How do I configure :make to run the current file as a script with a specific interpreter?
:set makeprg=python3\ %
Setting makeprg to include % lets :make always execute the file you're currently editing.
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Searching...How do I quickly open my vimrc configuration file from anywhere in Vim?
:e $MYVIMRC
The :e $MYVIMRC command opens your Vim or Neovim configuration file instantly, no matter where it lives.
How do I compile a custom word list into a Vim spell file for faster spell checking?
:mkspell ~/.vim/spell/en.utf-8.add
When you add words to your personal spell file with zg, Vim writes them to a plain-text .
How do I record a self-repeating recursive macro that automatically stops when it hits an error?
qa{motions}@aq
A recursive macro is one that calls itself at the end of its own recording.
How do I send a visual selection to an external command as input without replacing the selected text?
:'<,'>w !{cmd}
The :'w !{cmd} command writes the visually selected lines to the stdin of an external shell command — without modifying the buffer.
How do I allow split windows to collapse completely to just their status line?
:set winminheight=0
By default, Vim enforces a minimum window height of 1 line, which means you can never fully collapse a split.
buffers-windows #buffers-windows #windows #splits #navigation
How do I switch from typing a command to the full command-line window so I can edit it with all normal Vim keys?
<C-f> (from command-line)
When you are already in the middle of typing a command (after pressing :) and realize you need to compose something complex — a long substitution, a multi-pip
How do I jump between matching #if, #else, and #endif preprocessor directives in C code?
[#
Vim includes built-in motions for navigating C preprocessor conditional blocks: [# jumps backward to the previous unmatched #if or #else, and ]# jumps forward t
How do I navigate to an older undo state that is not on my current undo branch?
g-
Vim's undo history is a tree, not a linear stack.
How do I hard-wrap a paragraph to fit within textwidth without moving my cursor away from it?
gwap
The gw operator reformats text to fit within 'textwidth' — identical in effect to gq, but with one key difference: the cursor returns to its original position
How do I use a macro to automatically increment a number on each line?
qa<C-a>jq
By recording a one-step macro that increments a number and moves down a line, you can bulk-apply across as many lines as needed with a single count.
How do I use a count with a text object to operate on multiple words, sentences, or paragraphs at once?
d3aw
Most Vim users know you can put a count before an operator (3dw) or use a text object once (daw).
editing #text-objects #editing #delete #normal-mode #motions
How do I enter a mode where I select text and then typing immediately replaces the selection, like in most graphical editors?
gh
Vim's Select mode behaves like the familiar selection model in most GUI editors: after selecting text, any printable character you type replaces the selection a
How do I keep concealed text hidden while navigating but automatically reveal it when my cursor enters insert mode?
:set concealcursor=nv
The 'concealcursor' option controls in which modes concealed text is revealed on the cursor line.
How do I save a file with specific line endings in one command without changing the buffer's fileformat setting?
:w ++ff=unix
The ++ff modifier on :w forces the file format used for writing, independently of the buffer's 'fileformat' option.
command-line #ex-commands #formatting #command-line #editing
How do I clear all entries from the quickfix list in Vim?
:cexpr []
After a :grep, :make, or :vimgrep run, the quickfix list fills with results.
command-line #command-line #buffers-windows #quickfix #ex-commands
How do I insert all Vim messages into the current buffer so I can read, search, or save them?
:put =execute('messages')
Vim's :messages command shows recent output — error messages, echo'd values, and diagnostic information — but the display is ephemeral and hard to search.
How do I replace only the current match and then stop when doing an interactive substitution in Vim?
l (in :%s///gc confirm prompt)
When running an interactive substitution with the c flag (e.
editing #search #editing #substitution #ex-commands #normal-mode
How do I format and pretty-print JSON in the current Vim buffer using Python?
:%!python -m json.tool
When editing JSON files in Vim, you can pipe the entire buffer through Python's built-in json.
How do I convert text to title case in Vim using a substitution command?
:%s/\v(\w+)/\u\L\1/g
Vim's substitution engine supports case-modifier sequences in the replacement string, making it possible to convert text to title case in a single command.
search #search #substitution #regex #editing #case #formatting