Learning powerful vim commands

1. open file/close file/open terminal

   :e file_location\filename.txt

   :clo or :close close current pane/file

   :ter or :terminal open a terminal

2. copy and paste file

   v+y for copy

   p for paste

3. split window

   ctrl-w, ctrl-s: as shown below in gvim9.0 window toolmenu.

   ctrl-w, ctrl-v: split vertical

   

4. delete content and paragraphs

   d for deletion

   d$: delete to the end of the line

   d motion: motion could be w, e, $

   d#motion: i.e. d2w for deleting two words

   dd: delete the line

   2dd: delete two lines

   x: delete the current character

5. move to different location

   line number + G: move the specific line

6. type the same words for multiple lines

   The example below explains how to comment multiple lines:

   • Place the cursor on the first line that you’d like to edit
   • Press Ctrl+v
   • User the arrow keys to go down until the last line
   • Press Shift+i to go into insert mode
   • Press #
   • Press Esc and wait a second

7. search

   / or ? can be search the phrase: first is for forward, ? is for backward

   n is to find the next occurrence

   N is to find the previous occurrence

   CTRL-O takes to you back to the older positions

   CTRL-I to newer positions

   /[keyword] - Searches for text in the document where keyword is whatever keyword, phrase or string of characters you're looking for

   ?[keyword] - Searches previous text for your keyword, phrase or character string

   n - Searches your text again in whatever direction your last search was

   N - Searches your text again in the opposite direction

   :%s/[pattern]/[replacement]/g - This replaces all occurrences of a pattern without confirming each one

   :%s/[pattern]/[replacement]/gc - Replaces all occurrences of a pattern and confirms each one

8. move the cursor location

   w, e, $, 0: move the cursor by word, by character, end and start of the line

   number + w, e: can be used moving the cursor by multiple words or characters

   gt: move to the next tab

   gT: move to the previous tab

   G move to the end

   gg move to the first line

   #num G moves to the specific line number

9. match the bracket

   % used for matching

10. create new file

    ctrl-w, ctrl-n: create new file with new window

11. undo and redo

    u for undo, U for redo

12. operator+number+motion:

13. common commands:

    `d` - delete marked text
    
    `y` - yank or copy marked text
    
    `\   ` - shift text right
    
    `\<` - shift text lfet
    
    `\~` - swap case upper or lower
    
    `:bn` - Switch to next buffer
    
    `:bp` - Switch to previous buffer
    
    `:bd` - Close a buffer
    
    `:sp [filename]` - Opens a new file and splits your screen horizontally to show more than one buffer
    
    `:vsp [filename]` - Opens a new file and splits your screen vertically to show more than one buffer
    
    `:ls` - Lists all open buffers
    
    `Ctrl` + `ws` - Split windows horizontally
    
    `Ctrl` + `wv` - Split windows vertically
    
    `Ctrl` + `ww` - Switch between windows
    
    `Ctrl` + `wq` - Quit a window
    
    `Ctrl` + `wh` - Moves your cursor to the window to the left
    
    `Ctrl` + `wl` - Moves your cursor to the window to the right
    
    `Ctrl` + `wj` - Moves your cursor to the window below the one you're in
    
    `Ctrl` + `wk` - Moves your cursor to the window above the one you're in

14. replace with search for all occurrence

    - Open the file in Vim
    - Press slash (/) key along with the search term like “/ search_term” and press Enter. It will highlight the selected word.
    - Then hit the keystroke cgn to replace the highlighted word and enter the replace_term
    - Go back to normal mode. Next, hit “n” to move to the next occurrence of the search term.
    - sThen press the dot (.) if you want to replace the next occurrence with the same replace_term otherwise again press the “n” key to move to the next occurrence.

    $ :s/<search_term>/<replace_term>/option
    Note that you have to enter this command in normal mode.
    
    Where
    S: stands for substitute
    search_term: the word you want to search and replace
    replace_term: the word with which you want to replace it with
    Option: c (for confirmation), g (replace all occurrence in one line), i (for ignoring the case)