Vim for Windows - What do I type to save and exit from a file?

Question

Press ESC to make sure you are out of the edit mode and then type:

:wq

Instead of telling you how you could execute a certain command (Esc:wq), I can provide you two links that may help you with VIM:

• http://bullium.com/support/vim.html provides an HTML quick reference card
• http://tnerual.eriogerg.free.fr/vim.html provides a PDF quick reference card in several languages, optimized for print-out, fold and put on your desk drawer

However, the best way to learn Vim is not only using it for Git commits, but as a regular editor for your everyday work.

If you're not going to switch to Vim, it's nonsense to keep its commands in mind. In that case, go and set up your favourite editor to use with Git.

Esc to make sure you exit insert mode, then :wq (colon w q) or ZZ (shift-Z shift-Z).

• Press i or a to get into insert mode, and type the message of choice

• Press ESC several times to get out of insert mode, or any other mode you might have run into by accident

  • to save, :wq, :x or ZZ
    

  • to exit without saving, :q! or ZQ

To reload a file and undo all changes you have made...:

Press several times ESC and then enter :e!.

A faster way to

• Save
• and quit

would be

:x

If you have opened multiple files you may need to do a

:xa