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Add an overtype feature to the insert mode (sticky replace) - #16059

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Add an overtype feature to the insert mode (sticky replace)#16059
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ettoh:overtype-mode

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@ettoh

@ettoh ettoh commented Jul 17, 2026

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Inspired by #11265 and #14120, I implemented a simple version of an overtype (sticky replace) mode. Instead of introducing a new mode, it uses the standard insert mode under the hood. This allows a single undo for all changes made while in the mode - which was a problem with other solutions so far.

By default, the mode can be entered with ctrl-r.

Implements #5843.

overtype_demo.mp4

@xpe

xpe commented Aug 31, 2026

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Thanks for making this PR! I suggest just overtype_mode instead of enter_overtype_mode based on many examples from this table of static commands:

name description default keybinds
normal_mode Enter normal mode normal: <esc>, select: v, insert: <esc>
select_mode Enter selection extend mode normal: v
exit_select_mode Exit selection mode select: <esc>
insert_mode Insert before selection normal: i, select: i
append_mode Append after selection normal: a, select: a

@ettoh

ettoh commented Sep 1, 2026

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Thanks for making this PR! I suggest just overtype_mode instead of enter_overtype_mode based on many examples from this table of static commands:

@xpe Fair point, done!

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2 participants