How do I transfer diff hunks between files in Vim's diff mode?
dp and do
When comparing two files side by side in Vim's diff mode (:diffsplit or vim -d file1 file2), you often want to accept or push individual changes between the fil
Tag: buffers
How do I list only modified or active buffers in Vim?
:ls +
The :ls command (or :buffers) supports filter flags that narrow the buffer list to specific states.
How do I scroll and copy text from a terminal buffer in Vim?
<C-w>N
When using Vim's built-in :terminal, the buffer is in Terminal-Job mode by default, meaning all keystrokes go to the running shell.
How do I filter the output of an Ex command to show only matching lines?
:filter /pattern/ command
The :filter command restricts the output of another Ex command to only lines matching a given pattern.
How do I preview a tag definition in a preview window using :ptag?
:ptag function_name
The :ptag command opens a tag definition in a small preview window at the top of the screen, letting you read the definition without losing your place in the cu
buffers-windows #buffers #windows #tags #preview #navigation
How do I access the current and alternate filename registers in Vim?
:echo @%
Vim provides special read-only registers that hold the current and alternate filenames.
How do I hide a buffer from the buffer list without closing it?
:setlocal nobuflisted
Setting nobuflisted removes a buffer from the :ls output and buffer-switching commands like :bnext/:bprev, while keeping it loaded and accessible.
buffers-windows #buffers-windows #buffers #unlisted #management
How do I close all tabs and buffers except the current one?
:tabonly | %bdelete | edit #
When your Vim session becomes cluttered with many tabs and buffers, you can clean up by closing all tabs except the current one with :tabonly, then deleting all
How do I set up efficient keybindings for cycling through buffers?
:nnoremap ]b :bnext<CR>
Mapping ]b and [b to :bnext and :bprev creates an intuitive bracket-style navigation for buffers, matching the convention used by unimpaired.
buffers-windows #buffers-windows #navigation #mapping #buffers
How do I temporarily maximize a split window to full height or width?
<C-w>_ and <C-w>|
When working with multiple splits, you sometimes need to focus on one window temporarily without closing the others.
How do I force Vim to check if open files were changed externally and reload them?
:checktime
The :checktime command tells Vim to check whether any open buffers have been modified outside of Vim and prompt you to reload them.
How do I run a command across all open buffers at once?
:bufdo %s/old/new/ge | update
The :bufdo command executes an Ex command in every loaded buffer.
buffers-windows #buffers #ex-commands #editing #substitution
How do I maximize a window to full height or make all windows equal size?
<C-w>_ and <C-w>=
When working with multiple splits, you often want to focus on one window by making it as large as possible, then restore equal sizing when you're done.
How do I quickly navigate quickfix entries, buffers, and toggle options with bracket keys?
]q and [q
The vim-unimpaired plugin by Tim Pope provides pairs of bracket mappings for common navigation and toggling tasks.
How do I open an existing buffer in a new split window?
:sb {buffer}
The :sb (short for :sbuffer) command opens a buffer that is already loaded in Vim in a new horizontal split window.
How do I navigate between errors and results in the quickfix list?
:cnext
The quickfix list is Vim's built-in way to collect a list of positions — typically compiler errors, grep results, or linter warnings — and jump between them
How do I resize split windows using the keyboard in Vim?
<C-w>+ / <C-w>- / <C-w>> / <C-w><
Vim provides keyboard shortcuts to resize split windows without reaching for the mouse.
How do I use Vim's built-in file explorer netrw to browse and manage files?
:Explore
Netrw is Vim's built-in file explorer plugin that comes with every Vim installation.
How do I make Vim automatically reload a file when it changes on disk?
:set autoread
The autoread option tells Vim to automatically re-read a file when it detects the file has been changed outside of Vim.
How do I open Vim help pages in a new tab instead of a split?
:tab help
By default, :help opens in a horizontal split, which can feel cramped.