Completion mode that is used for the character specified with 'wildchar'. It is a comma-separated list of up to four parts. Each part specifies what to do for each consecutive use of 'wildchar'. The first part specifies the behavior for the first use of 'wildchar', The second part for the second use, etc.

Each part consists of a colon separated list consisting of the following possible values: "" Complete only the first match. "full" Complete the next full match. After the last match, the original string is used and then the first match again. Will also start 'wildmenu' if it is enabled. "longest" Complete till longest common string. If this doesn't result in a longer string, use the next part. "list" When more than one match, list all matches. "lastused" When completing buffer names and more than one buffer matches, sort buffers by time last used (other than the current buffer). When there is only a single match, it is fully completed in all cases.

Examples of useful colon-separated values: "longest:full" Like "longest", but also start 'wildmenu' if it is enabled. Will not complete to the next full match. "list:full" When more than one match, list all matches and complete first match. "list:longest" When more than one match, list all matches and complete till longest common string. "list:lastused" When more than one buffer matches, list all matches and sort buffers by time last used (other than the current buffer).

Examples:

:set wildmode=full

Complete first full match, next match, etc. (the default)

:set wildmode=longest,full

Complete longest common string, then each full match

:set wildmode=list:full

List all matches and complete each full match

:set wildmode=list,full

List all matches without completing, then each full match

:set wildmode=longest,list

Complete longest common string, then list alternatives. More info here: cmdline-completion.

(Vim default: "full")