Does Neovim Still Support Vimscript and Vim Plugins?

Updated

Yes. Neovim does not deprecate Vimscript, and it supports Vim 8.x plugins. Lua is a built-in option, not a forced replacement, so you can keep existing Vimscript configuration and plugins while adopting Lua only where you want it.

Vimscript support

  • Neovim ships with what its site describes as "the world's most advanced Vimscript engine."
  • Vimscript is supported, and the FAQ states plainly that Neovim will not deprecate it.
  • Lua is built in, but it is an additional option rather than a requirement.

This means an existing vimrc-style configuration is not automatically obsolete. You can continue writing and running Vimscript in Neovim.

Vim plugin compatibility

  • Neovim supports Vim 8.x plugins.
  • It is described as a drop-in Vim: fully compatible with Vim's editing model and Vimscript v1.

So plugins written for Vim 8.x are the compatibility target. If you rely on a plugin ecosystem built around Vim 8.x, that is the relevant baseline to check against.

If you are coming from Vim

The site gives a direct starting point:

  • Run :help nvim-from-vim if you already use Vim. This is the documented path for understanding differences when migrating.
  • If you are new to Vim-style editing entirely, run :Tutor instead.

The practical sequence: keep your current Vimscript setup, open Neovim, read :help nvim-from-vim to see what differs, then migrate pieces to Lua only when you choose to.

What this does not tell you

The source material confirms Vimscript support and Vim 8.x plugin support, but it does not enumerate every individual plugin's compatibility status. For a specific plugin, verify against that plugin's own documentation rather than assuming blanket compatibility.