Setting up vim-gpg plugin

vim-gpg plugin allows transparent editing for files encrypted using GPG .Those who are new to GPG can follow this guide.

Graphical setup (Easy/GNOME)

Gvim in Software app of GNOME

1. Install Gvim: Search "Gvim" in Software app (if you are using GNOME) and install.

2. Install vim-gpg plugin:

gitg in Software app of GNOME

2.1 Install gitg from GNOME Software

gitg first screen showing empty projects list

2.2 Start gitg from activities.

2.3 Click on "Clone" option in gitg.

2.4 Add https://github.com/jamessan/vim-gnupg.git as URL

2.5 Select ~/.vim/pack/bundle/start/vim-gnupg as "Local Folder". In "Local Folder" drop down, choose "Other" at the bottom, click on "Home" on the left bar, choose Create Folder icon on top right, and enter .vim and then repeat the same to create each sub folders - pack, bundle, start, vim-gnupg. Then click Clone on the top right.

Now you can just right click on any encrypted file in your file manager and open with GVim. This plugin will decrypt the file and let you view or edit its contents. You can enable "Always use for this file type" to just open it by double clicking it next time.

Advanced/Command line setup

1. Install vim using your package manager

  sudo apt install vim

OR (Those who prefer the GUI way of doing things can use vim-gtk3).

  sudo apt install vim-gtk3

2. Install vim-gpg plugin

2a If you are on a debian based distro. There is a package called `vim-scripts` that already has this plugin. So installing this package would make things a lot easier

  sudo apt install vim-scripts

Now add the line "packadd! gnupg" to your ~/.vimrc. You can use a graphical text editor like GNOME Text Editor or GVim to open ~/.vimrc file and add this line to the end of the file (if it has some contents already or just add it to the start if the file is empty).

  echo "packadd! gnupg" >> ~/.vimrc

That's it ! Now you can open your gpg encrypted file using vim and it will ask for your passphrase.

OR

2b You can use Vim's package support to contain the plugin in its own directory.

  mkdir -p ~/.vim/pack/bundle/start
  cd ~/.vim/pack/bundle/start
  git clone git@github.com:jamessan/vim-gnupg.git

Vim will find and load everything on its own, without mixing the files with others.