How do I make a macro that finds and operates on specific patterns?
qq /pattern<CR> {commands} q
By incorporating a search command inside a macro, you can make it jump to the next occurrence of a pattern before performing its edits.
Search: g* g#
795 results for "g* g#"
How do I create a macro that repeats itself automatically until it can no longer proceed?
qq{actions}@qq
A recursive macro ends by calling itself, so it loops automatically without you pressing @q repeatedly.
How do I build a macro programmatically using Vimscript instead of recording it?
:call setreg('q', keys, 'c')
The setreg() function writes any string directly into a named register, letting you construct macro keystrokes from Vimscript expressions rather than live recor
How do I open just enough folds to see the current line without expanding everything?
zv
zv (view cursor) opens the minimum number of folds needed to make the current line visible — nothing more.
How do I toggle line wrapping on or off in Vim?
:set wrap! or :set nowrap
How it works By default, Vim wraps long lines that extend past the window width, displaying them across multiple screen lines.
How do I expand or shrink a visual selection based on the syntax tree using Treesitter?
grn / grc / grm
Neovim's nvim-treesitter plugin provides incremental selection based on the abstract syntax tree (AST) of your code.
How do I run a macro a specific number of times at once?
{count}@{register}
Prefix any macro execution with a count to repeat it that many times in a single command.
How do I repeat the last Ex command I ran?
@:
The @: command re-executes the most recently run Ex command (any command starting with :).
command-line #command-line #ex-commands #repeat #normal-mode #productivity
How do I open a file for reference in a dedicated preview window without disturbing my split layout?
:pedit
Vim has a built-in preview window — a special window distinct from regular splits.
How do I paste text from the system clipboard into Vim?
"+p
The "+p command pastes the contents of the system clipboard into Vim.
How do I selectively accept LOCAL or REMOTE changes in a three-way git merge using Vim?
:diffget LOCAL
When Vim is configured as a git mergetool, it opens a three-way split with the LOCAL (your branch), REMOTE (their branch), and MERGED (the output file) buffers.
buffers-windows #buffers-windows #diff #editing #command-line
How do I delete everything typed on the current line without leaving insert mode?
<C-u> in insert mode
Pressing while in insert mode deletes all characters entered since you last entered insert mode on the current line.
How do I detect which register was specified before executing a custom mapping in Vim?
v:register
When writing custom mappings or operator functions, v:register gives you the register name that the user prefixed the mapping with.
How do I control the exact indentation amount for continuation lines when text wrapping is enabled?
:set breakindentopt=shift:2
When breakindent is enabled, wrapped continuation lines are indented to match the start of their logical line.
How do I use \zs and \ze to define the exact boundaries of a regex match in Vim?
\zs and \ze in a pattern
Vim's \zs ("match start") and \ze ("match end") atoms let you narrow the actual match region within a broader pattern context.
How do I get the current Vim mode as a string for use in expression mappings or the statusline?
mode()
The mode() function returns a short string identifying the current editing mode — 'n' for Normal, 'i' for Insert, 'v' for Visual character-wise, 'V' for Visua
macros #macros #normal-mode #visual-mode #insert-mode #editing
How do I allow the cursor to sit one position past the end of the line in normal mode?
:set virtualedit=onemore
By default, Vim's cursor cannot go past the last character of a line in normal mode — pressing $ lands on the final character, not after it.
How do I append text to a register instead of replacing it?
"Ayy
The "Ayy command appends the current line to register a instead of overwriting it.
How do I open the command-line window while typing a command on the : prompt?
<C-f> (from command-line mode)
When you are partway through typing a long or complex Ex command on the : prompt, you can press to open the command-line window.
How do I prevent Vim's write strategy from breaking LSP file watchers by changing a file's inode on save?
:set nowritebackup
By default, Vim saves files using a "write-then-rename" strategy: it writes to a temporary backup file and then renames it over the original.