How do I search across multiple files and navigate results without leaving Vim?

Explanation

The :vimgrep command searches for a pattern across multiple files and loads the results into the quickfix list. Unlike external grep, it uses Vim's own regex engine and integrates natively with Vim's navigation.

How it works

" Search for 'TODO' in all Python files recursively
:vimgrep /TODO/g **/*.py

" Search in all files
:vimgrep /pattern/g **/*

" Case-insensitive search
:vimgrep /pattern/gi **/*.js

Navigating results

:copen      " Open quickfix window to see all results
:cnext      " Jump to next match
:cprev      " Jump to previous match
:cfirst     " Jump to first match
:clast      " Jump to last match

vimgrep vs grep

Using external grep for speed

" Use ripgrep as :grep backend
:set grepprg=rg\ --vimgrep
:set grepformat=%f:%l:%c:%m

" Now :grep uses ripgrep
:grep 'pattern' **/*.py

Tips

• Use j flag to avoid jumping to the first match: :vimgrep /pattern/gj **/*.py
• The ** glob means "recursive" — **/*.go searches all Go files in all subdirectories
• After :vimgrep, use :cdo for batch operations on all matches
• :lvimgrep puts results in the location list instead (per-window)
• For large projects, set grepprg to ripgrep or ag for dramatically faster searches