VIM - Saving a file as root

Forgot to edit a file as sudo user?

Want to overwrite a file without quitting.

:w !sudo tee %

• :w - write a file.
• !sudo - Call shell with sudo command,
• tee - The output of write command redirected using tee.
• % - The % is nothing but current filename.

tee command is run as root and it takes standard input (or the buffer) and writes it to a file represented by %.

This will prompt to reload the file again - hit L to load changes within vi itself.

Append to ~./.vimrc file:

~./vimrc

command W :execute ':silent w !sudo tee % > /dev/null' | :edit!

Save and close the file.

Test, by opening a priviledged file without using sudo. Example:

vi /etc/hosts

Edit the file, and write as a privileged file with custom command, just type:

w:

sudo will require that you authenticate yourself, so enter your password when prompted.