How do I search and filter through command-line history in Vim?

Explanation

Vim's command-line history window (q: for Ex commands, q/ for search) opens a full editing buffer containing your history. You can search, filter, edit, and re-execute previous commands using all of Vim's editing power.

How it works

• q: — opens Ex command history in an editable window
• q/ — opens search pattern history
• Navigate with normal Vim motions (j, k, /, etc.)
• Press <CR> on any line to execute that command
• Edit a line before pressing <CR> to modify and run a variant

Example

" Open command history
q:
" Search backwards for a substitute command
?substitute<CR>
" Press <CR> to re-execute it

History window shows:
:edit file.txt
:%s/foo/bar/g
:wq
:buffers

Navigate to :%s/foo/bar/g, edit to :%s/foo/baz/g, press <CR>

Tips

• <C-f> from the : prompt also opens the history window
• Arrow keys <Up>/<Down> with typed prefix filter history inline (type :s then <Up>)
• History size is controlled by 'history' option (default 50, set higher)
• Close the history window with :q or <C-c> without executing