---
date: 2025-03-21
tags:
  - Vim
  - Learning
---
#Vim #Learning
# What is code folding?
Code folding is when you can take several lines of code and collapse them.
Folding is super useful for situations where code takes up space when you
do not need to see it for your current editing. Common cases are things
like function definitions, for loops, or large tables.

# How does Vim handle folding?
## Folding Modes

Vim has several folding modes:
1. `manual` - you pick where folds go
2. `indent` - fold by indented blocks
3. `syntax` - fold by semantic markers in code
4. `expr`   - fold by user expression
5. `marker` - fold based on [[Markers]] that are placed by a user
6. `diff`   - used to fold unchanged text when using [[Views]] 

For the most part, I'm just going to use manual mode. I know enough of the
motions that I can get around easier, and plus since I write in a variety 
of languages things like indent or syntax might not be sufficient or 
expressive enough.

## Creating and Deleting Folds
To create a fold, use `zf{motion}`, where, you guessed it, you can use
just about any of the [[Motions]] you like.

Folds can also be created using Visual mode. Select the text, then `zf`.

`zd` deletes folds

`zD` deletes folds recursively. So if you have folds within folds, it will
delete those too. If used in visual mode, it will delete all the folds
in the window.

`zE` will eliminate all folds in the current window.

## Opening and Closing Folds
There are three main commands: `za`, `zc`, and `zo`. `zc` and `zo` 
close and open folds respectively, and have a recursive cousin using 
a capital letter instead of the lower case letter. `za` is different:
it is a toggle between open and closed. Recursively, it may be less useful
if there is a mixing of open and closed nested folds. `zA` will switch the
the folded status of all of them based on the parent fold (I think.)