Renaming the current file in Vim

Question

How should I go about renaming my current file in vim.

For example:

• I am editing person.html_erb_spec.rb
• I would like it renamed to person.haml_spec.rb
• I would like to continue editing person.haml_spec.rb

How would I go about doing this, elegantly?

Answer 1

There's a little plugin that let's you do this.

Answer 2

I don't know if this is the "easiest" method, but assuming you've already saved your file (:w) I would invoke the shell (:sh) and do a simple cp foo foo.bak To go back to editor use Ctrl-D/Exit. Useful list of vi editor commands on this link

Answer 3

The command is called :saveas, but unfortunately it will not delete your old file, you'll have to do that manually. see :help saveas for more info.

EDIT:

Most vim installations have an integrated file explorer, which you can use for such operations. Try :Explore in command mode (I would actually map that to a function key, it's very handy). You can rename files with R or delete them with D, for example. But pressing <F1> in the explorer will give you a better overview.

Answer 4

• Write the file while editing - :w newname - to create a copy.
• Start editing the new copy - :e#.
• (Optionally) remove the old copy - :!rm oldname.

Answer 5

sav person.haml_spec.rb | call delete(expand('#'))