nerdtree

NERDTree is a file browser plugin for the Vim text editor. Vim is a terminal-based editor that normally doesn't show a graphical file tree — you open files by typing their path. NERDTree adds a sidebar panel to Vim that displays your project's folder structure as a navigable tree, letting you browse directories and open files by pointing at them rather than typing paths.

Within the tree panel you can expand and collapse folders, open files in new tabs or split windows, and perform basic file management operations. Pressing ? in the NERDTree panel shows a quick reference of all available keyboard shortcuts. The plugin integrates with the rest of Vim so you can configure keyboard shortcuts in your Vim configuration file to toggle the tree, focus it, or jump it to the currently open file.

NERDTree can be auto-configured to open when Vim starts, and it can be set to automatically close Vim when NERDTree is the last remaining window. It has an extension API, and a small ecosystem of companion plugins adds features like showing Git status indicators next to files, file type icons, syntax-based coloring, and multi-file operations.

Installation follows the standard Vim plugin process using any popular Vim plugin manager (Pathogen, Vundle, vim-plug, Dein), or Vim 8's built-in package management by cloning the repository to a specific directory.

You would use NERDTree if you use Vim and want a file explorer sidebar, particularly when working in a multi-file project. The plugin is written in Vim Script and works with both Vim and Neovim.