Vim netrw - Explore when modified without split

Question

I've opened a file and modified it - now I want to do :Explore without splitting.

It splits - because I have an unsaved buffer. By default this is nice, becasuse Vim generally doesn't allow to switch files, until you do something with the modified buffer (save or discard changes).

But I have set hidden option, so I can jump from buffer to buffer, switch files and everything - and save or not when I feel I want to. It seems Netrw doesn't follow this policy. How could I help it?

One way I know of is to map netrw explore to save & explore, but I'm not sure if autowriting is a good way of doing things... I am actually using other autowriting settings now, but I was just rethinking to maybe get rid of them.

If I were you I would file a change request. This seems like something that should be supported by netrw. Try [vim_use](http://groups.google.com/group/vim_use), the netrw author is active there and will likely respond. — glts, Jul 02 '13 at 20:03

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 03 '13 at 10:56

3

So here is the function, that does just that:

function! ExploreWithHidden()
    let s:cw = getcwd()
    lcd %:p:h
    enew
    Explore
    cd `=s:cw`
endfunction

Seems to work like expected.

answered Jul 03 '13 at 10:56

Luigi

866
13
34

FDinoff · Answer 2 · 2013-07-02T20:28:12.303

1

You could use :Texplore instead. This is the same as explore except in a new tab (and will have no splits).

:h Texplore

Another thing you could do is use :lcd %:p:h to change the current working directory to the directory of the file. Then use :enew to create another buffer then open explore. (Make sure hidden is on if the buffer is modified)

:command! BExplore :lcd %:p:h | enew | Explore

To run the command use :BExplore.

The old buffer will be sitting in the background and the explore window is pointing at the directory the file was in.

edited Jul 02 '13 at 20:28

answered Jul 02 '13 at 17:05

FDinoff

30,689
5
75
96

Thx for answer, but I aim for opening in same window. – Luigi Jul 02 '13 at 19:49
The thing about `Explore` is that it opens netrw pointed at directory current file exists in. Creating a new buffer and doing `Explore` opens it pointing at current working directory. Same result as doing `:e.`. I was thkining however about something along these lines - like doing a split and closing previous window, but I don't know how to 'close previous window'. – Luigi Jul 02 '13 at 20:20
Very close fit, thank you. I think I have to make it a function, to store cwd in a var, and after doing `Explore` bring it back. Or maybe there is a trickier way of doing that? – Luigi Jul 02 '13 at 20:32
@Luigi you might be able to do something with `:cd -` but I'm not sure – FDinoff Jul 02 '13 at 20:43

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Nov 29 '14 at 01:13

1

You could just upgrade your netrw -- its up to v153s at http://www.drchip.org/astronaut/vim/index.html#NETRW, and it does avoid the split if the modified buffer is hidden.

answered Nov 29 '14 at 01:13

user21497

1,061
8
9

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Nov 27 '14 at 19:12

tpope's vim-vinegar operates like this. It maps - to Explore the current file's directory. (That's the same key netrw uses to go up one directory.) It uses the current window instead of splitting.

When the current file is modified:

If you have 'hidden' set, it will not split and Explore from the current window.
If you do not have 'hidden' set, it will issue an error and do nothing.

Vim netrw - Explore when modified without split

4 Answers4