How to Use Tabs in Vim and Neovim

[@sbicknel]

Tabs in Vim are containers for window layouts. There is always at least one tab page open. Closing a tab doesn't close the buffer. See :help tabpage

[@zeocamo]

you don't need tabs for this workflow you get, vim do this with buffers, and you say the file goes away and dont auto save with tabs, that is because tabs is not made for what you use it for in vim. when you close a tab you dont close the buffer, Tabs is only a layout thing for holding a set of splits and buffers but it is the same buffers, so what you want is to learn buffers and then you can get your "tabs" in a split, by switch buffer you can see all the buffers with :buffers, also the ones that was in the tabs you close ;) and :files or :ls a list of files you can search for a buffer with :b some_text_in_file and switch to it, :b will auto complete you can use :bn or :bp to move over them you can use :e# to edit alternate file and ctrl-^ do the same thing

[@TheLinuxCast]

Yeah, I like my way better. If I actually had to go to a list of the buffers, I'd get lost too easily. I like that they are all right there at the top.

[@zeocamo]

@@TheLinuxCast you can use ctrl+g for the file name

[@Kalasklister1337]

I want to second this. Tabs in vim are not designed to be used as tabs in traditional editors. If you are serious about using vim find a way to integrate buffers into your workflow. In neovim i strongly recommend telescope and binding the buffer listing to some key combination. In regular vim there are a few plugins that make buffers show up as if they were tabs. Believe me, you will have a much better workflow in the long run if u do this. I have ctrl L and ctrl H mapped to bnext and bprev to effortlessly glide through the buffers i have open and telescope for fuzzy finding by name

[@zeocamo]

@@Kalasklister1337 telescope is great

[@retrojon_]

Just starting to learn nvim and this was extremely helpful! I'm still a vscode user primarily but I really like how simple it is to customize nvim.

[@rkdeshdeepak4131]

Just map tab to tabnext and shift+ tab to tabprev , and space +n to tabnew in normal mode . And cheers. That makes my workflow superawesome.

[@arkoprovoshaw5737]

You can use gt in normal mode to switch tabs

[@Ironpants57]

And gT to go backward

[@arkoprovoshaw5737]

@@Ironpants57 I'll be honest. I didn't know you could do that

[@zsadroh5279]

And a number + gt to go to a specific tab

[@CyperN077]

Matt this really made my workflow go. Thnx.

[@coon-si3ce]

I just use gt and GT for next tab and previous tab. And can use Number gt to go to a specific tab. No need to remap keys. but whatever makes you happy.

[@djaanmaiden5049]

There is a out-of-the-box basic fuzzy finder in Vim to navigate between files. vim .zlogin .zshrc .zenv :b rc :b log :b env Not :ls ... keep reading. You can even see what files are opened in a nice popup and navigate between them with [tab] :b[space][tab] and then tab again to change file That's why vim defaults to buffer and not tabs when opening multiple files and why buffesr are better. You will always remember the filename to do ":b rc" and closing one tab will completely destroy your memory to do 1gt 2gt etc. I tried doing :tab name_of_tab but it does not work.

[@MrCradleman]

C-n actually bind to vim built in autocomplete. Very useful binding. It complete any word from current buffer

[@TheLinuxCast]

I never use autocomplete, so that's why this binding doesn't bother me.

[@thingsiplay]

There are default maps: Control-PageDown Control-PageUp

[@zeocamo]

but you need to move your hand a lot for them. so useless, because with your hands

[@whylde7834]

Very cool. I was envious of people on VS Code with their tabs.

[@BrucesWorldofStuff]

Oh No! You have turned into a Tab Hoarder Heathen... I know the feeling, I do the same thing... If the program lets me have tabs I have lots and lots of them open! It's like having lots and lots of dogs or cats, or heaven forbid, kids... LOl Is there a pill for this Tab thing? :-P As for the Vim thing... One day we will all have to get down on our knees and wave our arms in the air and chant "We're Not Worthy"! Lol Lol Lol That is so cool as I do like tabs when I'm doing things in Code or Xed. I wish I could get my head wrapped Vim... :-) Anyway, Thanks Matt! LLAP

[@TheDistroHopper]

`gt` goes to new tab

[@casawilinux9497]

Hi can you please show how to install conky on Debian 11 but step by step how to configure themes conky because I'm a linux beginner I'm not an expert in Linux

[@scoopynoodle8418]

To save and close tabs you can type "ZZ"

[@tiltltt]

Tmux plus vim is a god combo. You can use splits, sessions, buffers, tabs and probably more lol.

[@zeocamo]

no, it is not, Vim will not share buffers in a TMux split(so useless), and the only thing can so is Sessions, but there is a lot buffer ways then tmux for sessions. if you wan splits and tabs out site of vim then use a WM, it is why they exists.

[@rvktiw]

Were you living in 2008 until this video.

[@kaushalkumarllc]

Bro, you are awesome. Do you have discord or something where we can communicate..!!

[@TheLinuxCast]

Yeah, I sure do. discord.gg/EwNR3pGu