NERDTree reload new files

If I add a file to the same directory opened in NERDTree, the only way I can see the file added is if I quit vim and start it again .

Is there a way I can reload the files in NERDTree?

You could close and reopen NERDTree or simply hit r to refresh the current directory's listing or R to refresh the root directory's listing .

Do you see "Press ? for help" at the top of the NERDTree window? It means that you can press ? for help. If you do, you will see an exhaustive listing of NERDTree shortcuts. That's neat.

More generally, many plugins have a thorough documentation that you can access with :help <pluginame>.

As @romainl answered above; press r to refresh current directory or R to refresh root directory.

You can consider adding new files from nerdTree itself by pressing m, then a to add a new file (or directory by adding a trailing slash). This way you don't need to refresh nerdTree to see the new added file.

Refresh NERDTree

Instead of hitting R in the NERDTree window, I use a custom map that does it for me:

nmap <Leader>r :NERDTreeRefreshRoot

I've mapped it to Leader + r, but you can map it to whatever you want.

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Explanation:

• It first switches to the NERDTree window
• Then refreshes the Root Node (by simulating the R key)
• And finally switches back to the previous window

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^{Note: You can add a last step to refresh CtrlP along with NERDTree}

You can hit R button by using feedkeys function. Just like this:

call feedkeys("R")  

I have defined a function in my .vimrc file:

fun! ToggleNERDTreeWithRefresh()
    :NERDTreeToggle 
    if(exists("b:NERDTreeType") == 1)
        call feedkeys("R")  
    endif   
endf 

nmap <silent> <c-l> :call ToggleNERDTreeWithRefresh()<cr>  

So, when I type ctrl+l, the NERDTree will be toggled and refresh root directory.

Personally I prefer to trigger the refresh automatically when focusing the NERDTree window. This autocommand (in your .vimrc) will do it

autocmd BufEnter NERD_tree_* | execute 'normal R'