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Vim, Nano & Emacs Cheatsheet
A practical quick-reference guide for the three most common terminal text editors. Whether you need Vim's power for rapid code editing, Nano's simplicity for quick config changes, or Emacs's extensibility for a full development environment — this sheet has you covered.
Vim
Vim (Vi IMproved) is a modal text editor. Every action is a keystroke — no menus, no mouse. Master the modes and you edit at the speed of thought.
Modes
# Start Vim
vim file.txt # open or create file
vim # empty buffer
vim -R file.txt # read-only mode
view file.txt # alias for vim -R
```text
| Mode | Enter | Exit / Switch | Purpose |
| ---- | ----- | ------------- | ------- |
| **Normal** | `Esc` (always returns here) | — | Navigation, commands, operators |
| **Insert** | `i`, `a`, `o`, `I`, `A`, `O` | `Esc` | Text input |
| **Visual** | `v`, `V`, `Ctrl+v` | `Esc` | Text selection |
| **Command-line** | `:` | `Enter` or `Esc` | Ex commands (save, quit, search) |
| **Replace** | `R` | `Esc` | Overtype characters |
| **Select** | `gh` (after `g`) | `Esc` | Like Visual but typing replaces selection |
### Navigation
#### Character & Line
```bash
h j k l # left, down, up, right
0 # beginning of line
^ # first non-blank character
$ # end of line
gg # first line of file
G # last line of file
5gg or 5G # go to line 5
```text
#### Words, Sentences & Paragraphs
```bash
w # next word start
b # previous word start
e # next word end
ge # previous word end
W # next WORD (whitespace-delimited)
B # previous WORD
E # end of WORD
) # next sentence
( # previous sentence
} # next paragraph (blank-line separated)
{ # previous paragraph
% # matching bracket/paren/brace
```text
#### Scrolling
```bash
Ctrl+f # page down
Ctrl+b # page up
Ctrl+d # half page down
Ctrl+u # half page up
Ctrl+e # scroll down one line
Ctrl+y # scroll up one line
H # top of screen
M # middle of screen
L # bottom of screen
zt # scroll current line to top
zz # scroll current line to center
zb # scroll current line to bottom
```text
#### Searching
```bash
/pattern # search forward
?pattern # search backward
n # repeat search forward
N # repeat search backward
* # search forward for word under cursor
# # search backward for word under cursor
:noh # clear search highlight
```text
### Editing
#### Insert Mode Entry Points
```bash
i # insert before cursor
a # insert after cursor
I # insert at beginning of line (before first non-blank)
A # insert at end of line
o # open line below
O # open line above
s # delete character and enter insert
S # delete entire line and enter insert
```text
#### Delete, Change, Yank
```bash
x # delete character under cursor
X # delete character before cursor
dd # delete entire line
dw # delete to next word start
d$ or D # delete to end of line
d0 # delete to beginning of line
dgg # delete to start of file
dG # delete to end of file
cc or S # change (delete + insert) entire line
cw # change to next word start
c$ or C # change to end of line
yy or Y # yank (copy) entire line
yw # yank word
y$ # yank to end of line
ygg # yank to start of file
yG # yank to end of file
p # paste after cursor
P # paste before cursor
```text
#### Repeat & Undo
```bash
. # repeat last edit command
u # undo
Ctrl+r # redo
```text
#### Indentation
```bash
>> # indent current line
<< # unindent current line
5>> # indent 5 lines
== # auto-indent current line
gg=G # auto-indent entire file
```text
### Search & Replace
```bash
# Basic substitute
:s/old/new/ # replace first occurrence on current line
:s/old/new/g # replace all on current line
:s/old/new/gc # replace all with confirmation
# Range substitute
:%s/old/new/g # replace all in entire file
:5,20s/old/new/g # replace in lines 5–20
:'<,'>s/old/new/g # replace in visual selection
# Advanced patterns
:%s/\t/ /g # replace tabs with 2 spaces
:%s/^\s\+// # remove leading whitespace
:%s/\s\+$// # remove trailing whitespace
:%s/foo\|bar/baz/g # replace foo or bar with baz
```text
### Marks
```bash
m{a-z} # set local mark (a-z)
m{A-Z} # set global mark (file-wide, uppercase)
'{a-z} # jump to local mark (line start)
'{A-Z} # jump to global mark
'' # jump back to last jump position
`{a-z} # jump to exact mark position (column)
:marks # list all marks
:delmarks a b # delete marks a and b
```text
### Registers
```bash
"a # use register 'a' for next delete/yank
"ayy # yank line into register a
"ap # paste from register a
"0p # paste from last yank register
"+p # paste from system clipboard
"+y # yank into system clipboard
"*p # paste from primary selection (X11)
:registers # show all registers
```text
### Macros
```bash
q{a-z} # start recording macro into register a
q # stop recording
@a # replay macro a
@@ # replay last used macro
5@a # replay macro a five times
:reg a # view contents of macro register a
```text
#### Practical Macro Example
```bash
# Record a macro to wrap a word in quotes
qa # start recording into register a
i"<Esc> # insert opening quote, return to normal
ea # move to end of word
a"<Esc> # insert closing quote
q # stop recording
# Apply to every word on a line
# Position cursor on first word, then:
qa i"<Esc> ea a"<Esc> q # (this is the macro above)
100@a # replay 100 times (stops at end of line)
```text
### Visual Mode
```bash
v # character-wise visual mode
V # line-wise visual mode
Ctrl+v # block visual mode
o # go to other end of selection
gv # re-select last visual selection
```text
#### Visual Mode Operations
```bash
# After selecting text in visual mode:
d # delete selection
c # change selection
y # yank (copy) selection
> # indent selection
< # unindent selection
~ # toggle case of selection
u # lowercase selection
U # uppercase selection
:sort # sort selected lines
:!fmt # reformat paragraph via fmt
```text
#### Visual Block Mode
```bash
Ctrl+v # enter block visual mode
I # insert at left edge of block (applies to all lines)
A # append at right edge of block
$ # extend block to end of each line
```text
##### Practical Block Mode Example
```bash
# Comment out multiple lines with //
1. Move to first line
2. Ctrl+v to enter block mode
3. jj to select 3 lines down
4. I to insert at the block's left edge
5. Type // then Esc
6. The // is inserted on all selected lines
```text
### Buffers, Windows & Tabs
#### Buffers
```bash
:ls or :buffers # list all buffers
:bnext or :bn # next buffer
:bprev or :bp # previous buffer
:bfirst # first buffer
:blast # last buffer
:b 3 # go to buffer 3
:b file.txt # go to buffer by name (partial match)
:bd # close current buffer
:bd 3 # close buffer 3
:bw # wipe buffer (close + delete)
:e file2.txt # open file in new buffer
:split file2.txt # open file in horizontal split
:vsp file2.txt # open file in vertical split
```text
#### Windows (Splits)
```bash
:split or :sp # horizontal split
:vsplit or :vsp # vertical split
Ctrl+w s # horizontal split
Ctrl+w v # vertical split
Ctrl+w h # move to left window
Ctrl+w j # move to below window
Ctrl+w k # move to above window
Ctrl+w l # move to right window
Ctrl+w w # cycle through windows
Ctrl+w W # cycle backwards
Ctrl+w = # equalize window sizes
Ctrl+w _ # maximize current window
Ctrl+w | # maximize current window (vertical)
Ctrl+w q # close current window
Ctrl+w o # close all other windows
```text
#### Tabs
```bash
:tabnew # new tab
:tabedit file.txt # open file in new tab
:tabclose or :tc # close current tab
:tabnext or :tn # next tab
:tabprev or :tp # previous tab
:tabfirst or :tf # first tab
:tablast or :tl # last tab
:tabs # list all tabs
gt # next tab
gT # previous tab
5gt # go to tab 5
```text
### File Operations
```bash
:w # save
:w! # force save (override permissions)
:w file.txt # save as new file
:q # quit
:q! # quit without saving
:wq or ZZ # save and quit
:x # save and quit (only if modified)
:e! # reload file from disk
:e file.txt # open another file
:r file.txt # insert contents of file below cursor
:r !command # insert command output below cursor
:saveas file.txt # save under new name
```text
### .vimrc Basics
```bash
# ~/.vimrc — essential settings
" General
set nocompatible # required for Vim features
set encoding=utf-8
set fileencoding=utf-8
set number # show line numbers
set relativenumber # relative line numbers for easy jumps
set scrolloff=8 # keep 8 lines of context when scrolling
set sidescrolloff=8
set signcolumn=yes # always show sign column
set cursorline # highlight current line
set colorcolumn=80 # highlight column 80
set wrap # wrap long lines
set linebreak # break at word boundaries
set showbreak=↪ # show wrap indicator
set breakindent # indent wrapped lines
" Indentation
set tabstop=4
set shiftwidth=4
set softtabstop=4
set expandtab # use spaces instead of tabs
set smartindent
set autoindent
filetype indent on # load indent rules per filetype
" Search
set hlsearch # highlight search results
set incsearch # incremental search
set ignorecase
set smartcase # case-sensitive when uppercase present
" Performance
set lazyredraw " don't redraw during macros
set updatetime=300 " faster update time
" Persistent undo
set undofile
set undodir=~/.vim/undodir
" Key mappings
let mapleader=" "
nnoremap <leader>w :w<CR>
nnoremap <leader>q :q<CR>
nnoremap <C-h> <C-w>h
nnoremap <C-j> <C-w>j
nnoremap <C-k> <C-w>k
nnoremap <C-l> <C-w>l
```text
---
## Nano
GNU Nano is a simple, modeless terminal editor. Every keystroke is either text or a command — no modes to remember. Ideal for quick edits and SSH sessions.
### Basic Keybindings
```bash
# Start Nano
nano file.txt # open or create file
nano +10 file.txt # open at line 10
nano -l file.txt # show line numbers
nano -B file.txt # create backup on save (.save)
nano -m file.txt # enable mouse support
```text
| Key | Action | Description |
| --- | ------ | ----------- |
| `Ctrl+G` | Help | Show built-in help (lists all shortcuts) |
| `Ctrl+O` | Save | Write file to disk (prompts for filename) |
| `Ctrl+X` | Exit | Close Nano (prompts to save if modified) |
| `Ctrl+K` | Cut | Cut current line (or selected text) |
| `Ctrl+U` | Paste | Paste last cut text |
| `Ctrl+T` | Spell | Run spell checker (if configured) |
| `Ctrl+J` | Justify | Reformat/justify current paragraph |
### Navigation
| Key | Action |
| --- | ------ |
| `Ctrl+A` | Beginning of line |
| `Ctrl+E` | End of line |
| `Ctrl+Y` | Page up |
| `Ctrl+V` | Page down |
| `Ctrl+F` | Move forward one character |
| `Ctrl+B` | Move back one character |
| `Ctrl+Space` | Next word |
| `Alt+Space` | Previous word |
| `Ctrl+_` | Go to specific line (enter line number) |
| `Alt+G` | Go to specific line (alternative) |
| `Ctrl+C` | Show current cursor position (line, column) |
| `Alt+]` | Go to matching bracket |
| `Alt+( or Alt+)` | Go to previous/next paragraph |
### Search & Replace
```bash
# Search
Ctrl+W # search forward
Alt+W # search backward
Alt+Q # search without regex
# Replace
Ctrl+\ # search and replace (prompted)
# Enter search text, press Enter
# Enter replacement text
# Y = replace this, N = skip, A = replace all, Ctrl+C = cancel
```text
### Cut, Copy & Paste
| Key | Action |
| --- | ------ |
| `Alt+A` | Start/select text marking |
| `Ctrl+6` | Toggle mark (alternative) |
| `Ctrl+K` | Cut marked text or current line |
| `Alt+6` | Copy marked text (doesn't cut) |
| `Ctrl+U` | Paste (uncut) last cut/copied text |
### File Operations
| Key | Action |
| --- | ------ |
| `Ctrl+R` | Insert file (read a file into current buffer) |
| `Ctrl+O` | Write out (save) — `Alt+D` to save with different name |
| `Ctrl+X` | Exit |
### .nanorc Configuration
```bash
# ~/.nanorc — Nano configuration
# Line display
set linenumbers
set constantshow # always show cursor position
# Editing behavior
set tabsize 4
set tabstospaces
set autoindent
set cutoff # hard-wrap at 80 chars (or set fill 80)
set multibuffer # insert-to-end, not replacing buffer
# Backup & history
set backup
set historylog
set mouse
# Syntax highlighting
include /usr/share/nano/*.nanorc
# Or include specific files:
include /usr/share/nano/sh.nanorc
include /usr/share/nano/python.nanorc
include /usr/share/nano/javascript.nanorc
include /usr/share/nano/html.nanorc
include /usr/share/nano/yaml.nanorc
include /usr/share/nano/dockerfile.nanorc
include /usr/share/nano/systemd.nanorc
```text
### Custom Syntax Highlighting
```bash
# Add to ~/.nanorc
# Custom syntax for .env files
syntax "env" "\.env$"
color brightwhite "^.*="
color cyan "^[A-Z_]+="
color yellow "\"[^\"]*\""
color green "\'[^\']*\'"
# Custom syntax for log files
syntax "logs" "\.log$"
color brightred "ERROR"
color brightyellow "WARN(ING)?"
color brightgreen "INFO"
color brightmagenta "DEBUG"
color blue "^[0-9]{4}-[0-9]{2}-[0-9]{2}"
```text
### Common Flags
```bash
nano # basic editor
nano -B file.txt # create backup file on save
nano -E file.txt # tab-to-space conversion
nano -l file.txt # show line numbers
nano -m file.txt # enable mouse
nano -S file.txt # smooth scrolling
nano -c file.txt # show cursor position constantly
nano -i file.txt # auto-indent new lines
nano -u file.txt # undo support (default in modern Nano)
nano -r 120 file.txt # set fill column to 120
nano -v file.txt # view mode (readonly)
nano -w file.txt # don't wrap long lines
nano -R file.txt # enable regular expression search
```text
### Practical Nano Workflow
```bash
# Quick SSH config edit
ssh server
sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config
# Edit, Ctrl+O to save, Ctrl+X to exit
sudo systemctl restart sshd
# Edit a Docker Compose file with syntax highlighting
nano docker-compose.yml
# Create a new script with line numbers
nano -l -i deploy.sh
# View a log file (readonly mode)
nano -vw /var/log/syslog
# Search with Ctrl+W, page with Ctrl+Y/Ctrl+V
```text
---
## Emacs
GNU Emacs is a Lisp-based, infinitely extensible editor. It's not just a text editor — it's a complete computing environment. Key convention: `C-` = Ctrl, `M-` = Alt (Meta).
### Basic Navigation
| Key | Action | Mnemonic |
| --- | ------ | -------- |
| `C-f` | Forward one character | Forward |
| `C-b` | Back one character | Back |
| `C-n` | Next line | Next |
| `C-p` | Previous line | Previous |
| `C-a` | Beginning of line | Beginning of alphabet |
| `C-e` | End of line | End |
| `M-f` | Forward one word | Meta Forward |
| `M-b` | Back one word | Meta Back |
| `M-a` | Beginning of sentence | Meta Beginning |
| `M-e` | End of sentence | Meta End |
| `C-v` | Page down | View |
| `M-v` | Page up | Meta View |
| `C-l` | Re-center cursor on screen | Line |
| `M-<` | Beginning of buffer | Meta Less-than |
| `M->` | End of buffer | Meta Greater-than |
| `C-g` | Cancel/quit current command | Go away |
### File & Buffer Management
```bash
# Files
C-x C-f # find (open) file
C-x C-s # save file
C-x C-w # write as (save as)
C-x C-c # exit Emacs
C-x k # kill (close) current buffer
C-x C-j # open Dired (file manager)
# Buffers
C-x b # switch buffer (with auto-complete)
C-x C-b # list all buffers
C-x <left> # previous buffer
C-x <right> # next buffer
C-x k # kill buffer
```text
### Editing
| Key | Action |
| --- | ------ |
| `Backspace` | Delete previous character |
| `C-d` | Delete next character |
| `M-Backspace` | Delete previous word |
| `M-d` | Delete next word |
| `C-k` | Kill to end of line (cut) |
| `M-k` | Kill to end of sentence |
| `C-w` | Kill region (cut selection) |
| `M-w` | Copy region |
| `C-y` | Yank (paste) |
| `M-y` | Cycle through kill ring after yank |
| `C-/` or `C-x u` | Undo |
| `C-Shift-/` or `C-x C-Shift-u` | Redo (Emacs 28+) |
| `C-Space` | Set mark (begin selection) |
| `C-x h` | Select entire buffer |
| `C-t` | Transpose two characters |
| `M-t` | Transpose two words |
| `C-x C-t` | Transpose two lines |
| `M-c` | Capitalize word |
| `M-u` | Uppercase word |
| `M-l` | Lowercase word |
| `M-q` | Fill (reflow) paragraph |
### Search & Replace
```bash
# Incremental search
C-s # search forward (incremental)
C-r # search backward (incremental)
# While searching:
# C-s again = jump to next match
# C-r again = jump to previous match
# C-g = cancel search
# Non-incremental search
M-C-s # search forward with regex
M-C-r # search backward with regex
# Replace
M-% # query-replace (prompted replace)
# y = replace, n = skip, ! = replace all, q = quit
# Replace with regex
C-M-% # query-replace-regexp
```text
### Kill & Yank Ring
```bash
# The kill ring is Emacs's multi-item clipboard
C-k # kill (cut) line from cursor to end
C-k C-k # kill entire line (including newline)
C-w # kill region (cut selection)
M-w # copy region (without killing)
C-y # yank (paste most recent kill)
M-y # cycle kill ring — press repeatedly after C-y
# Example: paste something from 3 cuts ago
C-y M-y M-y M-y
```text
### Window Management
```bash
# Split windows
C-x 2 # split horizontally
C-x 3 # split vertically
C-x 1 # close all other windows
C-x 0 # close current window
# Navigate between windows
C-x o # switch to next window
# Resize windows
C-x ^ # grow window height
C-x } # grow window width
C-x { # shrink window width
C-x + # balance all windows
```text
### Org-Mode Basics
Org-Mode is Emacs's killer app — an outline-based document and task management system built in.
```bash
# Open an Org file
C-x C-f todo.org
# Outline navigation
Tab # cycle visibility (fold/unfold subtree)
S-Tab # cycle global visibility
C-c C-n # next heading
C-c C-p # previous heading
C-c C-f # forward heading (same level)
C-c C-b # backward heading (same level)
C-c C-u # go to parent heading
# Structure editing
M-Enter # new heading/item below
M-S-Enter # new heading (same level as parent)
M-Left/Right # promote/demote subtree
M-S-Left/Right # promote/demote subtree with children
M-Up/Down # move subtree up/down
# Todo lists
C-c C-t # cycle todo state (TODO → DONE → TODO)
S-Right/Left # cycle through todo keywords
# Tables (built-in spreadsheet)
C-c | # create or convert to table
Tab # move to next cell / re-align
S-Tab # move to previous cell
M-Left/Right # move column
M-Up/Down # move row
C-c - # insert horizontal line
C-c Enter # insert row below
C-c C-c # recalculate table formulas
# Links
C-c C-l # insert/edit link
C-c C-o # open link at point
# Export
C-c C-e # export dispatcher
# h h = export to HTML
# l p = export to PDF (via LaTeX)
# l o = export to ODT
# m m = export to Markdown
```text
#### Practical Org-Mode Example
```bash
# Create a task list
* Project Alpha
** TODO Research competitor features
SCHEDULED: <2026-04-25>
** TODO Design API schema
SCHEDULED: <2026-04-28>
** DONE Write initial documentation
CLOSED: [2026-04-18 Sat]
# A simple table with formula
| Item | Qty | Price | Total |
|----------+-----+-------+-------|
| Widget | 3 | 10 | 30 |
| Gadget | 2 | 25 | 50 |
| Doohickey| 1 | 15 | 15 |
|----------+-----+-------+-------|
| Total | 6 | | 95 |
#+TBLFM: @5$4=vsum(@2$4..@4$4)
```text
### .emacs / emacs.d Init
```bash
# ~/.emacs.d/init.el — modern Emacs configuration
;; Package management
(require 'package)
(setq package-archives '(("melpa" . "https://melpa.org/packages/")
("gnu" . "https://elpa.gnu.org/packages/")))
(package-initialize)
(unless package-archive-contents
(package-refresh-contents))
;; Use-package for clean config (built-in since Emacs 29)
(setq use-package-always-ensure t)
;; UI
(tool-bar-mode -1) ; hide toolbar
(menu-bar-mode -1) ; hide menubar
(scroll-bar-mode -1) ; hide scrollbar
(column-number-mode 1) ; show column number
(global-display-line-numbers-mode 1) ; show line numbers
(show-paren-mode 1) ; highlight matching parens
(electric-pair-mode 1) ; auto-close brackets
;; Theme
(use-package doom-themes
:config
(setq doom-themes-enable-bold t
doom-themes-enable-italic t)
(load-theme 'doom-one t))
;; Editing
(setq-default tab-width 4)
(setq-default indent-tabs-mode nil)
(setq-default fill-column 80)
(global-auto-revert-mode t) ; auto-reload changed files
(setq backup-directory-alist '(("." . "~/.emacs.d/backups")))
(setq auto-save-file-name-transforms '((".*" "~/.emacs.d/auto-save/" t)))
;; Key bindings
(global-set-key (kbd "C-<tab>") 'other-window)
(global-set-key (kbd "M-/") 'company-complete)
(global-set-key (kbd "C-c g") 'magit-status)
(global-set-key (kbd "C-x k") 'kill-current-buffer)
```text
### Common Packages
#### Magit (Git Interface)
```bash
# Install
M-x package-install RET magit RET
# Usage
C-x g # open Magit status buffer
# In Magit status:
# s = stage file
# u = unstage file
# c c = commit (opens commit message buffer)
# C-c C-c = finish commit
# P p = push
# F p = pull
# l l = log
# d d = diff
# z s = stash
# b b = checkout branch
# Tab = expand/collapse section
# q = quit Magit
```text
#### Company (Auto-Completion)
```bash
# Install
M-x package-install RET company RET
# Configuration (add to init.el)
(use-package company
:hook (prog-mode . company-mode)
:config
(setq company-minimum-prefix-length 1
company-idle-delay 0.0)
(global-company-mode 1))
# Usage (in prog-mode, completions appear automatically):
M-/ # trigger completion manually
C-n / C-p # navigate completion candidates
Tab # accept completion
```text
#### Flycheck (Syntax Checking)
```bash
# Install
M-x package-install RET flycheck RET
# Configuration (add to init.el)
(use-package flycheck
:init (global-flycheck-mode))
# Usage:
# Flycheck runs automatically in supported modes
C-c ! l # list errors
C-c ! n # jump to next error
C-c ! p # jump to previous error
C-c ! v # verify Flycheck setup
C-c ! s # set checker
```text
### Key Chord Reference
#### Essential Survival Keys
| Key | Action |
| --- | ------ |
| `C-g` | Cancel any command |
| `C-x C-c` | Quit Emacs |
| `C-x u` or `C-/` | Undo |
| `C-x C-f` | Open file |
| `C-x C-s` | Save file |
| `C-x C-b` | List buffers |
| `C-x b` | Switch buffer |
#### Movement
| Key | Action |
| --- | ------ |
| `C-f / C-b` | Char forward / back |
| `C-n / C-p` | Line down / up |
| `C-a / C-e` | Line start / end |
| `M-f / M-b` | Word forward / back |
| `M-< / M->` | Buffer start / end |
| `C-v / M-v` | Page down / up |
#### Killing & Yanking
| Key | Action |
| --- | ------ |
| `C-k` | Kill line (cut to end) |
| `C-w` | Kill region (cut selection) |
| `M-w` | Copy region |
| `C-y` | Yank (paste) |
| `M-y` | Cycle kill ring |
#### Window & Buffer
| Key | Action |
| --- | ------ |
| `C-x 2` | Split horizontal |
| `C-x 3` | Split vertical |
| `C-x 1` | Single window |
| `C-x o` | Other window |
| `C-x b` | Switch buffer |
| `C-x k` | Kill buffer |
#### Search & Replace
| Key | Action |
| --- | ------ |
| `C-s / C-r` | Search forward / backward |
| `M-%` | Query replace |
| `C-M-%` | Query replace regex |
#### Help System
```bash
C-h f # describe function
C-h v # describe variable
C-h k # describe key binding
C-h m # describe current mode's bindings
C-h a # apropos (search all commands by keyword)
C-h t # built-in Emacs tutorial
C-h i # Info manual browser
```text
---
## Quick Comparison
| Feature | Vim | Nano | Emacs |
| ------- | --- | ---- | ----- |
| **Learning curve** | Steep | Minimal | Steep |
| **Modes** | Yes (modal) | No (modeless) | No (modifier keys) |
| **Config file** | `~/.vimrc` | `~/.nanorc` | `~/.emacs.d/init.el` |
| **Extensibility** | Vimscript / Lua | Limited | Emacs Lisp (infinite) |
| **Package manager** | Built-in + plugins | Syntax files only | Built-in ELPA/MELPA |
| **Mouse support** | Yes (`:set mouse=a`) | Yes (`-m` flag) | Yes (built-in) |
| **Best for** | Speed, SSH editing, scripting | Quick configs, beginners | Power users, full IDE, Org-Mode |
| **Startup time** | Very fast | Instant | Slower (loads packages) |
| **Built-in terminal** | `:terminal` | No | `M-x term` / `vterm` |
| **Built-in file manager** | `:Ex` (netrw) | No | Dired |
| **Git integration** | fugitive, vim-gitgutter | No | Magit (gold standard) |
| **LSP support** | coc.nvim, nvim-lsp | No | lsp-mode, eglot |
---
## Tips
### Emergency Vim: How to Exit
```bash
# If you're stuck in Vim, press Esc first, then:
:q! # quit without saving
```text
### Vim: Recover from a Crash
```bash
# Vim creates swap files (.swp). If Vim crashed:
vim -r file.txt # recover from swap file
# After recovery:
# :write to save, then delete the swap file
```text
### Nano: Enable Syntax Highlighting System-Wide
```bash
# Install Nano syntax files (Debian/Ubuntu)
sudo apt install nano-syntax-highlighting
# Enable all syntax highlighting for all users
echo "include /usr/share/nano/*.nanorc" | sudo tee -a /etc/nanorc
```text
### Emacs: Install Packages from MELPA
```bash
# Add MELPA to init.el (if not already present)
(add-to-list 'package-archives
'("melpa" . "https://melpa.org/packages/") t)
# Then in Emacs:
M-x package-refresh-contents RET
M-x package-install RET <package-name> RET
```text
### Choosing the Right Editor
```bash
# Quick SSH config edit on a remote server
nano /etc/nginx/nginx.conf
# Rapid code editing in a terminal
vim main.py
# Full development environment with Org-Mode notes, Git, LSP
emacs
```text
---
## Next Steps
- [Bash CLI Tools Cheat Sheet](/devops/bash-tools-cheatsheet/) — Unix command-line utilities for power users
- [Git CLI Cheat Sheet](/devops/git-cheatsheet/) — Version control commands and workflows
- [Docker CLI Cheat Sheet](/devops/docker-cheatsheet/) — Container management reference
- [Markdown Cheat Sheet](/devops/markdown-cheatsheet/) — Formatting reference for documentation