*terminal.txt* For Vim version 8.0. Last change: 2018 May 11 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar Terminal window support *terminal* The terminal feature is optional, use this to check if your Vim has it: > echo has('terminal') If the result is "1" you have it. 1. Basic use |terminal-use| Typing |terminal-typing| Size and color |terminal-size-color| Syntax |:terminal| Resizing |terminal-resizing| Terminal Modes |Terminal-mode| Cursor style |terminal-cursor-style| Special keys |terminal-special-keys| Session |terminal-session| Unix |terminal-unix| MS-Windows |terminal-ms-windows| 2. Terminal communication |terminal-communication| Vim to job: term_sendkeys() |terminal-to-job| Job to Vim: JSON API |terminal-api| Using the client-server feature |terminal-client-server| 3. Remote testing |terminal-testing| 4. Diffing screen dumps |terminal-diff| Writing a screen dump test for Vim |terminal-dumptest| Creating a screen dump |terminal-screendump| Comparing screen dumps |terminal-diffscreendump| 5. Debugging |terminal-debug| Starting |termdebug-starting| Example session |termdebug-example| Stepping through code |termdebug-stepping| Inspecting variables |termdebug-variables| Other commands |termdebug-commands| Communication |termdebug-communication| Customizing |termdebug-customizing| {Vi does not have any of these commands} {only available when compiled with the |+terminal| feature} The terminal feature requires the |+multi_byte|, |+job| and |+channel| features. ============================================================================== 1. Basic use *terminal-use* This feature is for running a terminal emulator in a Vim window. A job can be started connected to the terminal emulator. For example, to run a shell: > :term bash Or to run build command: > :term make myprogram The job runs asynchronously from Vim, the window will be updated to show output from the job, also while editing in another window. Typing ~ *terminal-typing* When the keyboard focus is in the terminal window, typed keys will be sent to the job. This uses a pty when possible. You can click outside of the terminal window to move keyboard focus elsewhere. CTRL-W can be used to navigate between windows and other CTRL-W commands, e.g.: CTRL-W CTRL-W move focus to the next window CTRL-W : enter an Ex command See |CTRL-W| for more commands. Special in the terminal window: *CTRL-W_.* *CTRL-W_N* CTRL-W . send a CTRL-W to the job in the terminal CTRL-W CTRL-\ send a CTRL-\ to the job in the terminal CTRL-W N go to Terminal-Normal mode, see |Terminal-mode| CTRL-\ CTRL-N go to Terminal-Normal mode, see |Terminal-mode| CTRL-W " {reg} paste register {reg} *CTRL-W_quote* Also works with the = register to insert the result of evaluating an expression. CTRL-W CTRL-C ends the job, see below |t_CTRL-W_CTRL-C| See option 'termwinkey' for specifying another key instead of CTRL-W that will work like CTRL-W. However, typing 'termwinkey' twice sends 'termwinkey' to the job. For example: 'termwinkey' CTRL-W move focus to the next window 'termwinkey' : enter an Ex command 'termwinkey' 'termwinkey' send 'termwinkey' to the job in the terminal 'termwinkey' . send a CTRL-W to the job in the terminal 'termwinkey' N go to terminal Normal mode, see below 'termwinkey' CTRL-N same as CTRL-W N 'termwinkey' CTRL-C same as |t_CTRL-W_CTRL-C| *t_CTRL-\_CTRL-N* The special key combination CTRL-\ CTRL-N can be used to switch to Normal mode, just like this works in any other mode. *t_CTRL-W_CTRL-C* CTRL-W CTRL-C can be typed to forcefully end the job. On MS-Windows a CTRL-BREAK will also kill the job. If you type CTRL-C the effect depends on what the pty has been configured to do. For simple commands this causes a SIGINT to be sent to the job, which would end it. Other commands may ignore the SIGINT or handle the CTRL-C themselves (like Vim does). To change the keys you type use terminal mode mappings, see |:tmap|. These are defined like any mapping, but apply only when typing keys that are sent to the job running in the terminal. For example, to make F1 switch to Terminal-Normal mode: > tnoremap N You can use Esc, but you need to make sure it won't cause other keys to break: > tnoremap N set notimeout ttimeout timeoutlen=100 < *options-in-terminal* After opening the terminal window and setting 'buftype' to "terminal" the BufWinEnter autocommand event is triggered. This makes it possible to set options specifically for the window and buffer. Example: > au BufWinEnter * if &buftype == 'terminal' | setlocal bufhidden=hide | endif Mouse events (click and drag) are passed to the terminal. Mouse move events are only passed when Vim itself is receiving them. For a terminal that is when 'balloonevalterm' is enabled. Size and color ~ *terminal-size-color* See option 'termwinsize' for controlling the size of the terminal window. (TODO: scrolling when the terminal is larger than the window) The job running in the terminal can change the colors. The default foreground and background colors are taken from Vim, the Normal highlight group. For a color terminal the 'background' option is used to decide whether the terminal window will start with a white or black background. To use a different color the Terminal highlight group can be used, for example: > hi Terminal ctermbg=lightgrey ctermfg=blue guibg=lightgrey guifg=blue < *g:terminal_ansi_colors* In GUI mode or with 'termguicolors', the 16 ANSI colors used by default in new terminal windows may be configured using the variable `g:terminal_ansi_colors`, which should be a list of 16 color names or hexadecimal color codes, similar to those accepted by |highlight-guifg|. When not using GUI colors, the terminal window always uses the 16 ANSI colors of the underlying terminal. The |term_setansicolors()| function can be used to change the colors, and |term_getansicolors()| to get the currently used colors. Syntax ~ :[range]ter[minal] [options] [command] *:ter* *:terminal* Open a new terminal window. If [command] is provided run it as a job and connect the input and output to the terminal. If [command] is not given the 'shell' option is used. if [command] is NONE no job is started, the pty of the terminal can be used by a command like gdb. If [command] is missing the default behavior is to close the terminal when the shell exits. This can be changed with the ++noclose argument. If [command] is present the default behavior is to keep the terminal open in Terminal-Normal mode. This can be changed with the ++close argument. A new buffer will be created, using [command] or 'shell' as the name, prefixed with a "!". If a buffer by this name already exists a number is added in parentheses. E.g. if "gdb" exists the second terminal buffer will use "!gdb (1)". If [range] is given the specified lines are used as input for the job. It will not be possible to type keys in the terminal window. For MS-Windows see the ++eof argument below. *term++close* *term++open* Supported [options] are: ++close The terminal window will close automatically when the job terminates. ++noclose The terminal window will NOT close automatically when the job terminates. ++open When the job terminates and no window shows it, a window will be opened. Note that this can be interruptive. The last of ++close, ++noclose and ++open matters and rules out earlier arguments. ++curwin Open the terminal in the current window, do not split the current window. Fails if the current buffer cannot be |abandon|ed. ++hidden Open the terminal in a hidden buffer, no window will be used. ++norestore Do not include this terminal window in a session file. ++kill={how} When trying to close the terminal window kill the job with {how}. See |term_setkill()| for the values. ++rows={height} Use {height} for the terminal window height. If the terminal uses the full Vim height (no window above or below th terminal window) the command line height will be reduced as needed. ++cols={width} Use {width} for the terminal window width. If the terminal uses the full Vim width (no window left or right of the terminal window) this value is ignored. ++eof={text} when using [range]: text to send after the last line was written. Cannot contain white space. A CR is appended. For MS-Windows the default is to send CTRL-D. E.g. for a shell use "++eof=exit" and for Python "++eof=exit()". Special codes can be used like with `:map`, e.g. "" for CTRL-Z. If you want to use more options use the |term_start()| function. When the buffer associated with the terminal is forcibly unloaded or wiped out the job is killed, similar to calling `job_stop(job, "kill")` . Closing the window normally results in |E947|. When a kill method was set with "++kill={how}" or |term_setkill()| then closing the window will use that way to kill or interrupt the job. For example: > :term ++kill=term tail -f /tmp/log So long as the job is running the window behaves like it contains a modified buffer. Trying to close the window with `CTRL-W :quit` fails. When using `CTRL-W :quit!` the job is ended. The text in the window is lost. The buffer still exists, but getting it in a window with `:buffer` will show an empty buffer. Trying to close the window with `CTRL-W :close` also fails. Using `CTRL-W :close!` will close the window and make the buffer hidden. You can use `CTRL-W :hide` to close the terminal window and make the buffer hidden, the job keeps running. The `:buffer` command can be used to turn the current window into a terminal window. If there are unsaved changes this fails, use ! to force, as usual. To have a background job run without a window, and open the window when it's done, use options like this: > :term ++hidden ++open make Note that the window will open at an unexpected moment, this will interrupt what you are doing. *E947* *E948* So long as the job is running, the buffer is considered modified and Vim cannot be quit easily, see |abandon|. When the job has finished and no changes were made to the buffer: closing the window will wipe out the buffer. Before changes can be made to a terminal buffer, the 'modifiable' option must be set. This is only possible when the job has finished. At the first change the buffer will become a normal buffer and the highlighting is removed. You may want to change the buffer name with |:file| to be able to write, since the buffer name will still be set to the command. Resizing ~ *terminal-resizing* The size of the terminal can be in one of three modes: 1. The 'termwinsize' option is empty: The terminal size follows the window size. The minimal size is 2 screen lines with 10 cells. 2. The 'termwinsize' option is "rows*cols", where "rows" is the minimal number of screen rows and "cols" is the minimal number of cells. 3. The 'termwinsize' option is "rowsXcols" (where the x is upper or lower case). The terminal size is fixed to the specified number of screen lines and cells. If the window is bigger there will be unused empty space. If the window is smaller than the terminal size, only part of the terminal can be seen (the lower-left part). The |term_getsize()| function can be used to get the current size of the terminal. |term_setsize()| can be used only when in the first or second mode, not when 'termwinsize' is "rowsXcols". Terminal-Job and Terminal-Normal mode ~ *Terminal-mode* *Terminal-Job* When the job is running the contents of the terminal is under control of the job. That includes the cursor position. Typed keys are sent to the job. The terminal contents can change at any time. This is called Terminal-Job mode. Use CTRL-W N (or 'termwinkey' N) to switch to Terminal-Normal mode. Now the contents of the terminal window is under control of Vim, the job output is suspended. CTRL-\ CTRL-N does the same. Terminal-Job mode is where |:tmap| mappings are applied. Keys sent by |term_sendkeys()| are not subject to tmap, but keys from |feedkeys()| are. It is not possible to enter Insert mode from Terminal-Job mode. *Terminal-Normal* *E946* In Terminal-Normal mode you can move the cursor around with the usual Vim commands, Visually mark text, yank text, etc. But you cannot change the contents of the buffer. The commands that would start insert mode, such as 'i' and 'a', return to Terminal-Job mode. The window will be updated to show the contents of the terminal. |:startinsert| is ineffective. In Terminal-Normal mode the statusline and window title show "(Terminal)". If the job ends while in Terminal-Normal mode this changes to "(Terminal-finished)". When the job outputs lines in the terminal, such that the contents scrolls off the top, those lines are remembered and can be seen in Terminal-Normal mode. The number of lines is limited by the 'termwinscroll' option. When going over this limit, the first 10% of the scrolled lines are deleted and are lost. Cursor style ~ *terminal-cursor-style* By default the cursor in the terminal window uses a not blinking block. The normal xterm escape sequences can be used to change the blinking state and the shape. Once focus leaves the terminal window Vim will restore the original cursor. An exception is when xterm is started with the "-bc" argument, or another way that causes the cursor to blink. This actually means that the blinking flag is inverted. Since Vim cannot detect this, the terminal window cursor blinking will also be inverted. Session ~ *terminal-session* A terminal window will be restored when using a session file, if possible and wanted. If "terminal" was removed from 'sessionoptions' then no terminal windows will be restored. If the job in the terminal was finished the window will not be restored. If the terminal can be restored, the command that was used to open it will be used again. To change this use the |term_setrestore()| function. This can also be used to not restore a specific terminal by setting the command to "NONE". Special keys ~ *terminal-special-keys* Since the terminal emulator simulates an xterm, only escape sequences that both Vim and xterm recognize will be available in the terminal window. If you want to pass on other escape sequences to the job running in the terminal you need to set up forwarding. Example: > tmap ]b SendToTerm("\]b") func SendToTerm(what) call term_sendkeys('', a:what) return '' endfunc Unix ~ *terminal-unix* On Unix a pty is used to make it possible to run all kinds of commands. You can even run Vim in the terminal! That's used for debugging, see below. Environment variables are used to pass information to the running job: TERM the name of the terminal, from the 'term' option or $TERM in the GUI; falls back to "xterm" if it does not start with "xterm" ROWS number of rows in the terminal initially LINES same as ROWS COLUMNS number of columns in the terminal initially COLORS number of colors, 't_Co' (256*256*256 in the GUI) VIM_SERVERNAME v:servername MS-Windows ~ *terminal-ms-windows* On MS-Windows winpty is used to make it possible to run all kind of commands. Obviously, they must be commands that run in a terminal, not open their own window. You need the following two files from winpty: winpty.dll winpty-agent.exe You can download them from the following page: https://github.com/rprichard/winpty Just put the files somewhere in your PATH. You can set the 'winptydll' option to point to the right file, if needed. If you have both the 32-bit and 64-bit version, rename to winpty32.dll and winpty64.dll to match the way Vim was build. Environment variables are used to pass information to the running job: VIM_SERVERNAME v:servername ============================================================================== 2. Terminal communication *terminal-communication* There are several ways to communicate with the job running in a terminal: - Use |term_sendkeys()| to send text and escape sequences from Vim to the job. - Use the JSON API to send encoded commands from the job to Vim. - Use the |client-server| mechanism. This works on machines with an X server and on MS-Windows. Vim to job: term_sendkeys() ~ *terminal-to-job* This allows for remote controlling the job running in the terminal. It is a one-way mechanism. The job can update the display to signal back to Vim. For example, if a shell is running in a terminal, you can do: > call term_sendkeys(buf, "ls *.java\") This requires for the job to be in the right state where it will do the right thing when receiving the keys. For the above example, the shell must be waiting for a command to be typed. For a job that was written for the purpose, you can use the JSON API escape sequence in the other direction. E.g.: > call term_sendkeys(buf, "\]51;["response"]\x07") Job to Vim: JSON API ~ *terminal-api* The job can send JSON to Vim, using a special escape sequence. The JSON encodes a command that Vim understands. Example of such a message: > ]51;["drop", "README.md"]<07> The body is always a list, making it easy to find the end: ]<07>. The ]51;msg<07> sequence is reserved by xterm for "Emacs shell", which is similar to what we are doing here. Currently supported commands: call {funcname} {argument} Call a user defined function with {argument}. The function is called with two arguments: the buffer number of the terminal and {argument}, the decoded JSON argument. The function name must start with "Tapi_" to avoid accidentally calling a function not meant to be used for the terminal API The user function should sanity check the argument. The function can use |term_sendkeys()| to send back a reply. Example in JSON: > ["call", "Tapi_Impression", ["play", 14]] < Calls a function defined like this: > function Tapi_Impression(bufnum, arglist) if len(a:arglist) == 2 echomsg "impression " . a:arglist[0] echomsg "count " . a:arglist[1] endif endfunc < Output from `:echo` may be erased by a redraw, use `:echomsg` to be able to see it with `:messages`. drop {filename} [options] Let Vim open a file, like the `:drop` command. If {filename} is already open in a window, switch to that window. Otherwise open a new window to edit {filename}. Note that both the job and Vim may change the current directory, thus it's best to use the full path. [options] is only used when opening a new window. If present, it must be a Dict. Similarly to |++opt|, These entries are recognized: "ff" file format: "dos", "mac" or "unix" "fileformat" idem "enc" overrides 'fileencoding' "encoding" idem "bin" sets 'binary' "binary" idem "nobin" resets 'binary' "nobinary" idem "bad" specifies behavior for bad characters, see |++bad| Example in JSON: > ["drop", "path/file.txt", {"ff": "dos"}] A trick to have Vim send this escape sequence: > exe "set t_ts=\]51; t_fs=\x07" let &titlestring = '["call","Tapi_TryThis",["hello",123]]' redraw set t_ts& t_fs& Rationale: Why not allow for any command or expression? Because that might create a security problem. Using the client-server feature ~ *terminal-client-server* This only works when v:servername is not empty. If needed you can set it, before opening the terminal, with: > call remote_startserver('vim-server') $VIM_SERVERNAME is set in the terminal to pass on the server name. In the job you can then do something like: > vim --servername $VIM_SERVERNAME --remote +123 some_file.c This will open the file "some_file.c" and put the cursor on line 123. ============================================================================== 3. Remote testing *terminal-testing* Most Vim tests execute a script inside Vim. For some tests this does not work, running the test interferes with the code being tested. To avoid this Vim is executed in a terminal window. The test sends keystrokes to it and inspects the resulting screen state. Functions ~ term_sendkeys() send keystrokes to a terminal (not subject to tmap) term_wait() wait for screen to be updated term_scrape() inspect terminal screen ============================================================================== 4. Diffing screen dumps *terminal-diff* In some cases it can be bothersome to test that Vim displays the right characters on the screen. E.g. with syntax highlighting. To make this simpler it is possible to take a screen dump of a terminal and compare it to an expected screen dump. Vim uses the window size, text, color and other attributes as displayed. The Vim screen size, font and other properties do not matter. Therefore this mechanism is portable across systems. A conventional screenshot would reflect all differences, including font size and family. Writing a screen dump test for Vim ~ *terminal-dumptest* For an example see the Test_syntax_c() function in src/testdir/test_syntax.vim. The main parts are: - Write a file you want to test with. This is useful for testing syntax highlighting. You can also start Vim with en empty buffer. - Run Vim in a terminal with a specific size. The default is 20 lines of 75 characters. This makes sure the dump is always this size. The function RunVimInTerminal() takes care of this. Pass it the arguments for the Vim command. - Send any commands to Vim using term_sendkeys(). For example: > call term_sendkeys(buf, ":echo &lines &columns\") - Check that the screen is now in the expected state, using VerifyScreenDump(). This expects the reference screen dump to be in the src/testdir/dumps/ directory. Pass the name without ".dump". It is recommended to use the name of the test function and a sequence number, so that we know what test is using the file. - Repeat sending commands and checking the state. - Finally stop Vim by calling StopVimInTerminal(). The first time you do this you won't have a screen dump yet. Create an empty file for now, e.g.: > touch src/testdir/dumps/Test_function_name_01.dump The test will then fail, giving you the command to compare the reference dump and the failed dump, e.g.: > call term_dumpdiff("Test_func.dump.failed", "dumps/Test_func.dump") Use this command in Vim, with the current directory set to src/testdir. Once you are satisfied with the test, move the failed dump in place of the reference: > :!mv Test_func.dump.failed dumps/Test_func.dump Creating a screen dump ~ *terminal-screendump* To create the screen dump, run Vim (or any other program) in a terminal and make it show the desired state. Then use the term_dumpwrite() function to create a screen dump file. For example: > :call term_dumpwrite(77, "mysyntax.dump") Here "77" is the buffer number of the terminal. Use `:ls!` to see it. You can view the screen dump with term_dumpload(): > :call term_dumpload("mysyntax.dump") To verify that Vim still shows exactly the same screen, run Vim again with exactly the same way to show the desired state. Then create a screen dump again, using a different file name: > :call term_dumpwrite(88, "test.dump") To assert that the files are exactly the same use assert_equalfile(): > call assert_equalfile("mysyntax.dump", "test.dump") If there are differences then v:errors will contain the error message. Comparing screen dumps ~ *terminal-diffscreendump* assert_equalfile() does not make it easy to see what is different. To spot the problem use term_dumpdiff(): > call term_dumpdiff("mysyntax.dump", "test.dump") This will open a window consisting of three parts: 1. The contents of the first dump 2. The difference between the first and second dump 3. The contents of the second dump You can usually see what differs in the second part. Use the 'ruler' to relate it to the position in the first or second dump. Alternatively, press "s" to swap the first and second dump. Do this several times so that you can spot the difference in the context of the text. ============================================================================== 5. Debugging *terminal-debug* The Terminal debugging plugin can be used to debug a program with gdb and view the source code in a Vim window. Since this is completely contained inside Vim this also works remotely over an ssh connection. Starting ~ *termdebug-starting* Load the plugin with this command: > packadd termdebug < *:Termdebug* To start debugging use `:Termdebug` or `:TermdebugCommand`` followed by the command name, for example: > :Termdebug vim This opens two windows: gdb window A terminal window in which "gdb vim" is executed. Here you can directly interact with gdb. The buffer name is "!gdb". program window A terminal window for the executed program. When "run" is used in gdb the program I/O will happen in this window, so that it does not interfere with controlling gdb. The buffer name is "gdb program". The current window is used to show the source code. When gdb pauses the source file location will be displayed, if possible. A sign is used to highlight the current position, using highlight group debugPC. If the buffer in the current window is modified, another window will be opened to display the current gdb position. You can use `:Winbar` to add a window toolbar there. Focus the terminal of the executed program to interact with it. This works the same as any command running in a terminal window. When the debugger ends, typically by typing "quit" in the gdb window, the two opened windows are closed. Only one debugger can be active at a time. *:TermdebugCommand* If you want to give specific commands to the command being debugged, you can use the `:TermdebugCommand` command followed by the command name and additional parameters. > :TermdebugCommand vim --clean -c ':set nu' Both the `:Termdebug` and `:TermdebugCommand` support an optional "!" bang argument to start the command right away, without pausing at the gdb window (and cursor will be in the debugged window). For example: > :TermdebugCommand! vim --clean To attach gdb to an already running executable or use a core file, pass extra arguments. E.g.: > :Termdebug vim core :Termdebug vim 98343 If no argument is given, you'll end up in a gdb window, in which you need to specify which command to run using e.g. the gdb `file` command. Example session ~ *termdebug-example* Start in the Vim "src" directory and build Vim: > % make Start Vim: > % ./vim Load the termdebug plugin and start debugging Vim: > :packadd termdebug :Termdebug vim You should now have three windows: source - where you started, has a window toolbar with buttons gdb - you can type gdb commands here program - the executed program will use this window You can use CTRL-W CTRL-W or the mouse to move focus between windows. Put focus on the gdb window and type: > break ex_help run Vim will start running in the program window. Put focus there and type: > :help gui Gdb will run into the ex_help breakpoint. The source window now shows the ex_cmds.c file. A ">>" marker will appear where the breakpoint was set. The line where the debugger stopped is highlighted. You can now step through the program. Let's use the mouse: click on the "Next" button in the window toolbar. You will see the highlighting move as the debugger executes a line of source code. Click "Next" a few times until the for loop is highlighted. Put the cursor on the end of "eap->arg", then click "Eval" in the toolbar. You will see this displayed: "eap->arg": 0x555555e68855 "gui" ~ This way you can inspect the value of local variables. You can also focus the gdb window and use a "print" command, e.g.: > print *eap If mouse pointer movements are working, Vim will also show a balloon when the mouse rests on text that can be evaluated by gdb. Now go back to the source window and put the cursor on the first line after the for loop, then type: > :Break You will see a ">>" marker appear, this indicates the new breakpoint. Now click "Cont" in the toolbar and the code until the breakpoint will be executed. You can type more advanced commands in the gdb window. For example, type: > watch curbuf Now click "Cont" in the toolbar (or type "cont" in the gdb window). Execution will now continue until the value of "curbuf" changes, which is in do_ecmd(). To remove this watchpoint again type in the gdb window: > delete 3 You can see the stack by typing in the gdb window: > where Move through the stack frames, e.g. with: > frame 3 The source window will show the code, at the point where the call was made to a deeper level. Stepping through code ~ *termdebug-stepping* Put focus on the gdb window to type commands there. Some common ones are: - CTRL-C interrupt the program - next execute the current line and stop at the next line - step execute the current line and stop at the next statement, entering functions - finish execute until leaving the current function - where show the stack - frame N go to the Nth stack frame - continue continue execution *:Run* *:Arguments* In the window showing the source code these commands can be used to control gdb: `:Run` [args] run the program with [args] or the previous arguments `:Arguments` {args} set arguments for the next `:Run` *:Break* set a breakpoint at the current line; a sign will be displayed *:Clear* delete the breakpoint at the current line *:Step* execute the gdb "step" command *:Over* execute the gdb "next" command (`:Next` is a Vim command) *:Finish* execute the gdb "finish" command *:Continue* execute the gdb "continue" command *:Stop* interrupt the program If 'mouse' is set the plugin adds a window toolbar with these entries: Step `:Step` Next `:Over` Finish `:Finish` Cont `:Continue` Stop `:Stop` Eval `:Evaluate` This way you can use the mouse to perform the most common commands. You need to have the 'mouse' option set to enable mouse clicks. *:Winbar* You can add the window toolbar in other windows you open with: > :Winbar If gdb stops at a source line and there is no window currently showing the source code, a new window will be created for the source code. This also happens if the buffer in the source code window has been modified and can't be abandoned. Inspecting variables ~ *termdebug-variables* *:Evaluate* `:Evaluate` evaluate the expression under the cursor `K` same `:Evaluate` {expr} evaluate {expr} `:'<,'>Evaluate` evaluate the Visually selected text This is similar to using "print" in the gdb window. You can usually shorten `:Evaluate` to `:Ev`. Other commands ~ *termdebug-commands* *:Gdb* jump to the gdb window *:Program* jump to the window with the running program *:Source* jump to the window with the source code, create it if there isn't one Communication ~ *termdebug-communication* There is another, hidden, buffer, which is used for Vim to communicate with gdb. The buffer name is "gdb communication". Do not delete this buffer, it will break the debugger. Customizing ~ GDB command *termdebug-customizing* To change the name of the gdb command, set the "termdebugger" variable before invoking `:Termdebug`: > let termdebugger = "mygdb" < *gdb-version* Only debuggers fully compatible with gdb will work. Vim uses the GDB/MI interface. The "new-ui" command requires gdb version 7.12 or later. if you get this error: Undefined command: "new-ui". Try "help".~ Then your gdb is too old. Colors *hl-debugPC* *hl-debugBreakpoint* The color of the signs can be adjusted with these highlight groups: - debugPC the current position - debugBreakpoint a breakpoint The defaults are, when 'background' is "light": hi debugPC term=reverse ctermbg=lightblue guibg=lightblue hi debugBreakpoint term=reverse ctermbg=red guibg=red When 'background' is "dark": hi debugPC term=reverse ctermbg=darkblue guibg=darkblue hi debugBreakpoint term=reverse ctermbg=red guibg=red Popup menu *termdebug_popup* By default the Termdebug plugin sets 'mousemodel' to "popup_setpos" and adds these entries to the popup menu: Set breakpoint `:Break` Clear breakpoint `:Clear` Evaluate `:Evaluate` If you don't want this then disable it with: > let g:termdebug_popup = 0 Vim window width *termdebug_wide* To change the width of the Vim window when debugging starts, and use a vertical split: > let g:termdebug_wide = 163 This will set &columns to 163 when :Termdebug is used. The value is restored when quitting the debugger. If g:termdebug_wide is set and &Columns is already larger than g:termdebug_wide then a vertical split will be used without changing &columns. Set it to 1 to get a vertical split without every changing &columns (useful for when the terminal can't be resized by Vim). vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: