Command mode keys

The italic n stands for a positive integer in the commands below. If it is not specified, then default value is 1.

• Moving around the text
  • nl or right arrow: move the cursor n character right.
  • nh or left arrow: move the cursor n character left.
  • nj or down arrow: move the cursor n line down. (cursor will be at the same column if line is long enough. If new line is short, cursor goes to the end of that line.
  • nk or up arrow: move the cursor n line up.
  • nw: move the cursor to the start of n next word.
  • nb: move the cursor to the start of n previous word.
  • ne: move the cursor to the end of the n next word.
  • $: move the cursor to the last character of current line.
  • ^(caret): move the cursor to the first character of current line.
  • %: show the matching parenthesis of current parenthesis.
• Inserting text (once you press one of these keys, you go to insert mode.)
  • a: append after cursor.
  • A: append after end of current line.
  • i: insert before cursor.
  • I: insert before beginning of current line.
  • o: open new line below current line and insert to new line.
  • O: open new line above current line and insert to new line.
• Deleting text
  • nx: delete n characters beginning from current character.
  • nX: delete previous n characters.
  • ndw: delete next n words beginning with current.
  • ndb: delete previous n words.
  • ndd: delete n lines beginning with current line. Puts the deleted lines to buffer.
  • D: delete from cursor to end of current line.
• Copying and placing text
  • nyy : Yank n lines to buffer.
  • p : Put yanked text before cursor; also puts last deleted text.