relative line-number doesn't work in insert mode

[dw-rs]

the documentation states "When unfocused or in insert mode, relative will still show absolute line numbers."
so this is probably intended behavior.
however i find it quite irritating that i have to go to the normal mode, then look at the relative line numbers just so i can jump to that line in a relative manner.
i would like to be able to see the relative line number in normal mode as well so i can jump faster.
or is there a better way to jump lines in normal mode?

[pascalkuthe]

Helix is a model editor first in foremost so the intention is that movement happens in normal/visual mode. Relative line numbers are not very useful in insert-mode because you can not use counts there anyway: Pressing 2<down> inserts 2 and then jumps down a single line.

[dw-rs]

i am well aware of the model nature of helix, and i do not have a problem with switching to normal mode to jump lines, i just want to see how many lines i need to jump while still in insert-mode, to jump faster.

[dmorawetz]

I agree with Tobias. I dislike the jumping of numbers. It would be great to have an extra configuration option (something like always_relative) that just shows relative numbers in every mode. I am no contributor, but from what I see it should be a simple change in

helix/helix-view/src/gutter.rs

Lines 178 to 181 in 222be0f

	let relative = line_number == LineNumber::Relative
	&& mode != Mode::Insert
	&& is_focused
	&& current_line != line;

and

helix/helix-view/src/editor.rs

Lines 555 to 562 in 222be0f

	pub enum LineNumber {
	/// Show absolute line number
	Absolute,
	/// If focused and in normal/select mode, show relative line number to the primary cursor.
	/// If unfocused or in insert mode, show absolute line number.
	Relative,
	}

Please correct me if I am wrong. If desired, I could put together a pull request.

[dmorawetz]

Created the PR #6991.