When first opened, Vim starts in which mode?

Vim, a highly configurable text editor, initially opens in command mode. In this mode, users can execute a range of commands that allow them to manipulate text and navigate through the document. When in command mode, keystrokes correspond to various operations rather than inserting text; for example, pressing "d" followed by "d" deletes a line, and using the arrow keys moves the cursor.

This design allows users to perform complex tasks efficiently since many commands can be combined in command mode without needing to exit the mode to make basic edits. Once the user wants to start entering text into the document, they must switch to insert mode by pressing "i" or several other designated keys.

The other modes, such as insert mode, visual mode, and extended mode, serve different purposes. Insert mode is where users can add or edit text, visual mode is for selecting and manipulating text visually, and extended mode is not a standard mode within Vim—there is no specific mode referred to as extended mode in the context of standard Vim usage. Understanding these modes and their purposes is crucial for efficiently using Vim.