diff --git a/runtime/doc/eval.txt b/runtime/doc/eval.txt
index a817317..7806120 100644
--- a/runtime/doc/eval.txt
+++ b/runtime/doc/eval.txt
@@ -2755,6 +2755,7 @@
 split({expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
 				List	make |List| from {pat} separated {expr}
 sqrt({expr})			Float	square root of {expr}
+state([{what}])			String	current state of Vim
 str2float({expr})		Float	convert String to Float
 str2list({expr} [, {utf8}])	List	convert each character of {expr} to
 					ASCII/UTF8 value
@@ -7066,6 +7067,7 @@
 		If [expr] is supplied and it evaluates to a non-zero Number or
 		a non-empty String (|non-zero-arg|), then the full mode is
 		returned, otherwise only the first letter is returned.
+		Also see |state()|.
 
 		   n	    Normal, Terminal-Normal
 		   no	    Operator-pending
@@ -9041,6 +9043,34 @@
 		{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
 
 
+state([{what}])						*state()*
+		Return a string which contains characters indicating the
+		current state.  Mostly useful in callbacks that want to do
+		work that may not always be safe.  Roughly this works like:
+		- callback uses state() to check if work is safe to do.
+		  If yes, then do it right away.
+		  Otherwise add to work queue and add SafeState and/or
+		  SafeStateAgain autocommand.
+		- When SafeState or SafeStateAgain is triggered, check with
+		  state() if the work can be done now, and if yes remove it
+		  from the queue and execute.
+		Also see |mode()|.
+
+		When {what} is given only characters in this string will be
+		added.  E.g, this checks if the screen has scrolled: >
+			if state('s') != ''
+<
+		These characters indicate the state:
+		    m  halfway a mapping, :normal command, feedkeys() or
+		       stuffed command
+		    o  operator pending or waiting for a command argument
+		    a  Insert mode autocomplete active
+		    x  executing an autocommand
+		    w  blocked on waiting, e.g. ch_evalexpr() and
+		       ch_read(), ch_readraw() when reading json.
+		    c  callback invoked (repeats for recursiveness up to "ccc")
+		    s  screen has scrolled for messages
+
 str2float({expr})					*str2float()*
 		Convert String {expr} to a Float.  This mostly works the same
 		as when using a floating point number in an expression, see
diff --git a/src/channel.c b/src/channel.c
index 0dab3be..f40d16a 100644
--- a/src/channel.c
+++ b/src/channel.c
@@ -3483,6 +3483,7 @@
  * Read from RAW or NL "channel"/"part".  Blocks until there is something to
  * read or the timeout expires.
  * When "raw" is TRUE don't block waiting on a NL.
+ * Does not trigger timers or handle messages.
  * Returns what was read in allocated memory.
  * Returns NULL in case of error or timeout.
  */
@@ -3569,6 +3570,17 @@
     return msg;
 }
 
+static int channel_blocking_wait = 0;
+
+/*
+ * Return TRUE if in a blocking wait that might trigger callbacks.
+ */
+    int
+channel_in_blocking_wait(void)
+{
+    return channel_blocking_wait > 0;
+}
+
 /*
  * Read one JSON message with ID "id" from "channel"/"part" and store the
  * result in "rettv".
@@ -3592,6 +3604,7 @@
     int		retval = FAIL;
 
     ch_log(channel, "Blocking read JSON for id %d", id);
+    ++channel_blocking_wait;
 
     if (id >= 0)
 	channel_add_block_id(chanpart, id);
@@ -3661,6 +3674,7 @@
     }
     if (id >= 0)
 	channel_remove_block_id(chanpart, id);
+    --channel_blocking_wait;
 
     return retval;
 }
diff --git a/src/evalfunc.c b/src/evalfunc.c
index af72edb..04e1313 100644
--- a/src/evalfunc.c
+++ b/src/evalfunc.c
@@ -146,7 +146,6 @@
 static void f_matchstrpos(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv);
 static void f_max(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv);
 static void f_min(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv);
-static void f_mode(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv);
 #ifdef FEAT_MZSCHEME
 static void f_mzeval(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv);
 #endif
@@ -723,6 +722,9 @@
     {"split",		1, 3, FEARG_1,	  f_split},
 #ifdef FEAT_FLOAT
     {"sqrt",		1, 1, FEARG_1,	  f_sqrt},
+#endif
+    {"state",		0, 1, FEARG_1,	  f_state},
+#ifdef FEAT_FLOAT
     {"str2float",	1, 1, FEARG_1,	  f_str2float},
 #endif
     {"str2list",	1, 2, FEARG_1,	  f_str2list},
@@ -1046,7 +1048,7 @@
 /*
  * Return TRUE for a non-zero Number and a non-empty String.
  */
-    static int
+    int
 non_zero_arg(typval_T *argvars)
 {
     return ((argvars[0].v_type == VAR_NUMBER
@@ -4911,97 +4913,6 @@
     max_min(argvars, rettv, FALSE);
 }
 
-/*
- * "mode()" function
- */
-    static void
-f_mode(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
-{
-    char_u	buf[4];
-
-    vim_memset(buf, 0, sizeof(buf));
-
-    if (time_for_testing == 93784)
-    {
-	/* Testing the two-character code. */
-	buf[0] = 'x';
-	buf[1] = '!';
-    }
-#ifdef FEAT_TERMINAL
-    else if (term_use_loop())
-	buf[0] = 't';
-#endif
-    else if (VIsual_active)
-    {
-	if (VIsual_select)
-	    buf[0] = VIsual_mode + 's' - 'v';
-	else
-	    buf[0] = VIsual_mode;
-    }
-    else if (State == HITRETURN || State == ASKMORE || State == SETWSIZE
-		|| State == CONFIRM)
-    {
-	buf[0] = 'r';
-	if (State == ASKMORE)
-	    buf[1] = 'm';
-	else if (State == CONFIRM)
-	    buf[1] = '?';
-    }
-    else if (State == EXTERNCMD)
-	buf[0] = '!';
-    else if (State & INSERT)
-    {
-	if (State & VREPLACE_FLAG)
-	{
-	    buf[0] = 'R';
-	    buf[1] = 'v';
-	}
-	else
-	{
-	    if (State & REPLACE_FLAG)
-		buf[0] = 'R';
-	    else
-		buf[0] = 'i';
-	    if (ins_compl_active())
-		buf[1] = 'c';
-	    else if (ctrl_x_mode_not_defined_yet())
-		buf[1] = 'x';
-	}
-    }
-    else if ((State & CMDLINE) || exmode_active)
-    {
-	buf[0] = 'c';
-	if (exmode_active == EXMODE_VIM)
-	    buf[1] = 'v';
-	else if (exmode_active == EXMODE_NORMAL)
-	    buf[1] = 'e';
-    }
-    else
-    {
-	buf[0] = 'n';
-	if (finish_op)
-	{
-	    buf[1] = 'o';
-	    // to be able to detect force-linewise/blockwise/characterwise operations
-	    buf[2] = motion_force;
-	}
-	else if (restart_edit == 'I' || restart_edit == 'R'
-							|| restart_edit == 'V')
-	{
-	    buf[1] = 'i';
-	    buf[2] = restart_edit;
-	}
-    }
-
-    /* Clear out the minor mode when the argument is not a non-zero number or
-     * non-empty string.  */
-    if (!non_zero_arg(&argvars[0]))
-	buf[1] = NUL;
-
-    rettv->vval.v_string = vim_strsave(buf);
-    rettv->v_type = VAR_STRING;
-}
-
 #if defined(FEAT_MZSCHEME) || defined(PROTO)
 /*
  * "mzeval()" function
diff --git a/src/main.c b/src/main.c
index 51e3915..42aa990 100644
--- a/src/main.c
+++ b/src/main.c
@@ -1031,20 +1031,21 @@
 
 // When TRUE in a safe state when starting to wait for a character.
 static int	was_safe = FALSE;
+static oparg_T	*current_oap = NULL;
 
 /*
- * Trigger SafeState if currently in a safe state for main_loop().
+ * Return TRUE if an operator was started but not finished yet.
+ * Includes typing a count or a register name.
  */
-    static void
-may_trigger_safestate_main(oparg_T *oap)
+    int
+op_pending(void)
 {
-    may_trigger_safestate(
-	    !finish_op
-	    && oap->prev_opcount > 0
-	    && oap->prev_count0 == 0
-	    && oap->op_type == OP_NOP
-	    && oap->regname == NUL
-	    && restart_edit == 0);
+    return !(current_oap != NULL
+	    && !finish_op
+	    && current_oap->prev_opcount == 0
+	    && current_oap->prev_count0 == 0
+	    && current_oap->op_type == OP_NOP
+	    && current_oap->regname == NUL);
 }
 
 /*
@@ -1100,15 +1101,19 @@
     int		cmdwin,	    /* TRUE when working in the command-line window */
     int		noexmode)   /* TRUE when return on entering Ex mode */
 {
-    oparg_T	oa;	/* operator arguments */
-    volatile int previous_got_int = FALSE;	/* "got_int" was TRUE */
+    oparg_T	oa;		// operator arguments
+    oparg_T	*prev_oap;	// operator arguments
+    volatile int previous_got_int = FALSE;	// "got_int" was TRUE
 #ifdef FEAT_CONCEAL
-    /* these are static to avoid a compiler warning */
+    // these are static to avoid a compiler warning
     static linenr_T	conceal_old_cursor_line = 0;
     static linenr_T	conceal_new_cursor_line = 0;
     static int		conceal_update_lines = FALSE;
 #endif
 
+    prev_oap = current_oap;
+    current_oap = &oa;
+
 #if defined(FEAT_X11) && defined(FEAT_XCLIPBOARD)
     /* Setup to catch a terminating error from the X server.  Just ignore
      * it, restore the state and continue.  This might not always work
@@ -1276,7 +1281,7 @@
 
 	    // If nothing is pending and we are going to wait for the user to
 	    // type a character, trigger SafeState.
-	    may_trigger_safestate_main(&oa);
+	    may_trigger_safestate(!op_pending() && restart_edit == 0);
 
 #if defined(FEAT_DIFF)
 	    // Updating diffs from changed() does not always work properly,
@@ -1430,7 +1435,7 @@
 	if (exmode_active)
 	{
 	    if (noexmode)   /* End of ":global/path/visual" commands */
-		return;
+		goto theend;
 	    do_exmode(exmode_active == EXMODE_VIM);
 	}
 	else
@@ -1457,6 +1462,9 @@
 	    }
 	}
     }
+
+theend:
+    current_oap = prev_oap;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/misc1.c b/src/misc1.c
index ca5afef..e05ad16 100644
--- a/src/misc1.c
+++ b/src/misc1.c
@@ -1213,6 +1213,144 @@
 }
 #endif
 
+#if defined(FEAT_EVAL) || defined(PROTO)
+
+/*
+ * "mode()" function
+ */
+    void
+f_mode(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
+{
+    char_u	buf[4];
+
+    vim_memset(buf, 0, sizeof(buf));
+
+    if (time_for_testing == 93784)
+    {
+	/* Testing the two-character code. */
+	buf[0] = 'x';
+	buf[1] = '!';
+    }
+#ifdef FEAT_TERMINAL
+    else if (term_use_loop())
+	buf[0] = 't';
+#endif
+    else if (VIsual_active)
+    {
+	if (VIsual_select)
+	    buf[0] = VIsual_mode + 's' - 'v';
+	else
+	    buf[0] = VIsual_mode;
+    }
+    else if (State == HITRETURN || State == ASKMORE || State == SETWSIZE
+		|| State == CONFIRM)
+    {
+	buf[0] = 'r';
+	if (State == ASKMORE)
+	    buf[1] = 'm';
+	else if (State == CONFIRM)
+	    buf[1] = '?';
+    }
+    else if (State == EXTERNCMD)
+	buf[0] = '!';
+    else if (State & INSERT)
+    {
+	if (State & VREPLACE_FLAG)
+	{
+	    buf[0] = 'R';
+	    buf[1] = 'v';
+	}
+	else
+	{
+	    if (State & REPLACE_FLAG)
+		buf[0] = 'R';
+	    else
+		buf[0] = 'i';
+	    if (ins_compl_active())
+		buf[1] = 'c';
+	    else if (ctrl_x_mode_not_defined_yet())
+		buf[1] = 'x';
+	}
+    }
+    else if ((State & CMDLINE) || exmode_active)
+    {
+	buf[0] = 'c';
+	if (exmode_active == EXMODE_VIM)
+	    buf[1] = 'v';
+	else if (exmode_active == EXMODE_NORMAL)
+	    buf[1] = 'e';
+    }
+    else
+    {
+	buf[0] = 'n';
+	if (finish_op)
+	{
+	    buf[1] = 'o';
+	    // to be able to detect force-linewise/blockwise/characterwise operations
+	    buf[2] = motion_force;
+	}
+	else if (restart_edit == 'I' || restart_edit == 'R'
+							|| restart_edit == 'V')
+	{
+	    buf[1] = 'i';
+	    buf[2] = restart_edit;
+	}
+    }
+
+    /* Clear out the minor mode when the argument is not a non-zero number or
+     * non-empty string.  */
+    if (!non_zero_arg(&argvars[0]))
+	buf[1] = NUL;
+
+    rettv->vval.v_string = vim_strsave(buf);
+    rettv->v_type = VAR_STRING;
+}
+
+    static void
+may_add_state_char(garray_T *gap, char_u *include, int c)
+{
+    if (include == NULL || vim_strchr(include, c) != NULL)
+	ga_append(gap, c);
+}
+
+/*
+ * "state()" function
+ */
+    void
+f_state(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
+{
+    garray_T	ga;
+    char_u	*include = NULL;
+    int		i;
+
+    ga_init2(&ga, 1, 20);
+    if (argvars[0].v_type != VAR_UNKNOWN)
+	include = tv_get_string(&argvars[0]);
+
+    if (!(stuff_empty() && typebuf.tb_len == 0 && scriptin[curscript] == NULL))
+	may_add_state_char(&ga, include, 'm');
+    if (op_pending())
+	may_add_state_char(&ga, include, 'o');
+    if (autocmd_busy)
+	may_add_state_char(&ga, include, 'x');
+    if (!ctrl_x_mode_none())
+	may_add_state_char(&ga, include, 'a');
+
+# ifdef FEAT_JOB_CHANNEL
+    if (channel_in_blocking_wait())
+	may_add_state_char(&ga, include, 'w');
+# endif
+    for (i = 0; i < get_callback_depth() && i < 3; ++i)
+	may_add_state_char(&ga, include, 'c');
+    if (msg_scrolled > 0)
+	may_add_state_char(&ga, include, 's');
+
+    rettv->v_type = VAR_STRING;
+    rettv->vval.v_string = ga.ga_data;
+}
+
+#endif // FEAT_EVAL
+
 /*
  * Get a key stroke directly from the user.
  * Ignores mouse clicks and scrollbar events, except a click for the left
diff --git a/src/proto/channel.pro b/src/proto/channel.pro
index 6bf2147..fd40a33 100644
--- a/src/proto/channel.pro
+++ b/src/proto/channel.pro
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 void channel_close(channel_T *channel, int invoke_close_cb);
 void channel_clear(channel_T *channel);
 void channel_free_all(void);
+int channel_in_blocking_wait(void);
 void channel_handle_events(int only_keep_open);
 int channel_any_keep_open(void);
 void channel_set_nonblock(channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part);
diff --git a/src/proto/evalfunc.pro b/src/proto/evalfunc.pro
index 83dfacf..064f12f 100644
--- a/src/proto/evalfunc.pro
+++ b/src/proto/evalfunc.pro
@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@
 int has_internal_func(char_u *name);
 int call_internal_func(char_u *name, int argcount, typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv);
 int call_internal_method(char_u *name, int argcount, typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, typval_T *basetv);
+int non_zero_arg(typval_T *argvars);
 linenr_T tv_get_lnum(typval_T *argvars);
 linenr_T tv_get_lnum_buf(typval_T *argvars, buf_T *buf);
-buf_T *buflist_find_by_name(char_u *name, int curtab_only);
 buf_T *tv_get_buf(typval_T *tv, int curtab_only);
 buf_T *get_buf_arg(typval_T *arg);
 win_T *get_optional_window(typval_T *argvars, int idx);
diff --git a/src/proto/main.pro b/src/proto/main.pro
index 2c07cea..caf435e 100644
--- a/src/proto/main.pro
+++ b/src/proto/main.pro
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 int vim_main2(void);
 void common_init(mparm_T *paramp);
 int is_not_a_term(void);
+int op_pending(void);
 void may_trigger_safestate(int safe);
 void state_no_longer_safe(void);
 void leave_unsafe_state(void);
diff --git a/src/proto/misc1.pro b/src/proto/misc1.pro
index 08eb853..8de1aff 100644
--- a/src/proto/misc1.pro
+++ b/src/proto/misc1.pro
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@
 void check_status(buf_T *buf);
 int ask_yesno(char_u *str, int direct);
 int is_mouse_key(int c);
+void f_mode(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv);
+void f_state(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv);
 int get_keystroke(void);
 int get_number(int colon, int *mouse_used);
 int prompt_for_number(int *mouse_used);
diff --git a/src/proto/userfunc.pro b/src/proto/userfunc.pro
index 3b11bb9..b97e5f6 100644
--- a/src/proto/userfunc.pro
+++ b/src/proto/userfunc.pro
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 funccall_T *get_current_funccal(void);
 void free_all_functions(void);
 int func_call(char_u *name, typval_T *args, partial_T *partial, dict_T *selfdict, typval_T *rettv);
+int get_callback_depth(void);
 int call_callback(callback_T *callback, int len, typval_T *rettv, int argcount, typval_T *argvars);
 int call_func(char_u *funcname, int len, typval_T *rettv, int argcount_in, typval_T *argvars_in, funcexe_T *funcexe);
 char_u *trans_function_name(char_u **pp, int skip, int flags, funcdict_T *fdp, partial_T **partial);
diff --git a/src/userfunc.c b/src/userfunc.c
index 3f9171d..a6ac29e 100644
--- a/src/userfunc.c
+++ b/src/userfunc.c
@@ -1447,6 +1447,14 @@
     return r;
 }
 
+static int callback_depth = 0;
+
+    int
+get_callback_depth(void)
+{
+    return callback_depth;
+}
+
 /*
  * Invoke call_func() with a callback.
  */
@@ -1460,12 +1468,15 @@
 				// PLUS ONE elements!
 {
     funcexe_T	funcexe;
+    int		ret;
 
     vim_memset(&funcexe, 0, sizeof(funcexe));
     funcexe.evaluate = TRUE;
     funcexe.partial = callback->cb_partial;
-    return call_func(callback->cb_name, len, rettv, argcount, argvars,
-								     &funcexe);
+    ++callback_depth;
+    ret = call_func(callback->cb_name, len, rettv, argcount, argvars, &funcexe);
+    --callback_depth;
+    return ret;
 }
 
 /*
diff --git a/src/version.c b/src/version.c
index 02e8cfb..622f168 100644
--- a/src/version.c
+++ b/src/version.c
@@ -758,6 +758,8 @@
 static int included_patches[] =
 {   /* Add new patch number below this line */
 /**/
+    2047,
+/**/
     2046,
 /**/
     2045,