Install vim with +clipboard
The vim that comes with Mac OS was not built with clipboard support. That means you have no access to system clipboard in their vim!
Therefore, the first step is to install a better version of vim.
brew install vim
Vundle to manage vim plugins
Vundle is a plugin manager for vim.
Firstly, git clone https://github.com/VundleVim/Vundle.vim.git ~/.vim/bundle/Vundle.vim.
Since I use dotfiles and oh-my-zsh, there will be some setup to them. With oh-my-zsh, enable vundle as one of the plugins in .zshrc.
Then in .vimrc, add the following:
filetype off " required
set rtp+=~/.vim/bundle/Vundle.vim
call vundle#begin()
Plugin 'ctrlpvim/ctrlp.vim'
call vundle#end() " required
filetype plugin indent on " required
In the example, I have only added ctrlp for illustration of a plugin to install. Add more as needed.
You can now install with :PluginInstall.
Symlink dotfiles
A convenient way is to symlink .vimrc so that you only edit in one place (dotfile):
ln -s ~/dotfiles/.vimrc ~/.vimrc
Solarized Theme
We can’t not mention the most popluar theme - solarized.
Add the plugin to .zshrc, and install with :PluginInstall.
Plugin 'altercation/vim-colors-solarized'
Remember to also change the theme for iTerm2.
Agnoster/Powerline zsh theme
While we are at theme, you might as well change your zsh theme to Agnoster, a theme that is compatible with Solarized and good if you use git. Change your .zshrc theme to agnoster.
You will need to install powerline fonts, then change your iTerm non-ASCII font to eg Menso for Powerline.