> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.opus-host.de/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Nano Editor Cheatsheet: Save, Exit, Search, and Copy

> The essential keyboard shortcuts for GNU nano — open a file, save changes, exit, search, and copy text on your Opus Host VPS.

Nano is the beginner-friendly text editor on your VPS. If you can only remember two shortcuts, remember `Ctrl+O` (save) and `Ctrl+X` (exit).

In nano's help bar, `^` means the **Ctrl** key and `M-` means the **Alt** (meta) key.

## Open a file

```bash theme={null}
nano /etc/nginx/nginx.conf
sudo nano /etc/nginx/nginx.conf   # for files that need root
```

## The essential shortcuts

| Shortcut | What it does                                           |
| -------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| `Ctrl+O` | Save ("WriteOut"). Press Enter to confirm the filename |
| `Ctrl+X` | Exit. Prompts to save if there are unsaved changes     |
| `Ctrl+K` | Cut the current line                                   |
| `Ctrl+U` | Paste ("Uncut") the last cut line                      |
| `Ctrl+W` | Search ("Where is")                                    |
| `Ctrl+\` | Search and replace                                     |
| `Ctrl+G` | Open help                                              |

## Navigation

| Shortcut   | What it does              |
| ---------- | ------------------------- |
| Arrow keys | Move the cursor           |
| `Ctrl+A`   | Jump to beginning of line |
| `Ctrl+E`   | Jump to end of line       |
| `Ctrl+Y`   | Page up                   |
| `Ctrl+V`   | Page down                 |
| `Ctrl+_`   | Go to line number         |

## Selecting and copying

1. Move the cursor to the start of the selection.
2. Press `Ctrl+^` (or `Alt+A`) to mark the start.
3. Move the cursor to the end of the selection.
4. Press `Alt+6` to copy, or `Ctrl+K` to cut.
5. Move to where you want to paste, press `Ctrl+U`.

## Undo and redo

| Shortcut | What it does |
| -------- | ------------ |
| `Alt+U`  | Undo         |
| `Alt+E`  | Redo         |

## Common workflows

### Save and exit

1. `Ctrl+O`
2. Enter (to confirm filename)
3. `Ctrl+X`

Or just `Ctrl+X`, then `Y`, then Enter. Nano will prompt to save on the way out.

### Exit without saving

1. `Ctrl+X`
2. `N` (do not save)

### Search for text

1. `Ctrl+W`
2. Type the search string, press Enter.
3. `Alt+W` finds the next match.

### Find and replace

1. `Ctrl+\`
2. Type the search string, press Enter.
3. Type the replacement, press Enter.
4. `Y` for each match to replace, `A` to replace all.

<Tip>
  If you paste into nano from your local clipboard and see indentation exploding, run `Alt+I` to disable auto-indent, then paste again.
</Tip>