Basic Unix vi Editor Commands

Notes:: • In Unix it matters whether you type upper or lowercase letters.; • In many cases typing a number before a command causes that action to be repeated that number of times.; • Don't press the Enter/Return key unless instructed to do so.

Command to enter vi edit mode

vi filename (press Enter/Return key): Opens the named file if it exists, or creates new file and opens it.

k j l h (lowercase): These keys move the cursor one line above, one line below, one space right, or one space left respectively.
w (lowercase): Moves cursor to next word.
b (lowercase): Moves cursor to last word.
arrow keys: Move cursor one space in direction of arrow.
0 (zero): Moves cursor to the beginning of current line.
$ (dollar sign): Moves cursor to the end of the current line
- (hyphen): Moves cursor to the beginning of the previous line.
+ (plus sign): Moves cursor to the beginning of the next line.
G (uppercase): Moves cursor to the last line in the file.
1G (number one and uppercase G): Moves cursor to the first line in the file.

Note: Hold down the Ctrl (control) key while pressing the letter indicated.

Note: After inserting text, press Esc (escape) key to return to command mode.

a (lowercase): Use to insert (append) text to the right of cursor.
A (uppercase): Use to insert (append) text at the end of the current line.
i (letter i (eye) lowercase): Use to insert text to the left of cursor.
I (letter I (eye) uppercase): Use to insert text at the beginning of the current line.
o (letter o lowercase): Use to open a new line for inserting text below cursor line.
O (letter O uppercase): Use to open a new line for inserting text above cursor line.

Note: After making change, press Esc (escape) key to return to command mode.

cw (lowercase): Changes word under and to right of cursor to new text you enter.
cc (lowercase): Changes current line to new text you enter.
s (lowercase): Substitutes character under cursor with new text you enter.
S (uppercase): Substitutes current line with new text you enter.
C (uppercase): Changes text from cursor to end of line to text you enter.
r (lowercase): Replaces character under cursor with new character.
~ (tilde): Changes case of character under cursor.

/keyword or /string (press Enter/Return key): Searches forward through text. Locates first instance of keyword or string.
?keyword or ?string (press Enter/Return key): Searches backward through text. Locates first instance of keyword or string.
n (lowercase): Searches in direction of original /keyword, ?keyword, /string, or ?string command. Locates next instance of keyword or string.
N (uppercase): Searches in opposite direction of original /keyword, ?keyword, /string, or ?string command. Locates next instance of keyword or string.

:w (colon and lowercase w): Saves changes, but does not leave vi editing session.
:wq (colon and lowercase wq): Saves changes, and leaves vi editing session.
ZZ (uppercase): Saves changes, and leaves vi editing session.
:q! (colon, lowercase q, and exclamation): Does not save changes made. Just leaves vi editing session.

See Basic Unix directory commands for quick directory command instructions.