How do I open a file explorer in a vertical split without any plugins?

Explanation

Vim ships with netrw, a built-in file explorer that requires no plugins. The :Vexplore command opens the explorer in a vertical split to the left, giving you a sidebar-style file browser while keeping your current file visible.

How it works

• :Vexplore opens netrw in a vertical split on the left
• Navigate with j/k and press <CR> to open a file
• The file opens in the adjacent window, replacing the previous buffer
• Press - to go up one directory

Example

Starting with a single file open:

+-------------------------+
|     your_file.py        |
+-------------------------+

After :Vexplore:

+-----------+-------------+
| netrw     | your_file.py|
| ../       |             |
| src/      |             |
| README.md |             |
+-----------+-------------+

Tips

• :Hexplore opens the explorer in a horizontal split below
• :Sexplore opens in a horizontal split above
• :Explore opens the explorer in the current window
• Set let g:netrw_winsize = 25 in your vimrc for a 25% width sidebar
• Press i in netrw to cycle through listing styles (thin, long, wide, tree)
• Press % in netrw to create a new file