Vim Buffers, Windows, and Tabs | Multi-file Workflows

Cheat Sheet

Windows Neovim Docs

Buffers

Show all buffers

:ls

Switch to buffer 3

:b 3

Switch to buffer that has some_file in the filename.

:b some_file filename> <C-R>
:b some_file filename> <Tab>

Delete buffer number 3

:bd 3

Go to next or previous buffer.

:bnext
:bprev

Open the altfile (last edited file)

:e #

My mappings for bnext and bprev, and the altfile

-- lua
vim.keymap.set("n", "]b", vim.cmd.bnext, { noremap = true, silent = true })
vim.keymap.set("n", "[b", vim.cmd.bprev, { noremap = true, silent = true })
vim.keymap.set('n', '[a', ':e #<CR>', { noremap = true, silent = true })

" vimscript
nnoremap <silent> ]b :bnext<CR>
nnoremap <silent> [b :bprev<CR>
nnoremap <silent> [a :e #<CR>

Delete all buffers

:%bd

My function and keymap to clear all hidden buffers

local function clear_hidden_buffers()
    for _, buffer in pairs(vim.fn.getbufinfo()) do
        if buffer.hidden == 1 then
            vim.cmd.bd(buffer.bufnr)
        end
    end
end

vim.keymap.set('n', '<Leader>bd', clear_hidden_buffers, { silent = false, noremap = true })

Windows

Open a new vertical window

<C-w>v

Open a new horizontal window (s for split)

<C-w>s

Cycle between windows in order

<C-w>w

Navigate windows

<C-w>h
<C-w>j
<C-w>k
<C-w>l

Try to resize windows to take up equal space

<C-w>=

Close current window

<C-w>c

Close all windows except the current (o for only this window)

<C-w>o

Change working directory of current window to ../other_project

:lcd ../other_project

Tabs

Open a new tab

:tabe

Open README.md in a new tab

:tabe README.md

Cycle between tabs

gt

Change working directory of current tab to ../other_project

:tcd ../other_project

Close current tab

:tabc

Close all tabs except the current (o for only this tab)

:tabo