VI COMMAND SUMMARY

vi <filename> Starts vi

vi -R <filename> Starts vi editor in read-only mode

view <filename> Starts vi editor in read-only mode

<esc> Returns from text entry to command mode

EXIT

ZZ Write and quit

:wq Write and quit

:x Write and quit

:w Write

:w! Write (! overrides overwrite protection)

:q Quit

:q! Quit (! overrides prompt for not saving changed file)

INSERT/REPLACE

i Insert before cursor

a Append, insert after cursor

I Insert at beginning of line

A Insert at end of line

o Open new line below cursor

O Open new line above cursor

r Replace one character under cursor

R Replace beginning at cursor

DELETE

x Delete character at cursor

X Delete character before cursor

dd Delete current line

D Delete to end of line

MOVEMENT

j Down

k Up

h Left

l Right

Arrow keys work when available

/<pattern> Searches for next occurrence

?<pattern> Searches for last occurrence