How do I delete characters, words, and lines without leaving insert mode?
<C-h> / <C-w> / <C-u>
Vim provides three levels of deletion directly in insert mode, so you don't need to switch to normal mode for small corrections.
Search: :normal
953 results for ":normal"
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 run a Vim command without adding entries to the jump list?
:keepjumps {cmd}
:keepjumps is a command modifier that suppresses any jump list updates caused by the command that follows it.
How do I find out which script or plugin defined a specific mapping or setting?
:verbose map <key> or :verbose set option?
The :verbose prefix shows where a mapping, setting, command, or function was defined — which file and line number.
command-line #command-line #debugging #config #mappings #workflow
How do I check whether a register contains characterwise, linewise, or blockwise text?
:echo getregtype('a')
The getregtype() function returns the motion type of a register's content — whether it was yanked characterwise, linewise, or as a visual block.
How do I list all lines matching a pattern across the current file and its includes?
:ilist /pattern/
The :ilist command searches for a pattern not only in the current buffer but also in files referenced by #include directives (or whatever 'include' is set to).
How do I copy a character from the line directly above or below while staying in insert mode?
<C-y> and <C-e>
In Insert mode, copies the character at the same column position from the line above the cursor, and copies the character from the line below.
How do I quickly resize the current window to exactly N lines tall in Vim?
z{N}<CR>
The z{N} command sets the current window's height to exactly N lines and simultaneously positions the current line at the top of the window.
How do I add custom functions to Vim's statusline for dynamic information?
set statusline=%{MyCustomFunc()}
How it works Vim's statusline supports the %{expr} syntax which evaluates a Vimscript expression and displays the result.
How do I format the current buffer using the language server protocol in Neovim?
vim.lsp.buf.format()
Neovim's built-in LSP client exposes vim.
How do I split a complex Vim macro into reusable subroutines?
Record worker macro in @b, call it from @a with @b
Complex macros are hard to debug and maintain when crammed into a single register.
How do I open a Telescope picker result in a split or new tab instead of the current window?
<C-x> / <C-v> / <C-t> (in Telescope)
When browsing results in a Telescope picker, you are not limited to opening selections in the current window.
How do I trigger an autocommand action after the cursor has been idle for a set period?
CursorHold
The CursorHold autocommand event fires once whenever the cursor has been motionless in normal mode for updatetime milliseconds.
How do I make Vim highlight matching brackets when typing?
:set showmatch
How it works The :set showmatch option makes Vim briefly jump the cursor to the matching opening bracket when you type a closing bracket.
How do I open the command-line window while in the middle of typing a command?
<C-f>
While typing in Vim's command line (after pressing :), pressing opens the command-line window with your current, unfinished command already filled in.
How do I paste a register literally in insert mode without triggering auto-indent or special key handling?
<C-r><C-r>x
When you press x in insert mode to paste a register, Vim inserts the text "as if you typed it" — meaning autoindent, textwidth, and other insert behaviors can
How do I scroll the buffer up or down while staying in insert mode?
<C-x><C-e> and <C-x><C-y>
While in insert mode, scrolls the window up one line and scrolls it down one line — all without leaving insert mode.
How do I re-insert the exact same text I typed during my last insert mode session?
<C-a> in insert mode
Pressing while in insert mode inserts the same text that was typed during the previous insert mode session.
How do I paste the current filename into the buffer?
"%p
The % register in Vim always contains the name of the current file.
registers #registers #editing #insert-mode #productivity #filename
How do I find where a Vim option or mapping was last set?
:verbose set option?
The :verbose prefix shows where an option was last set (which file, which line).