vimtutor

Launch the vim tutor using the given language (en, fr, de, ...)

$ vimtutor [language]

$ <Esc><:>q<Enter>

vimtutor [language]

language
    An optional argument specifying the desired language for the tutorial. If omitted, vimtutor attempts to use the system's default language settings or defaults to English. Common values include 'en' for English, 'fr' for French, 'de' for German, etc. The availability of specific languages depends on the Vim installation.

vimtutor is a command-line utility that provides a comprehensive, interactive tutorial for new users of the Vim text editor.
It guides beginners through the fundamental concepts and commands necessary to effectively use Vim, which is renowned for its powerful modal editing capabilities. The tutorial is designed to be self-paced, allowing users to practice commands directly within the vimtutor interface on a temporary copy of the lesson file.
Users learn essential operations such as navigating text, inserting and deleting characters, copying and pasting, searching, and saving changes. vimtutor intelligently tracks progress and provides immediate feedback, reinforcing learned concepts. It ensures a hands-on learning experience, making the steep learning curve often associated with Vim more manageable. By the end of the tutorial, users gain a foundational understanding of Vim's modes and core commands, empowering them to begin using the editor for everyday tasks.
It is an indispensable resource for anyone looking to master this highly efficient and customizable editor.

The vimtutor command operates by creating a temporary, writable copy of the tutorial file. Any changes made during the session are applied to this temporary copy and are not saved to the original tutorial file.
This ensures that the tutorial remains pristine for subsequent uses but also means that user progress or notes are not persistent across sessions.
Furthermore, vimtutor focuses solely on foundational Vim concepts; advanced features, plugins, or customization options are outside its scope.

vimtutor automatically creates a temporary, writable copy of the tutorial file in a user-specific temporary directory (e.g., /tmp). This allows users to freely edit and experiment with Vim commands without modifying the original tutorial content.
The temporary file is automatically deleted upon exiting vimtutor, ensuring a clean slate for future sessions.

Unlike static documentation, vimtutor is designed for hands-on, interactive learning. Users are prompted to perform specific actions directly within the editor window. The tutorial then checks if the action was performed correctly and provides the next set of instructions.
This immediate feedback loop is crucial for reinforcing learning and building muscle memory for Vim commands.

vimtutor supports multiple languages, allowing users to learn Vim in their native tongue. The availability of specific language versions depends on the Vim installation and the presence of corresponding language files (e.g., tutor.fr, tutor.de).
Users can specify their preferred language using the language argument when launching the command.

The vimtutor utility is distributed as an integral part of the Vim (Vi IMproved) text editor package. Vim itself was created by Bram Moolenaar and first publicly released in 1991, building upon the foundations of the traditional vi editor.
Recognizing that vi and by extension Vim, presented a steep learning curve for new users due to its modal editing paradigm, vimtutor was developed as an accessible, interactive, and self-contained learning tool.
Its inclusion alongside the editor made it easier for new adopters to grasp the fundamental concepts and commands, significantly contributing to Vim's widespread adoption and enduring popularity among developers and power users.

vim(1), vi(1), ex(1)