How do I copy a file in netrw?

Question

The current working directory is ./A/B/. An empty document is opened when I type vim, and the netrw is opened with command :e. The window is split by vs., and I can navigate to the upper level directory, i.e., ./A/. Now I'd like to copy a file a_file.jpg from ./A/B/ to ./A/.

I tried yy on the target file and p in the target window (directory), but it did not achieve my goal.

Is there any way that can achieve the goal without installing extra plugins?

Answer 1

You cannot use y, p etc., to copy files in netrw - it comes with its own commands. See :h netrw-mc:

MARKED FILES: COPYING                                           netrw-mc {{{2
            (See netrw-mf and netrw-mr for how to mark files)
                      (Uses the global marked file list)

Select a target directory with mt (netrw-mt).  Then change directory,
select file(s) (see netrw-mf), and press "mc".  The copy is done
from the current window (where one does the mf) to the target.

If one does not have a target directory set with netrw-mt, then netrw
will query you for a directory to copy to.

One may also copy directories and their contents (local only) to a target
directory.

Your case is simplified since ./A is the parent of ./A/B:

1. Open ./A/B, move to the line having ../,
2. Mark it with mt
3. Move to the line with the file you want to copy.
4. Press mf, and then mc.

Example:

$ tree foo
foo
└── bar
    └── test

1 directory, 1 file
$ vim foo/bar

Now:

1. Move to .. and press mt:

   

2. The header will change to show the current target:

   

3. Move to the file (here test) and press mf. It gets highlighted for me:

   

4. Press mc - the highlighting goes away. Now navigate to the parent folder - the file should be present:

   

Answer 2

I would do this from the command line mode:

• Select the file you need in netrw
• Open command the line and type - :!mv <C-R><C-F> ../<C-R><C-F>

Here <C-R><C-F> inserts file name under cursor, so you don't have to type the file name.

Answer 3

• Set cursor on ./ (or directory in which you want to copy) , press mt
• Set cursor on file you want copy, press mf, then mc, type a name of new file, enter