Vim cursor shape depending on current mode

Question

I currently use MacVim for a lot of my editor needs but occasionally I need to edit files remotely over SSH. In MacVim the shape of the cursor varies depending on your current mode, i.e.
command mode -> block cursor and insert mode -> vertical bar cursor, which I find very helpful.

Is there a way to replicate this behavior in a .vimrc file, so that it can be used remotely?

Have you played with the `gcr` (aka `guicursor` setting)? – Josef Pfleger Aug 04 '09 at 20:20 — Josef Pfleger, Aug 04 '09 at 20:20
@Josef, can you tell me more about `gcr`? How to set it? – Freewind Jun 29 '10 at 10:50 — Freewind, Jun 29 '10 at 10:50

score 9 · Answer 1 · edited Jun 11 '12 at 16:59

9

Try :help termcap-cursor-shape. There are two options there you can set:

&t_SI - Shape when you enter insert mode.
&t_EI - Shape when you exit insert mode.

In order for this to work, the Vim you are using must have been compiled with +cursorshape feature.

I personally always use gvim, so this was never a problem :). Hope this helps.

edited Jun 11 '12 at 16:59

Teun Zengerink

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answered Aug 04 '09 at 20:56

Vamshi Kadaru

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Unfortunately gVim isn't installed on the server I'm accessing. I did a little searching and it looks like the cursor shape can't be changed in regular Vim. Oh well. – Aug 04 '09 at 21:41
@David, as of Vim 7.3 you can change the cursor in regular vim too. See http://stackoverflow.com/questions/6488683/how-do-i-change-the-vim-cursor-in-insert-normal-mode/6488717#6488717 – Natan Yellin Aug 26 '11 at 15:24

Vim cursor shape depending on current mode

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