How do I capture shell command output directly into a Vim register?
:let @a = system('cmd')
You can populate any Vim register with the output of an external shell command using :let @{register} = system('{command}').
Search: i" a"
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How do I open a file in a split window and jump directly to the first match of a pattern?
:sp +/{pattern} {file}
The +{cmd} syntax lets you run an Ex command immediately after a file is opened.
How do I write a simple Vim plugin?
Create plugin/myplugin.vim
A basic Vim plugin is just a .
How do I inspect a Vim register's full details including its type (charwise, linewise, or blockwise) in Vimscript?
getreginfo('a')
getreginfo('{reg}') (Vim 8.
How do I restrict a search to a specific line-number window without selecting text first?
/\%>20l\%<40lTODO
Vim's search engine can constrain matches by line number, which is useful when you want to scan a known section without touching the rest of the buffer.
How do I move all lines matching a pattern to the top or bottom of a file?
:g/pattern/m 0
The :global command combined with :move lets you restructure a file by relocating all lines that match a pattern.
How do I run a macro on every line matching a pattern?
:g/pattern/normal @q
The :global command combined with :normal lets you execute a recorded macro on every line that matches a given pattern.
macros #macros #command-line #ex-commands #global #batch-editing
How do I restrict a substitution to the range between two named marks?
:'a,'bs/old/new/g
Named marks can serve as range endpoints for any Ex command, including :substitute.
How do I copy a line to another location without yanking?
:t {line-number}
The :t (copy/transfer) command duplicates the current line and places it after the specified line number.
How do I open the command-line window while I am already typing a command?
<C-f> (command-line mode)
Pressing while in the command-line (:, /, or ? prompt) opens the command-line window with your partially-typed command already loaded and ready for full Vim edi
command-line #command-line #ex-commands #editing #navigation
How do I edit the contents of a macro register using Vimscript without re-recording it?
:call setreg("a", substitute(getreg("a"), "old", "new", "g"))
The getreg() and setreg() functions let you read and write register contents as plain strings, making it possible to surgically edit a macro without re-recordin
How do I open any split command's result in a new tab instead of a split window?
:tab {cmd}
Most commands that open a new window (:help, :split, :new, :terminal) open a horizontal split by default.
How do I save the current search pattern into a named register before it gets overwritten by a new search?
:let @a = @/
Vim stores the last search pattern in the special / register (@/).
How do I run a macro a specific number of times without using a recursive macro?
{N}@q
Prefix a macro invocation with a count to execute it up to N times in a single command.
How do I paste register contents literally without triggering mappings in insert mode?
<C-r><C-r>a
In insert mode, a pastes register a but processes the text as if typed, which can trigger abbreviations and mappings.
How do I run a command on every line that does NOT match a pattern?
:v/pattern/command
:v (short for :vglobal) is the inverse of :g.
How do I remove a word I accidentally added to my Vim spell dictionary?
zug
When spell checking is active, pressing zg over a word adds it to your personal word list so Vim stops flagging it.
How do I increment all numbers in a visual selection by the same amount?
{Visual}<C-a>
In Visual mode, pressing increments every number within the selection by 1 (or by a given [count]).
How do I create a macro that only acts on lines matching a search pattern?
qa/pattern<CR>dd@aq
By starting a macro with a search command, the macro becomes conditional — it jumps to the next match before acting, and terminates when no more matches are f
How do I group part of a Vim regex pattern without creating a numbered capture group?
\%(...\)
Vim's standard grouping syntax \(.