Vim Cheatsheet - Editor Command Reference
Essential Vim commands for editing configs on a server. Organized by motion, edit, search, visual mode, and save/exit — just copy and use when stuck.
Back to SysOpsMotion 5
gg / GJump to top / bottom of file
0 / $Jump to start / end of line
w / bForward / backward one word
:42Jump to line 42
Ctrl-f / Ctrl-bPage down / page up
Edit 6
i / aEnter insert mode before / after cursor
o / ONew line below / above and enter insert mode
dd / yyDelete / yank (copy) current line
p / PPaste after / before cursor
u / Ctrl-rUndo / redo
x / r<char>Delete character / replace single character
Search 4
/wordSearch forward for word, n next N previous
:%s/old/new/gReplace all old with new in file
:%s/old/new/gcReplace all with individual confirmation
:nohClear search highlighting
Visual Mode & Save/Exit 6
v / VCharacter-wise / line-wise visual selection
Ctrl-vBlock visual mode for column editing
:wSave
:wq or ZZSave and quit
:q!Force quit without saving
:w !sudo tee %Force save when forgot sudo
💡 Tips
- Stuck in Vim? Press Esc to return to Normal mode, then type :q! to force quit without saving.
- Forgot sudo when editing a system file? Use :w !sudo tee % to save with elevated privileges without reopening.
- Before a large substitution, use /word to confirm matches, then :%s — add the c flag to confirm each replacement.
Official References
Commands are compiled from the official docs below. Click to verify the latest usage.
Maintained by LaoHand
Publicly updated on Jul 21, 2026, continuously proofread against official docs.
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