How to Editing text files on Linux (nano, vim, gedit)

Install the Editors

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y nano vim gedit

# CentOS/AlmaLinux
sudo dnf install -y nano vim gedit

Note: gedit is a graphical editor (needs a desktop). On servers use nano or vim.

nano (Beginner-Friendly)

# open a file (create if missing)
nano /etc/hosts

# open as root (system files)
sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Common nano Shortcuts

• Ctrl+O — Write (save)
• Ctrl+X — Exit
• Ctrl+W — Search
• Alt+R — Replace
• Ctrl+K — Cut line, Ctrl+U — Paste
• Alt+G — Go to line

Enable line numbers permanently by adding to ~/.nanorc:

set linenumbers
set tabsize 2
set smooth

vim (Powerful & Modal)

vim ~/.bashrc
sudo vim /etc/fstab

Two Modes

• Normal — navigate and run commands.
• Insert — type text (i to enter, Esc to leave).

Essential vim Commands

:w           " save
:q           " quit
:wq          " save and quit
:q!          " quit without saving
u            " undo
Ctrl+r       " redo
/word        " search forward
n / N        " next / previous match
gg / G       " go to top / bottom
yy / p       " copy (yank) line / paste

Start with a friendlier config:

echo -e "set number\nset ignorecase smartcase\nsyntax on" >> ~/.vimrc

gedit (Graphical Editor)

gedit mynotes.txt &            # open in background
pkexec gedit /etc/default/grub   # open system file with GUI admin prompt

Use Find (Ctrl+F), Replace (Ctrl+H), and enable line numbers in Preferences → View.

Search & Replace Examples

nano

Ctrl+W, type the term, press Enter.
Alt+R to replace, enter old → new.

vim

:%s/old/new/g        " replace in whole file
:%s/old/new/gc       " confirm each match

Best Practices

• Create a quick backup before editing system files:

  sudo cp /etc/ssh/sshd_config{,.bak}

• Validate syntax after edits (e.g., SSH):

  sudo sshd -t && echo "OK"

• Use sudo -e /path/file to edit with your default editor safely.
• Set your default terminal editor:

  sudo update-alternatives --config editor   # Debian/Ubuntu
  sudo update-alternatives --config editor   # (present on many RHEL-based systems too)