How do I run a Vim command without triggering any autocommands?
:noautocmd write
The :noautocmd modifier (abbreviated :noa) runs any subsequent Ex command while temporarily disabling all autocommand events.
Search: :w
366 results for ":w"
How do I profile Vim functions at runtime to find what's making it slow?
:profile start /tmp/profile.log | profile func *
When Vim feels sluggish during editing (not just at startup), the :profile command lets you measure the execution time of every function call.
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 instantly erase everything I have typed on the command line and start the command over?
<C-u> (command line)
When you are typing a long Ex command on the : prompt and realise you've made a mistake, pressing erases everything from the cursor back to the beginning of the
command-line #command-line #ex-commands #editing #insert-mode
How do I search for tag definitions using a regex pattern instead of an exact name?
:tag /pattern
When working with ctags, you typically jump to exact tag names with .
How do I run the same command across all windows, buffers, or tabs?
:windo / :bufdo / :tabdo {command}
Vim's do commands iterate over collections and execute a command in each context.
buffers-windows #buffers #windows #tabs #batch-editing #ex-commands
How do I sort lines while ignoring a leading prefix like a key or label?
:sort /pattern/
The :sort /{pattern}/ command sorts lines by their content after the first match of the pattern.
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 define autocmds safely so they don't duplicate when my vimrc is re-sourced?
:augroup
Wrapping autocmds in a named augroup with autocmd! at the start prevents duplicate autocommands from accumulating every time your vimrc is sourced.
How do I sort lines by the text that matches a regex pattern rather than the text after it?
:sort r /pattern/
The :sort r /pattern/ command sorts lines using the matched portion of the regex as the sort key.
How do I paste the last yanked text while in Insert mode without using the unnamed register?
<C-r>0
In Insert mode, {reg} pastes the contents of any register inline at the cursor.
How do I search for text that appears after or before a specific pattern without including the pattern in the match?
/\v(pattern)@<=match
Vim supports zero-width assertions (lookahead and lookbehind) in its regex engine.
search #search #regex #advanced-search #lookahead #lookbehind
How do I reformat a paragraph or motion to fit within the text width without moving my cursor?
gw
The gw operator reformats text to fit within textwidth, just like gq — but with one key difference: gw leaves the cursor in its original position after format
How do I make Vim reuse an already-open window or tab when jumping to a quickfix entry?
:set switchbuf=useopen,usetab
By default, Vim opens a new window (or reloads the buffer in the current window) whenever you navigate to a quickfix entry, tag, or :buffer command — even if
How do I open and edit a file directly inside a tar archive in Vim?
:e archive.tar::path/to/file
Vim's built-in tar.
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 go back to a specific point in time using Vim's undo history?
:earlier 5m
Vim's :earlier and :later commands let you travel through your undo history using time-based offsets — not just individual changes.
How do I run normal mode commands in a script without triggering user-defined key mappings?
:normal! {cmd}
When you use :normal {cmd} in a Vimscript function, macro, or Ex command, Vim expands any keys through the user's current mappings first.
How do I make Vim automatically reformat paragraphs as I type so lines stay within the textwidth?
:set formatoptions+=a
Vim's formatoptions setting controls how automatic text formatting works.
How do I jump to the end of a word in Vim?
e
The e command moves the cursor to the last character of the current word.