MacVim is a macOS version of the [Vim](https://github.com/vim/vim) text editor, providing a graphical user interface for Vim, while tightly integrating with macOS and providing features specific to the platform.
## Features
- Smooth native GUI that supports menus, dialog boxes, toolbars, and scroll bars.
- Native and non-native full-screen modes.
- Trackpad gestures, Touch Bar, and Command key shortcuts can be mapped to Vim actions.
- Integrates with system services, dictionary lookup, and Apple Intelligence Writing Tools.
- Vim GUI tabs with customizable colors.
- Font ligatures and accurate text rendering.
## Getting Started
See [installation documentation](https://github.com/macvim-dev/macvim/wiki/Installing) for more details and alternative methods to install.
### Download
You can download the latest version of MacVim from the [Releases](https://github.com/macvim-dev/macvim/releases/latest) page.
### Install via Package Manager
If you would like to install using a package manager, MacVim can be installed via Homebrew:
```zsh
brew install macvim
```
MacVim is also available as a Homebrew cask. It will install the same pre-built binary as the one available from GitHub release:
```zsh
brew install --cask macvim-app
```
After installation, MacVim can be launched using the Dock or in the terminal using the `mvim` command.
### Building from Source
If you prefer to build MacVim from source, detailed instructions are provided in the [Building MacVim](https://github.com/macvim-dev/macvim/wiki/Building) guide.
## Relationship with Vim
MacVim is a downstream fork of Vim, and routinely [merges from upstream](https://github.com/macvim-dev/macvim/wiki/Merging-from-upstream-Vim). The original Vim README can be found at [README_vim.md](README_vim.md). Vim itself is also available for macOS, but it does not have a GUI.
In Homebrew, there are both a `macvim` and `vim` package. Both packages will provide a terminal version of Vim with similar features. The `vim` package is from the upstream Vim project and is usually a bit more up-to-date in core Vim features, while the `macvim` package will provide the additional GUI version bundled as an app.
## License
MacVim is released under the [Vim License](https://github.com/macvim-dev/macvim/blob/master/LICENSE).
## Support
If you encounter any issues or have questions, feel free to [open an issue](https://github.com/macvim-dev/macvim/issues) or visit the [discussions](https://github.com/macvim-dev/macvim/discussions) page.
