How do I run a command on lines between two search patterns?

Explanation

Vim allows pattern-based ranges in Ex commands, letting you operate on lines between two search matches. This is more flexible than line numbers because it adapts to file changes automatically — the range is defined by content, not position.

How it works

• :/pattern/ — refers to the next line matching the pattern
• :/start/,/end/ — range from first match to second match
• Any Ex command can follow: d, s/old/new/g, normal, move, etc.
• ?pattern? — searches backwards instead of forwards

Example

Delete everything between BEGIN and END:

:/BEGIN/,/END/d

Indent lines between two function definitions:

:/^func start/,/^func end/>

Before:
# BEGIN
this will be
deleted
# END

After :/BEGIN/,/END/d:
(lines removed)

Tips

• Combine with offset: :/pattern/+1,/end/-1d to exclude the boundary lines
• Use \c for case-insensitive: :/\cbegin/,/\cend/s/old/new/g
• Chain with g for powerful operations: :g/^class/,/^class/s/self/cls/g
• The range is resolved at execution time, so it always finds current matches