P4EDITOR

The editor invoked by P4 Server commands that use forms.

Usage notes

Used by Client?	Used by Server?	Command-Line Alternative	Can be set in P4CONFIG file?
Yes	No	None	Yes

Value if not explicitly set

Operating System Value

Operating System	Value
Linux, UNIX, macOS	If `EDITOR` is set to any value, then the value of `EDITOR`, otherwise, `vi`.
Windows	If `P4EDITOR` is set to any value, then the value of `P4EDITOR`, otherwise, `Notepad`.

Linux, UNIX, macOS

If EDITOR is set to any value, then the value of EDITOR,

otherwise, vi.

Windows

If P4EDITOR is set to any value, then the value of P4EDITOR,

otherwise, Notepad.

Examples

On Linux, UNIX, macOS:

export EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi

On Windows:

p4 set P4EDITOR="C:\Program Files\TextPad 8\TextPad.exe"

If P4EDITOR is not set, the operating system's default text editor is used. To use a different text editor, set P4EDITOR to the appropriate executable. Some text editors require additional flags to ensure proper interaction. For example, the Notepad++ text editor works best with the -nosession -multiInst options:
p4 set P4EDITOR="C:\Program Files (x86)\Notepad+\notepad+.exe -nosession -multiInst"

Notes

P4EDITOR is used by P4 Server commands that use forms, such as:

For regular users: p4 branch, p4 stream, p4 change, p4 client, p4 job, p4 label, p4 submit, and p4 user.
For users with admin or greater access: p4 depot, p4 group, p4 jobspec, p4 protect, p4 triggers, and p4 typemap.