How to open "a layout" at VimEnter? (namely Neo-tree and Aerial)

[gacallea]

Hi all,

I would like to open neo-tree and aerial (symbols) whenever a file is opened. I tried using autocmds.lua as suggested on neo-tree discussion to no avail. Ideally refined to selected specific file extensions.

-- Autocmds are automatically loaded on the VeryLazy event
-- Default autocmds that are always set: https://github.com/LazyVim/LazyVim/blob/main/lua/lazyvim/config/autocmds.lua
-- Add any additional autocmds here

local function augroup(name)
  return vim.api.nvim_create_augroup("lazyvim_" .. name, { clear = true })
end

-- open neo-tree at launch
vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd({ "VimEnter" }, {
  pattern = "*",
  group = augroup "neotreeonopen",
  once = true,
  callback = function(_)
    if vim.fn.argc() == 0 then
      vim.cmd "Neotree"
    end
  end,
})

Please and thank you.

ps shower thought: perhaps there is a LazyVim toggle that one can set in configs?

[dpetka2001]

That autocmd only opens neo-tree when you invoke Neovim without any file arguments, like when doing nvim. What is it exactly you're trying to achieve? How will you be opening the files?

[gacallea]

Hi @dpetka2001,

interesting observation. I usually open nvim with either of the following:

• nvim (followed by invoking either Projects or Restore Session or Recents Files)
• with a file directly nvim filepath

I would need to have the desired "layout" opening (neotree and aerial) in both cases (the former after the dashboard action) whenever a file is opened.

As of today I usually use my edgy layout (leader ue) or manually open neo-tree (leader e) and aerial (leader cs) after I have opened a file with the above mentioned cases.

Please and thank you

[dpetka2001]

Try out the following

vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd({ "SessionLoadPost", "UIEnter" }, {
  pattern = { "*.lua", "*.py" },
  group = vim.api.nvim_create_augroup("UIEnter", { clear = true }),
  desc = "Open neo-tree on UIEnter",
  callback = function()
    vim.cmd("Neotree")
  end,
})

There might be some edge cases, in that case you should read :h events for maybe choosing more appropriate events according to your needs.

[gacallea]

thanks :) really appreciated!

it does kind of work except that:

• neotree path is wherever nvim was invoked and not the file path
• I tried adding AerialOpen
• I tried adding CTRL+W to it to move the cursor to the file

Adding extra commands breaks it.

Now that I think of it, is there a way to make it invoke Edgy (leader ue) instead? That way one would customize the layout in edgy.lua and the autocmd would be agnostic.

Please and thank you

[dpetka2001]

For me the path always opens where the file is.

For edgy and moving the cursor to file you could do

vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd({ "SessionLoadPost", "UIEnter" }, {
  pattern = { "*.lua", "*.py" },
  group = vim.api.nvim_create_augroup("UIEnter", { clear = true }),
  desc = "Open neo-tree on UIEnter",
  callback = function()
    -- vim.cmd("Neotree")
    require("edgy").toggle()
    vim.schedule(function()
      vim.cmd("wincmd l")    -- lowercase L
    end)
  end,
})

[gacallea]

this works better but something weird still happens: it works fine the first time, then when trying projects, session, recent from the dashboard, it is stuck on the dashboard. it was doing this with the first version as well, but I thought it was my messing around fault.

[dpetka2001]

I don't understand what you're saying. Are you invoking :Dashboard again when you are inside a Neovim session?

[gacallea]

I don't understand what you're saying. Are you invoking :Dashboard again when you are inside a Neovim session?

I launch nvim, then I try to invoke either Projects or Restore Session or Recents Files but nothing happens. It stays on the dashboard. Or if it opens, it opens the tabs in background/behind the dashboard weird.

[dpetka2001]

Maybe try adding BufReadPost to the events. Look in :h events what events are available, read what they do and try to decide which ones fit the best your needs.