Terminal Editor commands for using the vi text editor on Linux in the command line.

Comprehensive list of commands for using the vi text editor on Linux in the command line.

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Basic Modes in vi

1. Command Mode: The default mode when vi starts. Use it to execute commands.
2. Insert Mode: Used for editing text. Enter this mode with commands like i, a, or o.
3. Visual Mode: Used for selecting text.

Starting vi

vi filename        # Open a file in vi
vi -R filename     # Open a file in read-only mode

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Switching Modes

• Insert Mode:

  • i : Insert text before the cursor.
  • I : Insert text at the beginning of the line.
  • a : Append text after the cursor.
  • A : Append text at the end of the line.
  • o : Open a new line below the cursor.
  • O : Open a new line above the cursor.

• Return to Command Mode:
  Press Esc.

• Visual Mode:

  • v : Start character-based selection.
  • V : Start line-based selection.
  • Ctrl+v : Start block selection.

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Saving and Exiting

• :w : Save the file.
• :w filename : Save as a new file.
• :q : Quit.
• :q! : Quit without saving.
• :wq or ZZ : Save and quit.
• :x : Save and quit.
• :e! : Discard changes and reload the file.

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Navigation

• Within a Line:

  • 0 : Move to the beginning of the line.
  • ^ : Move to the first non-blank character of the line.
  • $ : Move to the end of the line.

• Between Lines:

  • j : Move down one line.
  • k : Move up one line.
  • H : Move to the top of the screen.
  • M : Move to the middle of the screen.
  • L : Move to the bottom of the screen.

• Words:

  • w : Move to the beginning of the next word.
  • e : Move to the end of the current/next word.
  • b : Move to the beginning of the previous word.

• Paragraphs:

  • { : Move to the beginning of the paragraph.
  • } : Move to the end of the paragraph.

• Searching:

  • /text : Search forward for "text".
  • ?text : Search backward for "text".
  • n : Repeat the search forward.
  • N : Repeat the search backward.

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Editing

• x : Delete the character under the cursor.
• X : Delete the character before the cursor.
• dd : Delete the current line.
• d$ : Delete from the cursor to the end of the line.
• d0 : Delete from the cursor to the beginning of the line.
• yy or Y : Copy (yank) the current line.
• p : Paste after the cursor.
• P : Paste before the cursor.
• u : Undo the last change.
• Ctrl+r : Redo the last undone change.

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Advanced Editing

• r<char> : Replace the character under the cursor with <char>.
• R : Enter Replace mode (overwrite).
• cw : Change (replace) the word under the cursor.
• C : Change (replace) to the end of the line.
• ~ : Toggle the case of the character under the cursor.

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Working with Multiple Files

• :e filename : Edit another file.
• :bn : Go to the next file.
• :bp : Go to the previous file.
• :b# : Switch to the alternate file.
• :buffers : List open files.

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Split Windows

• :split filename : Split window and open a file.
• Ctrl+w s : Split the current file horizontally.
• Ctrl+w v : Split the current file vertically.
• Ctrl+w w : Switch between windows.
• Ctrl+w q : Close the current window.

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Marks

• m<char> : Mark the current position with <char>.
• ' <char> : Move to the beginning of the line where <char> was marked.
• `<char>` : Move to the exact position where <char> was marked.

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Macros

• q<char> : Start recording a macro into register <char>.
• q : Stop recording.
• @<char> : Play the macro stored in register <char>.

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Custom Commands

• Find and Replace:

  :%s/old/new/g       # Replace all occurrences of 'old' with 'new' in the file.
  :%s/old/new/gc      # Replace all occurrences with confirmation.
  

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Exiting Without Saving

If you're stuck in vi:

:q!                # Quit without saving changes.

This should cover everything you need to work effectively in vi!