How to use vim

Installation 

 Example of installation on Ubuntu. 

 apt-get update

apt-get install vim 

 Open a file 

 If your user does not have sufficient permissions, you will need to prefix the command with ` sudo `. 

 sudo vim file.txt 

 Modes in vim 

 Once you’re in Vim, you’ll be in normal mode , which allows you to view and search through the file. 

 

 To edit the file, you need to be in insert mode . 

 

 Use the ' i' key , to enable it. 

 Use the Escape key to exit . 

 

 

 Finally, to use commands, there is command mode , which is activated by pressing the Escape key. 

 

 Use the ' :' key , to enable it. 

 Use the Enter key to apply it . 

 

 

 Commands 

 From normal mode (press Esc just in case), press ' :' key to move to the bottom of the screen and use one of these commands, followed by Enter . 

 

 

 

 Command 

 Action 

 

 

 :w 

 Save (write) without exiting. 

 

 

 :q 

 Exit (quit). Vim will not let you exit if there are unsaved changes. 

 

 

 :wq 

 Save and exit. 

 

 

 :q! 

 Forcefully exit without saving changes. 

 

 

 

 Navigation 

 From normal mode. 

 

 

 

 Command 

 Action 

 

 

 arrow left or h 

 Left 

 

 

 arrow down or j 

 Down 

 

 

 arrow up or k 

 Up 

 

 

 arrow right or l 

 Right 

 

 

 

 Quick edit 

 From normal mode. 

 

 

 

 Command 

 Action 

 

 

 x 

 Deletes the character under the cursor (like the Delete key). 

 

 

 dd 

 Remove and cut the full line 

 

 

 u 

 Undo 

 

 

 ctrl + r 

 Redo