Configure Vim --with-x

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Compiling a custom vim to support +xterm_clipboard support for Unix systems. This will include (vim --version)

+client-server
+clipboard
+X11
+xterm_clipboard
+etc...

1. Uninstall /usr/local/bin/vim

If you have Homebrew installed

brew uninstall vim

Run brew doctor to check for any issues.

If not consider installing homebrew.

Do Not Remove/usr/bin/vim

2. Clone the latest vim repo

git clone https://github.com/vim/vim.git && cd /vim

3. Configuration flags:

Use --disable-darwin incase of "Quickdraw.h error".

For more options : less vim/src/feature.h , :help feature-list or Vim Docs.

Example : --with-features=huge : Includes the most features

./configure --with-x

4. Installing our configured vim

sudo make & make install

5. Run the right vim

Verify: which vim outputs: /usr/local/bin/vim

If not: Adding the following snipet to your ~/.zshrc or ~/.bashrc will allow echo $PATH variable to locate vim from /usr/local/bin/ not /usr/bin/

export PATH="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/sbin:$PATH"

Re-launch Terminal

To verify :

type -a vim should locate dirs of all vim instances

vim is /usr/local/bin/vim
vim is /usr/bin/vim

which vim should locate our installed vim in

/usr/local/bin/vim

! TO UNINSTALL VIM !

make uninstall

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X11 Support

Server-side

• xauth program
• /etc/ssh/ssh_config contains ForwardX11 yes

Client-side (Unix)

• XQuartz.app installed
• ~/.ssh/config contains

Host *
    ForwardX11 yes

This will allow running graphical applications remotely without the need to add -X

To verify :

ssh user@hostname & xterm

This will open the server's graphical terminal. If not consult ssh docs & x docs.

Configure clipboard

Server & Client

• vim --version supports +xterm_clipboard

Client-side (Unix)

The unnamed "*" & unnamedplus "+" register will sync to system clipboard for MacOS and Windows. While the unnamedplus "+" register will sync to linux system clipboard and the other "selection" clipboard is mapped to unnamed "*". To use cross-platform vim's system clipboard and "selection" clipboard, edit server-side and client-side .vimrc to include :

set clipboard^=unnamed,unnamedplus

This setting sets 'clipboard' option to prepend the "string" values.

Copy/Paste

• Ctrl+C in other programs

• p to all vim platforms.

• y yank in Vim

• Ctrl+V in other programs on all platforms.

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