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Editor Mastery Challenge

Purpose: Move from "I can open Vim" to "I can actually use it for work"
Time Required: 60-90 minutes
Output: One log of editing drills plus one real config or code edit

Required Setup​

  • Vim, Vim emulation, or an accessible editor with equivalent search/edit/undo/save operations
  • One sample file for drills
  • A disposable README or copied text file; personal startup configuration is unnecessary

Stage 1: Mandatory Basics​

Complete vimtutor or equivalent beginner tutorial. Do not skip this step.

Stage 2: Repetition Drills​

On a sample file, repeat these until smooth:

  1. Search for a word and jump between matches
  2. Change one word with cw
  3. Delete one word with dw
  4. Delete one line with dd
  5. Undo and redo
  6. Save and quit

Stage 3: Replace and Refactor​

Practice one global change:

:%s/old/new/g

Then explain:

  • why % matters
  • why g matters

Stage 4: Real Edit​

Make one genuine edit in:

  • a shell config file
  • a README
  • a small source file

The edit must include search, navigation, change, and save.

Completion Standard​

  • vimtutor or an equivalent beginner editor tutorial complete; explain Vim mode distinctions for the quiz
  • Search, change, save, and quit feel reliable
  • One real file edited successfully
  • At least one awkward sequence repeated until it improved