Question

when I open gvim using Alt+F2 it takes as its default working directory my home folder.

How can I change the working folder after or while running gvim? can i pass that folder as a parameter when open gvim?

Answer 1

You could use a shortcut.

The simplest way, though, would be to

:edit $MYVIMRC

append a line

cd /home/user/my/work/dir

save (optionally execute :w|source % to immediately reload)

---

Inside vim

use

:pwd
:cd some/other/dir

To view/change current working directory.

Use e.g.

:cd %:h

to change to the directory containing the file loaded in the active window.
If you need/want to do this often, consider just setting ‘autochdir’

:se autochdir

From the docs:

When on, Vim will change the current working directory
whenever you open a file, switch buffers, delete a
buffer or open/close a window.  It will change to the
directory containing the file which was opened or
selected.  This option is provided for backward
compatibility with the Vim released with Sun ONE
Studio 4 Enterprise Edition.

Note: When this option is on some plugins may not work.