How do I extract regex capture groups from a string in Vimscript?
matchlist()
matchlist({str}, {pattern}) runs a regex match and returns a list of all captured groups, making it the idiomatic way to extract structured data from strings in
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Searching...How do I read a single keystroke from the user inside a Vimscript mapping or function?
getchar()
getchar() blocks and waits for the user to press a key, returning its numeric character code.
How do I apply the last substitution's replacement to a different search pattern without retyping it?
:~
The :~ command repeats the last substitution but uses the current search pattern instead of the original pattern.
How do I create a project-specific Lua config that Neovim loads automatically from the project directory?
:trust
Neovim supports project-local configuration via a .
How do I scroll through wrapped long lines smoothly without skipping screen rows?
:set smoothscroll
The smoothscroll option makes scroll commands respect screen rows rather than buffer lines when wrap is enabled.
How do I quit Vim without saving using a two-keystroke normal mode shortcut?
ZQ
ZQ is the discard-and-quit counterpart to ZZ.
How do I make Vim preserve the cursor column when jumping between lines?
:set nostartofline
By default, many Vim movement commands — gg, G, Ctrl-d, Ctrl-u, Ctrl-f, Ctrl-b, and others — snap the cursor to the first non-blank character of the destina
How do I show a visual fold depth indicator in the Vim gutter?
:set foldcolumn=1
Setting foldcolumn to a non-zero value adds a narrow column on the left side of each window that visually represents the fold structure of your file.
How do I find a file by name in Vim's path and open it in a new tab?
:tabfind {name}
:tabfind is the tab-aware counterpart to :find.
How do I find invalid UTF-8 byte sequences in a file in Vim?
8g8
The 8g8 command searches forward from the cursor for the first byte that belongs to an invalid UTF-8 sequence.
How do I create new files and directories directly inside Vim's built-in file browser without leaving Vim?
% (in netrw)
Vim's built-in file explorer netrw (opened with :Explore or :Ex) is more capable than it looks.
How do I join a specific number of lines at once without pressing J multiple times?
{count}J
The J command joins the current line with the line below, adding a space between them.
How do I make Vim's built-in file explorer display files as a tree rather than a flat list?
:let g:netrw_liststyle=3
Vim ships with a built-in file browser called netrw, opened with :Explore (or :Ex).
How do I enable Ctrl-A and Ctrl-X to increment and decrement binary numbers like 0b1010 in Vim?
:set nrformats+=bin
Vim's and commands increment and decrement numbers under the cursor, but by default they only handle decimal and hexadecimal.
How do I automatically save and restore fold states between Vim sessions using autocmds?
autocmd BufWinLeave * mkview
By default, Vim forgets your folds, cursor position, and scroll state every time you close a file.
How do I show both the absolute line number on the current line and relative numbers on all other lines?
:set number relativenumber
Enabling both number and relativenumber simultaneously activates hybrid line numbering: the current line displays its true absolute line number while every othe
How do I prevent Vim from automatically resizing a window when others open or close?
:set winfixwidth
Setting winfixwidth on a window tells Vim not to adjust its width when other windows are created, closed, or resized with =.
How do I switch from the active command line into the command-line window to edit the command with full Vim power?
<C-f> (in command line)
Pressing while you are already typing in the Vim command line (:), search line (/ or ?), or input prompt switches you into the command-line window with the curr
command-line #command-line #ex-commands #editing #normal-mode
How do I create a fold that spans the current paragraph in manual fold mode?
zfap
Combining the fold-creation operator zf with the ap (around paragraph) text object gives you a quick way to collapse any paragraph into a single fold line.
How do I execute a motion or command without adding an entry to the jump list?
:keepjumps {command}
The :keepjumps modifier lets you run any movement or command without recording a new entry in the jump list.
navigation #navigation #ex-commands #jump-list #normal-mode #vimscript