vim
:w :q :wq :q!Notes
These are the basic file lifecycle commands.
Vim / Neovim Command-line, Help, and Sessions
Use the command line efficiently, navigate help, and save working context with sessions.
Export
Copy the compact sheet, download it, or print it.
Download
`D` dense toggle · `C` copy all
Ex command-line essentials
Run editor commands, shell actions, and file operations.
vim
:read !dateNotes
Often abbreviated as `:r !command`.
vim
:!lsNotes
Useful for quick file, git, and build checks.
vim
q:Notes
Makes searching and rerunning prior Ex commands much easier.
Built-in help system
Use `:help` like a searchable offline manual.
vim
:help registersNotes
The help system is one of Vim’s strongest built-in resources.
vim
:help CTRL-WNotes
Many key topics use a specific help-tag style.
vim
KNotes
Useful when the cursor is on a command or option name.
Sessions and arglists
Persist and restore multi-file workspaces.
vim
:mksession! Session.vimNotes
Sessions are excellent for larger review or debugging tasks.
bash
nvim -S Session.vim
vim -S Session.vimNotes
Both editors can start by sourcing a session file.
Use the argument list
Populate and navigate an arglist for multi-file tasks.
vimANYvimargsmulti-file
vim
:args *.ts :next :prevNotes
Great for repetitive search-and-edit workflows across many files.
More in Vim / Neovim
Neovim LSP, Treesitter, and Plugins
Language-aware development workflows in Neovim with built-in LSP, Treesitter, and plugin managers.
Neovim Lua Config, Keymaps, and Autocmds
Modern Neovim configuration patterns using Lua, keymaps, options, and autocommands.
Vim / Neovim CLI Startup, Diff, and Recovery
Launch editors with flags, compare files, recover swap data, and use terminal-friendly startup patterns.
Vim / Neovim Visual Mode, Block Editing, Registers, and Marks
Select text precisely, edit columns, control registers, and jump back to saved positions.
Vim / Neovim Buffers, Windows, and Tabs
Manage multiple files and layouts with buffers, splits, and tab pages.
Vim / Neovim Search, Substitute, and Macros
Search efficiently, run substitutions, and automate repetitive edits with macros.