text-editorvim

How to set working/current directory in Vim?

So when I want to create a new file by using the :e command I don't want to specify the whole path, just the new filename. Can it be done?

Solution

  • As already suggested, you can use autochdir, which will change to the directory of the file you opened, the other option is

    :cd mydirectory

    which will change the directory. This can be an absolute or relative path, so :cd .. will move up one level. Or you can use :cd %:h which will also change to the directory the current file is in, but without setting autochdir.

    :cd

    will change directory to your home directory (or on windows, print the current directory).

    :cd -

    will change the directory to the previous directory you visited.