vim_use_netrw_as_a_file_tree_sidebar.md

It is possible to use Vim's built-in file explorer netrw like the sidebar file explorer we find in many IDEs. We just need to remember the required keystrokes: first v and then P. Here is a full walkthrough.

Quick introduction

Open Vim's file explorer on a folder:

$ vim ./project

Or if you already have Vim open:

:e ./project

You can switch netrw to tree list view if you like:

iii

Move down to a file you want to open and open it in a vertical split:

v

Now you probably want the file list on the left and the editor on the right, so swap the windows (panes):

CTRL-W x

You can change focus between windows using:

CTRL-W [arrow_key]
  or
CTRL-W h/j/k/l

You can set the width of the current window with:

120 CTRL-W |

Now focus back on the netrw explorer.

If you want to open another file, v would create another split, giving you three windows (panes). That's probably not what you want.

If you opened a third pane by accident, you could use CTRL-W c to close the currently focused pane.

Now let's do it the right way. To open another file but re-use the same window, hover over the file and hit:

P

This instructs Vim to open the file in the "previously focused" window.

If you ever accidentally hit Enter to try to open a file, the file explorer will disappear and the pane will become an editor pane! But you can easily get the file explorer back by hitting Vim's "back button":

CTRL-O

If you want to be able to open multiple files without the edits being saved, you will need:

:set hidden

Change the top folder of the tree view

Focus over the folder you want to be the root of the tree, and type:

:Ntree

Configuration

I use the following defaults in my .vimrc for convenience:

" When netrw opens, default to the tree view mode

let g:netrw_liststyle = 3

" Make `v` open the file on the right rather than the left

let g:netrw_altv = 1

" Make the split use more space for the editor than for the tree

let g:netrw_winsize = 80

You could also use these configurations but I don't recommend it because they will not help you remember how to use default vim!

" When first opening the preview/previous window, use a vertical split

let g:netrw_preview = 1

" When hitting Enter, open the file in the previous window instead of the current window (or 2 to always split)

let g:netrw_browse_split = 4

I think it's better to train muscle memory to use v and P so when faced with an unconfigured Vim, we can easily operate it.

(I do not train muscle memory for the configuration mentioned earlier because I already know those operations well enough that I will not forget them.)

(Note that the MiniBufExplorer plugin seems to mess up the behaviour the above settings anyway.)

Moving files in netrw

If you want to move some files to a different folder, first mark each file with:

mf

Then focus your cursor on the target folder, and move the marked files with:

mm

Editing in fullscreen

If you hit <Enter> in netrw to open a file instead of v then the file will open in the current window, without splitting. To get back to netrw you can:

:Ex to open netrw "explorer" in the current window
:Vex to open netrw in a sidebar (vertical split)
:Sex to open netrw at the top of the screen (horizontal split)