Quickstart Guide:

Start ipython qtconsole and copy the connection string. Source ipy.vim file, which provides new IPython command:

:source ipy.vim
(or copy it to ~/.vim/ftplugin/python to load automatically)

:IPythonClipboard
(or :IPythonXSelection if you're using X11 without having to copy)

The :IPython command allows you to put the full string, e.g.:

:IPython --existing --shell=41882 --iopub=43286 --stdin=34987 --hb=36697

The :IPythonClipboard command just uses the + register to get the connection string, whereas :IPythonXSelection uses the * register

Sending lines to IPython

Now type out a line and send it to IPython using <Ctrl-S> from Command mode:

import os

You should see a notification message confirming the line was sent, along with the input number for the line, like so In[1]: import os.

<Ctrl-S> also works from insert mode, but doesn't show notification

It also works blockwise in Visual Mode. Strip the leading double quotes and send these lines using <Ctrl-S>:

import this,math # secret decoder ring
a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i = range(1,10)
code =(c,a,d,a,e,i,)
msg = '...jrer nyy frag sebz Ivz.\nIvz+VClguba=%fyl '+this.s.split()[g]
decode=lambda x:"\n"+"".join([this.d.get(c,c) for c in x])+"!"
format=lambda x:'These lines:\n  '+'\n  '.join([l for l in x.splitlines()])
secret_decoder = lambda a,b: format(a)+decode(msg)%str(b)[:-1]
'%d'*len(code)%code == str(int(math.pi*1e5))

Then, go to the qtconsole and run this line:

print secret_decoder(_i,_)

You can also send whole files to IPython's %run magic using <F5>.

IPython's object? Functionality

If you're using gvim, mouse-over a variable to see IPython's ? equivalent. If you're using vim from a terminal, or want to copy something from the docstring, type <leader>d. <leader> is usually \ (the backslash key). This will open a quickpreview window, which can be closed by hitting q or <escape>.

IPython's tab-completion Functionality

vim-ipython activates a 'completefunc' that queries IPython. A completefunc is activated using Ctrl-X Ctrl-U in Insert Mode (vim default). You can combine this functionality with SuperTab to get tab completion

Current issues:

For now, vim-ipython only connects to an ipython session in progress.

ipy.vim takes a while to load, I'll eventually move the python code to its own file and do a lazy import (only when the IPython command is called)

The ipdb integration is not yet re-implemented.

Need to add more message handling for sub_channel messages from IPython (i.e. notification of changes which were not sent from vim).

Thanks

@MinRK for guiding me through the IPython kernel manager protocol.