How do I browse files more naturally using vim-vinegar's enhanced netrw integration?

Explanation

vim-vinegar is a lightweight plugin by Tim Pope that enhances Vim's built-in file browser (netrw) with a simpler, more intuitive workflow. Its signature feature is the - key, which opens the directory listing for the file you are currently editing — and pressing - again walks up the directory tree.

How it works

• - opens netrw in the directory of the current file (not the cwd)
• Pressing - again from netrw moves up one directory level
• <CR> opens a file or descends into a directory
• . in netrw pre-populates the command line with the file path under the cursor — handy for :Gblame . or similar commands
• ~ in netrw jumps straight to the home directory
• y. yanks the absolute path of the file under the cursor
• I toggles the banner (the header netrw shows at the top of the listing)

vim-vinegar also sets cleaner netrw defaults: it hides dotfiles by default (gh toggles them) and uses a clean list style.

Example

You are editing src/components/Button.jsx. Press - and netrw opens src/components/. Press - again to go up to src/. Navigate to utils/ and press <CR> to enter it.

Tips

• vim-vinegar intentionally avoids NERDTree-style sidebar panels — it treats the file browser as a buffer you jump in and out of
• Install via your plugin manager: Plug 'tpope/vim-vinegar'
• It pairs well with :set autochdir off — vinegar handles the directory context per buffer without changing the global cwd
• For remote file browsing, netrw (and thus vinegar) also works over SSH: - on an scp:// buffer opens the remote directory