How do I insert the output of a shell command into my buffer?
:read !date
The :read !{command} syntax runs a shell command and inserts its output below the current line.
All Vim Tricks
How do I reverse the order of lines in a file or selection?
:%!tac
Vim doesn't have a built-in reverse command, but you can pipe the buffer through tac (reverse of cat) to flip line order.
How do I enable persistent undo so undo history survives closing files?
:set undofile undodir=~/.vim/undodir
By default, Vim's undo history is lost when you close a file.
How do I center or right-align text to a specific width in Vim?
:center 80
Vim has built-in text alignment commands that adjust lines relative to a specified width.
How do I select, change, or delete function arguments as text objects?
cia (with targets.vim) or daa
While Vim doesn't have a built-in argument text object, the targets.
How do I insert special Unicode characters using digraphs in Vim?
<C-k>DG
Vim's digraph system lets you insert special characters by pressing followed by a two-character mnemonic code.
How do I insert the result of a calculation directly while typing in insert mode?
<C-r>=2+2<CR>
The expression register (=) in insert mode lets you evaluate any Vimscript expression and insert the result inline.
How do I create custom highlight groups and override colorscheme colors?
:highlight MyGroup guifg=#ff0000 guibg=NONE gui=bold
The :highlight command lets you define custom colors for syntax elements, UI components, and your own highlight groups.
How do I customize what Vim considers a 'word' for motions and text objects?
:setlocal iskeyword+=-
The iskeyword option defines which characters are part of a "word" for motions like w, b, e, , and text objects like iw.
How do I embed Vim settings inside a file using modelines?
vim: set ts=2 sw=2 et:
Modelines are special comments at the top or bottom of a file that Vim reads to apply file-specific settings.
How do I configure Vim to find files recursively in subdirectories?
:set path+=**
Adding to the path option tells Vim to search recursively through all subdirectories when using :find, gf, and other path-related commands.
How do I find which plugin or script defined a specific mapping?
:verbose nmap <leader>
The :verbose prefix on mapping commands shows not just the mapping definition but also the file and line number where it was defined.
How do I visually hide or conceal matched text in Vim?
:syntax match Conceal /pattern/ conceal
Vim's conceal feature lets you visually hide text that matches a pattern, or replace it with a single character.
How do I change the cursor shape for different Vim modes in the terminal?
:let &t_SI = "\e[6 q"
Modern terminals support cursor shape changes via escape sequences.
How do I control automatic text wrapping and comment formatting in Vim?
:set formatoptions+=cro
The formatoptions setting controls how Vim automatically formats text as you type — including comment continuation, auto-wrapping, and paragraph formatting.
How do I configure Vim to use ripgrep as its built-in grep program?
:set grepprg=rg\ --vimgrep
Vim's :grep command uses an external program to search files and populate the quickfix list.
How do I programmatically simulate keypresses in Vim?
:call feedkeys("iHello\<Esc>", 'n')
The feedkeys() function injects keystrokes into Vim's input buffer as if the user typed them.
How do I search and filter through command-line history in Vim?
q/k?pattern<CR>
Vim's command-line history window (q: for Ex commands, q/ for search) opens a full editing buffer containing your history.
How do I run a command on lines between two search patterns?
:/start/,/end/command
Vim allows pattern-based ranges in Ex commands, letting you operate on lines between two search matches.
How do I run a Vim command in sandbox mode to prevent side effects?
:sandbox {command}
Vim's sandbox mode restricts what a command can do, preventing it from executing shell commands, writing files, or modifying certain settings.