In Neovim + Lazy.nvim, keymapping for a plugin does not work except for the first mapping

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05-10-2024

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Lazy.nvim Keymapping Woes: Why Only the First Mapping Works

Neovim users often rely on the excellent Lazy.nvim plugin to manage their plugin dependencies, leading to a streamlined and faster editing experience. However, a common frustration arises when attempting to map keys for a Lazy.nvim plugin, only to find that the first mapping works flawlessly while subsequent mappings fail. This article delves into the root of this issue, providing clear explanations and practical solutions.

The Scenario:

Imagine you're using a plugin like telescope.nvim for fuzzy finding, and you want to configure its behavior. You might write the following in your lua/config.lua file:

local lazy = require("lazy")

lazy.setup("telescope.nvim", {
  defaults = {
    prompt_prefix = "❯ ",
    selection_caret = "  ",
    entry_prefix = "  ",
    initial_mode = "insert",
    selection_strategy = "best",
    sorting_strategy = "ascending",
    layout_config = {
      horizontal = {
        width = 0.8,
        height = 0.8,
      },
      vertical = {
        width = 0.8,
        height = 0.8,
      },
    },
  },
  mappings = {
    ["<leader>ff"] = { "function", "telescope.find_files",  { hidden = true } },
    ["<leader>fg"] = { "function", "telescope.git_files" },
    ["<leader>fb"] = { "function", "telescope.buffers" },
  },
})

You would expect all three mappings to work: <leader>ff for finding files, <leader>fg for finding git files, and <leader>fb for finding buffers. However, only the <leader>ff mapping responds, leaving the other two inactive.

The Root of the Problem:

This issue arises due to Lazy.nvim's lazy-loading mechanism. While it optimizes your Neovim environment by loading plugins only when needed, it can also lead to conflicts when configuring mappings within the setup function.

The first mapping (<leader>ff) works because Lazy.nvim loads the telescope.nvim plugin upon encountering the mapping. Subsequent mappings, however, are defined before the plugin is fully loaded, resulting in them being ignored.

Solutions:

There are several ways to address this:

1. Delayed Mapping: The most common solution is to use Neovim's vim.defer_fn to delay mapping until after the plugin is loaded.

   local lazy = require("lazy")
   
   lazy.setup("telescope.nvim", {
     -- ... (other configurations) ...
     mappings = {
       ["<leader>ff"] = { "function", "telescope.find_files",  { hidden = true } },
     },
     after = function()
       vim.keymap.set("n", "<leader>fg", ":Telescope git_files<CR>", { noremap = true, silent = true })
       vim.keymap.set("n", "<leader>fb", ":Telescope buffers<CR>", { noremap = true, silent = true })
     end,
   })
   

   This approach ensures that mappings are set after the plugin is fully loaded, preventing the conflict.

2. Separate Mapping: Instead of defining mappings directly within the lazy.setup function, you can create separate mappings using vim.keymap.set outside the lazy.setup function.

   local lazy = require("lazy")
   
   lazy.setup("telescope.nvim", {
     -- ... (other configurations) ...
   })
   
   vim.keymap.set("n", "<leader>ff", ":Telescope find_files<CR>", { noremap = true, silent = true })
   vim.keymap.set("n", "<leader>fg", ":Telescope git_files<CR>", { noremap = true, silent = true })
   vim.keymap.set("n", "<leader>fb", ":Telescope buffers<CR>", { noremap = true, silent = true })
   

   This method offers flexibility and avoids relying on the lazy.setup function's internal behavior.

In Conclusion:

The keymapping issue with Lazy.nvim stems from its lazy-loading mechanism. While it optimizes performance, it requires attention when setting mappings. Using vim.defer_fn or defining mappings separately outside the lazy.setup function provides reliable solutions. By understanding the root cause and applying appropriate solutions, you can avoid this issue and enjoy the full benefits of both Lazy.nvim and your plugin mappings.