How do I convert a recorded macro into a permanent mapping?
:nnoremap <leader>x :norm! @a<CR>
Once you've perfected a macro by recording and testing it, you can make it permanent by converting it into a mapping in your vimrc.
Tag: vimrc
How do I load project-specific Vim settings automatically when opening files in a directory?
:set exrc
Vim's exrc option tells Vim to look for a .
How do you save a macro permanently in your vimrc?
:let @a='...' in vimrc
Add let @a='macro-keystrokes' to your vimrc file to have the macro available in every Vim session.
How do I build a custom statusline without plugins?
:set statusline=%f\ %m%r%h%w\ %=%l/%L\ %p%%
Vim's statusline option accepts printf-style format codes that display file info, position, mode, and any custom expression.
How do I use the leader key to create my own keyboard shortcuts?
let mapleader = ' ' then nnoremap <leader>key command
The leader key is a configurable prefix for your custom key mappings.
How do I configure Vim to share the clipboard with my system?
:set clipboard=unnamedplus
Setting clipboard=unnamedplus makes Vim's default yank and paste use the system clipboard.
How do I override plugin or filetype settings that load after my vimrc?
~/.vim/after/ftplugin/{filetype}.vim
Vim's after directory (~/.
How do I write autocommands that don't duplicate when I reload my vimrc?
augroup name | autocmd! | autocmd ... | augroup END
Autocommand groups (augroup) with autocmd! prevent duplicate autocommands from accumulating every time you source your vimrc.
How do I convert a recorded macro into a permanent key mapping?
:let @q then use in nnoremap
Macros are stored in registers as plain keystroke strings.
How do I create custom fold regions with markers in my code?
:set foldmethod=marker
Setting foldmethod=marker lets you define fold boundaries using special comment markers — {{{ to start a fold and }}} to end it.
How do I create custom text objects for my own operator-pending motions?
onoremap ih :<C-u>execute "normal! ?^==\+$\r:noh\rkvg_"<CR>
Vim lets you define custom text objects using operator-pending mode mappings (onoremap) and visual mode mappings (vnoremap).
How do I get a visual tab-completion menu for Vim commands and filenames?
:set wildmenu
The wildmenu option enhances Vim's command-line completion by showing a horizontal menu of matches above the command line when you press .
config #config #command-line #completion #productivity #vimrc
How do I save a recorded macro permanently so it persists across Vim sessions?
let @a = 'macro_contents'
Recorded macros are stored in registers, which are lost when you quit Vim (unless viminfo saves them).
How do I switch between buffers without being forced to save first?
:set hidden
By default, Vim refuses to let you switch away from a buffer that has unsaved changes, forcing you to save or discard with :w or :e! before moving on.
How do I make Vim automatically jump to where I last edited when reopening a file?
autocmd BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | 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.
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.