Updated: 22 October 2026 · Applies to: vim, Python's built-in pydoc, and the Jedi-vim plugin
Option 1: pydoc, with no plugin required
pydoc shows help for any Python keyword, function or module from the command line:
pydoc keyword pydoc3 keyword pydoc len pydoc print
To look up the word under the cursor directly from vim, edit ~/.vimrc:
vim ~/.vimrc
Add a mapping for the H key, for Python 3's pydoc3, that works in normal mode:
nnoremap <buffer> H :<C-u>execute "!pydoc3 " . expand("<cword>")<CR>
Save the file, then open a Python file:
vim file.py
With a little test content such as:
#!/usr/bin/python3
x = 5
y = 10
z = x + y
print(z)
print("Hello world")
Put the cursor on the word print and press Shift+H to see its pydoc3 help.
Option 2: Jedi-vim, with Shift+K
Jedi-vim is a vim binding for the Jedi autocompletion library. One of the things it adds is help for the keyword under the cursor when you press Shift+K.
Installing Jedi-vim
Install it with a plugin manager such as vim-plug: add this line to ~/.vimrc,
Plug 'davidhalter/jedi-vim'
save the file, open vim and run:
:PlugInstall
Or install it as a system package where your distribution provides one:
sudo pacman -S vim-jedi
sudo apt install vim-python-jedi
sudo dnf install vim-jedi
Jedi-vim works automatically once installed, with no further configuration needed. Press Shift+K on a keyword to see a popup with its documentation.
