`vi`

Defacto command-line-based text editor in Linux
GUI versions are available for easier user (In GNOME gvim or kvim in KDE)
Installed by default in most linux distributions (one almost always has access to it)
When using vi or vim, all commands are entered through the keyboard. There is no need for the mouse
A tutorial can be followed to learn the basics vimtutor

Modes

Vi has 3 possible modes. In each, the keys do completely different things:

Command Mode

Default mode of vi
Each key is a command to the editor

Insert Mode

From the command mode, typing i (among others)
Allows to edit the text in the file
Indicated by ? INSERT ? in the bottom
To go back to command mode, press esc

Line Mode

From the command mode, typing :
Each key is an external command (write to file, exit, etc.)
To go back to command mode, press esc

Commands

Basics

Command	Function
`vi myfile`	Start the editor and edit `myfile`
`vi -r myfile`	Start and edit `myfile` in recovery mode from a system crash
`:r` `file2`	Read in `file2` and insert at current position
`:w`	Write to the file
`:wmyfile`	Write out to `myfile`
`:w!` `file2`	Overwrite `file2`
`:x` or `:wq`	Exit and write out modified file
`:q`	Quit
`:q!`	Quit even though modifications have not been saved
`:set number`	Show line numbers on editor

Moving the cursor

Command	Action
arrow keys	To move up, down, left and right
`j` or `return`	To move one line down
`k`	To move one line up
`h` or `Backspace`	To move one character left
`l` or `Space`	To move one character right
`%`	(When located in a “([{}])”) Finds the matching sign
`\\` + `*`	Find next occurence of current word (Find next ones with more `*`)
`\\` + `#`	FInd previous occurence of current word
`0`	To move to beginning of line
`$`	To move to end of line
`w`	To move to beginning of next word
`:0` or `1G`	To move to beginning of file
`:n` or `nG`	To move to line n
`:$` or `G`	To move to last line in file
`CTRL` + `F` or `Page Down`	To move forward one page
`CTRL` + `B` or `Page Up`	To move backward one page
`^l`	To refresh and center screen

Search

Command	Action
`f`	Search first occurence of character (`fo` finds the first ‘o’ after the cursor) (Can be combined with a number, e.g `3fo` finds the third ‘o’)
`/pattern`	Search forward for pattern
`?pattern`	Search backward for pattern
`n`	Move to next occurrence of search pattern
`N`	Move to previous occurrence of search pattern

Modifying Text

Command	Action
`a`	Append text after cursor; stop upon Escape key
`A`	Append text at end of current line; stop upon Escape key
`i`	Insert text before cursor; stop upon Escape key (If type a number before, text is repeated)
`I`	Insert text at beginning of current line; stop upon Escape key
`o`	Start a new line below current line, insert text there; stop upon Escape key
`O`	Start a new line above current line, insert text there; stop upon Escape key
`r`	Replace character at current position
`R`	Replace text starting with current position; stop upon Escape key
`x`	Delete character at current position
`Nx`	Delete N characters, starting at current position
`dw`	Delete the word at the current position
`cw`	Replace word at current position
`D`	Delete the rest of the current line
`dd`	Delete the current line
`Ndd` or `dNd`	Delete N lines
`u`	Undo the previous operation
`yy`	Yank (copy) the current line and put it in buffer
`Nyy` or `yNy`	Yank (copy) N lines and put it in buffer
`p`	Paste at the current position the yanked line or lines from the buffer

External Commands

Typing :sh opens an “external command” shell.

After logging out, the editor is back

Type :! to execute a command (command goes after !)

The placeholder % represents the file currently being edited
For example ! wc % executes word count on the file