How do I view only command-history entries matching a pattern in Vim?
:filter /{pattern}/ history cmd
When command history gets crowded, scanning :history cmd manually is slow.
Tag: command-line
How do I execute a macro on each quickfix match and write files only when changed?
:cdo normal! @a | update
When you already have a precise quickfix list, :cdo is one of the safest ways to run a macro only where it matters.
How do I apply my last normal-mode change to every line in a visual selection?
:'<,'>normal! .
When you already made one correct edit, replaying it is usually safer than retyping it by hand.
How do I open another buffer in a split without changing the alternate-file register?
:keepalt sbuffer {bufnr}
The alternate-file register (#) is easy to disturb when jumping around buffers, and many advanced motions depend on it (, # expansions, quick two-file toggles).
How do I find which script defined my BufWritePre autocommands?
:verbose autocmd BufWritePre
When a save hook starts behaving unexpectedly, the hard part is usually finding who defined it.
How do I run a quickfix refactor once per file instead of once per match?
:cfdo %s/\<GetUser\>/FetchUser/ge | update
When quickfix has many matches per file, :cdo can execute your command repeatedly in the same buffer.
command-line #command-line #quickfix #refactoring #ex-commands #search
How do I make mappings feel snappier without breaking key-code timing?
:set timeout timeoutlen=400 ttimeoutlen=30
If custom mappings feel laggy, the issue is often timeout tuning rather than mapping design.
config #config #mappings #performance #command-line #insert-mode
How do I recursively search files and load matches into quickfix in one command?
:vimgrep /\<TODO\>/gj **/*.lua | copen
When you want a project-wide TODO pass without leaving Vim, :vimgrep plus quickfix is a strong built-in workflow.
search #search #quickfix #command-line #project-navigation #ex-commands
How do I open another file without changing the alternate-file mark (#)?
:keepalt edit {file}<CR>
The alternate-file mark (#) powers fast toggles like and commands that depend on the previous file context.
command-line #command-line #buffers #workflow #navigation #advanced
How do I open another file without saving the current modified buffer first?
:hide edit {file}<CR>
Normally, trying to :edit another file from a modified buffer triggers a warning and blocks the switch unless you save or force the command.
buffers-windows #buffers #windows #workflow #command-line #editing
How do I search a whole project and open all matches in quickfix with built-in Vim commands?
:vimgrep /pattern/j **/*<CR>:copen<CR>
When you need a project-wide search but do not want to leave Vim, :vimgrep gives you a built-in grep workflow with navigation, filtering, and batch editing thro
search #search #quickfix #vimgrep #project-workflow #command-line
How do I execute a macro while ignoring custom mappings that could change behavior?
:normal! @q
Recorded macros can become fragile when your config defines mappings that shadow built-in keys.
How do I suppress noisy search count messages while keeping search behavior unchanged?
:set shortmess+=S
Vim's search count feedback ([3/27]) is useful until it starts flooding the command area during rapid navigation.
How do I move partial command feedback into the statusline instead of the last screen line?
:set showcmdloc=statusline
When you chain operators and motions, showcmd feedback is critical, but the default bottom-line location can fight with command messages and prompts.
How do I run a search-and-replace across all files in my argument list and only save changed buffers?
:argdo %s/\<old\>/new/ge | update
When you need to apply the same substitution across a curated set of files, :argdo is safer than a broad project-wide command.
command-line #command-line #ex-commands #search #buffers #formatting
How do I jump to a definition-style pattern match using Vim's define search?
:djump /MY_MACRO/
:djump searches for matches using Vim's definition search rules and jumps to the selected hit.
How do I clear undo history for the current buffer in Vim?
:let s:u=&l:undolevels | setlocal undolevels=-1 | execute "normal! a\<BS>\<Esc>" | let &l:undolevels=s:u
Sometimes you finish a risky refactor and want a clean undo boundary before handing the buffer off or continuing with unrelated edits.
How do I jump to a match across included files using Vim's include search?
:ijump /MySymbol/
:ijump is an include-aware jump command that searches the current file plus files discovered through your include and path settings, then jumps directly to a se
How do I load shell search output into a window-local location list?
:lgetexpr systemlist('rg --vimgrep TODO %') | lopen
When you want search results tied to only the current window, use :lgetexpr instead of :cgetexpr.
buffers-windows #location-list #quickfix #buffers #command-line #search
How do I load shell command output into quickfix without running :grep?
:cgetexpr systemlist('rg --vimgrep TODO')
When you already have a shell command that emits file:line:col:message records, :cgetexpr is a fast way to populate quickfix directly.