For a more complete description, you should see elvis 's on-line documentation. You can use multiple -V flags to get even more detailed information. Instructs elvis to load all files named on the command line simultaneously with a separate window for each. This is used for recovering an edit session after a crash. While elvis is running, a flag is set near the beginning of the session file so that other elvis processes won't try to use it at the same time.
Causes elvis to start each window in ex mode, instead of visual command mode.
Causes elvis to start each window in input mode, instead of visual command mode. Novice users may prefer this. The -S flag is just used to make elvis permanently paranoid, for the duration of this process. Session files are discussed in the description of the -r flag, above. Makes elvis use the named gui user interface instead of the default.