# 🎓 Vim Mastery - Progressive Learning Path Master Vim one technique at a time, building real skill over months instead of trying to learn everything at once. --- ## 🎯 Philosophy: The One-Trick-Per-Week Method Instead of overwhelming yourself with hundreds of commands: 1. **Learn ONE new command/technique each week** 2. **Practice it consciously** in your daily work 3. **Use it until it becomes muscle memory** 4. **Move to the next technique** After one year: **52 new powerful techniques!** --- ## 🗺️ Learning Roadmap ### Weeks 1-4: Foundation Build essential motion and editing skills - **[Week 1: Motion Basics](week-01-motions.md)** - Move efficiently - **[Week 2: Text Objects](week-02-text-objects.md)** - Edit intelligently - **[Week 3: Advanced Editing](week-03-advanced.md)** - Visual mode & macros intro - **[Week 4: Macros & Registers](week-04-macros.md)** - Automate repetitive tasks ### Weeks 5-8: Power User Master Vim's unique features - **[Week 5: Command Line](week-05-cmdline.md)** - Ex commands & substitution - **[Week 6: Windows & Tabs](week-06-windows.md)** - Workspace management - **[Week 7: Search & Replace](week-07-search.md)** - Advanced patterns - **[Week 8: Marks & Jumps](week-08-marks.md)** - Navigate large codebases ### Ongoing: Mastery Continuous improvement - **[Tips & Tricks](tips-and-tricks.md)** - Productivity boosters - **[Workflows](workflows.md)** - Real-world patterns - **[Advanced Topics](advanced.md)** - Vim script, Lua, custom commands --- ## 📊 Skill Progression ``` Week 0: hjkl, basic editing [Beginner] ↓ Week 2: Word motions, text objects [Functional] ↓ Week 4: Visual mode, basic macros [Comfortable] ↓ Week 6: Ex commands, window management [Efficient] ↓ Week 8: Advanced searching, marks [Proficient] ↓ Month 3: Custom workflows [Advanced] ↓ Month 6: Vim expert, teaching others [Master] ``` --- ## 🎯 Learning Objectives ### By Week 4 You will be able to: - Navigate code without arrow keys - Edit text objects (change word, delete paragraph) - Use visual mode for selections - Record and replay simple macros - Be MORE productive than with mouse + arrow keys ### By Week 8 You will be able to: - Refactor code efficiently - Use advanced search patterns - Manage multiple windows and tabs - Navigate large codebases with marks - Automate repetitive tasks with macros ### By Month 6 You will be able to: - Edit at the speed of thought - Teach Vim to others - Create custom workflows - Write your own Vim scripts - Never want to use another editor --- ## 📖 Weekly Structure Each week follows this pattern: ### Monday: Learn - Read the week's guide (15 minutes) - Watch any linked videos - Understand the concepts ### Tuesday-Friday: Practice - Pick 2-3 commands from the week's list - Use them consciously in real work - Don't worry about speed yet - Focus on correctness ### Weekend: Review - What did you learn? - What felt natural? - What needs more practice? - Pick next week's focus --- ## 💡 Learning Tips ### 1. Deliberate Practice Don't just read - **use** the commands in real code. ### 2. Start Slow Speed comes with muscle memory. Focus on correctness first. ### 3. One Thing at a Time Master one command before adding another. ### 4. Keep a Cheat Sheet Write down your current week's commands somewhere visible. ### 5. Use the In-Editor Cheatsheet `sc` is your friend! ### 6. Don't Rush It's okay to spend 2 weeks on one topic if needed. ### 7. Apply Immediately Learn Monday, use in real work Tuesday. ### 8. Embrace Mistakes Undo (`u`) is your safety net. Experiment! --- ## 🎮 Practice Exercises Each week includes: - **Focused drills** - Specific command practice - **Real-world scenarios** - Apply to actual code - **Challenge tasks** - Test your skills - **Cheat sheet** - Quick reference --- ## 📚 Recommended Schedule ### If You're New to Vim - **Pace**: 1 week per topic - **Time**: 30 minutes/day practice - **Duration**: 8 weeks to proficiency ### If You Know Basic Vim - **Pace**: 2-3 topics per week - **Time**: 15 minutes/day practice - **Duration**: 4 weeks to level up ### If You Want to Master Vim - **Pace**: All topics + advanced - **Time**: 1 hour/day practice - **Duration**: 3-6 months to mastery --- ## 🗺️ Your Journey Starts Here ### Absolute Beginner? Start with **[Week 1: Motion Basics](week-01-motions.md)** ### Know hjkl Already? Jump to **[Week 2: Text Objects](week-02-text-objects.md)** ### Comfortable with Vim? Explore **[Tips & Tricks](tips-and-tricks.md)** and **[Workflows](workflows.md)** ### Want to Master Everything? Follow the full 8-week program, then **[Advanced Topics](advanced.md)** --- ## 📈 Track Your Progress Create a file to track what you've learned: ```vim :e ~/vim-mastery-log.md ``` Template: ```markdown # My Vim Mastery Journey ## Week 1: Motion Basics - Started: 2025-11-01 - Mastered: w, b, e, 0, $ - Still practicing: f/F, t/T - Favorite new trick: dt, (delete till comma) ## Week 2: Text Objects ... ``` --- ## 🎯 Success Metrics You're making progress when: - ✅ You reach for hjkl instead of arrow keys - ✅ You think "change inner word" instead of selecting with mouse - ✅ You prefer Vim commands over GUI operations - ✅ You can edit without looking at keyboard - ✅ You start teaching others - ✅ You feel frustrated using non-Vim editors --- ## 💬 Community Share your progress: - **Reddit**: r/vim, r/neovim - **Discord**: Neovim community server - **GitHub**: Open issues with questions --- ## 📚 Additional Resources ### Books - **Practical Vim** by Drew Neil (highly recommended!) - **Modern Vim** by Drew Neil - **Learning the Vi and Vim Editors** ### Videos - **ThePrimeagen's Vim Course** - **Vim Casts** (vimcasts.org) - **TJ DeVries' Neovim streams** ### Interactive - `:Tutor` - Built into Neovim - **Vim Adventures** - Learn through gaming - **OpenVim** - Interactive tutorial ### References - `:help` - Vim's excellent documentation - **vim.rtorr.com** - Quick reference - **This config's cheatsheet** - `sc` --- ## 🎊 Ready to Begin? Remember: **Progress > Perfection** Every expert was once a beginner. The only difference is they kept practicing. ---
**Your journey to Vim mastery starts now!** [Week 1: Motion Basics →](week-01-motions.md) [Back to Documentation](../README.md) | [Tips & Tricks](tips-and-tricks.md)