diff --git a/.vimrc b/.vimrc
index 6a4639e5..da4bfb0f 100644
--- a/.vimrc
+++ b/.vimrc
@@ -1,39 +1,41 @@
-" Shortcut to rapidly toggle `set list`
-nmap <leader>l :set list!<CR>
-" Use the same symbols as TextMate for tabstops and EOLs
-set listchars=tab:▸\ ,eol:¬
+" file settings
+set noswapfile
+set encoding=utf-8
 
+" colours
+set t_Co=256
+syntax on
+set background=dark
+color solarized 
+colorscheme solarized 
+
+" special chars
+nmap <leader>l :set list!<CR>
+set listchars=tab:▸\ ,eol:¬
+highlight NonText guifg=#4a4a59
+highlight SpecialKey guifg=#4a4a59
+
+" tabs and spaces
 set tabstop=4
 set softtabstop=4
 set shiftwidth=4
 set expandtab
 
-"Invisible character colors
-highlight NonText guifg=#4a4a59
-highlight SpecialKey guifg=#4a4a59
-
-set t_Co=256
-syntax on
-
-set background=dark
-color solarized 
-colorscheme solarized 
-
-set noswapfile
-set encoding=utf-8
-
+" plugins
 execute pathogen#infect()
 filetype plugin indent on
 
-"always show statusline
-set laststatus=2
-"don't show default mode indicators
-set noshowmode
-"airline
+" plugins: airline
 let g:bufferline_echo = 0
 let g:airline_powerline_fonts = 1
 let g:airline#extensions#tabline#enabled = 1
 
-" clear sign column, for git gutter etc
-highlight clear SignColumn
+
+" appearance
+highlight clear SignColumn
+"highlight SignColumn ctermbg=brblack
+set relativenumber
+set laststatus=2
+set noshowmode
+set showtabline=1 "only show tabline when more than 1 tab