First of all there are 2 modes. Insert and Command . By default one is in the command mode.
i : to move to insert mode
esc : to move out from insert modeFollowing is a set of commands I use in a regular basis.
a : append : start after cursor
i : insert : start before cursor
w : move forward word by word
b : move backwars word by word
ctrl+F : scroll forward 1 screen
ctrl+B : scroll backward 1 screen
ctrl+D : scroll forward 1/2 screen
ctrl+U : scroll backward 1/2 screen
ctrl+E : scroll forward 1 line
ctrl+Y : scroll backward 1 line
ctrl+H : move to top line
ctrl+M : move to middle line
ctrl+L : move to last line
/ : search for pattern : forward from cursor
? : search for pattern : backwards from cursor
f,F : search inline forward,backward
t,T : move cursor to occurance of the character forwar,backward
; , , : repear last find command forward and backward
ctrl+G : print line info
G : move the cursor by line numberctrl+L : Redraw the screen : Remember the screen in just a buffer of texts
Configuring vi :
set nu : show line numbers
set nowrapscan : search does not wrap TOP or BOTTOMHappy editing.