Modify the buffer name in the modeline

Question

Helm-mini displays a yellow @ when a file or buffer is remote (in my case accessed via tramp/ssh), which I find quite handy. I'd like to add such a marker to the buffer name part of my modeline, but I'm not sure what's the best way. I'm using powerline.

Answer 1

1. Define a separate face, e.g., my-remote-buf, that you use to show remote buffers.

2. Set mode-line-buffer-identification to use that face when the buffer is remote:

   (setq mode-line-buffer-identification
         (list (propertize (car mode-line-buffer-identification)
                           'face 'my-remote-buf)))
   

Answer 2

Would rename-buffer function be what you are looking for? You could use a hook to append @ to a buffer name if you'd like to do it automatically.