: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
:find filename
The :find command searches for a file by name across all directories in your path setting and opens it.
buffers-windows #buffers #file-management #navigation #workflow
:colder / :cnewer
Vim remembers up to 10 previous quickfix lists.
:b partial<Tab>
The :b (buffer) command accepts partial filename matching with tab completion.
"#p or <C-r># in insert mode
The # register always contains the name of the alternate file — typically the file you were editing just before the current one.
:tabnew | lcd /path/to/project
Vim's :lcd (local change directory) sets the working directory per window.
buffers-windows #buffers #windows #tabs #workflow #project-management
:Buffers
The fzf.
:tabnew / gt / gT
Vim's tab pages let you organize your workspace into separate views, each containing its own window layout.
buffers-windows #buffers #windows #tabs #navigation #productivity
<C-^>
Pressing (Ctrl-6 on most keyboards) instantly toggles between the current buffer and the alternate file — the last file you were editing.
buffers-windows #navigation #buffers #normal-mode #productivity #windows
: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.
<C-w>H / <C-w>J / <C-w>K / <C-w>L
The H, J, K, and L commands move the current window to the far left, bottom, top, or right of the screen respectively, rearranging your entire split layout.
buffers-windows #windows #buffers #navigation #splits #layout
:bufdo normal @a
The :bufdo command executes an Ex command in every open buffer, and when combined with :normal @a, it replays macro a across all of them.
macros #macros #buffers #ex-commands #automation #productivity
:mksession / :source Session.vim
Vim's session feature saves a snapshot of your entire workspace — open buffers, window layout, tab pages, current directory, and more — to a file that you c
buffers-windows #buffers #windows #config #productivity #workflow #session
: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
gf
The gf command ("go to file") opens the file whose path is under the cursor.
navigation #navigation #normal-mode #buffers #productivity #file-management
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
:enew | setlocal buftype=nofile bufhidden=wipe noswapfile
A scratch buffer is a temporary, unnamed buffer that exists only in memory — it won't prompt you to save when you close it and leaves no trace on disk.
buffers-windows #buffers #editing #ex-commands #productivity #workflow
<C-w><C-w>
The (Ctrl+w Ctrl+w) command cycles the cursor to the next window in the current tab.
:r filename
The :r filename command reads the contents of filename and inserts them into the current buffer below the cursor line.
:bnext
The :bnext (or :bn for short) command switches to the next buffer in Vim's buffer list.
