How do I force Vim to check if open files were changed externally and reload them?
:checktime
The :checktime command tells Vim to check whether any open buffers have been modified outside of Vim and prompt you to reload them.
Search: :split
254 results for ":split"
How do I insert an actual newline in a substitution replacement, and why does backslash-n not work?
s/pattern/\r/
In Vim substitutions, \r in the replacement string inserts a line break, creating a new line.
How do I make gf find files when import paths omit the file extension?
:set suffixesadd+=.js,.ts,.jsx,.tsx
The gf (go to file) command opens the file under the cursor, but it fails when the path lacks an extension — common in JavaScript/TypeScript imports like impo
navigation #navigation #config #editing #buffers #file-management
How do I see a diff of my unsaved changes compared to the version on disk?
:w !diff % -
The command :w !diff % - pipes the current buffer's contents to an external diff command that compares it against the saved file on disk.
buffers-windows #buffers-windows #ex-commands #editing #navigation
How do I run a targeted health check for a specific Neovim plugin or module to diagnose issues?
:checkhealth {module}
:checkhealth {module} runs the health check only for the specified module, making it much faster than the full :checkhealth which interrogates every registered
command-line #neovim #diagnostics #debugging #plugins #health
How do I open a file and automatically jump to the first line matching a pattern?
:e +/pattern filename
The +{cmd} flag on :edit (and most file-opening commands) runs an Ex command immediately after the file loads.
command-line #command-line #ex-commands #navigation #search #buffers
How do I toggle all folding on and off globally with a single keystroke?
zi
Pressing zi in normal mode toggles the foldenable option, which controls whether folds are active in the current window.
How do I make the active window automatically expand to take up most of the screen?
:set winheight=999 winminheight=5
Setting winheight to a very large number forces Vim to always try to make the focused window as tall as possible.
How do I preview a function or tag definition without leaving my current position?
<C-w>}
How it works The } command opens a preview window showing the tag definition of the word under your cursor.
How do I define a custom Ex command that can accept a line range or count like built-in Vim commands?
:command -range {Name} ...
Custom Ex commands defined with :command -range can be called with a line range (e.
How do I move my cursor into the preview window to interact with its contents?
<C-w>P
The preview window is a special auxiliary split — usually at the top — opened by commands like :ptag, :pedit, and omni-completion to display reference infor
How do I make Vim wrap long lines at word boundaries instead of mid-word?
:set linebreak
By default, when wrap is enabled, Vim wraps long lines at the window edge — which can split words in the middle.
How do I create new files and directories directly inside Vim's built-in file browser without leaving Vim?
% (in netrw)
Vim's built-in file explorer netrw (opened with :Explore or :Ex) is more capable than it looks.
How do I use the filename under the cursor as a value in a Vim mapping or command?
expand('<cfile>')
The expand('') function returns the filename that Vim sees under the cursor — the same file that gf would open.
command-line #command-line #ex-commands #navigation #editing #motions
How do I search files on 'path' and open the first match in the preview window instead of replacing my current buffer?
:psearch /pattern/
When you need quick context from another file but do not want to disturb your current editing window, :psearch gives you a clean workflow.
buffers-windows #buffers #windows #preview-window #search #navigation
How do I reference just the extension, stem, or directory of the current file in a Vim command?
%:e
Vim exposes the current filename as % in Ex commands, and you can apply modifiers to extract specific parts of the path.
How do I navigate through code using tags and the tag stack?
<C-]> / <C-t>
The command jumps to the definition of the keyword under the cursor using a tags file, and jumps back.
How do I evaluate a Vimscript expression and use the result as my command-line input?
<C-\>e
Pressing e on the command line opens a special prompt that lets you type a Vimscript expression.
command-line #command-line #ex-commands #vimscript #insert-mode
How do I execute a recorded macro once in each currently open window?
:windo normal! @q
When you split a file into multiple windows or keep several related buffers visible, repeating the same small cleanup in each one can be tedious.
macros #macros #windows #normal-mode #ex-commands #automation
How do I insert the output of any Vim Ex command directly into the current buffer?
:put =execute('{cmd}')
The :put =execute('{cmd}') idiom inserts the output of any Vim Ex command as text in your buffer.
registers #registers #ex-commands #command-line #normal-mode