:e %:h
The command :e %:h opens netrw (Vim's built-in file browser) in the directory that contains the current file.
command-line #command-line #navigation #buffers #netrw #editing
:.t$
The Ex command :.
:s/pattern/~/
In a Vim substitution, using ~ as the replacement string repeats the replacement text from the most recent :s command.
:noautocmd {cmd}
The :noautocmd (abbreviated :noa) prefix suppresses all autocommand events for the duration of the command that follows it.
mf mt mc
Netrw, Vim's built-in file browser, supports a full marking system that lets you select multiple files and then perform bulk copy, move, or delete operations on
yos, yow, yol, yon, yoh
The vim-unimpaired plugin adds a set of paired bracket mappings, including a powerful family of option toggles.
qaq qa...@aq
A recursive macro calls itself at the end of its recording, causing it to repeat automatically until an error — such as reaching the end of the file — stops
:earlier {time} and :later {time}
Vim's :earlier and :later commands let you navigate the undo history by elapsed time rather than by edit count.
s/pattern/\r/
In Vim substitutions, \r in the replacement string inserts a line break, creating a new line.
:%s/\d\+/\=printf('%03d', submatch(0))/g
Combining Vim's \= expression substitution with the printf() function lets you apply arbitrary formatting to matched text.
:'<,'>w !{cmd}
The :'w !{cmd} command writes the visually selected lines to the stdin of an external shell command — without modifying the buffer.
<C-f> (from command-line)
When you are already in the middle of typing a command (after pressing :) and realize you need to compose something complex — a long substitution, a multi-pip
gwap
The gw operator reformats text to fit within 'textwidth' — identical in effect to gq, but with one key difference: the cursor returns to its original position
qa<C-a>jq
By recording a one-step macro that increments a number and moves down a line, you can bulk-apply across as many lines as needed with a single count.
d3aw
Most Vim users know you can put a count before an operator (3dw) or use a text object once (daw).
editing #text-objects #editing #delete #normal-mode #motions
gh
Vim's Select mode behaves like the familiar selection model in most GUI editors: after selecting text, any printable character you type replaces the selection a
:set concealcursor=nv
The 'concealcursor' option controls in which modes concealed text is revealed on the cursor line.
:w ++ff=unix
The ++ff modifier on :w forces the file format used for writing, independently of the buffer's 'fileformat' option.
command-line #ex-commands #formatting #command-line #editing
l (in :%s///gc confirm prompt)
When running an interactive substitution with the c flag (e.
editing #search #editing #substitution #ex-commands #normal-mode
:%!python -m json.tool
When editing JSON files in Vim, you can pipe the entire buffer through Python's built-in json.
