Vi Editor: Operational Modes and Command Reference

Prakhar Singh

|September 3, 2023

Cover Image for Vi Editor: Operational Modes and Command Reference

Prakhar Singh

September 3, 2023

Vi is a modal text editor installed by default on most Linux and Unix systems. Unlike standard GUI editors, Vi separates text insertion from command execution. This guide covers operational modes, efficient file manipulation, and an advanced command reference.

1. Understanding the Modes

Vi operates in three primary modes. Understanding the distinction is essential for effective usage.

• Command Mode (Default)

When you open a file (vi filename.txt), Vi starts in Command Mode.

~ Function: Navigation, copy/paste, deletion, and command execution.
~ Restriction: You cannot type text directly into the file here.
~ Recovery: Press ESC to force a return to Command Mode from any state.

• Insert Mode

~ Function: Used to write and modify text content.
~ Entry: Press i (insert before cursor) or a (append after cursor).
~ Exit: Press ESC to return to Command Mode.

• Visual Mode (Advanced)

~ Function: Enables text highlighting and selection for batch manipulation.
~ v: Character-wise selection.
~ V: Line-wise selection.
~ Ctrl+v: Block-wise (rectangular) selection.

2. Basic File Operations

These commands control the file state and must be run from Command Mode. They are executed at the prompt (triggered by typing :).

Command	Description
`:w`	Write. Saves changes to the disk.
`:w filename`	Write As. Saves the file with a specific name.
`:q`	Quit. Exits the editor.
`:wq` or `:x`	Write and Quit. Saves changes and exits.
`:q!`	Force Quit. Exits without saving changes.
`:e filename`	Edit. Opens a new file within the current editor session.

All keystrokes below function in Command Mode.

h : Move Left
j : Move Down
k : Move Up
l : Move Right

Advanced Movement

w : Jump forward to the start of the next word.
b : Jump backward to the start of the previous word.
0 : Jump to the absolute start of the line.
^ : Jump to the first non-blank character of the line.
$ : Jump to the end of the line.
gg : Go to the first line.
G : Go to the last line.
:n : Jump to line number n.

Inserting & Appending

i : Insert before cursor.
I : Insert at the beginning of the current line.
a : Append after cursor.
A : Append at the end of the current line.
o : Open a new line below the cursor.
O : Open a new line above the cursor.

Deleting and Modifying

x : Delete character under cursor.
r : Replace a single character under cursor.
dd : Delete the current line.
dw : Delete from cursor to the next word.
D : Delete from cursor to the end of the line.
u : Undo last change.
Ctrl+r : Redo.

Search and Replace

/pattern : Search forward.
?pattern : Search backward.
n : Next match.
N : Previous match.
:%s/old/new/g : Global replace.
:%s/old/new/gc : Global replace with confirmation.

4. Configuration

To make Vi/Vim more user-friendly, you can create a .vimrc file in your home directory with these settings:

bash

:set number
:set syntax=on
:set autoindent
:set ignorecase

5. Quick Reference Cheat Sheet

System Commands

:wq — Save and Quit
:q! — Force Quit

Cursor Movement

h j k l — Left, Down, Up, Right
gg / G — Top / Bottom of file
w / b — Next / Previous word

Editing

o / O — Insert line below / above
dd — Cut line
yy — Copy line
p — Paste
u — Undo
:%s/x/y/g — Replace globally