Working in vim, when I add a new class or function and I need to import it while in the middle of a file, I’d instinctively hit gg to jump to the top of the file, add the import, then think... wait, how do I get back to where I was again?

Most of the time, I just move the cursor over the new import and hit * to go to the next occurence or /search for the function or class name I just imported. These always felt like I am doing more than 2 steps just to go back.

Other times (when I feel like being smart), I use marks.

I would mark my spot before jumping away:

ma     " mark current line as 'a'
gg     " go to top of file
'a     " return to mark a

It works great but I’d already be at the top of the file when I remember it. No marks to go back to

90% of the time I just hit / and go search for the new imported thing or a text I know exists in the section I was working at before. This works but it always felt like it was a workaround... that's until I discovered

Ctrl+o

This command makes vim navigation 10x easier! It feels natural and intuitive.

Here’s how I work now:

1. gg to jump to top, add the import
   
2. CTRL + o to jump back to where I was
   

I am already there when I think about it going back

Even better? It works across files and buffers — as long as I stay in the same window!

So I can:

1. Open up search in a new buffer
2. Load the file that comes up in search in the original buffer
3. Scan through what I need
4. Ctrl + o and I'm back to my previous file/buffer :)

Notes:

CTRL + o: jump backward in the jump list

CTRL + i: jump forward in the jump list

Vim automatically tracks cursor movements in what's called the jump list.

TLDR: If you're not already using CTRL + o in Vim/Neovim, then go head and try it now!