For system administrators, it is essential to work with precision and efficiency. Whether you are editing configuration files, troubleshooting server errors, or automating repetitive tasks, the tools you work with make all the difference. This is where Vim shines, it is a fast, lightweight, terminal-based text editor that is always available on Unix-like systems.
However, Vim is just not an editor. When used with the right plugins, it changes into a powerful and customizable environment according to your workflow. From smarter navigation, syntax highlighting, Git integration to log management, Vim plugins will help you streamline your daily tasks and reduce friction.
This guide will help you sort through the influx of Vim plugins in the market and find the most suitable ones for your needs.
Why Sysadmins Should Use Vim Plugins
Here is why Vim plugins are a game-changer:
- Vim plugins help boost efficiency by navigating through files and directories faster, saving time during troubleshooting or deployments.
- Plugins help with syntax highlighting and linting, especially language specific ones that provide syntax support, reducing errors in YAML, Bash, Python, and more.
- Vim plugins make parsing logs visually easier with color coding patterns.
- Vim works over SSH, and so the plugins – no need to install GUIs on remote servers.
- With version control integration, sysadmins can work with Git directly inside Vim, managing configuration repos or code change effortlessly.
How to Install Vim Plugins
To manage Vim plugins easily, more people rely on plugin managers, mainly vim-plug and Vundle. Here is how you can set them up:
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- Installing Plugins with vim-plug (Recommended)
vim-plug is a fast and lightweight tool that supports parallel plugin installation.
- Step 1: Install vim-plug
curl -fLo ~/. /autoload/plug.vim–create-dirs \
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/junegunn/ -plug/master/plug.
- Step 2: Add Plugins to Your .vimrc
call plug#begin(‘~/.vim/plugged’)
” Example plugins
Plug ‘preservim/nerdtree’
Plug ‘tpope/vim-fugitive’
call plug#end()
- Step 3: Install Plugins in Vim
Open Vim and run:
:PlugInstall
- Installing Plugins with Vundle
Vundle is another popular plugin manager, but it is not as maintained and older than the first choice.
- Step 1: Install Vundle
git clone https://github.com/VundleVim/Vundle.vim.git ~/.vim/bundle/Vundle.vim
- Step 2: Add Plugins to Your .vimrc
set nocompatible
filetype off
set rtp+=~/.vim/bundle/Vundle.vim
call vundle#begin()
Example plugins
Plugin ‘preservim/nerdtree’
Plugin ‘tpope/vim-fugitive’
call vundle#end()
filetype plugin indent on
- Step 3: Install Plugins in Vim
Open Vim and run:
:PluginInstall
14 Essential Vim Plugins For You
Here are the top choices sorted by the main purpose.
Productivity Plugins
- vim-airline – A Lean Status Bar Enhancer
vim-airline adds a customizable status line at the bottom of your window. It is useful to display information like current file, mode, encoding, Git branch, and more.
Why it’s useful for sysadmins:
- Instantly shows the file type and cursor position.
- Integrates with other plugins (like Git, file trees, linters).
- Saves time by reducing the need to run extra commands for context.
Install with vim-plug:
Plug ‘vim-airline/vim-airline’
- NERDTree – A File Explorer for Vim
NerdTree provides a file system sidebar to explore and open files without leaving the primary editor.
Why it’s useful for sysadmins:
- Quickly navigate complex directory structures (e.g., /etc, /var/log).
- Open and edit multiple config files with ease.
- Supports bookmarking frequently used paths.
Install with vim-plug:
Plug ‘preservim/nerdtree’
Syntax & Filetype Enhancements
- ansible-vim – Ansible Support in
Ansible-vim adds syntax highlighting, indentation, and folding for Ansible playbooks and inventory files.
Why it’s useful for sysadmins:
- Clean and consistent formatting for automation scripts.
- Easier debugging and reviewing of Ansible playbooks.
- Quick navigation with folding support.
Install with vim-plug:
Plug ‘pearofducks/ansible- ‘
- vim-yaml – Enhanced YAML Syntax Highlighting
vim-yaml helps improve syntax highlighting and indentation for all YAML files.
Why it’s useful for sysadmins:
- YAML is used in Ansible, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud configs.
- Helps avoid formatting errors like incorrect spacing.
- Improves readability and structure.
Install with vim-plug:
Plug ‘stephpy/ vim-yaml’
System Administration Helpers
- vim-sudoedit – Edit Root Files in Vim Using sudo
vim-suboedit enables you to open and write root-owned files without leaving the editor.
Why it’s useful for sysadmins:
- Easily edit files like /etc/hosts or /etc/fstab with elevated permissions.
- Eliminates the need to reopen with sudo.
- Safer and faster than sudo vim.
Install with vim-plug:
Plug ‘chrisbra/SudoEdit.vim’
- vim-fugitive – Git Integration for
vim-fugitive enables you to perform Git operations from inside the editor.
Why it’s useful for sysadmins:
- Track changes to infrastructure-as-code files.
- Quickly commit, diff, and view logs without leaving Vim.
- Great for managing GitOps workflows or versioned config repos.
Install with vim-plug:
Plug ‘tpope/vim-fugitive’
Navigation & Search Tools
Two of the best Vim plugins for navigation and search tools are:
- ctrlp.vim – A Powerful Fuzzy Finder
Why it’s useful for sysadmins:
- Instantly find config files, scripts, or logs across directories.
- Saves time when working in large codebases or systems.
- Supports custom extensions and search modes.
Install with vim-plug:
Plug ‘ctrlpvim/ctrlp.vim’
- tagbar – Code Structure Sidebar
Tagbar is one of the best Vim plugins to display a structured outline of your files using the tags generated by ctags.
Why it’s useful for sysadmins:
- Helps navigate scripts or structured files (e.g., functions, classes).
- Useful when editing complex shell scripts, Python tools, or configs.
- Improves file understanding at a glance.
Install with vim-plug:
Plug ‘preservim/tagbar’
Automation & Snippets
Vim plugins for automation & snippets that must make it to your list:
- ultisnips – Snippet Engine for
Ultisnips provides advanced level snippet expansion and supports repetitive code automation.
Why it’s useful for sysadmins:
- Quickly insert blocks of Ansible, Bash, or config code.
- Customize reusable templates for common tasks.
- Reduce typos and speed up repetitive editing.
Install with -plug:
Plug ‘SirVer/ultisnips’
Plug ‘honza/vim-snippets’
- vim-surround – Easy Surrounding Text Editing
vim-surround plugin helps you add, change, or delete surrounding characters or tags.
Why it’s useful for sysadmins:
- Quickly wrap or swap quotes, brackets, HTML/XML tags.
- Ideal for cleaning up or editing config or markup files.
- Saves keystrokes and improves accuracy.
Install with vim-plug:
Plug ‘tpope/vim-surround’
Terminal Integration Vim Plugins
For terminal integration, you can use these plugins.
- vim-terminal – Built-in Terminal for
The built-in terminal is available in Vim versions 8+ and lets you run shell commands within the editor.
Why it’s useful for sysadmins:
- Test commands without leaving the editor.
- Monitor logs or run scripts side-by-side with editing.
- Works well for quick diagnostics.
No plugin required (if using 8+).
- neoterm – Advanced Terminal Management
Neoterm allows you to run and send commands to terminal buffers within the Vim editor.
Why it’s useful for sysadmins:
- Run Ansible, SSH commands, or test scripts directly in split terminals.
- Re-run last commands quickly.
- Great for a tmux-style workflow in .
Install with vim-plug:
Plug ‘kassio/neoterm’
Monitoring & Logs Plugins
For monitoring and logs, you can use these Vim plugins.
- logstash.vim – Syntax Highlighting for Logstash
Logstash.vim provides syntax support for Logstash configurations and output.
Why it’s useful for sysadmins:
- Clean and color-coded formatting for parsing logs.
- Easier to troubleshoot Logstash pipelines.
- Supports keyword highlighting.
Install with vim-plug:
Plug ‘elastic/logstash.vim’
- tail.vim – Real-Time Log Viewer in
Tail copies the mimics tail -f inside Vim to view the changing logs in real time.
Why it’s useful for sysadmins:
- Monitor logs while debugging or running services.
- Keep everything in one window during troubleshooting.
- Minimal, fast, and effective.
Install with vim-plug:
Plug ‘vim-scripts/tail.vim’
Best Practices for Using Vim Plugins
You should ideally use these best practices to make the most out of Vim plugins.
- Use a Modern Plugin Manager
Stick to known Vim plugin managers like vim-plug or Vundle for easy installation, updates, and lazy loading support.
vim-plug example:
call plug#begin(‘~/.vim/plugged’)
Plug ‘tpope/vim-surround’
call plug#end()
- Group Plugins by Purpose in .vimrc
Organize plugins under comments like // Navigation, // Syntax, etc.
- Minimize Startup Time
Only install the Vim plugins that you use generally and consider lazy loading heavier ones to avoid clutter.
Example lazy-loading:
Plug ‘fatih/vim-go’, { ‘for’: ‘go’ }
- Keep Plugins Updated
Use PlugUpdate regularly to ensure that none of the plugins are outdated.
- Track Changes in Version Control
Add your .vimrc, .vim/, or .config/nvim/ (for Neovim) folder to Git.
Wrapping Up – Finding The Right Vim Plugins
Choosing the right Vim plugins is not only about finding the best in the market but more about your needs. Pick and choose through our top 14 picks to pick the best one for your and your development environment.
