| Esc
| Switches from input mode to command mode. Press this key before typing any command.
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| **i**, **a**
| Switches from command mode to input mode at (**i**) or after (**a**) the current cursor position.
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| **o**
| Opens a new line below the current cursor position and goes to input mode.
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| **:wq**
| Writes the current file and quits.
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| **:q!**
| Quits the file without applying any changes. The **!** forces the command to do its work. Add the **!** only if you really know what you are doing.
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| **:w filename**
| Writes the current file with a new filename.
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| **dd**
| Deletes the current line and places the contents of the deleted line into memory.
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| **yy**
| Copies the current line.
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| **p**
| Pastes the contents that have been cut or copied into memory.
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| **v**
| Enters visual mode, which allows you to select a block of text using the arrow keys. Use **d** to cut the selection or **y** to copy it.
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| **u**
| Undoes the last command. Repeat as often as necessary.
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| Ctrl-r
| Redoes the last undo. (Cannot be repeated more than once.)
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| **gg**
| Goes to the first line in the document.
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| **G**
| Goes to the last line in the document.
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| **/text**
| Searches for *text* from the current cursor position forward.
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| **?text**
| Searches for *text* from the current cursor position backward.
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| **^**
| Goes to the first position in the current line.
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| **$**
| Goes to the last position in the current line.
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| **!ls**
| Adds the output of **ls** (or any other command) in the current file.
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| **:%s/old/new/g**
| Replaces all occurrences of *old* with *new*.
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