:windo set wrap
Vim provides iterator commands that execute an Ex command across all windows, buffers, tabs, or argument list files.
buffers-windows #buffers-windows #windo #bufdo #batch-commands
:setlocal nobuflisted
Setting nobuflisted removes a buffer from the :ls output and buffer-switching commands like :bnext/:bprev, while keeping it loaded and accessible.
buffers-windows #buffers-windows #buffers #unlisted #management
:tabonly | %bdelete | edit #
When your Vim session becomes cluttered with many tabs and buffers, you can clean up by closing all tabs except the current one with :tabonly, then deleting all
:set autoread | autocmd FocusGained * checktime
When working with Git, build tools, or collaborators, files may change outside Vim.
buffers-windows #buffers-windows #autoread #file-detection #external-changes
:nnoremap ]b :bnext<CR>
Mapping ]b and [b to :bnext and :bprev creates an intuitive bracket-style navigation for buffers, matching the convention used by unimpaired.
buffers-windows #buffers-windows #navigation #mapping #buffers
:setlocal nomodifiable
While :set readonly prevents accidental writes, nomodifiable goes further by preventing any changes to the buffer contents entirely.
buffers-windows #buffers-windows #readonly #modifiable #protection
<C-w>_ and <C-w>|
When working with multiple splits, you sometimes need to focus on one window temporarily without closing the others.
:checktime
The :checktime command tells Vim to check whether any open buffers have been modified outside of Vim and prompt you to reload them.
:bufdo %s/old/new/ge | update
The :bufdo command executes an Ex command in every loaded buffer.
buffers-windows #buffers #ex-commands #editing #substitution
<C-w>_ and <C-w>=
When working with multiple splits, you often want to focus on one window by making it as large as possible, then restore equal sizing when you're done.
:resize +N / :resize -N
:resize adjusts the height of the current window by a relative or absolute amount.
:sb {buffer}
The :sb (short for :sbuffer) command opens a buffer that is already loaded in Vim in a new horizontal split window.
:ls!
:ls (or :buffers) shows Vim's buffer list, but it hides unlisted buffers — help files, directory listings (netrw), terminal buffers, and scratch buffers marke
<C-w>n
n creates a new empty buffer and opens it in a horizontal split above the current window.
:vertical diffsplit {file}
Vim has a built-in diff mode that highlights added, removed, and changed lines between two (or more) buffers.
:cnext
The quickfix list is Vim's built-in way to collect a list of positions — typically compiler errors, grep results, or linter warnings — and jump between them
:tabedit
Vim's tab pages let you keep separate window layouts open at the same time, each with its own set of splits.
<C-w>+ / <C-w>- / <C-w>> / <C-w><
Vim provides keyboard shortcuts to resize split windows without reaching for the mouse.
:tab help
By default, :help opens in a horizontal split, which can feel cramped.
nnoremap <leader>b :b#<CR>
Map b to :b# which switches to the alternate buffer.
