How to disable folding while typing?

Question

I'm programming mostly in Python/Cython and use foldmethod=syntax (and foldclose=). Overall, this works fairly well, i.e. functions/classes/methods are folded reliably mostly. However, I have one problem: folds are often opend/closed while I'm typing. Specifically,

• While working on an indented block (usually a long multiline argument list or a long list/dict/... initialization spanning multiple lines), that very block I'm in is folded when I hit return;
• When starting a string at the end of a block, the block below is unfolded.

This is all very annoying and distracting.

Is there a way to completely disable any auto-folding while I type?

Functionalities I want to retain:

• Fold/unfold blocks I'm in with a command/keystroke (I'm usually using z-a for both).
• Fold the whole document with a single keystroke/command.
• Open new buffers fully folded (though it's not a deal-breaker if I have to do this manually).

Answer 1

If you're looking to completely disable folding (i.e. open all folds) while typing, see D. Ben Knoble's answer.

If you'd just like to prevent Vim from opening and closing folds based on syntax while typing, leaving closed folds closed, check out Vim tip "Keep folds closed while inserting text" or the FastFold plugin. These use a variation on that theme with foldmethod=manual instead of nofoldenable during Insert mode:

augroup folds
  au!
  au InsertEnter * let w:oldfdm = &l:foldmethod | setlocal foldmethod=manual
  au InsertLeave *
        \ if exists('w:oldfdm') |
        \   let &l:foldmethod = w:oldfdm |
        \   unlet w:oldfdm |
        \ endif |
        \ normal! zv
augroup END

The normal! zv at the end serves to ensure that, if you typed something that would result in a new fold, your cursor doesn't get folded into it when you leave Insert mode. You could also experiment with zx, or just remove it if that doesn't matter to you.

Answer 2

Sure, just disable folding in insert mode, and restore it when you leave:

augroup folds
  au!
  au InsertEnter * let w:oldfen = &l:foldenable \| set nofoldenable
  au InsertLeave *
        \ if exists('w:oldfen')
        \   let &l:foldenable = w:oldfen
        \   unlet w:oldfen
        \ endif
augroup END

Answer 3

Since Python is an Indented language, The easier solution is to set foldmethod=indent. The crux of this solution is when you initialize list(or any code) in multiple lines, then they also get folded in a separate fold which is unwanted.

But vim does have syntax fold support for python out of the box, As suggested below in comment, running :help ft-python-indent gives:

Indent after an open paren:

   let g:pyindent_open_paren = '&sw * 2'      

Indent after a nested paren:

  let g:pyindent_nested_paren = '&sw'   

Indent for a continuation line:

   let g:pyindent_continue = '&sw * 2' 

For more details, check this answer or run :help fold-commands