How do I fuzzy search inside file contents across a project in Vim?

Explanation

The fzf.vim plugin combines the blazing-fast fzf fuzzy finder with ripgrep to let you search inside every file in your project interactively. Running :Rg opens a full-screen fuzzy search prompt that queries file contents in real time, displaying matching lines with syntax-highlighted previews — far faster and more ergonomic than :vimgrep or :grep.

How it works

With fzf.vim installed and rg (ripgrep) available on your system, run:

:Rg search_term

This instantly searches all files in your project for search_term and opens an interactive fzf window where you can:

• Refine results by typing additional filter text
• Preview matches with surrounding context in a side pane
• Open a result by pressing <CR> to jump directly to the matching line

Running :Rg with no argument opens the prompt for you to type your query interactively.

Key bindings in the fzf window

<CR>     " open the selected match in the current window
<C-t>    " open in a new tab
<C-x>    " open in a horizontal split
<C-v>    " open in a vertical split
<Tab>    " select multiple results
<S-Tab>  " deselect a result
<CR>     " with multiple selections, populate the quickfix list

Multi-select to quickfix

One of the most powerful patterns is selecting multiple results with <Tab>, then pressing <CR> to send them all to the quickfix list. From there, you can use :cnext and :cprev (or ]q / [q with vim-unimpaired) to jump through every match, or :cfdo to run a command across all matched files.

Scoping the search

You can pass ripgrep flags directly to narrow the search:

:Rg -t py import          " search only Python files
:Rg -g '!test*' handler   " exclude test files
:Rg --no-ignore TODO       " include gitignored files
:Rg -w fetch               " match whole word only

Related fzf.vim commands

:Files      " fuzzy-find files by name
:Buffers    " fuzzy-find open buffers
:Lines      " search across all open buffer lines
:BLines     " search within the current buffer
:History    " recently opened files
:Commits    " browse Git commits with fzf

Tips

• Map :Rg to a quick shortcut for instant access: nnoremap <Leader>rg :Rg<CR>
• Ripgrep respects .gitignore by default, so generated files and node_modules are excluded automatically
• Use :Rg! (with a bang) to open the search in fullscreen mode with a larger preview window
• Install the bat command for syntax-highlighted previews inside the fzf window
• Combine multi-select with :cfdo %s/old/new/gc | update to perform a project-wide search and replace with confirmation