Operating Modes

There are two modes in which you use vi.

Command mode

This is the mode you are in whenever you begin to use vi. In this mode commands are used to move around and edit text objects such as words, sentences and paragraphs.

Pressing the ESC key returns you to command mode.

Insert mode

This is the mode you use to type (insert) text into a buffer. There are several commands that you can use to enter this mode.