App-Wide Search-Replace in Vim

1. In command-line mode, load all desired files into your argument list (arglist)

:args `git grep -l <string>`

where <string> is the string you want to replace.

1. Run a global search-replace across all the files in your arglist

:argdo %s/<string>/<replacement>/gce | update

Note:

• Search-replace flags:

  • g[lobal]: replace all matches
  • c[onfirm]: ask for confirmation before replacing
  • e[rror]: don't halt operation at errors

• update saves each file after the replacement is made.

• The search-replace will only apply to files checked into your git history. Be sure to commit the files you want searched before attempting this.