Both fugitive and rhubarb are lazy-loaded together on first use of any :Git command.
Opening things on GitHub
Current file
:GBrowseOpens the current file on GitHub at the current branch/commit.
Specific line or selection
:GBrowse (normal mode — current line)
:'<,'>GBrowse (visual mode — selected lines)In visual mode, GitHub opens with the line range highlighted (e.g. #L10-L25).
A specific commit
From fugitive's log (:Git log) or blame (:Git blame), place the cursor on a commit hash and run:
:GBrowseOpens that commit's page on GitHub.
A file from a specific commit or branch
:GBrowse main:path/to/file.rb
:GBrowse HEAD~3:path/to/file.rbCommit messages — issue/PR auto-complete
When writing a commit message (e.g. after :Git commit), type # in insert mode to trigger auto-complete for GitHub issues and PRs in the current repo:
Fixes #<Tab> → shows open issues to completeRequires a GitHub token in the environment (GITHUB_TOKEN) or via the system keychain for private repos.
How it relates to the custom :Blame helper
This repo also has a custom :Blame command (plugin/git_helpers.vim) that prints the commit URL for the current line. The two are complementary:
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
:Blame (custom) | Prints hash + author + subject + URL inline in Vim |
:Git blame (fugitive) | Opens an interactive blame split; navigate commits |
:GBrowse (rhubarb) | Opens the file/line/commit directly in the browser |
Lazy-loading note
Both fugitive and vim-rhubarb live in pack/bundles/opt/ and are loaded together the first time any of these commands is used:
:Git :G :Gblame :Glog :Gdiffsplit :GBrowse …There is no startup cost until you invoke one of them.