How do I visually re-select the exact region I just changed or yanked?

Explanation

After any change (c, d, s, y, p, etc.) or paste operation, Vim automatically sets two special marks: `[ at the first character and `] at the last character of the affected text. Using `[v`] visually re-selects that exact region without having to re-count or re-specify a motion.

How it works

• `[ — jump to the position of the first character of the last change/yank
• v — start character-wise visual selection at that position
• `] — extend the selection to the last character of the last change/yank

Together they reactivate a visual selection covering exactly the previously affected text.

Example

You yank a word with yiw, move elsewhere, then realize you need to format the same original word differently. Return to normal mode and press `[v`] to re-select it exactly, then press = to reindent, u to lowercase, or any other operator.

Or: you paste a block with p, then immediately `[v`] to select the pasted region and run :'<,'>!fmt to reformat just that block.

" After yanking 3 lines with 3yy, re-select them:
`[V`]

" After changing a word with ciw and escaping, re-select what was typed:
`[v`]

Tips

• '[ and '] (line-level marks) jump to the line of the first/last changed character
• These marks persist until the next change/yank operation overwrites them
• In Vimscript, getpos("'[") and getpos("']") let you query the exact position programmatically
• The marks also work cross-file: if you yanked from another buffer, they still point to the right location in that buffer
• :[range] automatically uses '<,'> when you press : from visual mode, but `[v`] is what you need when you've already left visual mode