Vim

Patterns and Anti-Patterns

• Pressing motion keys multiple times should be avoided (i.e. jjjjj). Instead, opt for [count]{motion} (i.e. 5j)
• Not mapping frequent operations to a shorter command with map.

  " Tabs
  map <Leader>tn :tabnext<CR>
  map <Leader>tp :tabprev<CR>
  map <Leader>tc :tabnew<CR>
  map <Leader>tf :tabfirst<CR>
  map <Leader>tl :tablast<CR>

Useful Plugins

Vundle

My preferred Vim plugin manager

Command-T

I swapped out ctrlp.vim for Command-T.

Note that when also using RVM, you need to run the extconf.rb file by referencing the correct version of Ruby, which means using /usr/local/opt/ruby/bin/ruby extconf.rb to call the right version.

Recommended changes:

• Set let g:CommandTFileScanner = "git". This will fallback to the find option, but critically takes advantage of .gitignore.
• I mapped <Leader>p to <Plug>(CommandT) because I’m used to ctrlp.vim:

  nmap <silent> <Leader>p <Plug>(CommandT)

Learning Tools

• Vimified (HN)

Fun Stuff

• tenderlove/initial-v, a BMW shifter which controls which Vim mode you’re in by triggering keyboard inputs
  • HN comments
• alevchuk/vim-clutch, a hardware pedal that will move you in and out of insert mode when you press and release the pedal

References

• My Dotfiles, GitHub
• Ben Orenstein – Write code faster: expert-level vim (Railsberry 2012), YouTube
• Vim Help (although you should just use :h)
• Your problem with Vim is that you don’t grok vi, StackOverflow
• MacVim is Vim with more OS integration
• A Vim Guide for Advanced Users
  • HN Comments
• Vim Tips for the Intermediate Vim User, by Jemma Issroff
• Moving Blazingly Fast With The Core Vim Motions, by Jaime González García