blink.cmp Setup

Configure blink.cmp with Avante for fast completions

Overview

blink.cmp is a performant alternative to nvim-cmp. Avante.nvim provides full compatibility with blink.cmp through blink.compat, enabling you to use mentions, slash commands, and shortcuts with better performance.

When using blink.cmp with Avante, choose a selector other than native as it currently has known issues.

Installation

Install blink.cmp and configure it with Avante sources:

LazyVim Users

If you’re using LazyVim, extend the blink.cmp configuration:

return {
  {
    "saghen/blink.cmp",
    opts = {
      sources = {
        compat = {
          "avante_commands",
          "avante_mentions",
          "avante_files",
        },
      },
    },
  },
  {
    "yetone/avante.nvim",
    opts = {
      selector = {
        provider = "telescope", -- Don't use "native"
      },
    },
  },
}

Manual Setup

For other setups, configure blink.cmp with custom providers:

return {
  {
    "saghen/blink.cmp",
    version = "v0.*",
    dependencies = {
      "rafamadriz/friendly-snippets",
    },
    opts = {
      sources = {
        default = {
          "lsp",
          "path",
          "snippets",
          "buffer",
          -- Avante sources
          "avante_commands",
          "avante_mentions",
          "avante_shortcuts",
          "avante_files",
        },
        providers = {
          avante_commands = {
            name = "avante_commands",
            module = "blink.compat.source",
            score_offset = 90, -- Higher priority than LSP
            opts = {},
          },
          avante_files = {
            name = "avante_files",
            module = "blink.compat.source",
            score_offset = 100,
            opts = {},
          },
          avante_mentions = {
            name = "avante_mentions",
            module = "blink.compat.source",
            score_offset = 1000, -- Highest priority
            opts = {},
          },
          avante_shortcuts = {
            name = "avante_shortcuts",
            module = "blink.compat.source",
            score_offset = 1000,
            opts = {},
          },
        },
      },
      keymap = { preset = "default" },
      appearance = {
        use_nvim_cmp_as_default = true,
        nerd_font_variant = "mono",
      },
      signature = { enabled = true },
    },
  },
}

Avante Sources Explained

avante_commands

Provides slash command completions when you type /:

• /help - Show help
• /init - Initialize project instructions
• /clear - Clear chat history
• /new - Start new chat
• /compact - Compact history
• /lines - Query specific lines
• /commit - Generate commit message

Priority: score_offset = 90 (above LSP)

avante_mentions

Provides mention completions when you type @:

• @codebase - Enable project context
• @diagnostics - Include diagnostics
• @file - Add files to context
• @quickfix - Add quickfix files
• @buffers - Add open buffers

Priority: score_offset = 1000 (highest)

avante_shortcuts

Provides shortcut completions when you type #:

• #refactor - Refactoring prompt
• #test - Test generation prompt
• #explain - Code explanation prompt
• Custom shortcuts you define

Priority: score_offset = 1000 (highest)

avante_files

Provides file path completions in Avante context.

Priority: score_offset = 100

Complete Configuration Example

Here’s a full example with both blink.cmp and Avante configured:

return {
  -- blink.cmp
  {
    "saghen/blink.cmp",
    version = "v0.*",
    dependencies = {
      "rafamadriz/friendly-snippets",
    },
    opts = {
      sources = {
        default = {
          "lsp",
          "path",
          "snippets",
          "buffer",
          "avante_commands",
          "avante_mentions",
          "avante_shortcuts",
          "avante_files",
        },
        providers = {
          avante_commands = {
            name = "avante_commands",
            module = "blink.compat.source",
            score_offset = 90,
            opts = {},
          },
          avante_files = {
            name = "avante_files",
            module = "blink.compat.source",
            score_offset = 100,
            opts = {},
          },
          avante_mentions = {
            name = "avante_mentions",
            module = "blink.compat.source",
            score_offset = 1000,
            opts = {},
          },
          avante_shortcuts = {
            name = "avante_shortcuts",
            module = "blink.compat.source",
            score_offset = 1000,
            opts = {},
          },
        },
      },
      keymap = { preset = "default" },
      appearance = {
        use_nvim_cmp_as_default = true,
        nerd_font_variant = "mono",
      },
      signature = { enabled = true },
      completion = {
        menu = {
          draw = {
            treesitter = { "lsp" },
          },
        },
        documentation = {
          auto_show = true,
          auto_show_delay_ms = 500,
        },
      },
    },
  },
  
  -- Avante.nvim
  {
    "yetone/avante.nvim",
    event = "VeryLazy",
    build = "make",
    opts = {
      provider = "claude",
      selector = {
        provider = "telescope", -- Use telescope instead of native
      },
      shortcuts = {
        {
          name = "refactor",
          description = "Refactor code with best practices",
          prompt = "Please refactor this code following best practices.",
        },
        {
          name = "test",
          description = "Generate unit tests",
          prompt = "Please generate comprehensive unit tests.",
        },
      },
    },
    dependencies = {
      "nvim-lua/plenary.nvim",
      "MunifTanjim/nui.nvim",
      "nvim-telescope/telescope.nvim",
      "saghen/blink.cmp", -- Add blink.cmp as dependency
    },
  },
}

Alternative: blink-cmp-avante

You can also use the dedicated Kaiser-Yang/blink-cmp-avante plugin:

return {
  {
    "Kaiser-Yang/blink-cmp-avante",
    dependencies = {
      "saghen/blink.cmp",
      "yetone/avante.nvim",
    },
  },
}

Selector Provider Configuration

When using blink.cmp, you must configure a non-native selector:

Telescope (Recommended)

require('avante').setup({
  selector = {
    provider = "telescope",
  },
})

Requires: nvim-telescope/telescope.nvim

fzf-lua

require('avante').setup({
  selector = {
    provider = "fzf_lua",
  },
})

Requires: ibhagwan/fzf-lua

mini.pick

require('avante').setup({
  selector = {
    provider = "mini_pick",
  },
})

Requires: nvim-mini/mini.pick

snacks

require('avante').setup({
  selector = {
    provider = "snacks",
  },
})

Requires: folke/snacks.nvim

Priority Configuration

Adjust score_offset to change completion priority:

providers = {
  avante_mentions = {
    score_offset = 1000, -- Show first
  },
  avante_commands = {
    score_offset = 90,   -- Show before LSP (usually 50-80)
  },
  avante_files = {
    score_offset = 100,  -- Show before commands
  },
}

Higher values = higher priority in completion menu.

Usage

Once configured, completions work automatically:

Slash Commands

1. Type / in Avante chat
2. Completion menu shows available commands
3. Select with arrow keys or <C-n>/<C-p>
4. Press <CR> to accept

Mentions

1. Type @ in Avante chat
2. See mentions like @codebase, @file
3. Select and accept
4. For @file, a file picker opens

Shortcuts

1. Type # in Avante chat
2. See shortcuts like #refactor, #test
3. Select to expand the prompt

Troubleshooting

Completions not appearing

1. Verify blink.cmp is installed and loaded
2. Check that Avante sources are in sources.default
3. Ensure module = "blink.compat.source" is set
4. Look for errors in :messages
5. Try :BlingCmpDebug to check sources

Native selector error

Change selector provider:

selector = {
  provider = "telescope", -- Not "native"
}

Install the corresponding dependency (telescope, fzf-lua, etc.)

Completions in wrong order

Adjust score_offset values to change priority:

score_offset = 1000, -- Higher = more priority

Performance issues

1. blink.cmp should be faster than nvim-cmp
2. If still slow, reduce number of active sources
3. Check for conflicts with other completion plugins

blink.cmp vs nvim-cmp

Feature	nvim-cmp	blink.cmp
Performance	Good	Excellent
Lua API	Stable	Evolving
Ecosystem	Large	Growing
Setup Complexity	Medium	Medium
Avante Support	Native	Via compat

Recommendation: Use blink.cmp if you prioritize performance; use nvim-cmp for a more mature ecosystem.

Migration from nvim-cmp

If migrating from nvim-cmp to blink.cmp:

1. Install blink.cmp

   Add blink.cmp to your plugin manager with the configuration above.

2. Remove nvim-cmp

   Remove or disable nvim-cmp from your config.

3. Configure Avante Sources

   Use blink.compat.source module for Avante completion sources.

4. Test Completions

   Verify slash commands, mentions, and shortcuts work in Avante chat.

5. Adjust Priorities

   Fine-tune score_offset values based on your preferences.

Related Documentation

Completion Sources

Learn about all completion sources

Slash Commands

Complete slash command reference

File Selector

Configure file picker providers