oil-bar.nvim

An extension for stevearc/oil.nvim that provides a persistent sidebar toggle and context-aware navigation.

Features

oil-bar-demo.mp4

• Persistent Sidebar Toggle: A simple command (e by default) to open and close oil.nvim in a persistent vertical split on the far left.

• Context-Aware Navigation: The keymap is enhanced to be "sidebar-aware":

• In the sidebar: Opens directories within the sidebar, and opens files in the main content window (to the right).

• In a normal oil buffer: retains its default oil.nvim behavior.

• Intelligent File Opening: Files opened from the sidebar are automatically opened in a window to the right, creating a new vertical split if one doesn't already exist.

• Focus Retention: When opening a file from the sidebar, focus immediately returns to the sidebar, allowing you to continue browsing without interruption.

• Decoupled Configuration: This plugin does not manage or override your personal oil.nvim configuration. It simply adds the toggle functionality and the smart keymap.

Requirements

• neovim/nvim-lsp (v0.8+)

• stevearc/oil.nvim

Installation & Configuration

Here is an example using lazy.nvim.

return {
  "maelwalser/oil-bar.nvim",
  dependencies = { "stevearc/oil.nvim" },
  opts = {
    -- keymap = "<leader>p" -- Uncomment and change to your preferred key
  },
}

Usage

Once installed, the plugin provides new behaviors.

Global

• Press <leader>e (or your custom keymap) to toggle the oil.nvim sidebar on and off.

In the Oil Sidebar

• Place your cursor on a directory and press to navigate into that directory within the sidebar.

• Place your cursor on a file and press to open that file in a window to the right. Focus will remain on the sidebar.

In a Normal oil Buffer

• Press on any entry to use the default oil.nvim "select" action (e.g., opening the file or directory in the current window).