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.
Tag: config
How do I make Vim automatically jump to where I last edited when reopening a file?
autocmd BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal! g`\"" | endif
Vim remembers the last cursor position for every file you edit (stored in the viminfo or shada file), but by default it opens files at line 1.
How do I save my entire Vim workspace and restore it later?
:mksession / :source Session.vim
Vim's session feature saves a snapshot of your entire workspace — open buffers, window layout, tab pages, current directory, and more — to a file that you c
buffers-windows #buffers #windows #config #productivity #workflow #session
How do I set Vim options on a per-file basis without changing my vimrc?
vim: set ts=2 sw=2 :
A modeline is a special comment embedded in a file that Vim reads to apply file-specific settings automatically.
What is the difference between :map and :noremap, and why should I use non-recursive mappings?
:nnoremap / :inoremap / :vnoremap
Vim has two types of key mappings: recursive (:map, :nmap, :imap) and non-recursive (:noremap, :nnoremap, :inoremap).
How do I keep my undo history after closing and reopening a file?
:set undofile
By default, Vim's undo history is lost when you close a file.
How do I set different options for different programming languages in Vim?
autocmd FileType {lang} setlocal {options}
Vim's autocmd FileType lets you apply settings that only take effect when editing a specific file type.
How do I automatically remove trailing whitespace every time I save a file?
autocmd BufWritePre * :%s/\s\+$//e
By adding an autocmd for the BufWritePre event, you can make Vim automatically strip trailing whitespace from every line each time you save.
How do I set up auto-correct abbreviations in Vim to fix common typos?
:ab teh the
Vim's abbreviation system automatically expands short text sequences as you type, making it perfect for auto-correcting typos, inserting boilerplate snippets, o
config #editing #insert-mode #config #productivity #auto-correct
How do I paste text from outside Vim without messing up indentation?
:set paste
The :set paste command enables paste mode, which temporarily disables auto-indentation, smart tabs, and other insert-mode features that can mangle text pasted f
How do I display a vertical line at a specific column width?
:set colorcolumn=80
The :set colorcolumn=80 command displays a vertical highlight at column 80, giving you a visual guide for line length.
How do I enable relative line numbers in Vim?
:set relativenumber
The :set relativenumber command displays line numbers relative to the cursor position instead of absolute line numbers.
How do I set the tab width in Vim?
:set tabstop=4 shiftwidth=4 expandtab
The :set tabstop=4 shiftwidth=4 expandtab command configures Vim to use 4-space indentation with spaces instead of tab characters.
How do I show invisible characters like tabs and trailing spaces?
:set list
The :set list command makes invisible characters visible by displaying them as special symbols.
How do I enable spell checking in Vim?
:set spell
The :set spell command activates Vim's built-in spell checker, which highlights misspelled words directly in your buffer.
How do I enable syntax highlighting in Vim?
:syntax on
The :syntax on command enables syntax highlighting in Vim, colorizing your code based on the file type.
How do I clear search highlighting in Vim?
:noh
The :noh (short for :nohlsearch) command clears the highlighting from the last search pattern.
How do I show or hide line numbers in Vim?
:set number!
The :set number! command toggles line numbers on or off.