TL;DR – choosing Nano, Vim or Vi
- Nano: Best when clarity beats cleverness and you just need to edit the file safely.
- Vim: Best when you edit constantly and want speed, navigation and repeatability.
- Vi: Treat it as the emergency fallback editor that may still be present when almost nothing else is.
- The context matters: The right answer changes if you are on a rescue shell, a production host or your own daily driver.
Start here: If you only need line numbers, go straight to How to display Line Numbers in Nano, Vi and VIM. If you want the bigger editor trade-off, this is the practical version.
| Editor | Best for | Command or setting |
|---|---|---|
| Nano | Quick safe edits | nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config |
| Vim | Frequent shell editing | vim /etc/fstab |
| Vi | Minimal systems and rescue mode | vi /etc/hosts |
| Line numbers | Debugging and config review | :set number or set linenumbers |
Most editor arguments online are culture-war arguments dressed up as productivity advice. Real Linux admin work is simpler. You need the editor that lets you change the right file quickly, safely and with the least cognitive overhead for the moment you are in.
Nano wins when the safest path is the clearest path
Nano is the tool I would rather hand to someone who is new to Linux, tired, or making a change that really must not go sideways. The shortcuts are visible. The editing model is obvious. The chance of getting trapped in command mode is zero.
Vim wins when you live in the shell
Vim starts paying you back when editing is a daily activity rather than a rare interruption. Navigation, search, repeat changes and file movement get faster, and that compounds over time.
Vi matters because stripped-down systems still exist
Vi is not the editor most people should choose as their comfort editor. It matters because on minimal systems, rescue shells and awkward environments, it may be the only serious option present. That alone makes basic competence valuable.
The decision framework I actually use
- Use Nano when the edit is rare, the stakes are high, or the operator is new.
- Use Vim when the box is familiar and speed genuinely matters.
- Use Vi when that is what the environment gives you and you need to adapt.
- Keep line numbers enabled whenever the job involves logs, stack traces or config review.
If you want the tactical line-number commands again, How to display Line Numbers in Nano, Vi and VIM covers them directly. If you want the older comparison page, Vi, Nano and Vim: Which Linux Text Editor Is Best? is still worth a read.