| Map | Action |
|---|---|
| <F1> | Causes Netrw to issue help |
| <cr> | Netrw will enter the directory or read the file |
| <del> | Netrw will attempt to remove the file/directory |
| - | Makes Netrw go up one directory |
| a | Toggles between normal display, hiding (suppress display of files matching g:netrw_list_hide) showing (display only files which match g:netrw_list_hide) |
| c | Make browsing directory the current directory |
| C | Setting the editing window |
| d | Make a directory |
| D | Attempt to remove the file(s)/directory(ies) |
| gb | Go to previous bookmarked directory |
| gh | Quick hide/unhide of dot-files |
| <c-h> | Edit file hiding list |
| i | Cycle between thin, long, wide and tree listings |
| <c-l> | Causes Netrw to refresh the directory listing |
| mb | Bookmark current directory |
| mc | Copy marked files to marked-file target directory |
| md | Apply diff to marked files (up to 3) |
| me | Place marked files on arg list and edit them |
| mf | Mark a file |
| mh | Toggle marked file suffices' presence on hiding list |
| mm | Move marked files to marked-file target directory |
| mp | Print marked files |
| mr | Mark files satisfying a shell-style |
| mt | Current browsing directory becomes markfile target |
| mT | Apply ctags to marked files |
| mu | Unmark all marked files |
| mx | Apply arbitrary shell command to marked files |
| mz | Compress/decompress marked files |
| o | Enter the file/directory under the cursor in a new browser window. A horizontal split is used. |
| O | Obtain a file specified by cursor |
| p | Preview the file |
| P | Browse in the previously used window |
| qb | List bookmarked directories and history |
| qf | Display information on file |
| r | Reverse sorting order |
| R | Rename the designed file(s)/directory(ies) |
| s | Select sorting style: by name, time or file size |
| S | Specify suffix priority for name-sorting |
| t | Enter the file/directory under the cursor in a new tab |
| u | Change to recently-visited directory |
| U | Change to subsequently-visited directory |
| v | Enter the file/directory under the cursor in a new browser window. A vertical split is used. |
| x | View file with an associated program |
| X | Execute filename under cursor via |
| % | Open a new file in netrw's current directory |
Last active
October 17, 2025 21:15
-
Star
(216)
You must be signed in to star a gist -
Fork
(41)
You must be signed in to fork a gist
-
-
Save t-mart/610795fcf7998559ea80 to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
A quick reference for Vim's built-in netrw file selector.
@ArtBIT iiuc that command binding persists in other buffers
e.g.
- open a file in vim
?is search- split view (^Wv)
- open netrw (
:e ./) ?opens netrw quickmap- go back to the file buffer
^w^w ?still opens netrw quickmap. imo it should (meaning it would be more intuitive and more desirable) search again.
@pseyfert you could try something like this, then:
autocmd BufEnter * if &ft == "netrw" | execute 'nmap ? :help netrw-quickmap<CR>' | endif
autocmd BufEnter * if &ft != "netrw" | execute 'silent! nunmap ?' | endif
gn -- make netrw move the currently selected directory to the root of the buffer view
I wonder if there's a way to print this gist without all the github fluff around it.
@davidmaxwaterman There are a few options:
- Fork the gist, then no comments will remain in the new fork
- Open web developer tools and you delete the nodes you want to take out
In order to copy the content of directory/folder A to folder B:
- mark A with "mf"
- mark B with "mf" (order matters)
- press "mX" and enter: cp -r % %
To remove directory/folder A:
- mark A with "mf"
- press "mX" and enter: rm -r %
Hey @davidmaxwaterman I created a bookmarklet that lets you remove all the "github fluff" here: https://aalvarado.github.io/pretty-print-gist.html
I could never get c to set the browsing directory as the current working directory, the command that worked for me was actually cd.
I could never get
cto set the browsing directory as the current working directory, the command that worked for me was actuallycd.
Actually, yeah, I think that might be wrong on this page. I've always used 'cd'.
Hey everyone.
When in :Lexplorer mode in vim netrw and after open a file in the right pane, how can I go back to the left pane ?
@sebma ctrl-w h I mapped alt-{h,j,k,l} to ctrl-w {h,j,k,l} for easier switching and I find it very convenient. I use tmux and also use shift+alt-{h,j,k,l} for switching panes.
@aalvarado Thanks Adan. We use ssh in a browser, hence ctrl-w closes the current browser tab.
How can I map alt-{h,j,k,l} to ctrl-w {h,j,k,l} ?
Sign up for free
to join this conversation on GitHub.
Already have an account?
Sign in to comment
Thanks