When I open a new buffer I usually just do :vsp something which allows me to open a new buffer with a vertical split. However, when I don't control how the buffer should be opened (e.g. when typing :help) the new buffer is always opened with a horizontal split, which really annoys me. Is there anyway to change the default split direction?
Force buffers to always open with vertical split
buffers
Vim provides :vert to split vertically. There isn't any option to change the default horizontal split but you can add :vert before file to open it like :vert help :vert[ical] {cmd}    Execute {cmd}.  If it contains a command that splits a window,    it will be split vertically.