More ways into insert mode
i isn’t the only door. Helix gives you a small family of insert commands,
each answering “where should the text go?”:
i — insert before the cursor, a — append after ito — open a new line below the cursor and insert thereI and A — insert at the first / last character of the lineO — open a new line above the cursor
Same family, different landing spots — and every one of them ends the same
way: Escape back to normal mode.
You don’t need to memorize all six now. i, a, and o cover most of your
typing; the capitals will sink in on their own. Try the checklist below.
1 2 3 4
Append after the cursor with a From normal mode, the cursor steps past its character and INS lights up the moment you press a.
Come back to normal mode You know this one — watch NOR return as you press Escape.
Open a new line below with o Helix adds a fresh line under the cursor and drops you straight into insert mode when you press o.
Escape home one more time That round trip is the core habit of modal editing — finish it by heading home to NOR with Escape.
Next: Come back to normal mode
Next: Open a new line below with o
Next: Escape home one more time
Last one — goal check runs when it's done
Nice work!
That was the last lesson — you've finished the course.