os_unix.txt ForVim version 9.2. Last change: 2026 Feb 14VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram MoolenaarunixUnixThis file contains the particularities for theUnix version of Vim.For compiling Vim onUnix see "INSTALL" and "Makefile" in the src directory.The defaulthelp file nameis "/usr/local/lib/vim/help.txt"The files "$HOME/.vimrc" and "$HOME/.exrc" are used instead of "s:.vimrc" and"s:.exrc". Additionally "/usr/local/etc/vimrc"is used first.If "/usr/local/share" existsitis used instead of "/usr/local/lib".Temporary files (for filtering) areput in "/tmp". If you want to place themsomewhere else, set the environment variable $TMPDIR to the directory youprefer.Withwildcard expansion you can use '~' (home directory) and '$'(environment variable).forkspoonFor executing external commands fork()/exec()is used when possible, otherwisesystem()is used, whichisa bit slower. The output of ":version" includes+fork when fork()/exec()is used,+system() whensystem()is used. Thiscan be changedat compile time.(For forking of theGUI version seegui-fork.)For historic reasonsterminal updating underUnixis expected to be slow (e.g.serial line terminal, shellwindow in suntools), the'showcmd' and'ruler'options are off by default. If you havea fast terminal, try setting themon:set showcmd rulerWhen using Vim in an xterm the mouse clicks can be used by Vim by setting'mouse' to "a". If thereis access to an X-servergui style copy/paste willbe used and visual feedback will be provided while dragging with the mouse.If you then still want the xterm copy/paste with the mouse, press theshiftkey when using the mouse. Seemouse-using.Visual feedback while draggingcan also be achieved via the'ttymouse' option if your xtermis new enough.terminal-colorsTo use colors in Vim you can use the following example (if yourterminalsupports colors, but "T_Co"is empty or zero): :set t_me=^[[0;1;36m " normal mode (undoes t_mr and t_md) :set t_mr=^[[0;1;33;44m " reverse (invert) mode :set t_md=^[[1;33;41m " bold mode :set t_se=^[[1;36;40m " standout end :set t_so=^[[1;32;45m " standout mode :set t_ue=^[[0;1;36m " underline end :set t_us=^[[1;32m " underline mode start[the ^[is an<Esc>, typeCTRL-V<Esc> to enter it]For real color terminals the ":highlight" command can be used.The file "tools/vim132"isa shellscript that can be used toput Vim in 132column mode ona vt100 and lookalikes. vim:tw=78:ts=8:noet:ft=help:norl: