3 min read 794 words Updated Mar 16, 2026 Created Mar 16, 2026

Inline Editing

Inline Editing is Dwight's core interaction model. Select code (or let treesitter pick the scope), choose a mode like /refactor or /test, and the AI edits your buffer in place. No context switching, no copy-pasting.

How It Works

Select code — visual selection, or just place your cursor inside a function (treesitter auto-selects the enclosing scope).
Invoke — :DwightInvoke opens a prompt buffer. Type your instruction and reference skills with @skill-name, libraries with %lib-name, or features with $feature-name.
AI generates — Dwight sends the selection, LSP context (types, diagnostics, references), and your instruction to the AI.
Review — if diff_preview = true, a side-by-side diff opens before applying. Otherwise changes are applied directly.
Undo — standard u for single-file changes, :DwightMultiUndo for multi-file edits.

" Visual select a function, then invoke
:'<,'>DwightInvoke

" Or use a mode directly
:'<,'>DwightMode refactor

Modes

Modes are pre-built instructions for common tasks. Each mode constrains the AI's scope so it stays focused.

Code Modes

Mode	Description
`document`	Add idiomatic doc comments (JSDoc, docstrings, godoc, EmmyLua)
`refactor`	Improve structure and readability, preserve behavior
`optimize`	Performance optimization, prefer algorithmic improvements
`fix`	Fix bugs and broken logic
`security`	Audit and harden: input validation, injection prevention, secrets
`test`	Generate tests using the project's framework
`stub`	Generate function signatures and type stubs (multi-file)
`code`	Implement stubs, TODOs, and incomplete code (multi-file)
`lint`	AI-powered linting with severity and line numbers
`macro`	Generate Neovim commands and macros
`explain`	Add explanatory comments without modifying code

Prose Modes

Mode	Description
`brainstorm`	Generate ideas and approaches from selected text
`plan`	Create a structured implementation plan with `@dwight:action` steps
`refine`	Improve clarity, fix grammar, make text more actionable
`docs`	Generate user-facing or developer documentation

Custom Modes

You can register project-specific modes in setup(). See Configuration for details.

Multi-File Output

Modes marked as multi-file (stub, code) can create, edit, or delete multiple files in one operation. The AI outputs changes in a structured XML format:

<changes>
<file path="src/auth.ts" action="create">
...file content...
</file>
<file path="src/handler.ts" action="edit" lines="15-30">
...replacement...
</file>
</changes>

Use :DwightMultiUndo to revert all files from a multi-file operation at once.

Dot-Repeat

After any inline operation, :DwightRepeat replays the same mode and instruction on a new selection. Select different code, run :DwightRepeat, and the last operation is applied to the new scope.

:'<,'>DwightMode refactor    " Refactor first function
" Select another function
:'<,'>DwightRepeat            " Same refactor on the new selection

Prompt Buffer Syntax

The prompt buffer opened by :DwightInvoke supports special tokens:

Token	Example	Resolves To
`@name`	`@go-api-design`	Skill from `.dwight/skills/`
`%name`	`%htmx`	Library reference from `.dwight/libs/`
`$name`	`$auth`	Feature context (files, signatures)
`!model`	`!opus`	Override the model for this call
`/mode`	`/refactor`	Apply a built-in mode

Tips

Let treesitter pick the scope. In normal mode, :DwightInvoke auto-selects the enclosing function/class. No need to visually select unless you want a specific range.
Use /lint before /fix. Lint gives you a diagnostic overview; fix acts on it. Running lint first lets you decide which issues are worth fixing.
Combine modes with skills. /refactor @go-api-design applies your project's conventions during the refactor instead of generic rules.
Enable diff preview for destructive modes. Set diff_preview = true in config, or toggle at runtime with :DwightDiffToggle.

Commands

Command	Args	Description
`:DwightInvoke`		Open prompt buffer for current selection or treesitter scope
`:DwightMode`	`<mode>`	Apply a mode directly (tab-complete available)
`:DwightRepeat`		Replay last operation on current selection
`:DwightMultiUndo`		Undo last multi-file change set
`:DwightCancel`	`[all]`	Cancel nearest active job, or all jobs
`:DwightDiffToggle`		Toggle diff preview before applying
`:DwightStreamToggle`		Toggle streaming output
`:DwightLintClear`		Clear dwight lint diagnostics from buffer