Cursor shape

A highly recommended configuration change is to set the cursor to change its shape depending on the currently active mode (Normal/Insert). Vem displays the mode at the beginning of the status line, but changing the shape of the cursor provides a more intuitive feedback.

The changing cursor shape is the default in gvem. However, it is not in vem because it is a feature closely linked to which particular terminal emulator you're using.

In many xtermk-compatible terminals (xterm, urxvt, iTerm2, xfce4-terminal, alacritty, kytty, terminator...) you can set:

" normal mode
let &t_EI = "\e[1 q"

" insert mode
let &t_SI = "\e[5 q"

in your vemrc file to enable this feature. The numbers correspond to the shape that you want to use in each mode:

0

Blinking block

1

Blinking block (default)

2

Steady block

3

Blinking underline

4

Steady underline

5

Blinking bar (xterm)

6

Steady bar (xterm)

However, you can take a look here for your terminal if this doesn't work for you:

Vim Wiki: Change cursor shape

Alternative

If changing the cursor shape doesn't work for your terminal. There's an alternative that consists in highlighting the current screen line when insert mode is active and deactivating it when you go back to normal mode:

autocmd InsertEnter * set cursorline
autocmd InsertLeave * set nocursorline