How do I convert space-indented code to tab-indented code in Vim?
:set noexpandtab | retab!
When you inherit space-indented code and need to switch to tabs, :retab! (with the bang) converts groups of spaces into tabs throughout the file.
Search: i" a"
2125 results for "i" a""
How do I jump to the Nth next search match instead of pressing n repeatedly?
{count}n
Like most Vim motions, the n and N search repeat commands accept a count prefix.
How do I create key mappings that only apply to the current buffer?
:nnoremap <buffer> <leader>r :!python %<CR>
How it works By adding to a mapping command, the mapping only applies to the current buffer.
How do I make Vim display partial key sequences and selected character counts in real time?
:set showcmd
The showcmd option makes Vim display the currently-typed command in the bottom-right corner of the screen, giving you live feedback as you build up key sequence
How do I run an external command asynchronously from Neovim Lua and capture its output?
vim.system({cmd}, {opts}, callback)
vim.
How do I navigate to an older undo state that is not on my current undo branch?
g-
Vim's undo history is a tree, not a linear stack.
How do I insert the entire current line into the command line without typing it?
<C-r><C-l>
Pressing on the command line inserts the full text of the current buffer line (the line the cursor is on when you pressed :) directly at the command-line cursor
How do I manually fire an autocommand event to re-trigger filetype settings or test autocmds?
:doautocmd
:doautocmd fires any autocommand event manually, exactly as if that event had occurred naturally.
How do I tune Vim diff mode for more readable side-by-side hunks?
:set diffopt+=vertical,algorithm:patience,indent-heuristic
Default diff behavior can look noisy on refactors where blocks move or indentation shifts.
How do I edit another file without changing the alternate-file (#) reference?
:keepalt edit path/to/file\<CR>
Experienced Vim workflows often depend on the alternate file (#) for fast toggling with , quick diffs, or two-file review loops.
How do I sort lines alphabetically in Vim?
:sort
The :sort command sorts lines in the current buffer or a specified range alphabetically.
How do I keep scroll and cursor view when moving through jumplist history?
:set jumpoptions+=stack,view
When you jump around large files with and , the default behavior can feel disorienting because your cursor position may return but your viewport context does no
How do I search literally for the exact text I yanked last?
:let @/ = '\V' . escape(@0, '\')
When the text you yank contains regex characters, a normal / search can produce noisy or surprising matches.
How do I prevent Vim's file completion and wildcard expansion from matching build artifacts or binary files?
:set wildignore
:set wildignore defines a comma-separated list of glob patterns that Vim excludes from wildcard expansion and file completion.
How do I run an Ex command without changing the current search pattern?
:keeppattern {cmd}
Many Ex commands silently overwrite the search register (@/), which changes your hlsearch highlighting and n/N behavior.
How do I suppress noisy search count messages while keeping search behavior unchanged?
:set shortmess+=S
Vim's search count feedback ([3/27]) is useful until it starts flooding the command area during rapid navigation.
How do I navigate all undo states including branches that u and Ctrl+r can't reach?
g+ and g-
Vim's undo history is a tree, not a linear stack.
How do I jump to the start or end of the text I last yanked or changed?
`[ and `]
The ` [ ` and ] ` marks automatically track the boundaries of the last changed or yanked text.
How do I perform the same operation across multiple files using the argument list?
:args **/*.js | argdo %s/old/new/ge | update
The argument list (arglist) is Vim's mechanism for loading a set of files and running commands across all of them.
command-line #command-line #ex-commands #arglist #productivity #batch #editing
How do I disable the error beep in Vim?
:set belloff=all
The belloff=all option disables all error bells and visual bells in Vim.