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Vi/Vim Cheatsheet

Modes

  • Command Mode: Default mode for navigation and editing commands.
  • Insert Mode: Enter text (i to enter, Esc to exit).
  • Visual Mode: Select text (v for character, V for line, Ctrl+v for block).

File Operations

  • :w - Save file.
  • :wq or ZZ - Save and quit.
  • :q - Quit (fails if unsaved changes).
  • :q! - Quit without saving.
  • :w filename - Save as a new file.
  • :e filename - Open a file.
  • :r filename - Insert content from another file.

Insert Mode Commands

  • i - Insert before the cursor.
  • I - Insert at the beginning of the line.
  • a - Append after the cursor.
  • A - Append at the end of the line.
  • o - Open a new line below.
  • O - Open a new line above.
  • h - Move left.
  • l - Move right.
  • j - Move down.
  • k - Move up.
  • 0 - Move to the start of the line.
  • ^ - Move to the first non-blank character of the line.
  • $ - Move to the end of the line.
  • w - Jump to the start of the next word.
  • e - Jump to the end of the current/next word.
  • b - Jump to the beginning of the previous word.
  • G - Go to the last line.
  • gg - Go to the first line.
  • :n - Go to line n.

Editing

  • x - Delete the character under the cursor.
  • X - Delete the character before the cursor.
  • dd - Delete the current line.
  • yy - Copy (yank) the current line.
  • p - Paste after the cursor.
  • P - Paste before the cursor.
  • u - Undo last change.
  • Ctrl+r - Redo undone change.
  • r - Replace the character under the cursor.
  • R - Replace text (overwrite mode).

Visual Mode

  • v - Start character-wise selection.
  • V - Start line-wise selection.
  • Ctrl+v - Start block selection.
  • d - Delete selected text.
  • y - Yank (copy) selected text.
  • > - Indent selected text.
  • < - Un-indent selected text.

Search and Replace

  • /pattern - Search forward for "pattern".
  • ?pattern - Search backward for "pattern".
  • n - Repeat the search forward.
  • N - Repeat the search backward.
  • :%s/old/new/g - Replace "old" with "new" globally in the file.
  • :n,m s/old/new/g - Replace "old" with "new" in lines n to m.

Miscellaneous

  • . - Repeat the last command.
  • Ctrl+g - Show current file name and position.
  • :set nu - Show line numbers.
  • :set nonu - Hide line numbers.
  • :!command - Run a shell command.
  • :help - Open help documentation.

Exit Modes

  • :wq - Save and quit.
  • :q! - Quit without saving.
  • ZZ - Save and quit.

Use this cheatsheet as a quick reference to master Vi/Vim!