Using kickstart.nvim
NeoVim Tutor
Basic Commands
Normal Mode:
Use ESC to return to normal mode.
Undo:
ESC + u⇒ undo the latest change.
Open Linked Help:
Enter on links will ⇒ open the linked help section (close window with :q).
k will achieve the same outcome.
Delete a character:
Using h, j, k, or l hover over the character you wish to be deleted and press x.
Inserting text:
Using i , you can hover the cursor after the character location you wish to insert at. Use ESC to return to normal mode.
Appending text:
Using A (capital), you can append text, with the cursor being anywhere on the line. Use ESC to return to normal mode.
Editing/Creating a File:
Using nvim FILENAME you can create and open said file in NeoVim.
Undo
There a few more features of the undo command in NeoVim. They are as follows:
Typing u will undo the last command executed. (lowercase u)
Typing U will return the line you are on and editing to its original state. (uppercase U)
Typing CTRL+R will redo the commands. (undo the undo’s)
Deletion Commands
Delete a word:
If you move the cursor to the beginning of the word you want to delete, and press dw, it will execute the deletion.
Delete the rest of the line:
If you need to remove some trailing text, go to the end of the line and press d$. It will open up a deletion menu after you press d, then combine it with SHIFT + 4 (which is $).
Operators and Motions
In the deletion commands section, the commands get a little more complicated, as you need to combine a few keystrokes. They are classified as operators and motions. The format for the commands are as follows:
d = (delete) operator; motion = motion (what the operator will act on)
Format: d motion
Basic list of motions:
w: until the start of the next word, EXCLUDING the first character.
e: to the end of the current word, INCLUDING the last character.
$: to the end of the line, INCLUDING the last character.
Example:
Typing d + e will delete from the cursor to the end of the word. (de)
Note: You can still use the motions without the operator, it will just move the cursor as specified, instead of deleting.‘
Full List of Motions
Using Count for Motion
Typing a number with an operator repeats it that many times.
For example:
2 + w = Moves the cursor forward by two words. (2w)
3 + e = Moves the cursor forward to the end of the third word. (3e)
0 = Moves the cursor to the start of the line.
Using Count to Delete
In combination of the delete operator, a motion, and a count (before the motion), you can delete more than just single characters or words.
For example:
d + 2 + w = Deletes 2 words ahead of the current character placement. (d2w)
d + 4 + e = Deletes 4 words at the end of the next word, following the current character placement. (d4w)
Whole Line Deletion
Due to the necessity of deleting whole lines easily, there is a simple command to delete entire lines.
Simply, use d + d. Or rather, dd. You can also combine a count to delete multiple lines.
Note: When you execute dd, whatever you delete on that line gets stored in a NeoVim register for future use. See: Put Command
For example:
2 + d + d = Deletes two lines. (2dd)
4 + d + d = Deletes four lines. (4dd)
Conclusion
The final format for a change command, now that we have learned about operators, counts, and motions, is as follows:
operator + [number] + motionWhere:
operator = What action to execute, such as d for delete.
[number] = An optional count to repeat the following motion.
motion = Applies the operation on the text following cursor placement.
i.e.,
w = word
$ = end of line
We can also use 0 to move to the start of the line.
We learned some more undo + redo commands: Undo
Keybinds to Know
Help Menu:
SPACE+s+hSpaceopens up a menu of options.sis for search,his for help. Keybinds Menu:
SPACE+s+kSpaceopens up a menu of options.sis for search,kis for keybinds. Search by Grep:
SPACE+s+gSpaceopens up a menu of options.sis for search,gis forgrep. Search Files:
SPACE+s+fSpaceopens up a menu of options.sis for search,fis for files.