'wildcharm' works exactly like 'wildchar', except that it is recognized when used inside a macro. You can find "spare" command-line keys suitable for this option by looking at |ex-edit-index|. Normally you'll never actually type 'wildcharm', just use it in mappings that automatically invoke completion mode, e.g.: > :set wcm= :cnoremap ss so $vim/sessions/*.vim < Then after typing :ss you can use CTRL-P & CTRL-N.