How do I replace a text object with the contents of a register in Neovim 0.11?

Explanation

Neovim 0.11 introduced gr as a built-in operator that replaces any text object with the contents of the unnamed register (or a named register with "x). Previously, this required the ReplaceWithRegister plugin — now it works out of the box.

How it works

• gr is the replace-with-register operator
• {motion} is any motion or text object: w, iw, ap, $, etc.
• grr replaces the entire current line
• "agriw uses register a to replace the inner word
• The replaced text is discarded — it does not overwrite the source register

Example

Yank a word with yiw, then position the cursor over a different word and run:

griw

Before:

foo = bar

With bar in the unnamed register and cursor on foo:

bar = bar

The original foo is discarded without touching the register, so you can keep replacing with ..

Tips

• Combine with . to replace multiple occurrences one at a time: yank a word, move to each target, press griw then . to repeat
• grr is the linewise variant — replaces the whole current line
• Works with any text object: gri(, grap, gr$, etc.
• Use "0griw to replace from the yank register, avoiding interference from delete operations