Master LeetCode in Neovim: The Ultimate leetcode.nvim Plugin Guide

Eliminate browser-to-IDE context switching and solve coding challenges directly within your favorite editor environment

Why Integrate LeetCode with Neovim?

Algorithmic problem-solving is essential for developer growth, yet traditional workflows force constant switching between browsers and IDEs. This disrupts focus and slows productivity. leetcode.nvim revolutionizes this process by creating a seamless LeetCode environment inside Neovim – allowing you to browse problems, write code, and submit solutions without leaving your editor.

This comprehensive guide explores every feature of this game-changing plugin, helping you build a personalized algorithm-solving workspace.

Core Functionality Highlights

leetcode.nvim delivers powerful capabilities:

• Interactive Dashboard: Intuitive navigation interface
• Enhanced Readability: Beautifully formatted problem descriptions
• Performance Tracking: Real-time LeetCode stats in-editor
• Smart Problem Selection: Daily challenges and random questions
• Local Caching: Faster loading through intelligent storage
• Multi-Language Support: 20+ programming languages (C++/Python/Java)
• China Edition: Full leetcode.cn integration

Installation Requirements

Before installation, verify your environment:

Installation Guide

Using lazy.nvim package manager:

{
    "kawre/leetcode.nvim",
    build = ":TSUpdate html", -- Required with nvim-treesitter
    dependencies = {
        "nvim-lua/plenary.nvim",
        "MunifTanjim/nui.nvim",
    },
    opts = {
        -- Your custom configuration
    },
}

Launch methods:

1. Standalone Mode (dedicated environment):

   nvim leetcode.nvim
   

2. Command Mode (within existing session):

   :Leet
   

Configuration Deep Dive

Key configuration options (full template available in official docs):

Basic Settings

lang = "python3", -- Default language
cn = {
    enabled = true, -- Enable leetcode.cn
    translator = true, -- Auto-translate problems
},

Storage Management

storage = {
    home = vim.fn.stdpath("data") .. "/leetcode", -- Data storage
    cache = vim.fn.stdpath("cache") .. "/leetcode", -- Cache directory
},

Code Templates

injector = {
    ["python3"] = {
        after = { -- Test case template
            "def test():",
            "    print('test')"
        },
    },
},

Picker Integration

picker = { provider = "telescope" }, -- Supports telescope/fzf-lua/snacks-picker

Essential Commands

Problem Management

:Leet list          " Browse all problems
:Leet daily         " Open today's challenge
:Leet random        " Random question
:Leet tabs          " Switch between open problems

Code Operations

:Leet run           " Execute code
:Leet test          " Test solution (same as run)
:Leet submit        " Submit to LeetCode
:Leet reset         " Restore initial code
:Leet last_submit   " Load last submitted code

Environment Control

:Leet console       " Open test console
:Leet desc toggle   " Toggle problem description
:Leet cookie update " Update authentication
:Leet exit          " Close leetcode environment

Pro Usage Techniques

Authentication Setup

1. Log in to LeetCode via browser
2. Open developer tools (F12)
3. Copy Cookie value from request headers
4. In Neovim: :Leet cookie update
5. Paste copied cookie value

Security Note: Cookies stored locally – protect your environment

Advanced Filtering

" Find solved hard Python problems
:Leet list status=solved difficulty=hard lang=python3

" Random medium question with 'tree' tag
:Leet random tags=tree difficulty=medium

Workspace Layouts

console = {
    dir = "row", -- Console orientation (row/col)
    size = { 
        width = "90%", -- Console width
        height = "75%", -- Console height
    },
},
description = {
    position = "left", -- Description location (left/right/top/bottom)
    width = "40%", -- Description panel width
},

Troubleshooting Guide

Windows Compatibility

Use Cygwin for Unix-like environment:

1. Install Cygwin
2. Launch Neovim through Cygwin terminal

Non-Standalone Mode

Enable in configuration:

plugins = {
    non_standalone = true,
}

Exit anytime with :Leet exit

Description Rendering

Install tree-sitter parser:

:TSInstall html

Verify build command:

build = ":TSUpdate html"

Image Display Issues

Enable with tradeoff:

image_support = true, -- Enable image rendering

Note: Disables text wrapping due to image.nvim limitations

Advanced Implementations

Automated Code Injection

injector = {
    ["cpp"] = {
        after = "int main() {\n    Solution solution;\n    return 0;\n}",
    },
    ["python3"] = {
        before = {"import unittest", ""},
        after = {
            "class TestSolution(unittest.TestCase):", 
            "    def test_example(self):", 
            "        self.assertEqual(1, 1)"
        },
    },
},

Custom Themes

theme = {
    ["accepted"] = { fg = "#00ff00" }, -- Solved problems
    ["rejected"] = { fg = "#ff0000" }, -- Failed solutions
    ["stats_value"] = { fg = "#FFA500", bold = true }, -- Stats styling
},

Cache Optimization

cache = {
    update_interval = 60 * 60 * 24 * 3, -- Update every 3 days
},

Manual cache refresh:

:Leet cache update

Conclusion: Transform Your Coding Practice

leetcode.nvim fundamentally changes algorithm practice by integrating LeetCode into Neovim. With this guide, you’ve mastered:

1. Installation and configuration workflows
2. Core commands and problem-solving sequences
3. Advanced customization techniques
4. Common issue resolutions

Start solving with unprecedented focus today! Spend more time on algorithms and less on environment switching.

Project URL: https://github.com/kawre/leetcode.nvim
License: MIT