How do I target outer nested brackets using counted text objects?
d2i(
Vim text objects accept a count prefix that lets you target outer layers of nested delimiters.
Tag: normal-mode
How do I force a motion to act blockwise, linewise, or characterwise?
d<C-v>2j
Vim lets you override the natural type of any motion by pressing v, V, or between the operator and the motion.
editing #editing #motions #visual-mode #advanced #normal-mode
How do I make plugin actions repeatable with the dot command in Vim?
vim-repeat
The vim-repeat plugin by Tim Pope extends Vim's built-in .
plugins #plugins #repeat #dot-command #workflow #normal-mode
How do I quickly change surrounding quotes, brackets, or tags in Vim?
cs"'
The vim-surround plugin by Tim Pope lets you change any surrounding delimiter pair with a single cs command.
plugins #plugins #surround #editing #text-objects #normal-mode
How do I quickly delete surrounding quotes, brackets, or tags in Vim?
ds"
The vim-surround plugin provides the ds command to instantly delete any surrounding delimiter pair.
plugins #plugins #surround #editing #text-objects #normal-mode
How do I wrap a word or text object with quotes, brackets, or tags in Vim?
ysiw)
The vim-surround plugin provides the ys (you surround) operator to wrap any Vim text object or motion with a delimiter pair.
plugins #plugins #surround #editing #text-objects #normal-mode
How do I quickly comment and uncomment code in Vim with a plugin?
gcc
The vim-commentary plugin by Tim Pope provides a minimal yet powerful way to toggle comments in any programming language.
plugins #plugins #commentary #commenting #editing #normal-mode
How do I yank text into a specific named register for later use?
"{register}y{motion}
Vim has 26 named registers (a-z) that act as independent clipboards.
registers #registers #editing #normal-mode #yank #productivity
How do I quickly surround a word with quotes, brackets, or parentheses?
ciw""<Esc>P
Vim doesn't have a built-in "surround" operator, but you can wrap any word in quotes or brackets with a short sequence: ciw""P.
editing #editing #text-objects #normal-mode #productivity #surround
How do I quickly switch between the current file and the last edited file?
<C-^>
Pressing (Ctrl-6 on most keyboards) instantly toggles between the current buffer and the alternate file — the last file you were editing.
buffers-windows #navigation #buffers #normal-mode #productivity #windows
How do I toggle the case of an entire word in Vim?
g~iw
The g~iw command toggles the case of every character in the word under the cursor — uppercase letters become lowercase and vice versa.
How do I navigate undo branches to recover changes that were overwritten by a new edit?
g- / g+
Vim doesn't have a simple linear undo stack — it maintains a full undo tree with branches.
editing #editing #undo-redo #normal-mode #advanced #productivity
How do I change the same column of text across multiple lines at once?
<C-v>jjc replacement<Esc>
Visual block mode's change command lets you replace a rectangular column of text across multiple lines in a single operation.
visual-mode #editing #visual-mode #block-mode #normal-mode #productivity
How do I scroll the screen so the current line is at the top?
zt
The zt command repositions the viewport so that the line where your cursor sits moves to the top of the screen, without changing your cursor position within the
navigation #navigation #scrolling #normal-mode #viewport #productivity
How do I execute a single normal mode command without leaving insert mode?
<C-o>{cmd}
Pressing in insert mode lets you execute one normal mode command and then automatically returns you to insert mode.
How do I see spelling correction suggestions for a misspelled word?
z=
When spell checking is enabled, the z= command opens a numbered list of spelling suggestions for the misspelled word under the cursor.
editing #editing #spell-check #normal-mode #productivity #prose
How do I search for the word under the cursor without whole-word boundaries?
g*
The g command searches forward for the text under the cursor without adding word boundary anchors.
search #search #navigation #normal-mode #motions #productivity
How do I create a macro that runs itself repeatedly until it fails?
qaqqa...@aq
A recursive macro calls itself at the end of its recording, creating a loop that repeats until a motion or command fails (like reaching the end of the file or f
How do I repeat the last f, t, F, or T character search on a line?
; / ,
After using f, t, F, or T to jump to a character on the current line, pressing ; repeats the same search in the same direction, and , repeats it in the opposite
navigation #navigation #motions #normal-mode #editing #productivity
How do I repeat the last Ex command I ran?
@:
The @: command re-executes the most recently run Ex command (any command starting with :).
command-line #command-line #ex-commands #repeat #normal-mode #productivity