How do I search across files with lvimgrep and keep results in a window-local location list?
:lvimgrep /pattern/j **/* | lopen
Quickfix is great, but it is global.
Search: 10@a
233 results for "10@a"
How do I run commands without disturbing my marks?
:lockmarks
Many Ex commands silently adjust or delete marks as a side effect of modifying buffer content.
How do I open a split window that spans the full width or height of the editor instead of splitting only the current window?
:botright split
When you split a window with :split or :vsplit, Vim subdivides only the current window.
buffers-windows #buffers #windows #ex-commands #command-line
How do I highlight a custom pattern persistently in a window without changing the search register?
matchadd()
The matchadd() function adds a persistent highlight for a pattern in the current window without touching your search register or interfering with n/N navigation
How do I run a :normal command that ignores user-defined mappings?
:normal! {cmds}
:normal {cmds} executes normal-mode keystrokes from the command line, but it honors your custom key mappings — so remapped keys produce unexpected results in
command-line #ex-commands #macros #normal-mode #command-line
How do I search and replace only within a visual block selection?
:'<,'>s/\%Vold/new/g
The \%V atom restricts a search pattern to match only within the visual selection area, including visual block selections.
How do I make floating windows semi-transparent in Neovim?
:set winblend=20
Neovim's winblend option controls the pseudo-transparency of floating windows.
How do I center the current line on screen and move to the first non-blank character?
z.
Vim has two flavors of each screen-repositioning command: one that only moves the view and one that also repositions the cursor.
How do I evaluate expressions and insert results inline in Vim?
<C-r>=system("date")<CR>
The expression register (=) is one of Vim's most powerful yet underused features.
How do I open a file in a read-only split window in Vim?
:sview {file}
The :sview command opens a file in a horizontal split window with the buffer set to read-only.
buffers-windows #buffers-windows #windows #navigation #ex-commands
How do I restrict the :global command to operate on only a portion of the file?
:[range]g/pattern/command
The :global command accepts an optional line range prefix that restricts which lines it even considers matching.
How do I stop Vim from treating numbers with leading zeros as octal when using Ctrl-A or Ctrl-X?
:set nrformats-=octal
Vim's and increment and decrement numbers under the cursor.
How do I pipe the contents of my current buffer as input to a shell command in Vim?
:w !cmd
The :w !cmd command sends the buffer's contents as standard input to an external command without modifying the buffer.
How do I undo all changes made in the last N minutes using time-based undo?
:earlier {N}m
Vim's :earlier command lets you travel back through the undo history by wall-clock time rather than by the number of changes.
How do I enable LSP inlay hints to show types and parameter names inline in Neovim?
:lua vim.lsp.inlay_hint.enable()
Neovim 0.
How do I jump to the start or end of the last changed, yanked, or pasted text using automatic marks?
'[ and ']
Vim automatically sets two special marks after every change, yank, or put operation: '[ and '].
How do I copy a specific line by number to after the current line?
:5t.
The :t ex command (also spelled :copy) copies a range of lines to a target address without touching any register.
How do I search for and highlight text that exceeds a specific column width like 80 or 120?
/\%>80v.
The pattern /\%>80v.
How do I travel backward through undo history by time rather than by change count?
:earlier {time}
Vim's :earlier and :later commands let you travel through undo history using real-world time intervals instead of individual change counts.
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.