vi_reference.txt -- vi quick reference
=======================================
( two commands seperated by | are synonymous, numbers in commands are examples and may be replaced appropriately )

  [ change modes ]                                         |   [ save, exit ]
                                                           |
ESC       leave edit mode, enter command mode              |
                                                           |
type one of the following commands to enter edit mode :    |
                                                           |
a           append new text, after cursor                  |    :w               write file
i           insert new text, before cursor                 |    :w filename      write file to filename
o           open line below cursor line, start editing     |    :q               quit
O           open line at cursor position, start editing    |    :q!              quit & discard changes
                                                           |
-----------------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------
                                                           |
  [ copy text ]                                            |    [ delete text ]
                                                           |
yy | Y      copy line cursor is on                         |     dd | D     delete cursor line
13Y         copy next 13 lines                             |     3dd        delete next 3 lines
p           append line(s) after cursor line               |     x          delete character under cursor
                                                           |
                                                           |
-----------------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------
                                                           |
  [ find text ]                                            |     [ various ]
                                                           |
/foo      find next string "foo"                           |     22G        move to line 22
?bar      find previous string "bar"                       |     u          undo _last_ action
n         jump to next match of last find command          |
                                                           |
                                                           |

some hints :

- vi(1) has a command mode and an edit mode. after starting it, you're in command mode and may
  type i to enter edit mode. you cannot issue commands in edit mode. press ESC to enter command mode again.

- just press ESC multiple times if you did weird things and got lost


(taken from the vi(1) manpage of OpenBSD 3.4)