Nano Ink

NVChad Beginner Guide (Fedora-focused)

NVChad Beginner Guide (Fedora-focused)

Prerequisites

  • Fedora package manager (dnf)
  • Git
  • Neovim 0.9+
  • Nerd Font (JetBrainsMono Nerd Font recommended)

Install required packages

sudo dnf install -y git neovim

Install JetBrainsMono Nerd Font

sudo dnf install -y jetbrains-mono-fonts

After installation:

  • Open Konsole → Settings → Edit Profile → Appearance
  • Select JetBrainsMono Nerd Font
  • Restart the terminal

Backup any existing Neovim config

mv ~/.config/nvim ~/.config/nvim.bak
mv ~/.local/share/nvim ~/.local/share/nvim.bak
mv ~/.cache/nvim ~/.cache/nvim.bak

Install NvChad

git clone https://github.com/NvChad/starter ~/.config/nvim

Launch Neovim (stay open until plugins finish installing):

nvim

Core concepts

  • Modes: Normal (default), Insert (i), Visual (v), Command (:)
  • Leader key: Space
  • Keys are pressed in sequence, not simultaneously
  • Esc reliably returns to Normal mode

File operations

  • Save file: Space f s
  • Open file picker: Space f f
  • Live grep text: Space f w
  • File tree: Space e

Windows and buffers

  • Vertical split: :v
  • Horizontal split: :s
  • Move between windows: Ctrl+h, Ctrl+j, Ctrl+k, Ctrl+l
  • Switch buffers (open files): Space b b

Code intelligence (LSP)

  • Go to definition: g d
  • Hover docs: K
  • Rename symbol: Space r n
  • Format buffer: Space f m
  • Check LSP status: :LspInfo
  • Install language servers: :Mason

Integrated terminal

  • Toggle floating terminal: Space h
  • Exit terminal mode: type exit

Discoverability & help

  • Show which-key menu: press Space and wait
  • NvChad cheatsheet: :NvCheatsheet

Important config entrypoints

  • ~/.config/nvim/lua/custom/chadrc.lua
  • ~/.config/nvim/lua/custom/mappings.lua
  • ~/.config/nvim/lua/custom/plugins.lua

Quick troubleshooting

  • Plugins didn’t install: reopen nvim, then run :PackerSync
  • Fonts look wrong: confirm JetBrainsMono Nerd Font is selected in terminal
  • LSP missing: open :Mason and install the relevant server

At-a-glance cheatsheet

  • Leader: Space
  • Save: Space f s
  • Files: Space f f
  • Search: Space f w
  • Tree: Space e
  • Buffers: Space b b
  • Format: Space f m
  • Terminal: Space h
  • LSP info: :LspInfo
  • Mason: :Mason

Summary

  • Use Space as leader, Esc to reset
  • Keep Neovim open after first launch to let plugins install
  • Customizations live under ~/.config/nvim/lua/custom/