Registers

Shortcuts

Ctrl + z

This will leave the current Vim session in tact and go back to our Unix-like command line.

We can then type fg in the CLI at any time to return to our Vim session without having to re-open our buffers.

Ctrl + ^

Switches between our last 2 visited buffers

Shift + *

When our cursor is on a word or selection this will load that into search. We can then use n or N to navigate that search.

Ctrl + d

Down 1/2 screen

Ctrl + u

Up 1/2 screen

The simplest form of a VIM motion is {count}{motion}. For example 5w will advance the cursor 5 words.

A more advanced from is {count}{command}{motion}.

Here are some basic examples:

3d$ will delete the next 3 lines until the end.

dfe will delete all chars up to the letter e

cfe will do same as dfe except we would end up in insert mode

yfx will yank up until the character x

vfx will enter visual mode and select up until x

vi{ and va{
These are exceptionally useful motions.

These will select a visual block between the brackets and can also be replaced with other types of brackets vi) or va[.

Once selected we can use o to jump back and forth between positions.

And we can also use:

Shift + v

To select full line of all selection

This pattern also works with yank ya{, change ci{ and delete da{.

viw is also useful for selecting words and yiW to backwards select words.

F, b, r

I and A go to the beginning and end of a line but change you into insert mode

:'<,'>norm! @a - execute a macro on all visually selected lines