How do I define or modify a macro directly as a string without recording it?

Explanation

Macros in Vim are stored in registers as plain text. Using :let @q='...' you can define a macro directly as a string — no recording required. This is useful for saving macros to your vimrc, constructing them programmatically, or inspecting and modifying an existing macro.

How it works

• :let @q='dd' — set register q to the keystrokes dd
• :echo @q — inspect the current contents of register q
• :let @q = @q . 'j' — append j to the existing macro
• Special keys use Vim's internal notation: \<CR> for Enter, \<Esc> for Escape, \<C-a> for Ctrl+A

Example

A macro that duplicates the current line and increments the first number:

:let @q = 'yyp\<C-a>'

This is equivalent to recording qqyyp<C-a>q but is readable and can be placed in vimrc. Run it with @q.

To persist a macro across sessions, add to vimrc:

let @q = 'dd'

Tips

• Use double quotes " instead of single quotes to allow special escape sequences: :let @q = "dd\<CR>"
• Check what a recorded macro actually contains: :echo @q or :reg q
• :let @q = @q . @r concatenates two macros — run macro r after macro q
• :let @+ = @q copies a macro to the clipboard so you can paste it as text for documentation
• setreg('q', 'dd') is the Vimscript function equivalent, with a third argument for register type