outsiders.vim

Relocate the file in the current Vim buffer to a Vim instance in an adjacent tmux pane.

For people who prefer to use tmux panes over Vim windows.

Features

• Shunt files between Vim instances spatially (up, down, left, right)
• Automatically create a new tmux pane when moving into a window edge
• Preserves cursor position when moving files
• Focus follows the file

Installation

Using vim-plug:

Plug 'sturob/vim-outsiders'

Using Vundle:

Plugin 'sturob/vim-outsiders'

Usage

outsiders.vim provides four mappings in normal mode:

• <Leader>mw - Move file to pane above
• <Leader>ms - Move file to pane below
• <Leader>ma - Move file to pane on the left
• <Leader>md - Move file to pane on the right

1. If a tmux pane exists in that direction:
   • With Vim: Opens the file in that Vim instance
   • With a shell: Launches Vim with the file
2. If no tmux pane exists in that direction:
   • Creates a new pane + opens the file in a new Vim instance

Configuration

The plugin works out of the box with default mappings. To change the mappings, add to your .vimrc:

nnoremap <silent> <Leader>mk :call outsiders#move_file('up')<CR>
nnoremap <silent> <Leader>mh :call outsiders#move_file('left')<CR>
nnoremap <silent> <Leader>mj :call outsiders#move_file('down')<CR>
nnoremap <silent> <Leader>ml :call outsiders#move_file('right')<CR>

How It Works

outsiders.vim uses tmux to:

1. Detect existing panes, their positions, and whether Vim is running in them
2. Create new panes when needed
3. Send commands to target panes to open files
4. Manage focus between panes

License

MIT