Vim Cheatsheet (explore, splits, and buffers)

vim-cheatsheet.md

Vim Splits, Netrw & Buffers Cheatsheet

Open the File Explorer

Command	Description
:Ex	Open explorer in current window
:Sex	Open explorer in horizontal split
:Vex	Open explorer in vertical split (left)
:Vex!	Open explorer in vertical split (right)

Navigate in Netrw

Key	Description
j/k	Move up/down the file list
Enter	Open directory / open file in current window
-	Go up to parent directory
D	Delete file/directory
R	Rename file
%	Create new file

Open Files from Netrw into Another Split

Key	Description
P	Open in previous window (most useful!)
o	Open in new horizontal split
v	Open in new vertical split
t	Open in new tab

Buffer Management

Command	Description
:ls	List all open buffers
:buffers	Same as :ls
:b {n}	Switch to buffer number n
:b {name}	Switch to buffer by partial filename
:bn	Next buffer
:bp	Previous buffer
:bf	First buffer
:bl	Last buffer
:bd	Close current buffer (buffer delete)
:bd {n}	Close buffer number n
:bufdo {cmd}	Run command on all buffers
:e filename	Open file into a new buffer

Buffer Indicators in :ls Output

Symbol	Meaning
%	Current buffer (visible in current window)
#	Alternate buffer (switch with Ctrl+^)
a	Active (loaded and visible)
h	Hidden (loaded but not visible)
+	Modified (unsaved changes)

Move Between Splits

Key	Description
Ctrl+w h	Move to left split
Ctrl+w l	Move to right split
Ctrl+w j	Move to split below
Ctrl+w k	Move to split above
Ctrl+w w	Cycle through splits
Ctrl+w p	Go to previous (last accessed) split

Resize Splits

Key	Description
Ctrl+w >	Increase width
Ctrl+w <	Decrease width
Ctrl+w +	Increase height
Ctrl+w -	Decrease height
Ctrl+w =	Equalize all splits
Ctrl+w |	Maximize width
Ctrl+w _	Maximize height

Close Splits

Key	Description
:q	Close current split
Ctrl+w c	Close current window (buffer stays open)
Ctrl+w o	Close all other splits

Working with Buffers in Splits

Command	Description
:sb {n}	Open buffer n in horizontal split
:vert sb {n}	Open buffer n in vertical split
Ctrl+^	Toggle between current and alternate (#) buffer
:ball	Open all buffers in splits
:vert ball	Open all buffers in vertical splits

Typical Workflow

1. Open your project: vim .
2. Browse to a file: j/k to navigate, Enter to open
3. Open vertical explorer: :Vex
4. Find another file: navigate with j/k/-
5. Open in edit window: P (opens in previous split)
6. Switch to edit window: Ctrl+w l (or Ctrl+w p)
7. Edit, save: :w
8. Check open buffers: :ls
9. Switch buffers: :b {name or number}
10. Toggle last two files: Ctrl+^
11. Return to explorer: Ctrl+w h (or Ctrl+w p)
12. Close explorer: Ctrl+w h then :q

Useful Settings

Add to your .vimrc:

" Netrw settings
let g:netrw_banner = 0        " Hide the banner
let g:netrw_liststyle = 3     " Tree view
let g:netrw_winsize = 25      " Explorer takes 25% width
let g:netrw_browse_split = 4  " Open files in previous window

" Buffer settings
set hidden                    " Allow switching buffers without saving
set confirm                   " Prompt to save on :q if unsaved changes