Vim reference

Motions

Move the cursor. Combine with a count (3w) or an operator (d3w).

h j k l

left · down · up · right

w / W

next word / WORD (WORD = whitespace-delimited)

b / B

back a word / WORD

e / E

end of word / WORD

0 ^ $

line start · first non-blank · line end

gg G

first line · last line (3G → line 3)

%

jump to the matching bracket () [] {}

Find on line

Jump to a character; ; and , repeat the last find.

f{c} / F{c}

onto next / previous {c}

t{c} / T{c}

up to (before) next / previous {c}

; ,

repeat last find · repeat reversed

Operators

op + motion, or doubled for the whole line (dd, cc, yy).

d{motion}

delete over the motion (dw, d$, dfx)

c{motion}

change — delete then INSERT (ce, ci")

y{motion}

yank (copy) into the register

dd cc yy

whole-line delete · change · yank

D C

delete · change to end of line (= d$ / c$)

x X

delete char under · before the cursor

s S

substitute char · whole line (then INSERT)

r{c}

replace the char under the cursor with {c}

Text objects

Use after an operator: di( deletes inside, da( includes the pair.

iw / aw

inner word / a word

i" i' i`

inside quotes

i( i[ i{

inside brackets / braces

a( a[ a{

a pair — includes the brackets

Insert mode

Enter INSERT, type text, then Esc back to NORMAL.

i a

insert before · after the cursor

I A

insert at line start (first non-blank) · line end

o O

open a new line below · above

Esc

leave INSERT, return to NORMAL

Visual mode

Select, then an operator acts on the selection.

v V

characterwise · linewise visual

{motion}

extend the selection (e, $, j, f{c})

d c y

delete · change · yank the selection

Yank, paste, repeat & undo

p P

paste after · before (linewise pastes on a new line)

yy p

duplicate a line

dd p

move a line down

xp

transpose two characters

.

repeat the last change (e.g. ciwfoo⎋ then . on the next word)

u

undo the last change (a whole insert undoes as one)