In the fast-paced world of DevOps, cloud engineering, and system administration, one skill always stands out is being comfortable in the terminal. And if you want speed, control, and serious efficiency, Vim has to be the one tool you should master.

Vim is that fast, minimal, keyboard-driven text editor that runs right inside your terminal. Maybe you've opened it by mistake before and scrambled to exit with :q!, but once you understand how it works, Vim becomes an essential part of your workflow.

Why Vim Still Matters in the Cloud Era

Whether you're connecting to remote servers, editing Kubernetes YAML files, writing bash scripts, or updating Ansible playbooks, Vim is there. No GUI required. No clutter. Just a powerful editor that's available by default on nearly every Linux machine.

When you're working in the cloud, Vim is always ready, and it never slows you down.

Basic Syntax and Modes in Vim

  • To open (or create) a file in Vim : vim

Modes in Vim:

  • i Insert mode (start typing)
  • Escape (return to command mode)
  • :w Write/save file
  • :q Quit
  • :wq Save and quit
  • :q! Quit without saving

1. How to create and edit a file in Vim

Open or create the file "config.txt"
vim config.txt

  • Press 'i' to enter Insert mode and start typing
  • Press Esc-Key
  • :wq Save and quit

2. How to copy, paste, and delete lines in Vim

  • yy Yank (copy) the current line
  • p Paste below the current line
  • dd Delete the current line

3. How to search and navigate text in Vim
/server Search for the word "server"

  • n Jump to next match
  • N Jump to previous match

Navigation using keyboard (instead of arrow keys)

  • h Move left
  • j Move down
  • k Move up
  • l Move right

4. How to undo and redo changes

  • u Undo last change
  • Ctrl + r Redo last undo

5. Save and Exit Commands in Vim

  • :w Save the file
  • :q Quit
  • :wq Save and quit
  • :q! Quit without saving

Real-World Use Case: Editing a Config File on a Cloud VM
You're logged into a remote EC2 instance and want to update your NGINX config.

  • ssh ubuntu@ip address
  • sudo vim /etc/nginx/nginx.conf

Inside Vim:

  • Press j/k to navigate

  • Press 'i' to edit
    Make your changes

  • Press Esc-Key

  • :wq Save and exit

Summary
If you're working in cloud, DevOps, or cybersecurity, knowing Vim is non-negotiable. You don’t need to be an expert, but knowing the basics can save time, reduce errors, and make you more efficient in critical moments.

👉 Start using vim for small edits today.
👉 Run vimtutor and get comfortable with it before your next deployment.
👉 Already using Vim? Share your favorite Vim trick in the comments!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandjickneba/