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.
Tag: buffers
How do I open all loaded buffers into split windows at once?
:sball
The :sball command (short for split all) opens every loaded buffer in its own horizontal split window in one shot.
How do I load multiple files matching a pattern into Vim for batch editing?
:args **/*.js
The :args command populates Vim's argument list with files matching a glob pattern, turning any set of files into a navigable list and enabling project-wide bat
How do I quickly browse the directory of the current file without leaving Vim?
- (vim-vinegar)
The vim-vinegar plugin by Tim Pope enhances Neovim's built-in netrw file browser.
How do I open a file for reference in a dedicated preview window without disturbing my split layout?
:pedit
Vim has a built-in preview window — a special window distinct from regular splits.
How do I open a file and automatically jump to the first line matching a pattern?
:e +/pattern filename
The +{cmd} flag on :edit (and most file-opening commands) runs an Ex command immediately after the file loads.
command-line #command-line #ex-commands #navigation #search #buffers
How do I open any file in a project by partial name without a fuzzy-finder plugin?
set path+=**
By adding to Vim's path option, you enable recursive directory search — which makes :find with tab completion a lightweight project-wide fuzzy finder, no plug
How do I run a substitution across multiple files using Vim's argument list?
:argdo %s/old/new/g | w
:argdo {cmd} executes an Ex command against every file in the argument list—the set of files you opened Vim with or set explicitly with :args.
How do I open a specific buffer in a new split without navigating away from my current buffer?
:sbuffer {N}
:sbuffer {N} opens buffer number N in a new horizontal split, leaving your current window untouched.
buffers-windows #buffers-windows #buffers #windows #navigation
How do I navigate quickfix entries, buffers, and conflicts with consistent bracket mappings?
]q
The vim-unimpaired plugin (by Tim Pope) provides a consistent [x / ]x mnemonic for navigating any list-like structure in Vim.
How do I open the alternate file in a new split window without typing its name?
<C-w><C-^>
Press (Ctrl+W followed by Ctrl+6) to open the alternate file in a horizontal split.
How do I make Vim sort buffer completions by most recently used?
set wildmode=lastused
With wildmode=lastused, :b cycles buffers in most-recently-used order instead of alphabetically.
How do I make a mapping that opens a Tab completion menu for buffer switching?
set wildcharm= then nnoremap b :b
wildcharm sets the key that triggers wildmenu expansion inside mappings.
How do I open a fuzzy buffer picker in Neovim with Telescope?
:Telescope buffers
:Telescope buffers opens a fuzzy-searchable list of all open buffers.
How do I edit a file without overwriting the alternate buffer?
:keepalt e {file}
Every time you open a file with :edit, Vim updates the alternate file register (#) to the previous buffer.
buffers-windows #buffers #ex-commands #registers #navigation
How do I browse the full commit history of the current file using vim-fugitive?
:G log -- %
vim-fugitive's :G log -- % loads the git commit history for the current file into a quickfix-style log buffer.
How do I run the same Ex command in every open window at once?
:windo {cmd}
:windo {cmd} executes an Ex command in every window in the current tab page, cycling through each one and applying the command before returning focus to the ori
buffers-windows #windows #buffers #ex-commands #buffers-windows
How do I open a file and jump directly to a specific line or pattern?
:e +{line} {file}
The :edit command accepts a +{cmd} prefix that executes an Ex command immediately after the file is loaded.
command-line #buffers #ex-commands #navigation #command-line
How do I open a related file with a different extension using the current filename?
:e %:r.html
In Vim's command line, % expands to the current buffer's filename.
command-line #ex-commands #command-line #buffers #navigation
How do I change the working directory for only the current window without affecting other windows or tabs?
:lcd
:cd changes the global working directory, affecting every window and tab in the session.