Working with files
:e filename Open a new file. You can use the Tab key for automatic file name completion, just like at the shell command prompt.
:w filename Save changes to a file. If you don't specify a file name, Vim saves as the file name you were editing. For saving the file under a different name, specify the file name.
:q Quit Vim. If you have unsaved changes, Vim refuses to exit.
:q! Exit Vim without saving changes.
:wq Write the file and exit.
:x Almost the same as :wq, write the file and exit if you've made changes to the file. If you haven't made any changes to the file, Vim exits without writing the file.
Moving around
j
[up arrow]
Move the cursor up one line.
k
[down arrow]
Move the cursor down one line.
h
[left arrow]
Move the cursor left one character.
l
[right arrow]
Move the cursor right one character.
e To the end of a word.
E To the end of a whitespace-delimited word.
b To the beginning of a word.
B To the beginning of a whitespace-delimited word.
0 To the beginning of a line.
^ To the first non-whitespace character of a line.
$ To the end of a line.
H To the first line of the screen.
M To the middle line of the screen.
L To the the last line of the screen.
:n Jump to line number n. For example, to jump to line 42, you'd type ":42"
Inserting and overwriting text
i Insert before cursor.
I Insert to the start of the current line.
a Append after cursor.
A Append to the end of the current line.
o Open a new line below and insert.
O Open a new line above and insert.
C Change the rest of the current line.
r Overwrite one character. After overwriting the single character, go back to command mode.
R Enter insert mode but replace characters rather than inserting.
ESC Exit insert/overwrite mode and go back to command mode.
Deleting text
x Delete characters under the cursor.
X Delete characters before the cursor.
dd
d:
Delete the current line.
Entering visual mode
v Start highlighting characters. Use the normal movement keys and commands to select text for highlighting.
V Start highlighting lines.
ESC Exit visual mode and return to command mode.