Bash vi Readline Reference Guide

 

Enabling vi Mode

To enable vi mode in Bash, add the following line to your .bashrc file:

set -o vi

Then, reload your .bashrc file:

source ~/.bashrc

Basic Modes

• Command Mode: This is the default mode. You can navigate and edit the command line.
• Insert Mode: Enter this mode to insert text. Press i to switch to Insert mode from Command mode.

Navigation

• h, j, k, l: Move left, down, up, and right respectively.
• 0: Move to the beginning of the line.
• $: Move to the end of the line.
• w: Move to the beginning of the next word.
• b: Move to the beginning of the previous word.

Editing

• x: Delete the character under the cursor.
• dw: Delete from the cursor to the end of the word.
• dd: Delete the entire line.
• u: Undo the last change.
• Ctrl-r: Redo the last undone change.

Inserting Text

• i: Insert text before the cursor.
• a: Insert text after the cursor.
• I: Insert text at the beginning of the line.
• A: Insert text at the end of the line.
• o: Open a new line below the current line and enter Insert mode.

Searching

• /pattern: Search forward for pattern.
• ?pattern: Search backward for pattern.
• n: Repeat the last search in the same direction.
• N: Repeat the last search in the opposite direction.

Miscellaneous

• .: Repeat the last command.
• Ctrl-[: Exit Insert mode and return to Command mode.
• v: Open the current command in the vi editor.