How do I move the current line up or down without cutting and pasting?
:m+1 / :m-2
The :m (move) command relocates lines to a new position in the file without using registers.
editing #editing #ex-commands #lines #productivity #mappings
All Vim Tricks
How do I jump back to where I last made an edit?
g; / g,
The g; and g, commands let you navigate Vim's changelist — a per-buffer history of every position where you made a change.
navigation #navigation #changelist #editing #normal-mode #marks
How do I quickly jump between function or method definitions in code?
]] / [[
The ]] and [[ commands let you jump forward and backward between section boundaries, which in most programming languages correspond to function or method defini
navigation #navigation #motions #normal-mode #code #functions
How do I browse and manage files using Vim's built-in file explorer?
:Explore / :Vexplore / :Sexplore
Vim ships with netrw, a built-in file explorer that lets you browse directories, open files, create new files, rename, and delete — all without plugins.
buffers-windows #navigation #buffers #file-management #netrw #productivity
What is the difference between :map and :noremap, and why should I use non-recursive mappings?
:nnoremap / :inoremap / :vnoremap
Vim has two types of key mappings: recursive (:map, :nmap, :imap) and non-recursive (:noremap, :nnoremap, :inoremap).
How do I run the same normal mode command on every line in a range?
:'<,'>norm {commands}
The :normal (or :norm) command lets you execute normal mode keystrokes from the command line.
command-line #editing #ex-commands #normal-mode #productivity #ranges
How do I open a file path that appears in my code without manually typing it?
gf
The gf command ("go to file") opens the file whose path is under the cursor.
navigation #navigation #normal-mode #buffers #productivity #file-management
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 paste the last Ex command I ran into my buffer?
":p
The : register holds the most recently executed Ex command.
registers #registers #ex-commands #normal-mode #productivity
How do I paste the text I just typed in insert mode?
".p
The ".
registers #registers #editing #insert-mode #normal-mode #productivity
How do I keep my undo history after closing and reopening a file?
:set undofile
By default, Vim's undo history is lost when you close a file.
How do I send the contents of my buffer to a shell command without replacing the text?
:w !{cmd}
The :w !{cmd} command writes the buffer contents to the stdin of an external shell command without modifying the buffer or saving to disk.
command-line #command-line #ex-commands #shell #editing #productivity
How do I navigate compiler errors, grep results, or search matches using the quickfix list?
:copen / :cnext / :cprev
The quickfix list is Vim's built-in mechanism for navigating a list of file locations — compiler errors, grep results, search matches, or any structured outpu
navigation #navigation #quickfix #ex-commands #productivity #workflow
How do I filter buffer contents through an external shell command?
:%!{cmd}
The :%!{cmd} command pipes the entire buffer through an external shell command and replaces the buffer contents with the command's output.
command-line #editing #ex-commands #shell #filtering #productivity
How do I fold and unfold sections of code to hide details I'm not working on?
zf / zo / zc / za
Vim's folding system lets you collapse blocks of code into a single line, hiding the details so you can focus on the structure.
editing #editing #folding #navigation #normal-mode #productivity
How do I set a mark that works across different files?
mA / 'A
Uppercase marks (A-Z) are global marks — they remember not only the line and column position, but also the file where they were set.
navigation #navigation #marks #normal-mode #buffers #productivity
How do I visually select the next occurrence of my last search pattern?
gn
The gn motion searches forward for the next match of the last search pattern and visually selects it.
search #navigation #search #motions #normal-mode #repeat #editing
How do I insert special characters like ©, ±, or → without leaving Vim?
<C-k>{char1}{char2}
Vim has a built-in digraph system that lets you insert hundreds of special characters by typing two-character mnemonics.
editing #editing #insert-mode #special-characters #unicode #productivity
How do I paste from a register while staying in insert mode?
<C-r>{register}
Pressing followed by a register name in insert mode inserts the contents of that register at the cursor position without leaving insert mode.
How do I delete the word before the cursor without leaving insert mode?
<C-w>
Pressing in insert mode deletes the word before the cursor instantly, without requiring you to switch to normal mode.