Key reference¶

Every binding, by mode. :help inside the editor prints a one-line version of this.

Normal mode¶

Key
`h` `j` `k` `l`	left, down, up, right
`←` `↓` `↑` `→`	the same
`w` `b` `e`	word forwards, back, to the end of one
`W` `B` `E`	the same, punctuation counted as part of the word
`0`	the first column
`^`	the first non-blank
`$`	the end of the line
`+` `Enter`-ish `-`	first non-blank of the next line, of the previous
`Space`	forward one character
`_`	the first non-blank of this line
`gg` `G`	the first line, the last
`{` `}`	back and forward a paragraph
`f`c `F`c	to the next c on this line, or the previous
`t`c `T`c	to just before it, either way
`%`	to the bracket matching the next one on this line
`a `'`a	to mark a: the character, or the line's first non-blank

Each takes a count on either side and a motion or text object after: d2w, 2dw, ci", y}.

Key
`x` `X`	delete the character under the cursor, or before it
`D` `C`	delete, change to the end of the line
`s` `S`	substitute the character, the line
`r`c	replace the character with c
`~`	swap its case
`J`	join the next line on
`p` `P`	put after the cursor, before it
`o` `O`	open a line below, above

Key
`i` `I`	before the cursor, before the first non-blank
`a` `A`	after the cursor, at the end of the line
`o` `O`	on a new line below, above

Key
`u`	undo
`Ctrl`+`R`	redo
`.`	repeat the last change
`q`a … `q`	record keystrokes into register a
`@`a	play them; `3@a` three times
`@@`	play the last one again
`m`a	put mark a here
`a `'`a	go to it
``	back to where the last jump started

Key
`"`x	send the next command's text to register x
`"+y` `"+p`	the system clipboard; `"*` is the same

Any motion extends the selection; any operator applies to it.

Key
`/` `?`	search forwards, backwards
`n` `N`	the next match, the previous
`Ctrl`+`P`	the fuzzy file picker
`Ctrl`+`G`	find in project
`Ctrl`+`W` then `w`	the next window
`Ctrl`+`W` then `h` `j` `k` `l`	the window left, down, up, right
`Ctrl`+`W` then `s` `v`	split horizontally, vertically
`Ctrl`+`W` then `c` `q`	close this window
`Ctrl`+`W` then `o`	close every other one
`ZZ`	write and quit
`:`	the command line
`Ctrl`+`C`	says `type :q to exit`; it does not quit

Key
`Esc`	back to normal mode
`Enter`	split the line
`Backspace`	delete backwards
`Tab`	insert what the file indents with (see settings)
`←` `↓` `↑` `→`	move without leaving insert mode

There are no other commands in insert mode: everything else you press is text.

Key
`Enter`	run it
`Esc`	abandon it
`Backspace`	delete backwards; on an empty line, abandon

Key
`↑` `↓`	move through the hits
`PgUp` `PgDn`	a windowful at a time
`Enter`	open the hit, fill the quickfix list
`Esc`	close
`Ctrl`+`A`	ignore case
`Ctrl`+`W`	whole words
`Ctrl`+`R`	regular expression, on by default

Key
`Enter`	go to the entry under the cursor

Everything else is an ordinary buffer, so the motions all work.