Open Ghostty screen_file using Vim

README.md

Open Ghostty screen_file using Vim

We can use write_screen_file action to see past terminal output.

https://ghostty.org/docs/config/keybind/reference#write_screen_file

Currently, write_screen_file:open uses the OS default open command, which launches TextEdit.app in macOS.

As a terminal enthusiast, I would prefer to use a text editor directly within the terminal.

Therefore, the workflow ends up looking like this:

1. Type vim
2. Use the write_screen_file:paste action to insert the path of the screen_file
3. Press Enter to open the file

This approach works, but it requires a few too many steps.

It would be very convenient to perform all of this in a single step. Unfortunately, Ghostty’s keybinding configuration does not allow chaining multiple actions.

ghostty-org/ghostty#3175

I came up with a way to open the screen_file with a single shortcut: emulate multiple keystrokes and pass them to Ghostty through one shortcut.

Since I am using macOS, I rely on Karabiner for this.

https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/

I have attached the configuration file in this Gist.

1. copy ghostty_config and paste it into your ghostty config.
2. copy vimrc and paste it into your vimrc.
3. save ghostty_screen_file.json in ~/.config/karabiner/assets/complex_modifications (or your karabiner config directory) and load it by "Add predefined rule" in Karabiner Settings window.

This setting types vim /path/to/screen_file\n by pressing ctrl+shift+q. Adjust the trigger keys and detailed configuration according to your preferences.

(By the way, I always get confused between the names write_screen_file and write_scrollback_file... like these: ghostty-org/ghostty#3652 ghostty-org/ghostty#4911)

ghostty_config

# Define trigger for write_screen_file:paste action
keybind = ctrl+shift+q=write_screen_file:paste

ghostty_screen_file.json

{
  "title": "Ghostty open screen_file with Vim",
  "rules": [
    {
      "description": "Ctrl+Shift+Q to send 'vim ' + Ctrl+Shift+Q + Return in Ghostty",
      "manipulators": [
        {
          "type": "basic",
          "from": {
            "key_code": "q",
            "modifiers": {
              "mandatory": ["control", "shift"]
            }
          },
          "to": [
            { "key_code": "v" },
            { "key_code": "i" },
            { "key_code": "m" },
            { "key_code": "spacebar" },
            {
              "key_code": "q",
              "modifiers": ["control", "shift"]
            },
            { "key_code": "return_or_enter" }
          ],
          "conditions": [
            {
              "type": "frontmost_application_if",
              "bundle_identifiers": [
                "^com\\.mitchellh\\.ghostty$"
              ]
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

vimrc

" Go to the last line of ghostty screen file on BufEnter
autocmd BufEnter /private/var/folders/*/screen.txt normal! G