# Neovim Operators and Motions

**The operator-motion paradigm** is central to Vim/Neovim efficiency. An operator is a verb (what to do), and a motion is the subject (where to do it). Combine them: `operator + motion = command`.

## Operators

`d` — delete, `y` — yank (copy), `c` — change (delete and insert), `v` — visual (select), `>` — indent right, `<` — indent left.

Each operator can be doubled to act on the line: `dd`, `yy`, `cc`, `>>`, `<<`.

Operators also work with text objects:

```vim
dw          " delete word
y2e         " yank to end of next word
c3j         " change next 3 lines
>ip         " indent paragraph
```

## Text objects

Text objects describe structural chunks of text, independent of cursor position. They work with operators.

**Motions**: `w` (word), `s` (sentence), `p` (paragraph).

**Brackets**: `()`, `[]`, `{}`, `<>` — jump to or select between them. `di(` deletes inside parens. `da(` deletes including parens (delete-around).

**Pairs**: `i'` (inside quotes), `a'` (including quotes), `i"`, `a"`, `` i` ``, `` a` ``.

**Inside vs around**: `i` for inside (not including delimiters), `a` for around (including delimiters).

```vim
di(          " delete inside parens
ca"new"      " change "string" → new"
yip          " yank inside paragraph
dit          " delete inside tags
```

## Useful combinations

`d2w` — delete 2 words. `y$` — yank to end of line. `c0` — change from start of line.

`di{` — delete contents of braces (useful in code). `c2i)` — change twice-nested parens.

`>5j` — indent next 5 lines. `<` for un-indent.

Visual mode + operators: select text with `v`, then press operator. Often simpler for complex selections.

```vim
" Common patterns
ci"hello"    " change inside quotes → hello"
d3w          " delete 3 words
>G           " indent rest of file
yt;          " yank until semicolon
```

**Counts**: prefix with numbers. `5dd` or `d5d` both delete 5 lines. Works with motions: `5w` moves 5 words, `d5w` deletes 5 words.

**Marks**: `:mark a` (or `ma`) sets mark, `` ` a`` jumps to mark. Marks are persistent (`:marks` lists them).