C-s>" is shown as the right-aligned hint and triggers the item
  { name = "&Save",  cmd = ":w<CR>",  key = "<C-s>" },

-- rtxt overrides key display (key still works as a binding)
  { name = "&Save As...", cmd = ":saveas ", key = "<C-shift-s>", rtxt = "Ctrl-Shift-S" },

-- rtxt="" suppresses display; key is still active
  { name = "&Close", cmd = ":bd<CR>", key = "<C-w>", rtxt = "" },

-- rtxt only: display hint with no in-menu keybinding
  { name = "&Redo",  cmd = "<C-r>",   rtxt = "Ctrl-R" },

-- Separator
  { name = "separator" },

-- Submenu
  {
    name  = "&Recent",
    items = {
      { name = "file1.txt", cmd = ":e file1.txt<CR>" },
      { name = "file2.txt", cmd = ":e file2.txt<CR>" },
    },
  },

-- Function command
  { name = "&Grep", cmd = function(opt)
    vim.ui.input({ prompt = "Pattern: " }, function(input)
      if input then vim.cmd("grep " .. input) end
    end)
  end },

-- Conditional display
  { name = "Laravel &Artisan", cmd = ":!php artisan",
    conditions = function(opt)
      return vim.fn.filereadable("artisan") == 1
    end },

-- Filetype filter (comma-separated)
  { name = "Validate &HTML", cmd = ":!tidy -errors %",
    ft = "html,xml" },

-- Per-item highlight
  { name = "Danger Zone", cmd = "...", hl = "ErrorMsg" },
}
```

| Field        | Type               | Description                                                              |
|--------------|--------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `name`       | string             | Display name. `&X` sets the shortcut key. `%{expr}` is evaluated at open time. |
| `cmd`        | string \| function | Command to run. Strings are fed via `feedkeys`; functions receive `opt`. |
| `key`        | string             | Keybinding active while the menu is open (e.g. `"<C-s>"`). When `showkeys = false` (default), falls back to the rtxt column if `rtxt` is not set. When `showkeys = true`, rendered in its own column with `QuickUIMenuKey` highlight. Submenu items always use the kmap; the column itself is suppressed for them. |
| `rtxt`       | string             | Right-aligned text. Overrides `key` display when specified. Set to `""` to suppress display even if `key` is set. Supports `%{expr}` evaluation (same as `name`). |
| `items`      | table              | Sub-item list — presence makes this item a submenu trigger.              |
| `conditions` | bool \| function   | `false` hides the item. Function receives `opt`, return `false` to hide. |
| `ft`         | string             | Comma-separated filetypes. Item is hidden when the current ft doesn't match. |
| `hl`         | string             | Highlight group applied to the item row.                                 |

The `opt` table passed to `cmd` and `conditions` functions:

| Key         | Type       | Always present | Description                                                          |
|-------------|------------|----------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `filetype`  | string     | ✓              | `vim.bo.filetype` at the time the menu was opened                    |
| `cwd`       | string     | ✓              | `vim.fn.getcwd()` at the time the menu was opened                    |
| `selection` | table\|nil | context_visual only | Visual selection: `{ text, lines, mode }`                       |
| _…data_     | any        | when provided  | All fields from the `data` argument of `context_normal` / `context_visual` |

---

## API

### `require("quickui").setup(opts)`

Initialize the plugin. See the Configuration Reference above for all options.

### `require("quickui").menu_install(spec)`

Register or replace a top-level menu at runtime. An existing menu with the same name is replaced.

```lua
require("quickui").menu_install({
  name  = "&Debug",
  items = { ... },
})
```

### `require("quickui").context_normal(spec, data)`

Open a context menu at the cursor position (normal mode).

```lua
-- Plain item list
require("quickui").context_normal({
  { name = "Copy",  cmd = '"+y' },
  { name = "Paste", cmd = '"+p' },
})

-- items as a function (dynamic generation)
require("quickui").context_normal({
  items = function(opt)
    return {
      { name = "Filetype: " .. opt.filetype, cmd = "" },
    }
  end,
})

-- Pass arbitrary data through to cmd functions
require("quickui").context_normal(ctx, { target = some_item })
-- cmd = function(opt)  →  opt.target == some_item
```

### `require("quickui").context_visual(spec, data)`

Open a context menu at the cursor position (visual mode).
The visual selection is highlighted while the menu is open.
`opt.selection` is set automatically.

```lua
require("quickui").context_visual({
  items = function(opt)
    return {
      { name = "Selection: " .. opt.selection.text, cmd = "" },
      { name = "&Uppercase", cmd = function(opt)
          -- opt.selection.text  — selected text (joined with \n)
          -- opt.selection.lines — table of selected lines
          -- opt.selection.mode  — "v" | "V" | "\22" (block)
        end },
    }
  end,
})
```

---

## Context Menu Example

```lua
-- lua/plugins/quickui.lua
local quickui = require("quickui")

local ctx = {
  items = function(opt)
    return {
      { name = "&Format",      cmd = function() vim.lsp.buf.format() end },
      { name = "&Code Action", cmd = function() vim.lsp.buf.code_action() end },
      { name = "separator" },
      { name = "&Yank All",    cmd = ":%y+<CR>" },
      -- shown only from context_visual
      -- shown only from context_visual (gv re-enters the last visual selection)
      { name = "&Uppercase",   cmd = "gvU",
        conditions = function(opt) return opt.selection ~= nil end },
      { name = "&Lowercase",   cmd = "gvu",
        conditions = function(opt) return opt.selection ~= nil end },
    }
  end,
}

-- Normal mode
vim.keymap.set("n", "<Tab>", function()
  quickui.context_normal(ctx)
end, { noremap = true, silent = true })

-- Visual mode (selection is highlighted; opt.selection is set automatically)
vim.keymap.set("x", "<Tab>", function()
  quickui.context_visual(ctx)
end, { noremap = true, silent = true })
```

---

## Highlight Groups

| Group                      | Default link     | Target                               |
|----------------------------|------------------|--------------------------------------|
| `QuickUIMenubar`           | `StatusLine`     | Menubar background                   |
| `QuickUIMenubarSel`        | `PmenuSel`       | Selected menubar item                |
| `QuickUIMenubarSeparator`  | `NonText`        | Menubar separator character          |
| `QuickUIMenubarIndicator`  | `WarningMsg`     | Scroll indicator (`<` / `>`)         |
| `QuickUIMenu`              | `Normal`         | Dropdown / popup background          |
| `QuickUIMenuBorder`        | `FloatBorder`    | Window border                        |
| `QuickUIMenuSel`           | `PmenuSel`       | Selected item row                    |
| `QuickUIMenuAccent`        | `Special`        | Shortcut character (after `&`)       |
| `QuickUIMenuRtxt`          | `Special`        | Right-aligned text (`rtxt` field, or `key` fallback) |
| `QuickUIMenuKey`           | `Special`        | `key` column when `showkeys = true`  |
| `QuickUIVisualSel`         | `Visual`         | Visual selection overlay (context_visual) |

---

## Fuzzy Finder Integration

quickui.nvim menus can be exposed as searchable data,
making it possible to use fuzzy finders as an entry point to your structured UI.

Instead of relying only on remembering commands or guessing search terms,
you can search within your own curated structure.

Search results reflect your menu hierarchy and naming,
so you can find actions based on how you think about them — not how plugins name them.

- [telescope-quickui.nvim](https://github.com/mjmjm0101/telescope-quickui.nvim)
- [fzf-lua-quickui.nvim](https://github.com/mjmjm0101/fzf-lua-quickui.nvim)
- [snacks-picker-quickui.nvim](https://github.com/mjmjm0101/snacks-picker-quickui.nvim)
- [mini-pick-quickui.nvim](https://github.com/mjmjm0101/mini-pick-quickui.nvim)

## License

MIT

quickui.nvim

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