*vifm-plugin.txt*    For Vifm version 0.14.4  Last change: 2026 May 31

 Email for bugs and suggestions: <xaizek@posteo.net>

Using the vifm.vim plugin~

vifm-plugin for using vifm in Vim as a file selector.

Commands:

                                               *vifm-:EditVifm*
  :EditVifm   select a file or files to open in the current buffer.
                                               *vifm-:Vifm*
  :Vifm       alias for :EditVifm.
                                               *vifm-:PeditVifm*
  :PeditVifm  select a file in preview window.
                                               *vifm-:SplitVifm*
  :SplitVifm  split buffer and select a file or files to open.
                                               *vifm-:VsplitVifm*
  :VsplitVifm vertically split buffer and select a file or files to open.
                                               *vifm-:DiffVifm*
  :DiffVifm   select a file or files to compare to the current file with
              :vert diffsplit.
                                               *vifm-:TabVifm*
  :TabVifm    select a file or files to open in tabs.

                                               *vifm-:VifmCs*
  :VifmCs     "converts" specified color schemes or the current one to be
              used by Vifm.  Color scheme files are created in current
              directory.  Created file will differ depending on the
              environment in which the command is run.  Running it in a
              terminal with 256-color palette, you get a 256-color color
              scheme.  Running it in a terminal with 24-bit colors or in GUI,
              you get a 24-bit color scheme.  Don't expect great results,
              think of it as a way of generating boilerplate.

Each command accepts up to two arguments: left pane directory and right pane
directory.  After arguments are checked, vifm process is spawned in a special
"file-picker" mode.  To pick files just open them either by pressing l, i or
Enter keys, or by running :edit command.  If no files are selected, file
under the cursor is opened, otherwise whole selection is passed to the plugin
and opened in Vim.

Once vifm is opened additional commands that correspond to commands listed
above become available:
  :EditVim
  :PeditVim
  :VsplitVim
  :SplitVim
  :DiffVim
  :TabVim
Their meaning is the same as the meaning of *Vifm, but these commands overrule
their *Vifm command used to start vifm.  *Vifm basically provide default,
which can be overwritten right on file open.

Installing and disabling~

To use the plugin copy the vifm.vim file to either the system wide vim/plugin
directory or into ~/.vim/plugin.

If you would prefer not to use the plugin and it is in the system wide plugin
directory add >

 let loaded_vifm=1

to your ~/.vimrc file.

Configuration variables~

                                               *g:vifm_exec*
A string variable.  Equals "vifm" by default and specifies path to vifm's
executable.

                                               *g:vifm_exec_args*
A string variable that specifies arguments for vifm.  Empty by default.
E.g. to start with a single window, instead of two windows: >

 let vifm_exec_args='-c only'

                                               *g:vifm_term*
A string variable that specifies command to run GUI terminal.
By default it's equal to 'xterm -e'.

                                               *g:vifm_embed_term*
A boolean variable.  When evaluates to true and it's possible to create a
terminal buffer, it will be used.  Enabled by default inside GUI version.
Effectively always enabled in neovim.

                                               *g:vifm_embed_split*
A boolean variable.  When evaluates to true and Vifm is embedded in a
terminal, it will be run inside a new split.  This allows commands to support
Vim's |<mod>| and a |<count>| for controlling the orientation and size of the
split, making it possible to run a command inside of Vim such as:
  - `:vertical Vifm`
  - `:leftabove vertical 60Vifm`
See `:help :command-modifiers` for Vim's command modifiers documentation.
False by default.

                                               *g:vifm_embed_cwd*
                                               {not on MS-Windows}
A boolean variable.  When evaluates to true and Vifm is embedded in a
terminal, vifm will change the active directory in vim while navigating.
False by default.

                                               *g:vifm_replace_netrw*
A boolean variable.  When enabling this, don't forget to disable the |netrw|
plugin (see `:h netrw-noload`), otherwise it can interfere with this plugin
opening directories using vifm.  Defaults to false.

                                               *g:vifm_replace_netrw_cmd*
A string variable.  The command to use to open folders when
g:vifm_replace_netrw is enabled.  Defaults to "Vifm".

                                               *g:vifm_drop_gone_buffers*
A boolean variable.  When true, upon exiting Vifm, previously open unmodified
buffers will be deleted if they contain files that were deleted.  Defaults to
false.

Extension for "vifm" filetype~

                                                *vifm-K*
K                       Like setting 'keywordprg' to ":help vifm-" (if that
                        would be possible), but slightly smarter.  Only mapped
                        in vifm files.

Extension for "mail" filetype~

Vifm's bundle for Vim also includes a tiny mail file type extension that allows
one to pick files for attachments via Vifm.

                                               *vifm-<localleader>a*
The function is mapped to <localleader>a key for "mail" filetype buffers only.
It inserts files picked via Vifm as attachments ("Attach: ...") after
"Subject" header.

See also~

Repository: https://github.com/vifm/vifm.vim
Website: https://vifm.info/
Wiki: https://wiki.vifm.info/

Vifm's Vim-documentation: |vifm-app.txt|

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