Vim to replace Vi

In your .bashrc:

alias vi=vim

If you need the changes only for your id, and within a terminal session: alias vi to vim as suggested by AI.

If you want a system-wide change on your machine, soft-link to vim in /usr/local/bin:

sudo ln -s `which vim` /usr/local/bin/vi

Note: Programs can ignore any aliases on vi by running command vi or \vi instead of just vi.

If it is a Debian or Ubuntu system, and you want to make this change system wide, you should use update-alternatives (specify with the --config editor options, and you should be golden)

Some dists use vim:s old school mode where it behaves like vi.

check if your .vimrc contains

set nocompatible

I have been fooled by this a couple of times....