Vi mode: add 's' (substitute) command
Resolved 💬 3 comments Opened Mar 29, 2026 by vbhavsar Closed May 29, 2026
Summary
Vi mode is missing the s command (substitute - delete character under cursor and enter insert mode). This is a commonly used vi command, essentially equivalent to cl or xi.
Current state
Vi mode has been steadily gaining commands across releases:
- Basic motions and operators (
c,d,w,b,e, etc.) f/F/t/Twith;and,repeaty/yy/Y,p/P(yank/paste)- Text objects (
iw,aw,i",a", etc.) >>,<<(indent/dedent),J(join lines)u(undo)
The s command is not currently supported. Neither is S (substitute entire line, equivalent to cc).
Expected behavior
sin normal mode: delete character under cursor and enter insert modeSin normal mode: delete entire line contents and enter insert mode (same ascc)- Both should support count prefixes (e.g.,
3sdeletes 3 characters and enters insert mode)
Why
s is muscle memory for many vim users - it's one of the most common single-char editing commands. Its absence breaks flow when editing prompts.
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