How do I speed up Vim when editing files with very long lines like minified code or CSV?
:set synmaxcol=200
The synmaxcol option tells Vim the maximum column up to which it will apply syntax highlighting on each line.
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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 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 open the alternate (previously visited) buffer in a new split window?
<C-w>^
Vim tracks the alternate buffer — the last file you were editing before the current one.
How do I display the full absolute path of the current file without leaving normal mode?
2<C-g>
Pressing prints the current filename, buffer status, and cursor position in the status line.
How do I remove the last recorded keystroke from a register or macro in Vim?
:let @a = @a[:-2]
Macros and named registers are just strings, so you can surgically edit them instead of re-recording from scratch.
How do I save my last Ex command into a register so I can replay it as a macro?
:let @q = @:
The : register always holds the last Ex command you ran.
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 execute a recorded macro a specific number of times?
5@q
Prefix the @ macro-execution command with a count to run the macro that many times in a row.
How do I move the cursor to the other end of a Visual selection in Vim?
o (in Visual mode)
When you make a Visual selection in Vim, the cursor sits at one end while the other end is anchored.
How do I get a more accurate diff that avoids matching unrelated lines?
:set diffopt+=algorithm:histogram
Switches Vim's diff algorithm from the default Myers algorithm to histogram, which produces more semantically meaningful diffs by avoiding false matches between
How do I integrate a custom build tool or test runner with Vim's :make command and quickfix list?
:set makeprg={command}
Vim's :make command runs a build program and automatically loads its output into the quickfix list so you can jump directly to errors and warnings.
How do I search and replace text only on the current line?
:s/old/new/g
The :s/old/new/g command replaces all occurrences of old with new on the current line only.
How do I extract just the parent directory name (not the full path) of the current file in Vim?
expand('%:p:h:t')
Vim's filename modifiers can be chained to transform paths step by step.
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 jump back to locations where I previously made edits?
g; and g,
Vim tracks every position where you made a change in the changelist.
How do I navigate between diagnostics with filtering by severity in Neovim 0.10+?
vim.diagnostic.jump()
Neovim 0.
How do I make Vim always open new splits below and to the right instead of above and to the left?
:set splitright splitbelow
By default, :split opens a new window above the current one and :vsplit opens to the left — the opposite of most modern IDEs and editors.
How do I fix broken or incorrect syntax highlighting in Vim?
:syntax sync fromstart
Vim's syntax highlighting engine does not always parse the entire file from the beginning — it uses sync points to determine where to start parsing for the vi
How do I send Telescope results to the quickfix list for bulk editing?
<C-q> (Telescope)
While inside any Telescope picker, pressing sends all current results to the quickfix list and closes the picker.