Buffers

Files in memory, navigated with :ls and :b.

Keys: :ls, :b, :bn, :bp, :bd

Vim loads each file into a buffer. :ls lists all buffers. :b switches to one by name or number. :bn / :bp step through them. :bd unloads a buffer.

Every file you open in Vim becomes a buffer — an in-memory copy. You may have ten buffers loaded but only one window showing one of them. Navigating buffers, not windows, is how you move between files.

List buffers
KeyNote
:
l
s
Enter
Switch to buffer matching {name}
KeyNote
:
b
{name}
Enter
Next buffer
KeyNote
:
b
n
Enter
Previous buffer
KeyNote
:
b
p
Enter
Delete buffer (unload from memory)
KeyNote
:
b
d
Enter
Switch to alternate (previous) buffer
KeyNote
{key:Ctrl-^}

Worked example — :ls and :b

Edit many files in one Vim session.

Step 1 ·
[missing screenshot windows.buffers/frame_01.color.svg — run python content/render_screenshots.py]
Step 2 · :ls · :ls — list of loaded buffers.
[missing screenshot windows.buffers/frame_02.color.svg — run python content/render_screenshots.py]
Step 3 · :blib · :b lib — switch to lib.py.
[missing screenshot windows.buffers/frame_03.color.svg — run python content/render_screenshots.py]

Watch

See also: Creating Splits, Tabs, Buffer vs Window vs Tab