How to use

June 28, 2026 · View on GitHub

Exiting
Normal Mode
Register
Visual Mode
Replace Mode
Insert Mode
Backupmanager Mode
References Mode
Call Hierarchy Mode
Filer Mode
FileTree Mode
Terminal Mode
Configuration Mode
Command Mode
Runtime Key Mapping

Exiting

Check the command line

Keys	Description
`:` `w`	Write file
`:` `q`	Quit
`:` `w` `q`	Write and quit
`:` `q` `!`	Force quit
`:` `q` `a`	Quit all windows
`:` `w` `q` `a`	Write and quit all windows
`:` `q` `a` `!`	Force quit all windows
`:` `w` `!`	Force write
`:` `w` `q` `!`	Force write and quit window
`:` `w` `q` `a` `!`	Force write and quit all windows
`:` `c` `q`	Quit with non-zero exit code

Normal mode

The Default Mode

Keys	Description
`h`	Go left
`j`	Go down
`Ctrl` `j`	Go down
`k`	Go up
`l`	Go right
`w`	Go forwards to the start of a word
`e`	Go forwards to the end of a word
`g` `e`	Go backwards to the end of a word
`b`	Go backwards to the start of a word
`r`	Replace a character at the cursor
`Page Up`	Page Up
`Page Down`	Page Down
`g` `g`	Go to the first line
`g` `_`	Go to the last non-blank character of the line
`g` `;`	Go to the previous change position
`g` `,`	Go to the next change position
`G`	Go to the last line
`0`	Go to the first character of the line
`$`	Go to the end of the line
`^`	Go to the first non-blank character of the line
`{`	Go to the previous blank line
`}`	Go to the next blank line
`H`	Move to the top line of the screen
`M`	Move to the center line of the screen
`L`	Move to the bottom line of the screen
`Ctrl` `b`	Page Up
`Ctrl` `f`	Page Down
`Ctrl` `u`	Half Page Up
`Ctrl` `d`	Half Page Down
`%`	Move to matching pair of paren
`d` `$` OR `D`	Delete until the end of the line
`C`	Change until the end of the line
`y` `y` OR `Y`	Copy a line
`y` `{`	Yank to the previous blank line
`y` `}`	Yank to the next blank line
`y` `l`	Yank a character
`y` `t` `Any key`	Yank characters to a any character
`p`	Paste the clipboard
`P`	Paste the clipboard before the cursor
`n`	Search forwards
`N`	Search backwards
`g` `n`	Go to next search match and select it visually
`g` `N`	Go to previous search match and select it visually
`d` `g` `n`	Delete next search match
`d` `g` `N`	Delete previous search match
`]` `c`	Jump to next git change hunk
`[` `c`	Jump to previous git change hunk
`]` `x`	Jump to next git merge conflict block
`[` `x`	Jump to previous git merge conflict block
`:`	Start command mode
`u`	Undo
`Ctrl` `r`	Redo
`Ctrl` `a`	Increase number under cursor
`Ctrl` `x`	Decrease number under cursor
`>`	Indent
`<`	Unindent
`=` `=`	Auto indent
`J`	Join lines
`d` `d`	Delete a line
`x`	Delete current character
`X` OR `d` `h`	Delete the character before the cursor
`~`	Toggle case of character under cursor
`g` `u`	Lowercase (operator)
`g` `U`	Uppercase (operator)
`S` OR `c` `c`	Delete the characters in the current line and start insert mode
`s` OR `c` `l`	Delete the current character and enter insert mode
`c` `i` `"`	Delete the inside of double quotes and enter insert mode
`c` `i` `'`	Delete the inside of single quotes and enter insert mode
`c` `i` `w`	Delete the current word and enter insert mode
`c` `i` `W`	Delete the current WORD and enter insert mode
`c` `i` `(` OR `c` `i` `)`	Delete the inside of round brackets and enter insert mode
`c` `i` `[` OR `c` `i` `]`	Delete the inside of square brackets and enter insert mode
`c` `i` `{` OR `c` `i` `}`	Delete the inside of curly brackets and enter insert mode
`c` `a` `"`	Delete around double quotes and enter insert mode
`c` `a` `'`	Delete around single quotes and enter insert mode
`c` `a` `w`	Delete a word (with surrounding whitespace) and enter insert mode
`c` `a` `W`	Delete a WORD (with surrounding whitespace) and enter insert mode
`c` `a` `(` OR `c` `a` `)`	Delete around round brackets and enter insert mode
`c` `a` `[` OR `c` `a` `]`	Delete around square brackets and enter insert mode
`c` `a` `{` OR `c` `a` `}`	Delete around curly brackets and enter insert mode
`c` `f` `Any key`	Delete characters to the any character and enter insert mode
`c` `t` `Any key`	Delete characters until the character and enter insert mode
`d` `i` `"`	Delete the inside of double quotes
`d` `i` `'`	Delete the inside of single quotes
`d` `i` `w`	Delete the current word
`d` `i` `W`	Delete the current WORD
`d` `i` `(` OR `d` `i` `)`	Delete the inside of round brackets
`d` `i` `[` OR `d` `i` `]`	Delete the inside of square brackets
`d` `i` `{` OR `d` `i` `}`	Delete the inside of curly brackets
`d` `a` `"`	Delete around double quotes (including quotes)
`d` `a` `'`	Delete around single quotes (including quotes)
`d` `a` `w`	Delete a word (including surrounding whitespace)
`d` `a` `W`	Delete a WORD (including surrounding whitespace)
`d` `a` `(` OR `d` `a` `)`	Delete around round brackets (including brackets)
`d` `a` `[` OR `d` `a` `]`	Delete around square brackets (including brackets)
`d` `a` `{` OR `d` `a` `}`	Delete around curly brackets (including brackets)
`d` `t` `Any key`	Delete characters until the character
`y` `i` `w`	Yank the current word
`y` `i` `W`	Yank the current WORD
`y` `i` `"`	Yank the inside of double quotes
`y` `i` `'`	Yank the inside of single quotes
`y` `i` `(` OR `y` `i` `)`	Yank the inside of round brackets
`y` `i` `[` OR `y` `i` `]`	Yank the inside of square brackets
`y` `i` `{` OR `y` `i` `}`	Yank the inside of curly brackets
`y` `a` `w`	Yank a word (including surrounding whitespace)
`y` `a` `W`	Yank a WORD (including surrounding whitespace)
`*****`	Search forwards for the word under cursor
`#`	Search backwards for the word under cursor
`f`	Move to next any character on the current line
`F`	Move to previous any character on the current line
`t`	Move to the left of the any character on the current line
`T`	Move to the right of the back any character on the current line
`;`	Repeat last f/F/t/T
`,`	Repeat last f/F/t/T in reverse
`Ctrl` `w` `k`	Move to the next window
`Ctrl` `w` `j`	Move to the previous window
`z` `t`	Scroll the screen so the cursor is at the top
`z` `b`	Scroll the screen so the cursor is at the bottom
`z` `.`	Center the screen on the cursor
`z` `z`	Center the screen on the cursor
`Z` `Z`	Write current file and exit
`Z` `Q`	Same as :q!
`Ctrl` `w` `c`	Close current window
`Ctrl` `w` `+`	Increase window height
`Ctrl` `w` `-`	Decrease window height
`Ctrl` `w` `>`	Increase window width
`Ctrl` `w` `<`	Decrease window width
`Ctrl` `w` `=`	Equalize window sizes
`Ctrl` `w` `x`	Swap window with next window
`/`	Search forwards
`?`	Search backwards
`\` `r`	QuickRun
`g` `a`	Show current character info
`.`	Repeat the last normal mode command
`q` `Any key`	Start recording operations for Macros
`q`	Stop recoding operations
`@` `Any key`	Exec a macro
`@` `:`	Repeat the last command mode command
`K`	Hover (LSP)
`g` `c`	Goto Declaration (LSP)
`g` `d`	Goto Definition (LSP)
`g` `y`	Goto Type Definition (LSP)
`g` `i`	Goto Implementation (LSP)
`g` `r`	References (LSP)
`g` `h`	Open Call hierarchy viewer (LSP)
`g` `H`	Outgoing call hierarchy (LSP)
`g` `l`	Document Link (LSP)
`g` `f`	Open URI/file under cursor
`Space` `r`	Rename (LSP)
`g` `L`	Code Lens (LSP)
`z` `o`	Open fold
`z` `c`	Close fold
`z` `a`	Toggle fold
`z` `R`	Open all folds
`z` `M`	Close all folds
`z` `d`	Delete folding lines
`z` `D`	Delete all folding lines
`Ctrl` `s`	Selection Range (LSP)
`Space` `o`	Document Symbol (LSP)
`g` `t`	Switch to the next buffer
`g` `T`	Switch to the previous buffer
`Ctrl` `o`	Jump Back (Jumplist)
`Ctrl` `i`	Jump Forward (Jumplist)
`m` `m`	Toggle bookmark on current line
`m` `n`	Jump to next bookmark
`m` `p`	Jump to previous bookmark
`m` `c`	Clear all bookmarks in current buffer

Register

Keys	Description
`"` `Any key` `y` `y`	Yank a line to a named register
`"` `Any key` `y` `l`	Yank a character to a named register
`"` `Any key` `y` `w`	Yank a word to a named register
`"` `Any key` `y` `}`	Yank to the next blank line to a named register
`"` `Any key` `y` `{`	Yank to the previous blank line to a named register
`"` `Any key` `p`	Paste from a named register after cursor
`"` `Any key` `P`	Paste from a named register before cursor
`"` `Any key` `d` `d`	Delete a line to a named register
`"` `Any key` `d` `w`	Delete a word to a named register
`"` `Any key` `d` `$`	Delete to end of line to a named register
`"` `Any key` `d` `0`	Delete to beginning of line to a named register
`"` `Any key` `d` `G`	Delete to end of file to a named register
`"` `Any key` `d` `g` `g`	Delete to beginning of file to a named register
`"` `Any key` `d` `{`	Delete to the previous blank line to a named register
`"` `Any key` `d` `}`	Delete to the next blank line to a named register
`"` `Any key` `d` `i` `Any key`	Delete inside to a named register
`"` `Any key` `d` `h`	Delete a character before cursor to a named register
`"` `Any key` `c` `l` OR `"` `Any key` `s`	Change a character to a named register
`"` `Any key` `c` `i` `Any key`	Change inside to a named register

Visual mode

Visual Selection

Keys	Description
`d` OR `x`	Delete text
`c`	Change (delete selection and enter insert mode)
`y`	Copy text
`r`	Replace character
`S`	Surround selection with character
`J`	Join lines
`u`	Convert to lowercase
`U`	Convert to uppercase
`>`	Indent
`<`	Unindent
`~`	Toggle case of character under cursor
`Ctrl` `a`	Increase number under cursor
`Ctrl` `x`	Decrease number under cursor
`I`	Insert character, multiple lines
`z` `f`	Fold selected lines
`Ctrl` `s`	Selection Range (LSP)
`Esc`	Go to Normal mode

Replace mode

Replace Text

Keys	Description
`Esc`	Go to Normal mode
`Backspace`	Undo

Insert mode

Insert Text

Keys	Description
`Ctrl` `e`	Insert the character which is below the cursor
`Ctrl` `y`	Insert the character which is above the cursor
`Ctrl` `i`	Insert a Tab
`Ctrl` `h` OR `Backspace`	Delete the character before the cursor
`Ctrl` `t`	Add an indent in current line
`Ctrl` `d`	Remove an indent in current line
`Ctrl` `w`	Delete the word before the cursor
`Ctrl` `u`	Delete all characters before the cursor in the current line
`Ctrl` `r`	Signature Help (LSP)
`Ctrl` `o`	Execute one Normal mode command and return to Insert mode
`Esc`	Go to Normal mode

Backupmanager mode

Backup File Manager

Keys	Description
`j`	Go down
`k`	Go up
`g` `g`	Go to the first line
`G`	Go to the last line
`Enter`	Open diff
`R`	Restore backup file
`D`	Delete backup file
`r`	Reload backup files

References mode

Keys	Description
`j`	Go down
`k`	Go up
`g` `g`	Go to the first line
`G`	Go to the last line
`Enter`	Jump to the destination
`Esc`	Quit References mode

Call Hierarchy mode

Call Hierarchy

Keys	Description
`j`	Go down
`k`	Go up
`g` `g`	Go to the first line
`G`	Go to the last line
`Enter`	Jump to the destination
`i`	Incoming call
`o`	Outgoing call

Filer mode

File Manager

Keys	Description
`j`	Go down
`k`	Go up
`g` `g`	Go to the first line
`G`	Go to the last line
`l`	Enter directory or open file
`i`	Detail Information
`.`	Toggle hidden files
`D`	Delete file
`v`	Split window and open file or directory
`h`	Split window horizontally and open file

FileTree mode

File Tree Sidebar

Open the fileTree sidebar with :filetree command. If already open, it will close and reopen.

Keys	Description
`j` OR `Down`	Move selection down
`k` OR `Up`	Move selection up
`g` `g`	Move to first item
`G`	Move to last item
`p`	Move to parent node

Open / Expand / Collapse

Keys	Description
`Enter`	Open file, or toggle expand/collapse directory
`o` OR `l`	Open file, or expand directory
`x` OR `h`	Collapse directory (or move to parent)

Keys	Description
`C`	Change root to selected directory
`u`	Move root up one level

Search

Keys	Description
`/`	Start incremental search
`n`	Jump to next search match
`N`	Jump to previous search match

Misc

Keys	Description
`.`	Toggle hidden files visibility
`R`	Refresh tree
`:`	Enter command mode

Terminal mode

Built-in Terminal Emulator

Terminal-Input sub-mode (default)

All keystrokes are forwarded to the running shell/command.

Keys	Description
`Ctrl` `\` `Ctrl` `n`	Switch to Terminal-Normal sub-mode

Terminal-Normal sub-mode

Keys	Description
`i`	Return to Terminal-Input sub-mode
`a`	Return to Terminal-Input sub-mode
`:`	Enter command mode

Configuration mode

Keys	Description
`w`	Save the current configs to the configuration file

Command	Description
`number`	Jump to line number; e.g. `:10`
`! shell command`	Shell command execution
`bg`	Pause the editor and show the recent terminal output
`man arguments`	Show the given UNIX manual page, if available; e.g. `:man man`
`e filename`	Open file
`e`	Reload current file (error if unsaved changes)
`e!`	Force reload current file (discard unsaved changes)
`e! filename`	Open file (discard unsaved changes)
`ene`	Create a new empty buffer
`new`	Create a new empty buffer in a horizontally split window
`vnew`	Create a new empty buffer in a vertically split window
`delete`	Delete current line and copy to register
`ls`	Display all buffers
`bprev`	Switch to the previous buffer
`bnext`	Switch to the next buffer
`bfirst`	Switch to the first buffer
`blast`	Switch to the last buffer
`bd` or `bd number`	Delete buffer
`vs`	Vertical split window
`vs filename`	Open in a vertical split window
`sp`	Horizontal split window
`sp filename`	Open in a horizontal split window
`only`	Close all other windows
`theme themeName`	Change color theme; e.g. `theme dark`
`noh`	Turn off search highlights
`stripwhitespace`	Delete trailing spaces
`%s/keyword1/keyword2/`	Replace text (normal mode only)
`%d`	Delete all lines and copy to register
`1,10d`	Delete lines in range and copy to register
`set number` or `set nonumber`	Show/hide line numbers (alias: `nu`, `nonu`)
`set relativenumber` or `set norelativenumber`	Show/hide relative line numbers (alias: `rnu`, `nornu`)
`set cursorline` or `set nocursorline`	Highlight the current line (alias: `cul`, `nocul`)
`set cursorcolumn` or `set nocursorcolumn`	Highlight the current column (alias: `cuc`, `nocuc`)
`set statusline` or `set nostatusline`	Show/hide status line (alias: `stl`, `nostl`)
`set syntax` or `set nosyntax`	Enable/disable syntax highlighting (alias: `syn`, `nosyn`)
`set indentationlines` or `set noindentationlines`	Enable/disable indentation guide lines (alias: `indl`, `noindl`)
`set autoindent` or `set noautoindent`	Enable/disable auto indent (alias: `ai`, `noai`)
`set autocloseparen` or `set noautocloseparen`	Enable/disable auto close paren (alias: `acp`, `noacp`)
`set autodeleteparen` or `set noautodeleteparen`	Enable/disable auto delete paren (alias: `adp`, `noadp`)
`set clipboard` or `set noclipboard`	Enable/disable system clipboard (alias: `cb`, `nocb`)
`set smoothscroll` or `set nosmoothscroll`	Enable/disable smooth scroll (alias: `sms`, `nosms`)
`set livereload` or `set nolivereload`	Enable/disable live reload of config (alias: `lr`, `nolr`)
`set icon` or `set noicon`	Show/hide icons in filer mode (alias: `icons`, `noicons`)
`set highlightcurrentline` or `set nohighlightcurrentline`	Highlight the current line (alias: `hcl`, `nohcl`)
`set highlightcurrentword` or `set nohighlightcurrentword`	Highlight other uses of the current word (alias: `hcw`, `nohcw`)
`set highlightfullspace` or `set nohighlightfullspace`	Highlight full width space (alias: `hfs`, `nohfs`)
`set highlightparen` or `set nohighlightparen`	Highlight matching paren (alias: `hp`, `nohp`)
`set highlightfindchar` or `set nohighlightfindchar`	Highlight f/F/t/T matches (alias: `hfc`, `nohfc`)
`set highlightcolorcode` or `set nohighlightcolorcode`	Highlight inline color codes (`#RRGGBB`, `#RGB`) with their actual color (alias: `hcc`, `nohcc`)
`set highlightgitconflict` or `set nohighlightgitconflict`	Highlight git merge conflict blocks (`<<<<<<<` / `=======` / `>>>>>>>`) (alias: `hgc`, `nohgc`)
`set highlightgitconflicttwocolor` or `set nohighlightgitconflicttwocolor`	Use two-color (ours/theirs) conflict scheme; disable for single-color fallback (alias: `hgctc`, `nohgctc`)
`set multistatusline` or `set nomultistatusline`	Enable/disable multiple status line (alias: `msl`, `nomsl`)
`set ignorecase` or `set noignorecase`	Enable/disable ignorecase (alias: `ic`, `noic`)
`set smartcase` or `set nosmartcase`	Enable/disable smartcase (alias: `scs`, `noscs`)
`set incsearch` or `set noincsearch`	Enable/disable incremental search (alias: `is`, `nois`)
`set hlsearch` or `set nohlsearch`	Enable/disable search highlighting (alias: `hls`, `nohls`)
`set buildonsave` or `set nobuildonsave`	Enable/disable build on save (alias: `bos`, `nobos`)
`set showgitinactive` or `set noshowgitinactive`	Show/hide git branch in inactive window (alias: `sgi`, `nosgi`)
`set wrap` or `set nowrap`	Enable/disable line wrap
`set expandtab` or `set noexpandtab`	Enable/disable expand tab to spaces (alias: `et`, `noet`)
`set scrollbar` or `set noscrollbar`	Enable/disable scrollbar
`set scrollbarwidth=number`	Change scrollbar width (0 = hidden); e.g. `set scrollbarwidth=1`
`set tabstop=number`	Change tab stop width; e.g. `set tabstop=4` (alias: `ts`)
`set shiftwidth=number`	Change indent width; e.g. `set shiftwidth=4` (alias: `sw`)
`set softtabstop=number`	Change soft tab stop width; e.g. `set softtabstop=4` (alias: `sts`)
`set scrollfriction=number`	Change smooth scroll friction; e.g. `set scrollfriction=80.0` (alias: `sfr`)
`set scrollairdrag=number`	Change smooth scroll air drag; e.g. `set scrollairdrag=2.0` (alias: `sad`)
`build`	Build the current buffer
`lspfold`	LSP Folding Range
`lspformat`	LSP Document Formatting
`log`	Open a log viewer for editor log
`lsplog`	Open a log viewer for LSP log
`lsprestart`	Restart the current LSP server
`lspcallhierarchyincoming`	Show incoming calls (callers) at cursor
`lspcallhierarchyoutgoing`	Show outgoing calls (callees) at cursor
`help`	Open this help
`putconfigfile`	Put a sample configuration file in ~/.config/moe
`moerc`	Open the configuration file (moerc.toml) for editing
`quickrun`	Quick run
`recent`	Open recent file selection mode (Only supported on Linux)
`backup`	Open backup file manager
`config`	Open configuration mode
`debug`	Open debug mode
`filetree`	Toggle FileTree sidebar
`filetree path`	Toggle FileTree sidebar with specified root path
`jump`	Open Jump list viewer
`terminal`	Open terminal emulator (default shell)
`terminal command`	Run command in terminal emulator
`changes`	Show Change list
`bookmarks`	Show bookmark list
`conflictnext`	Jump to next git merge conflict block
`conflictprev`	Jump to previous git merge conflict block

Map, unmap, and clear runtime key mappings. The :map-family commands expand the right-hand side recursively (a remapped key on the RHS is itself re-expanded), while the :noremap-family commands map keys verbatim (non-recursive). Unmapping with :unmap or clearing with :mapclear restores the built-in default for the affected keys. Mappings are session-only and not persisted across restarts. For persistent key mappings, use the [KeyMapping] section in moerc.toml. See configfile.md.

Command	Description
`nmap {lhs} {rhs}`	Map keys (Normal mode)
`nmap`	List all Normal mode mappings
`imap {lhs} {rhs}`	Map keys (Insert mode)
`imap`	List all Insert mode mappings
`vmap {lhs} {rhs}`	Map keys (Visual modes)
`vmap`	List all Visual mode mappings
`rmap {lhs} {rhs}`	Map keys (Replace mode)
`rmap`	List all Replace mode mappings
`cmap {lhs} {rhs}`	Map keys (Command mode)
`cmap`	List all Command mode mappings
`map {lhs} {rhs}`	Map keys (all modes)
`map`	List all mode mappings
`nunmap {lhs}`	Unmap keys (Normal mode)
`iunmap {lhs}`	Unmap keys (Insert mode)
`vunmap {lhs}`	Unmap keys (Visual modes)
`runmap {lhs}`	Unmap keys (Replace mode)
`cunmap {lhs}`	Unmap keys (Command mode)
`unmap {lhs}`	Unmap keys (all modes)
`nmapclear`	Clear mappings (Normal mode)
`imapclear`	Clear mappings (Insert mode)
`vmapclear`	Clear mappings (Visual modes)
`rmapclear`	Clear mappings (Replace mode)
`cmapclear`	Clear mappings (Command mode)
`mapclear`	Clear mappings (all modes)

noremap, nnoremap, inoremap, vnoremap, cnoremap map keys non-recursively (the right-hand side is replayed verbatim, like Vim's noremap).

Key notation:

Notation	Meaning
`a`, `j`, `0`	Regular keys
`C-s`, `M-x`	Modifier keys (`C`=Ctrl, `M`=Alt, `S`=Shift)
`Escape`, `Enter`, `Tab`	Special keys
`Up`, `Down`, `F1`-`F12`	Arrow and function keys
`Space`	Space key
`j j`, `g g`	Multi-key sequences (space-separated)
`jj`, `gg`	Vim-style concatenated keys (equivalent to `j j`, `g g`)

The {rhs} can take any of these forms:

RHS form	Meaning
`<command>`	A registered command name (e.g. `save-and-quit`)
`<command> <args...>`	A registered command with arguments
`<keys>`	A key sequence replayed as input (e.g. `Escape`, `g g`)
`mode_switch <mode>`	Switch to a mode (`normal`, `insert`, `visual`, `replace`, `command`)
`overlay_switch <overlay>`	Open an overlay (`command`, `search`, `rename`)

mode_switch and overlay_switch are reserved first words. The same RHS forms work in the [KeyMapping] config section.

Examples:

:nmap C-s save-and-quit       " Ctrl-S saves and quits (Normal mode)
:imap jj Escape               " jj exits Insert mode
:nmap C-a g g                 " Ctrl-A goes to first line
:vmap C-c Escape              " Ctrl-C exits Visual mode
:cmap C-a Home                " Ctrl-A moves to line start (Command mode)
:nmap C-e mode_switch insert  " Ctrl-E enters Insert mode
:nmap C-p overlay_switch command  " Ctrl-P opens the command line
:nmap                         " List all Normal mode mappings
:map                          " List all mode mappings
:nunmap C-s                   " Remove Ctrl-S mapping in Normal mode
:nmapclear                    " Clear all Normal mode runtime mappings

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