diff --git a/book/src/keymap.md b/book/src/keymap.md
index 698b504c7..da4433f3d 100644
--- a/book/src/keymap.md
+++ b/book/src/keymap.md
@@ -315,10 +315,12 @@ Mappings in the style of [vim-unimpaired](https://github.com/tpope/vim-unimpaire
 
 ## Insert Mode
 
-We support many readline/emacs style bindings in insert mode for
-convenience. These can be helpful for making simple modifications
-without escaping to normal mode, but beware that you will not have an
-undo-able "save point" until you return to normal mode.
+Insert mode bindings are somewhat minimal by default. Helix is designed to
+be a modal editor, and this is reflected in the user experience and internal
+mechanics. For example, changes to the text are only saved for undos when
+escaping from insert mode to normal mode. For this reason, new users are
+strongly encouraged to learn the modal editing paradigm to get the smoothest
+experience.
 
 | Key                                         | Description                 | Command                 |
 | -----                                       | -----------                 | -------                 |
@@ -327,23 +329,23 @@ undo-able "save point" until you return to normal mode.
 | `Ctrl-r`                                    | Insert a register content   | `insert_register`       |
 | `Ctrl-w`, `Alt-Backspace`, `Ctrl-Backspace` | Delete previous word        | `delete_word_backward`  |
 | `Alt-d`, `Alt-Delete`, `Ctrl-Delete`        | Delete next word            | `delete_word_forward`   |
-| `Alt-b`, `Ctrl-Left`                        | Backward a word             | `move_prev_word_end`    |
-| `Ctrl-b`, `Left`                            | Backward a char             | `move_char_left`        |
-| `Alt-f`, `Ctrl-Right`                       | Forward a word              | `move_next_word_start`  |
-| `Ctrl-f`, `Right`                           | Forward a char              | `move_char_right`       |
-| `Ctrl-e`, `End`                             | Move to line end            | `goto_line_end_newline` |
-| `Ctrl-a`, `Home`                            | Move to line start          | `goto_line_start`       |
 | `Ctrl-u`                                    | Delete to start of line     | `kill_to_line_start`    |
 | `Ctrl-k`                                    | Delete to end of line       | `kill_to_line_end`      |
 | `Ctrl-j`, `Enter`                           | Insert new line             | `insert_newline`        |
 | `Backspace`, `Ctrl-h`                       | Delete previous char        | `delete_char_backward`  |
 | `Delete`, `Ctrl-d`                          | Delete next char            | `delete_char_forward`   |
-| `Ctrl-p`, `Up`                              | Move to previous line       | `move_line_up`          |
-| `Ctrl-n`, `Down`                            | Move to next line           | `move_line_down`        |
-| `PageUp`                                    | Move one page up            | `page_up`               |
-| `PageDown`                                  | Move one page down          | `page_down`             |
-| `Alt->`                                     | Go to end of buffer         | `goto_file_end`         |
-| `Alt-<`                                     | Go to start of buffer       | `goto_file_start`       |
+
+However, if you really want navigation in insert mode, this is supported. An
+example config that gives the ability to use arrow keys while still in insert
+mode:
+
+```toml
+[keys.insert]
+up = "move_line_up"
+down = "move_line_down"
+left = "move_char_left"
+right = "move_char_right"
+```
 
 ## Select / extend mode
 
diff --git a/helix-term/src/keymap/default.rs b/helix-term/src/keymap/default.rs
index fd7ea457f..f07d4028c 100644
--- a/helix-term/src/keymap/default.rs
+++ b/helix-term/src/keymap/default.rs
@@ -355,25 +355,6 @@ pub fn default() -> HashMap<Mode, Keymap> {
         "A-del" => delete_word_forward,
         "C-s" => commit_undo_checkpoint,
 
-        "left" => move_char_left,
-        "C-b" => move_char_left,
-        "down" => move_line_down,
-        "up" => move_line_up,
-        "right" => move_char_right,
-        "C-f" => move_char_right,
-        "A-b" => move_prev_word_end,
-        "C-left" => move_prev_word_end,
-        "A-f" => move_next_word_start,
-        "C-right" => move_next_word_start,
-        "A-<" => goto_file_start,
-        "A->" => goto_file_end,
-        "pageup" => page_up,
-        "pagedown" => page_down,
-        "home" => goto_line_start,
-        "C-a" => goto_line_start,
-        "end" => goto_line_end_newline,
-        "C-e" => goto_line_end_newline,
-
         "C-k" => kill_to_line_end,
         "C-u" => kill_to_line_start,