How do I automatically size a window?

Question

I often program with lines no more than 80 characters long. I start with an 80-character-wide terminal, but sometimes due to a plugin runs or after creating a vsplit results in the editing area being less than 80 characters wide.

For example, :set number will take four columns from the editing area and use them for line numbers. After this, using :vertical resize, only changes the size relative to other splits, it doesn't widen the window.

Is there a way to keep the width of the editing area at a fixed width or to quickly resize the editing area or the window to a specified width?

Answer 1

Take a look at the various window functions. For example ctrl-w = will set all splits to equal width. There are also methods to set the window to a certain width, increase/decrease width by N, always maintain equal width, etc... :help window-resize

Answer 2

Ctrl+W+ (n) >/<: For right/left
Ctrl+W+ (n) +/-: For up/down
where n = any number.

Answer 3

:vertical resize 80 will set your current vsplit to 80 characters wide

Answer 4

CTRL-W with pipe | will set the window to a specific width. E.g., to set the window to 80 columns/characters wide:

CTRL-W + 80 + |

From :help window-resize (~ @collin-peters):

Set current window width to N (default: widest possible)