# Vim Basics Cheatsheet

> A fast reference for the motions, edits, searches, and window commands that make Vim feel less mysterious and a lot more useful. Normal mode is home base. If something feels weird, hit Esc first.

Source: https://vim.cobanov.dev/
Part of the cobanov.dev cheatsheet set. Companions: https://git.cobanov.dev/llms.txt, https://tmux.cobanov.dev/llms.txt

## 01. Save, quit, or leave without saving
The first commands most people want memorized immediately.
```
:w       # write file
:q       # quit
:wq      # write and quit
:q!      # quit without saving
```

## 02. Enter insert mode from normal mode
Choose where the cursor should land before you start typing.
```
i      # insert before cursor
a      # append after cursor
o      # open line below
Esc    # back to normal mode
```

## 03. Jump faster than arrow keys ever will
Motions that cover word jumps, line boundaries, and file navigation.
```
w       # next word
b       # previous word
0       # start of line
$       # end of line
gg      # start of file
G       # end of file
:42     # jump to line 42
```

## 04. Yank, delete, and paste text
Think of Vim edits as operations you can repeat and scale.
```
yy     # copy line
dd     # cut line
p      # paste after
P      # paste before
3yy    # copy 3 lines
```

## 05. Undo, redo, and repeat the last change
A tiny trio that pays for itself every single day.
```
u        # undo
Ctrl-r   # redo
.        # repeat last change
```

## 06. Find text and replace it safely
Search first, then use a confirm flag when replacing across the file.
```
/text            # search forward
n                # next match
N                # previous match
:%s/old/new/g    # replace all
:%s/old/new/gc   # replace with confirmation
```

## 07. Select text by character, line, or block
Helpful when you need to inspect or edit a structured chunk quickly.
```
v        # characterwise
V        # linewise
Ctrl-v   # blockwise
>        # indent selection
<        # outdent selection
```

## 08. Change and delete around text objects
The commands that start making Vim feel magical.
```
ciw    # change inner word
diw    # delete inner word
ci"    # change inside quotes
da(    # delete around parentheses
```

## 09. Work with horizontal and vertical splits
Open another view, move between them, then close what you do not need.
```
:split
:vsplit
Ctrl-w h
Ctrl-w l
Ctrl-w q
```

## 10. Open files and move through buffers
Useful when editing several files without leaving the session.
```
:e path/to/file
:ls
:bn      # next buffer
:bp      # previous buffer
:bd      # delete buffer
```

## 11. Indent and reformat code blocks
Let Vim fix the shape of the text after you finish the content changes.
```
>>       # indent line
<<       # outdent line
=ap      # reformat paragraph
gg=G     # reformat whole file
```

## 12. Recover when the screen feels wrong
Commands for those moments when you lose track of mode or search state.
```
Esc
:noh                  # clear highlight
:set number
:set relativenumber
```

## Rules of thumb
- Esc is a reset button
- move with intent, edit in chunks, search precisely