I just started using Vim as an IDE. I was using it as a test editor for a while now, so I didn't have to go to command mode very often. But, since I program in Java, I have to go to command mode to make the file, compile/run it... etc.
The problem is: I need a good way to switch between the two modes.
I looked online and it says that the <Esc> key is supposed to do that, but that doesn't work for me (maybe it's not for gVim? I don't know why.)
I have to press CTRLO every time to go to command mode; the escape key works from that mode... it brings me back to insert mode. But is there a better, or easier, way of switching between command mode and insert mode?
38 Answers
Pressing ESC quits from insert mode to normal mode, where you can press : to type in a command. Press i again to back to insert mode, and you are good to go.
I'm not a Vim guru, so someone else can be more experienced and give you other options.
1Looks like your Vim is launched in easy mode. See :help easy.
This happens when Vim is invoked with the -y argument or as evim, or maybe you have a :set insertmode somewhere in your .vimrc configuration. Find the source and disable it; temporarily this can be also done via Ctrl + O :set noim Enter.
This has been mentioned in other questions, but ctrl + [ is an equivalent to ESC on all keyboards.
2Coming from emacs I've found that I like ctrl + keys to do stuff, and in vim I've found that both [ctrl + C] and [alt + backspace] will enter Normal mode from insert mode. You might try and see if any of those works out for you.
Using jj
In my case, the .vimrc (or in gVim it is in _vimrc) setting below.
inoremap jj <Esc> """ jj key is <Esc> settingFor me, the problem was that I was in recording mode. To exit from recording mode press q. Then Esc worked as expected for me.
There is also one more solution for that kind of problem, which is rather rare, I think, and you may experience it, if you are using vim on OS X Sierra. Actually, it's a problem with Esc button — not with vim. For example, I wasnt able to exit fullscreen video on youtube using Esc, but I lived with that for a few months until I had experienced the same problem with vim.
I found this solution. If you are lazy enough to follow external link, switching off Siri and killing the process in Activity Monitor helped.
You can use Alt+H,J,K,L to move cursor in insert mode.
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