How do I configure Vim to auto-save files when I switch away?
:set autowriteall and autocmd FocusLost * silent! wa
How it works Vim can be configured to automatically save your files when you switch to another window or application.
Search: :wa
7 results for ":wa"
How do I create abbreviations for the Vim command line to fix typos like W and Q?
:cnoreabbrev {lhs} {rhs}
:cnoreabbrev defines a non-recursive command-line abbreviation — like noremap but for Ex commands.
How do I save all modified buffers at once without switching to each one?
:wall
When working across multiple files, you often have unsaved changes in several buffers.
How do I run a substitution or command on every line in the quickfix list?
:cdo
:cdo {cmd} executes {cmd} on each entry in the quickfix list — one by one, jumping to each location in turn.
command-line #ex-commands #quickfix #search #editing #buffers
How do I run a recorded macro across multiple files at once?
:argdo norm @a | update
Combining :argdo with :norm @a lets you apply a recorded macro to every file in Vim's argument list — a powerful pattern for bulk refactoring across a project
How do I run a command on all open buffers at once?
:bufdo {cmd}
:bufdo executes an Ex command in each open buffer in sequence, cycling through every buffer in the buffer list.
How do I switch between buffers without being forced to save first?
:set hidden
By default, Vim refuses to let you switch away from a buffer that has unsaved changes, forcing you to save or discard with :w or :e! before moving on.