diff --git a/book/src/configuration.md b/book/src/configuration.md
index e418869fc223..8c0d7d605b5d 100644
--- a/book/src/configuration.md
+++ b/book/src/configuration.md
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ You may also specify a file to use for configuration with the `-c` or
 | `auto-info` | Whether to display infoboxes | `true` |
 | `true-color` | Set to `true` to override automatic detection of terminal truecolor support in the event of a false negative. | `false` |
 | `rulers` | List of column positions at which to display the rulers. Can be overridden by language specific `rulers` in `languages.toml` file. | `[]` |
+| `initial-mode` | The initial mode for newly opened editors. | `"normal"` |
 | `color-modes` | Whether to color the mode indicator with different colors depending on the mode itself | `false` |
 
 ### `[editor.statusline]` Section
diff --git a/helix-view/src/editor.rs b/helix-view/src/editor.rs
index 1e7f508c14bf..b0ca5b0e5c37 100644
--- a/helix-view/src/editor.rs
+++ b/helix-view/src/editor.rs
@@ -163,6 +163,8 @@ pub struct Config {
     pub whitespace: WhitespaceConfig,
     /// Vertical indent width guides.
     pub indent_guides: IndentGuidesConfig,
+    /// The initial mode for newly opened editors. Defaults to `"normal"`.
+    pub initial_mode: Mode,
     /// Whether to color modes with different colors. Defaults to `false`.
     pub color_modes: bool,
 }
@@ -498,6 +500,7 @@ impl Default for Config {
             rulers: Vec::new(),
             whitespace: WhitespaceConfig::default(),
             indent_guides: IndentGuidesConfig::default(),
+            initial_mode: Mode::Normal,
             color_modes: false,
         }
     }
@@ -906,6 +909,7 @@ impl Editor {
 
     /// Generate an id for a new document and register it.
     fn new_document(&mut self, mut doc: Document) -> DocumentId {
+        doc.mode = self.config().initial_mode;
         let id = self.next_document_id;
         // Safety: adding 1 from 1 is fine, probably impossible to reach usize max
         self.next_document_id =