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