csub.nvim

Edit the current quickfix list in a scratch buffer. Write the buffer to push the updates back into the original files and quickfix list.

Features

• Opens the quickfix list in an editable buffer ([csub], filetype=csub)
• Shows file/line/col metadata as virtual text beside each entry
• Applies changes to the underlying files and quickfix list on write
• Run :Csub to switch back and forth between the quickfix list and the csub buffer
• Supports different modes based on quickfix source (text replacement, buffer management)

Example: Find and Replace

• Use as a replacement for :cfdo and :cdo(Find and replace across multiple files)
  • Unlike :cfdo or :cdo, you can make arbitrary changes and see the results before applying them.
• Edit the Csub buffer as if you would any other buffer and all changes will be applied when you write the buffer.
• Saving(:w) the Csub buffer will switch back to the updated quickfix list.

Example: Buffer Management

• Configure csub to close buffers when using a buffer picker that populates the quickfix list
• Delete lines in the csub buffer to close the corresponding buffers

Requirements

• Neovim 0.12 or higher
• Verified with Neovim 0.12.1

Installation

vim.pack example (Neovim 0.12+):

vim.pack.add({"https://github.com/anoopkcn/csub.nvim"})
require("csub").setup()

Lazy.nvim example:

{
  "https://github.com/anoopkcn/csub.nvim",
  config = function()
    require("csub").setup()
  end,
}

Packer.nvim example:

use({
  "https://github.com/anoopkcn/csub.nvim",
  config = function()
    require("csub").setup()
  end,
})

Configuration

The setup() function accepts an optional table:

require("csub").setup({
    -- Handlers to detect mode based on quickfix title
    handlers = {
        { match = "FuzzyBuffers", mode = "buffers" },
        { match = "FuzzyFiles",   mode = nil },      -- disable csub
        { match = "Grep",         mode = "replace" },
        { match = "vimgrep",      mode = "replace" },
    },

    -- Fallback mode when no handler matches (default: "replace")
    default_mode = "replace",
})

Handlers

Handlers allow csub to behave differently based on what command created the quickfix list. Each handler has:

• match: A string to match against the quickfix list title (plain text match)
• mode: The mode to use when matched

Modes

Mode	Delete line	Edit text	Use case
"replace"	Remove from QF	Replace line in file	Grep results, compiler errors
"buffers"	Close buffer (:bdelete)	Ignored	Buffer pickers
nil	-	-	Disable csub for this QF

Notes:

• In "buffers" mode, use :w! to force-close modified buffers
• The mode is detected from the quickfix title when :Csub is invoked

Usage

1. Populate a quickfix list (e.g. :make, :grep, diagnostics).
2. Run :Csub to open the list in the existing quickfix window for editing.
3. Edit the lines directly. Deleting a line removes that quickfix entry; adding lines is rejected.
4. Run :Csub again at any point to toggle back to the quickfix window without discarding unsaved edits.
5. Write (:w) to apply changes back to the underlying files and quickfix list; the view jumps back to the quickfix list.

NOTE: closing the csub buffer without writing discards all changes.

Useful keymap:

vim.keymap.set("n", "<leader>s", "<cmd>Csub<cr>", { desc = "Csub the current quickfix" })

Notes

• Metadata is virtual text; line wrapping is disabled locally.
• If the target line changed since the quickfix list was built and differs from your edit, the plug-in reports an error and leaves that entry untouched.

Help

Run :help csub after installing (requires :helptags doc).