Vim-GitGutter is a plugin for Vim that surfaces version-control (Git) changes directly within your editing buffer by marking the sign column (the “gutter”) with indicators for added, removed or modified lines. As you edit files in a Git-tracked repository, Vim-GitGutter keeps the signs up-to-date (sometimes asynchronously) so you can immediately see which lines differ from the last committed state. Beyond mere visual indicators, it also allows you to preview changes (“hunks”), stage or undo individual hunks (or even partial hunks), and jump between changed blocks of code. This tight integration with Git simplifies workflows, making it easier to review or commit changes without leaving the editor. Many users say it significantly improves productivity by reducing context switching: you see the effect of your edits in version-control terms right in your editor.
Features
- Show visual signs in the gutter/sign column for added, modified or removed lines
- Navigate between change hunks (next/previous) quickly in the buffer
- Stage or undo individual hunks or partial hunks directly from the editor
- Preview diffs inline or in a split window for specific hunks
- Asynchronous diff computation where possible to minimize lag
- Option to fold unchanged lines or load hunk locations into quick-fix/location lists