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FredKSchott/CoVim

Collaborative Editing for Vim
Source code at GitHub http://fredkschott.com/post/2013/05/introducing-covim-real-time-collaboration-for-vim/
FredKSchott/CoVim.json
{
  "createdAt": "2013-05-05T20:10:16Z",
  "defaultBranch": "master",
  "description": "Collaborative Editing for Vim",
  "fullName": "FredKSchott/CoVim",
  "homepage": "http://fredkschott.com/post/2013/05/introducing-covim-real-time-collaboration-for-vim/",
  "language": "Vim script",
  "name": "CoVim",
  "pushedAt": "2017-12-23T16:01:23Z",
  "stargazersCount": 2933,
  "topics": [],
  "updatedAt": "2025-11-08T08:29:22Z",
  "url": "https://github.com/FredKSchott/CoVim"
}

CoVim

Section titled “ CoVim”

Collaborative Editing for Vim (One of Vim’s most requested features) is finally here! Think Google Docs for Vim.

By: Fred Schott, Sam Haney
Follow @FredKSchott for development news and updates!

Demo Gif

Features

Section titled “Features”
  • Allows multiple users to connect to the same document online
  • Displays collaborators with uniquely colored cursors
  • Works with your existing configuration
  • Easy to set up & use
  • And More!

Installation

Section titled “Installation”

CoVim requires a version of Vim compiled with python 2.5+. Visit Troubleshooting if you’re having trouble starting Vim. Also note that the Twisted & Argparse libraries can also be installed via apt-get & yum.

Install With Pathogen:

Section titled “Install With Pathogen:”
  1. pip install twisted argparse service_identity
  2. cd ~/.vim/bundle
  3. git clone git://github.com/FredKSchott/CoVim.git

Install With Vundle:

Section titled “Install With Vundle:”
  1. pip install twisted argparse service_identity
  2. Add Plugin 'FredKSchott/CoVim' to your ~/.vimrc
  3. vim +PluginInstall +qall

Install Manually:

Section titled “Install Manually:”
  1. pip install twisted argparse service_identity
  2. Add CoVimClient.vim & CoVimServer.py to ~/.vim/plugin/

If Vim is having trouble finding modules (twisted, argparse, etc) do the following:

  1. run pip show MODULE_NAME and get the Location: path
  2. add the following line to your .vimrc: python import sys; sys.path.append("/module/location/path/") using the module path found in step 1.
  3. Repeat until all modules are included in your path

If you’re still having trouble, visit the wiki for additional troubleshooting & FAQ

Usage

Section titled “Usage”

To start a new CoVim server: :CoVim start [port] [name] (or, from the command line: ./CoVimServer.py [port])
To connect to a running server: :CoVim connect [host address / 'localhost'] [port] [name]
To disconnect: :CoVim disconnect
To quit Vim while CoVim is connected: :CoVim quit or :qall!

Customization

Section titled “Customization”

Add any the following to your .vimrc to customize CoVim:

Section titled “Add any the following to your .vimrc to customize CoVim:”
let CoVim_default_name = "YOURNAME"
let CoVim_default_port = "YOURPORT"
Section titled “Links”

Announcement Post
FAQ
Troubleshooting

Special Thanks

Section titled “Special Thanks”

Tufts Professor Ming Chow for leading the Senior Capstone Project that CoVim was born in.

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