Community Vim 8 Great Vim Mappings

I frequently create mappings or functions whenever I find myself repeating the same keystrokes. By now I've accumulated a decent list of custom mappings. Here are a few of my favorites:

Number 8: Clone Paragraph with cp

noremap cp yap<S-}>p

This will copy the paragraph your cursor is on then paste a copy of it just below. This is great when you're about to create a block of code that will be similar, but not different enough to abstract (e.g. it blocks in rspec).

Number 7: Align Current Paragraph with Leader + a

noremap <leader>a =ip

Quickly align your current paragraph with this command. Sometimes this can help you see where you're missing an end or a bracket.

Number 6: Toggle Paste Mode

set pastetoggle=<leader>z

Avoid typing :set paste and :set nopaste by setting a paste toggle command.

Number 5: Apply Macros with Q

nnoremap Q @q vnoremap Q :norm @q<cr>

This mapping makes macros even easier to remember: hit qq to record, q to stop recording, and Q to apply.

This mapping also allows you to play macros across a visual selection with Q .

Number 4: Shift + Direction to Change Tabs

noremap <S-l> gt noremap <S-h> gT

Who has time to type gt and gT ? Not me. Using shift and a direction to change tabs is a great alternative.

Number 3: Control + Direction to Change Panes

noremap <C-l> <C-w>l noremap <C-h> <C-w>h noremap <C-j> <C-w>j noremap <C-k> <C-w>k

Same thing goes for changing panes, but these use control . Skip that pesky w and get straight to the good stuff.

Number 2: Quit Files with Leader + q

noremap <leader>q :q<cr>

Quickly close a file with <leader>q .

Number 1: Save File with Leader + s

nnoremap <leader>s :w<cr> inoremap <leader>s <C-c>:w<cr>

If you're like me and you like to constantly save files, this one is nice. Just hit <leader>s . The second line makes this work in insert mode too, saving you even more effort.

That's it. Got your own favorite mappings? Share them in the comments!