Using ‘vim’ to Create and Edit a File

Using ‘vim’ to create and edit a file

1. Log into your server via SSH.
2. Navigate to the directory location you wish to create the file, or edit an existing file.
3. Type in vim followed by the name of the file. For example, if you wish to create (or edit) a new file named test.html, run the following:

   [server]$ vim test.html

   The ‘vim’ editor may appear confusing at first because you cannot type into the file yet:

   

1. Click the letter ‘i‘ on your keyboard to enter INSERT mode in ‘vim’.

   It now shows — INSERT — on the bottom left:

   

2. Start typing into the file.
3. When finished editing the file, click the ESC key. This takes you out of INSERT mode and — INSERT — disappears from the bottom left of your terminal.
4. To save the file, type in a colon followed by wq. For example:

   :wq

   The characters :wq appear on the bottom left:

   

5. Click the ‘Enter’ key on your keyboard to save.