# Neovim Buffers, Windows, and Tabs

**Buffers** are files loaded in memory. **Windows** are views onto buffers (you can split windows). **Tabs** are collections of windows. Understanding the three is key to managing large projects.

## Buffers

`:e file` — open file in buffer (or create if new). `:enew` — new blank buffer. `:bn` — next buffer, `:bp` — previous buffer.

`:bd` — delete buffer (close file). `:bdelete` or `:bwipe` for variants. `:ls` or `:buffers` — list all open buffers.

```vim
:e newfile.txt       " open file
:enew                " new blank buffer
:bn                  " next buffer
:bp                  " previous buffer
:bd                  " close buffer
```

Buffers are independent of windows — closing a window doesn't close the buffer.

## Windows

`:split` — split window horizontally (same file). `:vsplit` — split vertically. `:new` — new buffer in horizontal split, `:vnew` — vertical.

`Ctrl+W` then navigation: `Ctrl+W h/j/k/l` — move to left/down/up/right window. `Ctrl+W w` — cycle through windows.

`Ctrl+W n` — new window below, `Ctrl+W v` — new window to right. `Ctrl+W c` — close window.

Resize: `Ctrl+W +` — increase height, `Ctrl+W -` — decrease, `Ctrl+W >` — increase width, `Ctrl+W <` — decrease.

```vim
:split          " split horizontal
:vsplit         " split vertical
Ctrl+W h        " move to left window
Ctrl+W j        " move to below window
Ctrl+W +        " increase window height
Ctrl+W =        " equalize all windows
```

## Tabs

`:tabnew` — new tab (empty buffer). `:tabnew file` — new tab with file. `gt` — next tab, `gT` — previous tab.

`:tabclose` — close current tab, `:tabnext N` — jump to tab N (numbered from 1).

Tabs are useful for organizing unrelated work (one tab for editing, one for running commands).

```vim
:tabnew          " new tab
gt               " next tab
gT               " previous tab
:tabnext 2       " jump to tab 2
```

## Workflow patterns

**Multiple files**: `:e file1`, `:e file2`, then `:bn`/`:bp` to switch. Or `:split file2` to view side-by-side.

**Exploring directory**: `:Explore` or `:Ex` opens file browser (Netrw). Navigate and press `Enter` to open.

**Search across files**: `:grep pattern` searches files in project (requires ripgrep/grep installed). Then `:copen` to see results, `:cn` to next result.

`:args *.py` loads matching files into arg list, `:argdo %s/old/new/g` applies command to all.

```vim
:split file2         " view two files
:vsplit              " vertical split of current
:Explore             " file browser
:grep TODO *.py      " search for TODO
:copen               " show results
```

The more files you work with, the more valuable buffers/windows/tabs become. Start with `:e` for simple cases, graduate to splits for comparison, tabs for organizing distinct tasks.