How do I indent or dedent the current line without leaving insert mode?

Explanation

When you're typing in insert mode and realize the current line needs more or less indentation, you don't have to leave insert mode to fix it. <C-t> adds one level of indentation and <C-d> removes one level, both respecting your shiftwidth setting.

How it works

• <C-t> (Ctrl+T): Inserts one shiftwidth worth of indentation at the beginning of the current line, shifting the entire line right. Your cursor stays in its relative position within the text.
• <C-d> (Ctrl+D): Removes one shiftwidth worth of indentation from the beginning of the current line, shifting it left.
• Both commands work regardless of where your cursor is on the line — they always affect the line's leading whitespace.

Example

With shiftwidth=4, suppose you're typing inside a function and realize you need to nest deeper:

Before (cursor at |):
function test() {
    if (true) {
    console.log("hello")|

Press <C-t> to indent:

After:
function test() {
    if (true) {
        console.log("hello")|

Press <C-d> to dedent back if needed.

Tips

• 0<C-d> removes all indentation from the current line while staying in insert mode
• ^<C-d> temporarily removes all indentation for the current line only (restores on next line)
• These are faster than exiting to normal mode, using >> or <<, and re-entering insert mode