This Vim plugin allows you to search forwards or backwards text objects rather than requiring that you be inside them. It is based on a function from Steve Losh's vimrc, with some modifications.

The plugin by default uses the letters 'n', 'l' and maps and . This can be configured.

Works for the following text objects: (, [, {, ', "

In conjunction with operators, allows to make commands as:

• din( -> delete inside next pair of bracket
• dil} -> delete inside previous pair of brackets
• dal" -> delete around previous string

• Operate in next/previous text object

    Original text ('|' represents cursor position in normal mode):
  
        |foo = bar('span')
  
    Input keys:
  
        foo = bar
  
    Result:
  
        foo = bar('|')
  

• Select around previously used object

    Original text (after using 'in{' text objec text objectt):
  
        fun1()
        {
            # text
        }
        |
        fun2()
        {
            # text
        }
  
    Input key 1:
  
        <C-h>
  
    Result 1 (▒ means start and end of selection):
  
        fun1()
        {▒
            # text
        ▒}
  
        fun2()
        {
            # text
        }
  
    Input key 2:
  
        <C-l>
  
    Result 2;
  
        fun1()
        {
            # text
        }
  
        fun2()
        {▒
            # text
        ▒}
  

Download repository and copy every in the corresponding folders or just use a plugin manager as:

Vundle: Add to your .vimrc:

Plugin 'saulaxel/vim-next-object'

Plug: Add to your .vimrc:

Plug 'saulaxel/vim-next-object'

• Change next/previous shortcuts

   let g:next_object_next_letter = 'n'
  
   let g:next_object_prev_letter = 'p'
  

• Change shortcuts for selecting previously used objects

   let g:next_object_select_next = "<C-l>"
  
   let g:next_object_select_prev = "<C-h>"
  

• Let the functions wrap the file

   let g:next_object_wrap_file = 1