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Basic Configuration

In this paragraph I propose to explain how to change a number of settings to make your first steps with Vim bearable.

To change the Vim configuration you have to edit a file that we call in this document vimrc but that could be in reality vimrc, .vimrc, _vimrc or init.vim depending of the Operating System that you are using (Linux, macOS, Windows) or the flavor of Vim that you are using (gVim, Neovim, ..)

Where is the vimrc file?

Linux or macOS + Vim

• ~/.vimrc
• ~/.vim/vimrc alternatively (My Favorite)

Linux or macOS + Neovim

• ~/.config/nvim/init.vim alternatively (My Favorite)

Or if XDG_CONFIG_HOME is defined

• $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/nvim/init.vim

Windows + Vim

• ~\_vimrc
• ~\vimfiles\vimrc alternatively (My Favorite)

Windows + Neovim

• ~\AppData\Local\nvim\init.vim

Or if XDG_CONFIG_HOME is defined

• %XDG_CONFIG_HOME%\nvim\init.vim

The basic

This simple vimrc makes Vim:

• Hide the Ex mode
• Show the key command buffer
• Give you 2 seconds to complete complex key command
• Use the system clipboard
• Truly multi buffer

" A set of default settings considered very reasonable by the Vim developpers.
set nocompatible

" Hide the Ex mode
map Q gq
sunmap Q

" Make the current key command buffer visible
" (a keystroke buffer at the bottom right of Vim screen)
set showcmd         " display incomplete commands

" Give you two second to complete complex key command made of several key strokes
set timeoutlen=2000

" Make sure that by yank and paste operation use the system register (clipboard)
if has('unix')
  set clipboard=unnamedplus
else
  set clipboard=unnamed
endif

" Allow to switch between files without saving first:
set hidden

" Make past in visual mode not switching the content of the clipboard:
xnoremap p P