How do I quickly jump between method or function definitions in code?

Explanation

The ]m and [m motions let you jump forward and backward between the start of method or function definitions. These are especially useful in Java, C, and similar languages where methods are delimited by braces. Combined with their uppercase variants ]M and [M, you can navigate to both the beginning and end of methods without searching.

How it works

• ]m — jump forward to the next start of a method (next unmatched {)
• [m — jump backward to the previous start of a method
• ]M — jump forward to the next end of a method (next unmatched })
• [M — jump backward to the previous end of a method
• All four accept a count: 3]m jumps forward 3 methods

These motions look for unmatched braces — a { that opens a block at the method level, not nested braces inside the method body.

Example

Given this code with the cursor at the top:

class Example {
    void foo() {     <- [m jumps here (backward)
        // ...
    }                <- [M jumps here

    void bar() {     <- ]m jumps here (forward)
        // ...
    }                <- ]M jumps here
}

Tips

• These work as motions with operators: d]m deletes from cursor to the next method start, v]m visually selects to it
• For languages without braces (Python, Ruby), consider treesitter-based navigation in Neovim instead
• Combine with zz for centering: ]mzz jumps to the next method and centers the screen
• Pair with % once at a brace to jump to its match