jmfwolf
jmfwolf
Software Engineer
Aug 23, 2023 2 min read

Vim Cheatsheet

Basic Modes:

  1. Normal mode (Command mode): This is the default mode when you open a file. You can navigate, manipulate, and issue commands in this mode.
  2. Insert mode: You can enter this mode to modify the file.
  3. Visual mode: Select text.

Mode Switching:

  • i: Enter insert mode before the cursor.
  • I: Enter insert mode at the beginning of the line.
  • a: Enter insert mode after the cursor.
  • A: Enter insert mode at the end of the line.
  • o: Open a new line below the current line and enter insert mode.
  • O: Open a new line above the current line and enter insert mode.
  • ESC: Return to normal mode from any other mode.
  • h: Left
  • j: Down
  • k: Up
  • l: Right
  • w: Next word
  • b: Previous word
  • ^: Start of line
  • $: End of line
  • G: Go to the last line
  • gg: Go to the first line
  • [number]G: Go to [number] line. (e.g., 5G takes you to the 5th line)

Editing:

  • x: Delete character under the cursor.
  • X: Delete character before the cursor.
  • dd: Delete entire line.
  • dw: Delete word from cursor to end of word.
  • D: Delete from cursor to end of line.
  • u: Undo last action.
  • Ctrl + r: Redo.
  • yy or Y: Yank (copy) the current line.
  • yw: Yank the word.
  • p: Paste after the cursor.
  • P: Paste before the cursor.

Searching:

  • /pattern: Search for pattern.
  • n: Find next occurrence of pattern.
  • N: Find previous occurrence of pattern.
  • ?pattern: Search for pattern backwards.

Replacing:

  • :s/old/new: Replace first occurrence of ‘old’ with ’new’ in the current line.
  • :s/old/new/g: Replace all occurrences of ‘old’ with ’new’ in the current line.
  • :%s/old/new/g: Replace all occurrences of ‘old’ with ’new’ in the entire file.
  • :%s/old/new/gc: Replace all occurrences with confirmation.

File Handling:

  • :w: Save (write) the file.
  • :w filename: Save as ‘filename’.
  • :q: Quit vi.
  • :q!: Quit without saving.
  • :wq or ZZ: Save and quit.

Miscellaneous:

  • :set number: Show line numbers.
  • :set nonumber: Hide line numbers.
  • :split: Split the window horizontally.
  • :vsplit: Split the window vertically.
  • Ctrl + w + w: Switch between windows.
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