How do I create a fold that spans the current paragraph in manual fold mode?

Explanation

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. This is faster than counting line numbers or entering visual mode just to create a fold.

How it works

• zf is the fold-creation operator — it works with any motion or text object
• ap is the "around paragraph" text object, selecting the current paragraph including its trailing blank line
• Together, zfap folds the entire paragraph the cursor is in
• Requires set foldmethod=manual (or using expr/marker methods that accept manual folds)

Example

With the cursor inside a prose paragraph or a code block separated by blank lines:

Before:
  This is the first line of a long
  paragraph that goes on for several
  lines and would benefit from folding.

After zfap:
  +-- 3 lines: This is the first line... ---

The fold is created instantly without entering visual mode.

Tips

• zfip (inner paragraph) excludes the trailing blank line — use when you want the blank line visible
• zf{motion} works with any motion: zf5j folds 5 lines down, zf/end<CR> folds to the next occurrence of "end"
• zd deletes the fold at the cursor; zD deletes recursively
• za toggles the fold open/closed; zM closes all folds in the file
• Store folds with :mkview and restore them with :loadview