How can one open a file from a directory window into an existing window?

Question

In a directory window (:Explore or :Vexplore) every 'o' or 'v' creates a new window, I just want 1 directory view window on the left and 1 file view window on the right like a classic IDE. When opening a file, how do I open it in the right window that already exists?

Thank you!

Answer 1

Two things are needed. First you need to change g:netrw_browse_split. Here's the help for that setting:

  *g:netrw_browse_split*    when browsing, <cr> will open the file by:
                =0: re-using the same window  (default)
                =1: horizontally splitting the window first
                =2: vertically   splitting the window first
                =3: open file in new tab
                =4: act like "P" (ie. open previous window)

"Open previous window" is what we want so

let g:netrw_browse_split = 4

Then you just need to press the right key when the cursor is over the file you want to open. The help excerpt also gives us that information (<cr> will open the file by...).

So, not O or V but Enter. That should do it.

Note: Per the help on the line about value 4 the approach I use above is "like" pressing P. When I tried P it didn't work as expected so I chose an approach which did work. To be fair, my netrw configuration is not default so you may want to try P for yourself (without changing the variable from 0).