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Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001*autocmd.txt* For Vim version 7.0aa. Last change: 2006 Feb 13
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Automatic commands *autocommand*
8
9For a basic explanation, see section |40.3| in the user manual.
10
111. Introduction |autocmd-intro|
122. Defining autocommands |autocmd-define|
133. Removing autocommands |autocmd-remove|
144. Listing autocommands |autocmd-list|
155. Events |autocmd-events|
166. Patterns |autocmd-patterns|
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000177. Buffer-local autocommands |autocmd-buflocal|
188. Groups |autocmd-groups|
199. Executing autocommands |autocmd-execute|
2010. Using autocommands |autocmd-use|
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00002111. Disabling autocommands |autocmd-disable|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000022
23{Vi does not have any of these commands}
24{only when the |+autocmd| feature has not been disabled at compile time}
25
26==============================================================================
271. Introduction *autocmd-intro*
28
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +000029You can specify commands to be executed automatically when reading or writing
30a file, when entering or leaving a buffer or window, and when exiting Vim.
31For example, you can create an autocommand to set the 'cindent' option for
32files matching *.c. You can also use autocommands to implement advanced
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000033features, such as editing compressed files (see |gzip-example|). The usual
34place to put autocommands is in your .vimrc or .exrc file.
35
36 *E203* *E204* *E143*
37WARNING: Using autocommands is very powerful, and may lead to unexpected side
38effects. Be careful not to destroy your text.
39- It's a good idea to do some testing on an expendable copy of a file first.
40 For example: If you use autocommands to decompress a file when starting to
41 edit it, make sure that the autocommands for compressing when writing work
42 correctly.
43- Be prepared for an error halfway through (e.g., disk full). Vim will mostly
44 be able to undo the changes to the buffer, but you may have to clean up the
45 changes to other files by hand (e.g., compress a file that has been
46 decompressed).
47- If the BufRead* events allow you to edit a compressed file, the FileRead*
48 events should do the same (this makes recovery possible in some rare cases).
49 It's a good idea to use the same autocommands for the File* and Buf* events
50 when possible.
51
52==============================================================================
532. Defining autocommands *autocmd-define*
54
55Note: The ":autocmd" command cannot be followed by another command, since any
56'|' is considered part of the command.
57
58 *:au* *:autocmd*
59:au[tocmd] [group] {event} {pat} [nested] {cmd}
60 Add {cmd} to the list of commands that Vim will
61 execute automatically on {event} for a file matching
62 {pat}. Vim always adds the {cmd} after existing
63 autocommands, so that the autocommands execute in the
64 order in which they were given. See |autocmd-nested|
65 for [nested].
66
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +000067The special pattern <buffer> or <buffer=N> defines a buffer-local autocommand.
68See |autocmd-buflocal|.
69
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000070Note that special characters (e.g., "%", "<cword>") in the ":autocmd"
71arguments are not expanded when the autocommand is defined. These will be
72expanded when the Event is recognized, and the {cmd} is executed. The only
73exception is that "<sfile>" is expanded when the autocmd is defined. Example:
74>
75 :au BufNewFile,BufRead *.html so <sfile>:h/html.vim
76
77Here Vim expands <sfile> to the name of the file containing this line.
78
79When your .vimrc file is sourced twice, the autocommands will appear twice.
80To avoid this, put this command in your .vimrc file, before defining
81autocommands: >
82
83 :autocmd! " Remove ALL autocommands for the current group.
84
85If you don't want to remove all autocommands, you can instead use a variable
86to ensure that Vim includes the autocommands only once: >
87
88 :if !exists("autocommands_loaded")
89 : let autocommands_loaded = 1
90 : au ...
91 :endif
92
93When the [group] argument is not given, Vim uses the current group (as defined
94with ":augroup"); otherwise, Vim uses the group defined with [group]. Note
95that [group] must have been defined before. You cannot define a new group
96with ":au group ..."; use ":augroup" for that.
97
98While testing autocommands, you might find the 'verbose' option to be useful: >
99 :set verbose=9
100This setting makes Vim echo the autocommands as it executes them.
101
102When defining an autocommand in a script, it will be able to call functions
103local to the script and use mappings local to the script. When the event is
104triggered and the command executed, it will run in the context of the script
105it was defined in. This matters if |<SID>| is used in a command.
106
107When executing the commands, the messages from one command overwrites a
108previous message. This is different from when executing the commands
109manually. Mostly the screen will not scroll up, thus there is no hit-enter
110prompt. When one command outputs two messages this can happen anyway.
111
112==============================================================================
1133. Removing autocommands *autocmd-remove*
114
115:au[tocmd]! [group] {event} {pat} [nested] {cmd}
116 Remove all autocommands associated with {event} and
117 {pat}, and add the command {cmd}. See
118 |autocmd-nested| for [nested].
119
120:au[tocmd]! [group] {event} {pat}
121 Remove all autocommands associated with {event} and
122 {pat}.
123
124:au[tocmd]! [group] * {pat}
125 Remove all autocommands associated with {pat} for all
126 events.
127
128:au[tocmd]! [group] {event}
129 Remove ALL autocommands for {event}.
130
131:au[tocmd]! [group] Remove ALL autocommands.
132
133When the [group] argument is not given, Vim uses the current group (as defined
134with ":augroup"); otherwise, Vim uses the group defined with [group].
135
136==============================================================================
1374. Listing autocommands *autocmd-list*
138
139:au[tocmd] [group] {event} {pat}
140 Show the autocommands associated with {event} and
141 {pat}.
142
143:au[tocmd] [group] * {pat}
144 Show the autocommands associated with {pat} for all
145 events.
146
147:au[tocmd] [group] {event}
148 Show all autocommands for {event}.
149
150:au[tocmd] [group] Show all autocommands.
151
152If you provide the [group] argument, Vim lists only the autocommands for
153[group]; otherwise, Vim lists the autocommands for ALL groups. Note that this
154argument behavior differs from that for defining and removing autocommands.
155
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000156In order to list buffer-local autocommands, use a pattern in the form <buffer>
157or <buffer=N>. See |autocmd-buflocal|.
158
Bram Moolenaarac6e65f2005-08-29 22:25:38 +0000159 *:autocmd-verbose*
160When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing an autocommand will also display where it
161was last defined. Example: >
162
163 :verbose autocmd BufEnter
164 FileExplorer BufEnter
165 * call s:LocalBrowse(expand("<amatch>"))
166 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/plugin/NetrwPlugin.vim
167<
168See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
169
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000170==============================================================================
1715. Events *autocmd-events* *E215* *E216*
172
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000173You can specify a comma-separated list of event names. No white space can be
174used in this list. The command applies to all the events in the list.
175
176For READING FILES there are four kinds of events possible:
177 BufNewFile starting to edit a non-existent file
178 BufReadPre BufReadPost starting to edit an existing file
179 FilterReadPre FilterReadPost read the temp file with filter output
180 FileReadPre FileReadPost any other file read
181Vim uses only one of these four kinds when reading a file. The "Pre" and
182"Post" events are both triggered, before and after reading the file.
183
184Note that the autocommands for the *ReadPre events and all the Filter events
185are not allowed to change the current buffer (you will get an error message if
186this happens). This is to prevent the file to be read into the wrong buffer.
187
188Note that the 'modified' flag is reset AFTER executing the BufReadPost
189and BufNewFile autocommands. But when the 'modified' option was set by the
190autocommands, this doesn't happen.
191
192You can use the 'eventignore' option to ignore a number of events or all
193events.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000194 *autocommand-events* *{event}*
195Vim recognizes the following events. Vim ignores the case of event names
196(e.g., you can use "BUFread" or "bufread" instead of "BufRead").
197
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000198First an overview by function with a short explanation. Then the list
199alpabetically with full explanations |autocmd-events-abc|.
200
201Name triggered by ~
202
203 Reading
204|BufNewFile| starting to edit a file that doesn't exist
205|BufReadPre| starting to edit a new buffer, before reading the file
206|BufRead| starting to edit a new buffer, after reading the file
207|BufReadPost| starting to edit a new buffer, after reading the file
208|BufReadCmd| before starting to edit a new buffer |Cmd-event|
209
210|FileReadPre| before reading a file with a ":read" command
211|FileReadPost| after reading a file with a ":read" command
212|FileReadCmd| before reading a file with a ":read" comman |Cmd-event|
213
214|FilterReadPre| before reading a file from a filter command
215|FilterReadPost| after reading a file from a filter command
216
217|StdinReadPre| before reading from stdin into the buffer
218|StdinReadPost| After reading from the stdin into the buffer
219
220 Writing
221|BufWrite| starting to write the whole buffer to a file
222|BufWritePre| starting to write the whole buffer to a file
223|BufWritePost| after writing the whole buffer to a file
224|BufWriteCmd| before writing the whole buffer to a file |Cmd-event|
225
226|FileWritePre| starting to write part of a buffer to a file
227|FileWritePost| after writing part of a buffer to a file
228|FileWriteCmd| before writing part of a buffer to a file |Cmd-event|
229
230|FileAppendPre| starting to append to a file
231|FileAppendPost| after appending to a file
232|FileAppendCmd| before appending to a file |Cmd-event|
233
234|FilterWritePre| starting to write a file for a filter command or diff
235|FilterWritePost| after writing a file for a filter command or diff
236
237 Buffers
238|BufAdd| just after adding a buffer to the buffer list
239|BufCreate| just after adding a buffer to the buffer list
240|BufDelete| before deleting a buffer from the buffer list
241|BufWipeout| before completely deleting a buffer
242
243|BufFilePre| before changing the name of the current buffer
244|BufFilePost| after changing the name of the current buffer
245
246|BufEnter| after entering a buffer
247|BufLeave| before leaving to another buffer
248|BufWinEnter| after a buffer is displayed in a window
249|BufWinLeave| before a buffer is removed from a window
250
251|BufUnload| before unloading a buffer
252|BufHidden| just after a buffer has become hidden
253|BufNew| just after creating a new buffer
254
255|SwapExists| detected an existing swap file
256
257 Options
258|FileType| when the 'filetype' option has been set
259|Syntax| when the 'syntax' option has been set
260|EncodingChanged| after the 'encoding' option has been changed
261|TermChanged| after the value of 'term' has changed
262
263 Startup and exit
264|VimEnter| after doing all the startup stuff
265|GUIEnter| after starting the GUI successfully
266|TermResponse| after the termainal response to |t_RV| is received
267
268|VimLeavePre| before exiting Vim, before writing the viminfo file
269|VimLeave| before exiting Vim, after writing the viminfo file
270
271 Various
272|FileChangedShell| Vim notices that a file changed since editing started
273|FileChangedRO| before making the first change to a read-only file
274
275|FuncUndefined| a user function is used but it isn't defined
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000276|SpellFileMissing| a spell file is used but it can't be found
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000277
278|FocusGained| Vim got input focus
279|FocusLost| Vim lost input focus
280|CursorHold| the user doesn't press a key for a while
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000281|CursorHoldI| the user doesn't press a key for a while in Insert mode
282|CursorMoved| the cursor was moved in Normal mode
283|CursorMovedI| the cursor was moved in Insert mode
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000284
285|WinEnter| after entering another window
286|WinLeave| before leaving a window
287|CmdwinEnter| after entering the command-line window
288|CmdwinLeave| before leaving the command-line window
289
290|InsertEnter| starting Insert mode
291|InsertChange| when typing <Insert> while in Insert or Replace mode
292|InsertLeave| when leaving Insert mode
293
294|ColorScheme| after loading a color scheme
295
296|RemoteReply| a reply from a server Vim was received
297
298|QuickFixCmdPre| before a quickfix command is run
299|QuickFixCmdPost| after a quickfix command is run
300
301|SessionLoadPost| after loading a session file
302
303|MenuPopup| just before showing the popup menu
304
305|User| to be used in combination with ":doautocmd"
306
307
308The alphabetical list of autocommand events: *autocmd-events-abc*
309
310 *BufCreate* *BufAdd*
311BufAdd or BufCreate Just after creating a new buffer which is
312 added to the buffer list, or adding a buffer
313 to the buffer list.
314 Also used just after a buffer in the buffer
315 list has been renamed.
316 The BufCreate event is for historic reasons.
317 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
318 current buffer "%" may be different from the
319 buffer being created "<afile>".
320 *BufDelete*
321BufDelete Before deleting a buffer from the buffer list.
322 The BufUnload may be called first (if the
323 buffer was loaded).
324 Also used just before a buffer in the buffer
325 list is renamed.
326 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
327 current buffer "%" may be different from the
328 buffer being deleted "<afile>".
329 *BufEnter*
330BufEnter After entering a buffer. Useful for setting
331 options for a file type. Also executed when
332 starting to edit a buffer, after the
333 BufReadPost autocommands.
334 *BufFilePost*
335BufFilePost After changing the name of the current buffer
336 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000337 *BufFilePre*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000338BufFilePre Before changing the name of the current buffer
339 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
340 *BufHidden*
341BufHidden Just after a buffer has become hidden. That
342 is, when there are no longer windows that show
343 the buffer, but the buffer is not unloaded or
344 deleted. Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when
345 exiting Vim.
346 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
347 current buffer "%" may be different from the
348 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
349 *BufLeave*
350BufLeave Before leaving to another buffer. Also when
351 leaving or closing the current window and the
352 new current window is not for the same buffer.
353 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
354 *BufNew*
355BufNew Just after creating a new buffer. Also used
356 just after a buffer has been renamed. When
357 the buffer is added to the buffer list BufAdd
358 will be triggered too.
359 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
360 current buffer "%" may be different from the
361 buffer being created "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000362 *BufNewFile*
363BufNewFile When starting to edit a file that doesn't
364 exist. Can be used to read in a skeleton
365 file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000366 *BufRead* *BufReadPost*
367BufRead or BufReadPost When starting to edit a new buffer, after
368 reading the file into the buffer, before
369 executing the modelines. See |BufWinEnter|
370 for when you need to do something after
371 processing the modelines.
372 This does NOT work for ":r file". Not used
373 when the file doesn't exist. Also used after
374 successfully recovering a file.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000375 *BufReadCmd*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000376BufReadCmd Before starting to edit a new buffer. Should
377 read the file into the buffer. |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000378 *BufReadPre* *E200* *E201*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000379BufReadPre When starting to edit a new buffer, before
380 reading the file into the buffer. Not used
381 if the file doesn't exist.
382 *BufUnload*
383BufUnload Before unloading a buffer. This is when the
384 text in the buffer is going to be freed. This
385 may be after a BufWritePost and before a
386 BufDelete. Also used for all buffers that are
387 loaded when Vim is going to exit.
388 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
389 current buffer "%" may be different from the
390 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
391 *BufWinEnter*
392BufWinEnter After a buffer is displayed in a window. This
393 can be when the buffer is loaded (after
394 processing the modelines), when a hidden
395 buffer is displayed in a window (and is no
396 longer hidden) or a buffer already visible in
397 a window is also displayed in another window.
398 *BufWinLeave*
399BufWinLeave Before a buffer is removed from a window.
400 Not when it's still visible in another window.
401 Also triggered when exiting. It's triggered
402 before BufUnload or BufHidden.
403 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
404 current buffer "%" may be different from the
405 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
406 *BufWipeout*
407BufWipeout Before completely deleting a buffer. The
408 BufUnload and BufDelete events may be called
409 first (if the buffer was loaded and was in the
410 buffer list). Also used just before a buffer
411 is renamed (also when it's not in the buffer
412 list).
413 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
414 current buffer "%" may be different from the
415 buffer being deleted "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000416 *BufWrite* *BufWritePre*
417BufWrite or BufWritePre Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000418 *BufWriteCmd*
419BufWriteCmd Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
420 Should do the writing of the file and reset
Bram Moolenaar1cd871b2004-12-19 22:46:22 +0000421 'modified' if successful, unless '+' is in
422 'cpo' and writing to another file |cpo-+|.
423 The buffer contents should not be changed.
424 |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000425 *BufWritePost*
426BufWritePost After writing the whole buffer to a file
427 (should undo the commands for BufWritePre).
428 *CmdwinEnter*
429CmdwinEnter After entering the command-line window.
430 Useful for setting options specifically for
431 this special type of window. This is
432 triggered _instead_ of BufEnter and WinEnter.
433 <afile> is set to a single character,
434 indicating the type of command-line.
435 |cmdwin-char|
436 *CmdwinLeave*
437CmdwinLeave Before leaving the command-line window.
438 Useful to clean up any global setting done
439 with CmdwinEnter. This is triggered _instead_
440 of BufLeave and WinLeave.
441 <afile> is set to a single character,
442 indicating the type of command-line.
443 |cmdwin-char|
444 *ColorScheme*
445ColorScheme After loading a color scheme. |:colorscheme|
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000446
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000447 *CursorHold*
448CursorHold When the user doesn't press a key for the time
449 specified with 'updatetime'. Not re-triggered
450 until the user has pressed a key (i.e. doesn't
451 fire every 'updatetime' ms if you leave Vim to
452 make some coffee. :) See |CursorHold-example|
453 for previewing tags.
454 This event is only triggered in Normal mode.
Bram Moolenaare3226be2005-12-18 22:10:00 +0000455 While recording the CursorHold event is not
456 triggered. |q|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000457 Note: Interactive commands cannot be used for
458 this event. There is no hit-enter prompt,
459 the screen is updated directly (when needed).
460 Note: In the future there will probably be
461 another option to set the time.
462 Hint: to force an update of the status lines
463 use: >
464 :let &ro = &ro
465< {only on Amiga, Unix, Win32, MSDOS and all GUI
466 versions}
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000467 *CursorHoldI*
468CursorHoldI Just like CursorHold, but in Insert mode.
469
470 *CursorMoved*
471CursorMoved After the cursor was moved in Normal mode.
472 Not triggered when there is typeahead or when
473 an operator is pending.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000474 For an example see |match-parens|.
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000475 Careful: Don't do anything that the user does
476 not expect or that is slow.
477 *CursorMovedI*
478CursorMovedI After the cursor was moved in Insert mode.
479 Otherwise the same as CursorMoved.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000480 *EncodingChanged*
481EncodingChanged Fires off after the 'encoding' option has been
482 changed. Useful to set up fonts, for example.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000483 *FileAppendCmd*
484FileAppendCmd Before appending to a file. Should do the
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000485 appending to the file. Use the '[ and ']
486 marks for the range of lines.|Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000487 *FileAppendPost*
488FileAppendPost After appending to a file.
489 *FileAppendPre*
490FileAppendPre Before appending to a file. Use the '[ and ']
491 marks for the range of lines.
492 *FileChangedRO*
493FileChangedRO Before making the first change to a read-only
494 file. Can be used to check-out the file from
495 a source control system. Not triggered when
496 the change was caused by an autocommand.
497 This event is triggered when making the first
498 change in a buffer or the first change after
499 'readonly' was set,
500 just before the change is applied to the text.
501 WARNING: If the autocommand moves the cursor
502 the effect of the change is undefined.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000503 *FileChangedShell*
504FileChangedShell When Vim notices that the modification time of
505 a file has changed since editing started.
506 Also when the file attributes of the file
507 change. |timestamp|
508 Mostly triggered after executing a shell
509 command, but also with a |:checktime| command
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000510 or when Gvim regains input focus.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000511 This autocommand is triggered for each changed
512 file. It is not used when 'autoread' is set
513 and the buffer was not changed. If a
514 FileChangedShell autocommand is present the
515 warning message and prompt is not given.
516 This is useful for reloading related buffers
517 which are affected by a single command.
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000518 The |v:fcs_reason| variable is set to indicate
519 what happened and |v:fcs_choice| can be used
520 to tell Vim what to do next.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000521 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
522 current buffer "%" may be different from the
523 buffer that was changed "<afile>".
524 NOTE: The commands must not change the current
525 buffer, jump to another buffer or delete a
526 buffer. *E246*
527 NOTE: This event never nests, to avoid an
528 endless loop. This means that while executing
529 commands for the FileChangedShell event no
530 other FileChangedShell event will be
531 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000532 *FileEncoding*
533FileEncoding Obsolete. It still works and is equivalent
534 to |EncodingChanged|.
535 *FileReadCmd*
536FileReadCmd Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
537 Should do the reading of the file. |Cmd-event|
538 *FileReadPost*
539FileReadPost After reading a file with a ":read" command.
540 Note that Vim sets the '[ and '] marks to the
541 first and last line of the read. This can be
542 used to operate on the lines just read.
543 *FileReadPre*
544FileReadPre Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
545 *FileType*
546FileType When the 'filetype' option has been set.
547 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
548 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
549 the new value of 'filetype'.
550 See |filetypes|.
551 *FileWriteCmd*
552FileWriteCmd Before writing to a file, when not writing the
553 whole buffer. Should do the writing to the
554 file. Should not change the buffer. Use the
555 '[ and '] marks for the range of lines.
556 |Cmd-event|
557 *FileWritePost*
558FileWritePost After writing to a file, when not writing the
559 whole buffer.
560 *FileWritePre*
561FileWritePre Before writing to a file, when not writing the
562 whole buffer. Use the '[ and '] marks for the
563 range of lines.
564 *FilterReadPost*
565FilterReadPost After reading a file from a filter command.
566 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
567 the current buffer as with FilterReadPre.
568 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
569 *FilterReadPre* *E135*
570FilterReadPre Before reading a file from a filter command.
571 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
572 the current buffer, not the name of the
573 temporary file that is the output of the
574 filter command.
575 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
576 *FilterWritePost*
577FilterWritePost After writing a file for a filter command or
578 making a diff.
579 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
580 the current buffer as with FilterWritePre.
581 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
582 *FilterWritePre*
583FilterWritePre Before writing a file for a filter command or
584 making a diff.
585 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
586 the current buffer, not the name of the
587 temporary file that is the output of the
588 filter command.
589 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000590 *FocusGained*
591FocusGained When Vim got input focus. Only for the GUI
592 version and a few console versions where this
593 can be detected.
594 *FocusLost*
595FocusLost When Vim lost input focus. Only for the GUI
596 version and a few console versions where this
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +0000597 can be detected. May also happen when a
598 dialog pops up.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000599 *FuncUndefined*
600FuncUndefined When a user function is used but it isn't
601 defined. Useful for defining a function only
602 when it's used. Both <amatch> and <afile> are
603 set to the name of the function.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000604 See |autoload-functions|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000605 *GUIEnter*
606GUIEnter After starting the GUI successfully, and after
607 opening the window. It is triggered before
608 VimEnter when using gvim. Can be used to
609 position the window from a .gvimrc file: >
610 :autocmd GUIEnter * winpos 100 50
611< *InsertChange*
612InsertChange When typing <Insert> while in Insert or
613 Replace mode. The |v:insertmode| variable
614 indicates the new mode.
615 Be careful not to move the cursor or do
616 anything else that the user does not expect.
617 *InsertEnter*
618InsertEnter When starting Insert mode. Also for Replace
619 mode and Virtual Replace mode. The
620 |v:insertmode| variable indicates the mode.
621 Be careful not to move the cursor or do
622 anything else that the user does not expect.
623 *InsertLeave*
624InsertLeave When leaving Insert mode. Also when using
625 CTRL-O |i_CTRL-O|. But not for |i_CTRL-C|.
626 *MenuPopup*
627MenuPopup Just before showing the popup menu (under the
628 right mouse button). Useful for adjusting the
629 menu for what is under the cursor or mouse
630 pointer.
631 The pattern is matched against a single
632 character representing the mode:
633 n Normal
634 v Visual
635 o Operator-pending
636 i Insert
637 c Commmand line
638 *QuickFixCmdPre*
639QuickFixCmdPre Before a quickfix command is run (|:make|,
Bram Moolenaara6557602006-02-04 22:43:20 +0000640 |:lmake|, |:grep|, |:lgrep|, |:grepadd|,
641 |:lgrepadd|, |:vimgrep|, |:lvimgrep|,
642 |:vimgrepadd|, |:vimgrepadd|). The pattern is
643 matched against the command being run. When
644 |:grep| is used but 'grepprg' is set to
645 "internal" it still matches "grep".
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000646 This command cannot be used to set the
647 'makeprg' and 'grepprg' variables.
648 If this command causes an error, the quickfix
649 command is not executed.
650 *QuickFixCmdPost*
651QuickFixCmdPost Like QuickFixCmdPre, but after a quickfix
652 command is run.
653 *RemoteReply*
654RemoteReply When a reply from a Vim that functions as
655 server was received |server2client()|.
656 <amatch> is equal to the {serverid} from which
657 the reply was sent, and <afile> is the actual
658 reply string.
659 Note that even if an autocommand is defined,
660 the reply should be read with |remote_read()|
661 to consume it.
662 *SessionLoadPost*
663SessionLoadPost After loading the session file created using
664 the |:mksession| command.
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000665 *SpellFileMissing*
666SpellFileMissing When trying to load a spell checking file and
667 it can't be found. <amatch> is the language,
668 'encoding' also matters. See
669 |spell-SpellFileMissing|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000670 *StdinReadPost*
671StdinReadPost After reading from the stdin into the buffer,
672 before executing the modelines. Only used
673 when the "-" argument was used when Vim was
674 started |--|.
675 *StdinReadPre*
676StdinReadPre Before reading from stdin into the buffer.
677 Only used when the "-" argument was used when
678 Vim was started |--|.
679 *SwapExists*
680SwapExists Detected an existing swap file when starting
681 to edit a file. Only when it is possible to
682 select a way to handle the situation, when Vim
683 would ask the user what to do.
684 The |v:swapname| variable holds the name of
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +0000685 the swap file found, <afile> the file being
686 edited. |v:swapcommand| may contain a command
687 to be executed in the opened file.
688 The commands should set the |v:swapchoice|
689 variable to a string with one character to
690 tell Vim what should be done next:
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000691 'o' open read-only
692 'e' edit the file anyway
693 'r' recover
694 'd' delete the swap file
695 'q' quit, don't edit the file
696 'a' abort, like hitting CTRL-C
697 When set to an empty string the user will be
698 asked, as if there was no SwapExists autocmd.
699 Note: Do not try to change the buffer, the
700 results are unpredictable.
701 *Syntax*
702Syntax When the 'syntax' option has been set.
703 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
704 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
705 the new value of 'syntax'.
706 See |:syn-on|.
707 *TermChanged*
708TermChanged After the value of 'term' has changed. Useful
709 for re-loading the syntax file to update the
710 colors, fonts and other terminal-dependent
711 settings. Executed for all loaded buffers.
712 *TermResponse*
713TermResponse After the response to |t_RV| is received from
714 the terminal. The value of |v:termresponse|
715 can be used to do things depending on the
716 terminal version.
717 *User*
718User Never executed automatically. To be used for
719 autocommands that are only executed with
720 ":doautocmd".
721 *UserGettingBored*
722UserGettingBored When the user hits CTRL-C. Just kidding! :-)
723 *VimEnter*
724VimEnter After doing all the startup stuff, including
725 loading .vimrc files, executing the "-c cmd"
726 arguments, creating all windows and loading
727 the buffers in them.
728 *VimLeave*
729VimLeave Before exiting Vim, just after writing the
730 .viminfo file. Executed only once, like
731 VimLeavePre.
732 To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
733 *VimLeavePre*
734VimLeavePre Before exiting Vim, just before writing the
735 .viminfo file. This is executed only once,
736 if there is a match with the name of what
737 happens to be the current buffer when exiting.
738 Mostly useful with a "*" pattern. >
739 :autocmd VimLeavePre * call CleanupStuff()
740< To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000741 *WinEnter*
742WinEnter After entering another window. Not done for
743 the first window, when Vim has just started.
744 Useful for setting the window height.
745 If the window is for another buffer, Vim
746 executes the BufEnter autocommands after the
747 WinEnter autocommands.
748 Note: When using ":split fname" the WinEnter
749 event is triggered after the split but before
750 the file "fname" is loaded.
751 *WinLeave*
752WinLeave Before leaving a window. If the window to be
753 entered next is for a different buffer, Vim
754 executes the BufLeave autocommands before the
755 WinLeave autocommands (but not for ":new").
756 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000757
758==============================================================================
7596. Patterns *autocmd-patterns* *{pat}*
760
761The file pattern {pat} is tested for a match against the file name in one of
762two ways:
7631. When there is no '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against only
764 the tail part of the file name (without its leading directory path).
7652. When there is a '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against the
766 both short file name (as you typed it) and the full file name (after
767 expanding it to a full path and resolving symbolic links).
768
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000769The special pattern <buffer> or <buffer=N> is used for buffer-local
770autocommands |autocmd-buflocal|. This pattern is not matched against the name
771of a buffer.
772
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000773Examples: >
774 :autocmd BufRead *.txt set et
775Set the 'et' option for all text files. >
776
777 :autocmd BufRead /vim/src/*.c set cindent
778Set the 'cindent' option for C files in the /vim/src directory. >
779
780 :autocmd BufRead /tmp/*.c set ts=5
781If you have a link from "/tmp/test.c" to "/home/nobody/vim/src/test.c", and
782you start editing "/tmp/test.c", this autocommand will match.
783
784Note: To match part of a path, but not from the root directory, use a '*' as
785the first character. Example: >
786 :autocmd BufRead */doc/*.txt set tw=78
787This autocommand will for example be executed for "/tmp/doc/xx.txt" and
788"/usr/home/piet/doc/yy.txt". The number of directories does not matter here.
789
790
791The file name that the pattern is matched against is after expanding
792wildcards. Thus is you issue this command: >
793 :e $ROOTDIR/main.$EXT
794The argument is first expanded to: >
795 /usr/root/main.py
796Before it's matched with the pattern of the autocommand. Careful with this
797when using events like FileReadCmd, the value of <amatch> may not be what you
798expect.
799
800
801Environment variables can be used in a pattern: >
802 :autocmd BufRead $VIMRUNTIME/doc/*.txt set expandtab
803And ~ can be used for the home directory (if $HOME is defined): >
804 :autocmd BufWritePost ~/.vimrc so ~/.vimrc
805 :autocmd BufRead ~archive/* set readonly
806The environment variable is expanded when the autocommand is defined, not when
807the autocommand is executed. This is different from the command!
808
809 *file-pattern*
810The pattern is interpreted like mostly used in file names:
811 * matches any sequence of characters
812 ? matches any single character
813 \? matches a '?'
814 . matches a '.'
815 ~ matches a '~'
816 , separates patterns
817 \, matches a ','
818 { } like \( \) in a |pattern|
819 , inside { }: like \| in a |pattern|
820 \ special meaning like in a |pattern|
821 [ch] matches 'c' or 'h'
822 [^ch] match any character but 'c' and 'h'
823
824Note that for all systems the '/' character is used for path separator (even
825MS-DOS and OS/2). This was done because the backslash is difficult to use
826in a pattern and to make the autocommands portable across different systems.
827
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000828 *autocmd-changes*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000829Matching with the pattern is done when an event is triggered. Changing the
830buffer name in one of the autocommands, or even deleting the buffer, does not
831change which autocommands will be executed. Example: >
832
833 au BufEnter *.foo bdel
834 au BufEnter *.foo set modified
835
836This will delete the current buffer and then set 'modified' in what has become
837the current buffer instead. Vim doesn't take into account that "*.foo"
838doesn't match with that buffer name. It matches "*.foo" with the name of the
839buffer at the moment the event was triggered.
840
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000841However, buffer-local autocommands will not be executed for a buffer that has
842been wiped out with |:bwipe|. After deleting the buffer with |:bdel| the
843buffer actually still exists (it becomes unlisted), thus the autocommands are
844still executed.
845
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000846==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00008477. Buffer-local autocommands *autocmd-buflocal* *autocmd-buffer-local*
848 *<buffer=N>* *<buffer=abuf>* *E680*
849
850Buffer-local autocommands are attached to a specific buffer. They are useful
851if the buffer does not have a name and when the name does not match a specific
852pattern. But it also means they must be explicitly added to each buffer.
853
854Instead of a pattern buffer-local autocommands use one of these forms:
855 <buffer> current buffer
856 <buffer=99> buffer number 99
857 <buffer=abuf> using <abuf> (only when executing autocommands)
858 |<abuf>|
859
860Examples: >
861 :au CursorHold <buffer> echo 'hold'
862 :au CursorHold <buffer=33> echo 'hold'
863 :au CursorHold <buffer=abuf> echo 'hold'
864
865All the commands for autocommands also work with buffer-local autocommands,
866simply use the special string instead of the pattern. Examples: >
867 :au! * <buffer> " remove buffer-local autotommands for
868 " current buffer
869 :au! * <buffer=33> " remove buffer-local autotommands for
870 " buffer #33
871 :dobuf :au! CursorHold <buffer> " remove autocmd for given event for all
872 " buffers
873 :au * <buffer> " list buffer-local autocommands for
874 " current buffer
875
876Note that when an autocommand is defined for the current buffer, it is stored
877with the buffer number. Thus it uses the form "<buffer=12>", where 12 is the
878number of the current buffer. You will see this when listing autocommands,
879for example.
880
881To test for presence of buffer-local autocommands use the |exists()| function
882as follows: >
883 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer=12>") | ... | endif
884 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer>") | ... | endif " for current buffer
885
886When a buffer is wiped out its buffer-local autocommands are also gone, of
887course. Note that when deleting a buffer, e.g., with ":bdel", it is only
888unlisted, the autocommands are still present. In order to see the removal of
889buffer-local autocommands: >
890 :set verbose=6
891
892It is not possible to define buffer-local autocommands for a non-existent
893buffer.
894
895==============================================================================
8968. Groups *autocmd-groups*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000897
898Autocommands can be put together in a group. This is useful for removing or
899executing a group of autocommands. For example, all the autocommands for
900syntax highlighting are put in the "highlight" group, to be able to execute
901":doautoall highlight BufRead" when the GUI starts.
902
903When no specific group is selected, Vim uses the default group. The default
904group does not have a name. You cannot execute the autocommands from the
905default group separately; you can execute them only by executing autocommands
906for all groups.
907
908Normally, when executing autocommands automatically, Vim uses the autocommands
909for all groups. The group only matters when executing autocommands with
910":doautocmd" or ":doautoall", or when defining or deleting autocommands.
911
912The group name can contain any characters except white space. The group name
913"end" is reserved (also in uppercase).
914
915The group name is case sensitive. Note that this is different from the event
916name!
917
918 *:aug* *:augroup*
919:aug[roup] {name} Define the autocmd group name for the
920 following ":autocmd" commands. The name "end"
921 or "END" selects the default group.
922
923 *:augroup-delete* *E367*
924:aug[roup]! {name} Delete the autocmd group {name}. Don't use
925 this if there is still an autocommand using
926 this group! This is not checked.
927
928To enter autocommands for a specific group, use this method:
9291. Select the group with ":augroup {name}".
9302. Delete any old autocommands with ":au!".
9313. Define the autocommands.
9324. Go back to the default group with "augroup END".
933
934Example: >
935 :augroup uncompress
936 : au!
937 : au BufEnter *.gz %!gunzip
938 :augroup END
939
940This prevents having the autocommands defined twice (e.g., after sourcing the
941.vimrc file again).
942
943==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00009449. Executing autocommands *autocmd-execute*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000945
946Vim can also execute Autocommands non-automatically. This is useful if you
947have changed autocommands, or when Vim has executed the wrong autocommands
948(e.g., the file pattern match was wrong).
949
950Note that the 'eventignore' option applies here too. Events listed in this
951option will not cause any commands to be executed.
952
953 *:do* *:doau* *:doautocmd* *E217*
954:do[autocmd] [group] {event} [fname]
955 Apply the autocommands matching [fname] (default:
956 current file name) for {event} to the current buffer.
957 You can use this when the current file name does not
958 match the right pattern, after changing settings, or
959 to execute autocommands for a certain event.
960 It's possible to use this inside an autocommand too,
961 so you can base the autocommands for one extension on
962 another extension. Example: >
963 :au Bufenter *.cpp so ~/.vimrc_cpp
964 :au Bufenter *.cpp doau BufEnter x.c
965< Be careful to avoid endless loops. See
966 |autocmd-nested|.
967
968 When the [group] argument is not given, Vim executes
969 the autocommands for all groups. When the [group]
970 argument is included, Vim executes only the matching
971 autocommands for that group. Note: if you use an
972 undefined group name, Vim gives you an error message.
973
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +0000974 After applying the autocommands the modelines are
975 processed, so that their overrule the settings from
976 autocommands, like what happens when editing a file.
977
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000978 *:doautoa* *:doautoall*
979:doautoa[ll] [group] {event} [fname]
980 Like ":doautocmd", but apply the autocommands to each
981 loaded buffer. Note that {fname} is used to select
982 the autocommands, not the buffers to which they are
983 applied.
984 Careful: Don't use this for autocommands that delete a
985 buffer, change to another buffer or change the
986 contents of a buffer; the result is unpredictable.
987 This command is intended for autocommands that set
988 options, change highlighting, and things like that.
989
990==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +000099110. Using autocommands *autocmd-use*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000992
993For WRITING FILES there are four possible sets of events. Vim uses only one
994of these sets for a write command:
995
996BufWriteCmd BufWritePre BufWritePost writing the whole buffer
997 FilterWritePre FilterWritePost writing to filter temp file
998FileAppendCmd FileAppendPre FileAppendPost appending to a file
999FileWriteCmd FileWritePre FileWritePost any other file write
1000
1001When there is a matching "*Cmd" autocommand, it is assumed it will do the
1002writing. No further writing is done and the other events are not triggered.
1003|Cmd-event|
1004
1005Note that the *WritePost commands should undo any changes to the buffer that
1006were caused by the *WritePre commands; otherwise, writing the file will have
1007the side effect of changing the buffer.
1008
1009Before executing the autocommands, the buffer from which the lines are to be
1010written temporarily becomes the current buffer. Unless the autocommands
1011change the current buffer or delete the previously current buffer, the
1012previously current buffer is made the current buffer again.
1013
1014The *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands must not delete the buffer from
1015which the lines are to be written.
1016
1017The '[ and '] marks have a special position:
1018- Before the *ReadPre event the '[ mark is set to the line just above where
1019 the new lines will be inserted.
1020- Before the *ReadPost event the '[ mark is set to the first line that was
1021 just read, the '] mark to the last line.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001022- Before executing the *WriteCmd, *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands the '[
1023 mark is set to the first line that will be written, the '] mark to the last
1024 line.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001025Careful: '[ and '] change when using commands that change the buffer.
1026
1027In commands which expect a file name, you can use "<afile>" for the file name
1028that is being read |:<afile>| (you can also use "%" for the current file
1029name). "<abuf>" can be used for the buffer number of the currently effective
1030buffer. This also works for buffers that doesn't have a name. But it doesn't
1031work for files without a buffer (e.g., with ":r file").
1032
1033 *gzip-example*
1034Examples for reading and writing compressed files: >
1035 :augroup gzip
1036 : autocmd!
1037 : autocmd BufReadPre,FileReadPre *.gz set bin
1038 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz '[,']!gunzip
1039 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz set nobin
1040 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz execute ":doautocmd BufReadPost " . expand("%:r")
1041 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1042 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1043
1044 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !gunzip <afile>
1045 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !mv <afile>:r <afile>
1046 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1047 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1048 :augroup END
1049
1050The "gzip" group is used to be able to delete any existing autocommands with
1051":autocmd!", for when the file is sourced twice.
1052
1053("<afile>:r" is the file name without the extension, see |:_%:|)
1054
1055The commands executed for the BufNewFile, BufRead/BufReadPost, BufWritePost,
1056FileAppendPost and VimLeave events do not set or reset the changed flag of the
1057buffer. When you decompress the buffer with the BufReadPost autocommands, you
1058can still exit with ":q". When you use ":undo" in BufWritePost to undo the
1059changes made by BufWritePre commands, you can still do ":q" (this also makes
1060"ZZ" work). If you do want the buffer to be marked as modified, set the
1061'modified' option.
1062
1063To execute Normal mode commands from an autocommand, use the ":normal"
1064command. Use with care! If the Normal mode command is not finished, the user
1065needs to type characters (e.g., after ":normal m" you need to type a mark
1066name).
1067
1068If you want the buffer to be unmodified after changing it, reset the
1069'modified' option. This makes it possible to exit the buffer with ":q"
1070instead of ":q!".
1071
1072 *autocmd-nested* *E218*
1073By default, autocommands do not nest. If you use ":e" or ":w" in an
1074autocommand, Vim does not execute the BufRead and BufWrite autocommands for
1075those commands. If you do want this, use the "nested" flag for those commands
1076in which you want nesting. For example: >
1077 :autocmd FileChangedShell *.c nested e!
1078The nesting is limited to 10 levels to get out of recursive loops.
1079
1080It's possible to use the ":au" command in an autocommand. This can be a
1081self-modifying command! This can be useful for an autocommand that should
1082execute only once.
1083
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001084If you want to skip autocommands for one command, use the |:noautocmd| command
1085modifier or the 'eventignore' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001086
1087Note: When reading a file (with ":read file" or with a filter command) and the
1088last line in the file does not have an <EOL>, Vim remembers this. At the next
1089write (with ":write file" or with a filter command), if the same line is
1090written again as the last line in a file AND 'binary' is set, Vim does not
1091supply an <EOL>. This makes a filter command on the just read lines write the
1092same file as was read, and makes a write command on just filtered lines write
1093the same file as was read from the filter. For example, another way to write
1094a compressed file: >
1095
1096 :autocmd FileWritePre *.gz set bin|'[,']!gzip
1097 :autocmd FileWritePost *.gz undo|set nobin
1098<
1099 *autocommand-pattern*
1100You can specify multiple patterns, separated by commas. Here are some
1101examples: >
1102
1103 :autocmd BufRead * set tw=79 nocin ic infercase fo=2croq
1104 :autocmd BufRead .letter set tw=72 fo=2tcrq
1105 :autocmd BufEnter .letter set dict=/usr/lib/dict/words
1106 :autocmd BufLeave .letter set dict=
1107 :autocmd BufRead,BufNewFile *.c,*.h set tw=0 cin noic
1108 :autocmd BufEnter *.c,*.h abbr FOR for (i = 0; i < 3; ++i)<CR>{<CR>}<Esc>O
1109 :autocmd BufLeave *.c,*.h unabbr FOR
1110
1111For makefiles (makefile, Makefile, imakefile, makefile.unix, etc.): >
1112
1113 :autocmd BufEnter ?akefile* set include=^s\=include
1114 :autocmd BufLeave ?akefile* set include&
1115
1116To always start editing C files at the first function: >
1117
1118 :autocmd BufRead *.c,*.h 1;/^{
1119
1120Without the "1;" above, the search would start from wherever the file was
1121entered, rather than from the start of the file.
1122
1123 *skeleton* *template*
1124To read a skeleton (template) file when opening a new file: >
1125
1126 :autocmd BufNewFile *.c 0r ~/vim/skeleton.c
1127 :autocmd BufNewFile *.h 0r ~/vim/skeleton.h
1128 :autocmd BufNewFile *.java 0r ~/vim/skeleton.java
1129
1130To insert the current date and time in a *.html file when writing it: >
1131
1132 :autocmd BufWritePre,FileWritePre *.html ks|call LastMod()|'s
1133 :fun LastMod()
1134 : if line("$") > 20
1135 : let l = 20
1136 : else
1137 : let l = line("$")
1138 : endif
1139 : exe "1," . l . "g/Last modified: /s/Last modified: .*/Last modified: " .
1140 : \ strftime("%Y %b %d")
1141 :endfun
1142
1143You need to have a line "Last modified: <date time>" in the first 20 lines
1144of the file for this to work. Vim replaces <date time> (and anything in the
1145same line after it) with the current date and time. Explanation:
1146 ks mark current position with mark 's'
1147 call LastMod() call the LastMod() function to do the work
1148 's return the cursor to the old position
1149The LastMod() function checks if the file is shorter than 20 lines, and then
1150uses the ":g" command to find lines that contain "Last modified: ". For those
1151lines the ":s" command is executed to replace the existing date with the
1152current one. The ":execute" command is used to be able to use an expression
1153for the ":g" and ":s" commands. The date is obtained with the strftime()
1154function. You can change its argument to get another date string.
1155
1156When entering :autocmd on the command-line, completion of events and command
1157names may be done (with <Tab>, CTRL-D, etc.) where appropriate.
1158
1159Vim executes all matching autocommands in the order that you specify them.
1160It is recommended that your first autocommand be used for all files by using
1161"*" as the file pattern. This means that you can define defaults you like
1162here for any settings, and if there is another matching autocommand it will
1163override these. But if there is no other matching autocommand, then at least
1164your default settings are recovered (if entering this file from another for
1165which autocommands did match). Note that "*" will also match files starting
1166with ".", unlike Unix shells.
1167
1168 *autocmd-searchpat*
1169Autocommands do not change the current search patterns. Vim saves the current
1170search patterns before executing autocommands then restores them after the
1171autocommands finish. This means that autocommands do not affect the strings
1172highlighted with the 'hlsearch' option. Within autocommands, you can still
1173use search patterns normally, e.g., with the "n" command.
1174If you want an autocommand to set the search pattern, such that it is used
1175after the autocommand finishes, use the ":let @/ =" command.
1176The search-highlighting cannot be switched off with ":nohlsearch" in an
1177autocommand. Use the 'h' flag in the 'viminfo' option to disable search-
1178highlighting when starting Vim.
1179
1180 *Cmd-event*
1181When using one of the "*Cmd" events, the matching autocommands are expected to
1182do the file reading or writing. This can be used when working with a special
1183kind of file, for example on a remote system.
1184CAREFUL: If you use these events in a wrong way, it may have the effect of
1185making it impossible to read or write the matching files! Make sure you test
1186your autocommands properly. Best is to use a pattern that will never match a
1187normal file name, for example "ftp://*".
1188
1189When defining a BufReadCmd it will be difficult for Vim to recover a crashed
1190editing session. When recovering from the original file, Vim reads only those
1191parts of a file that are not found in the swap file. Since that is not
1192possible with a BufReadCmd, use the |:preserve| command to make sure the
1193original file isn't needed for recovery. You might want to do this only when
1194you expect the file to be modified.
1195
1196The |v:cmdarg| variable holds the "++enc=" and "++ff=" argument that are
1197effective. These should be used for the command that reads/writes the file.
1198The |v:cmdbang| variable is one when "!" was used, zero otherwise.
1199
1200See the $VIMRUNTIME/plugin/netrw.vim for examples.
1201
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001202==============================================================================
120311. Disabling autocommands *autocmd-disable*
1204
1205To disable autocommands for some time use the 'eventignore' option. Note that
1206this may cause unexpected behavior, make sure you restore 'eventignore'
1207afterwards, using a |:try| block with |:finally|.
1208
1209 *:noautocmd* *:noa*
1210To disable autocommands for just one command use the ":noautocmd" command
1211modifier. This will set 'eventignore' to "all" for the duration of the
1212following command. Example: >
1213
1214 :noautocmd w fname.gz
1215
1216This will write the file without triggering the autocommands defined by the
1217gzip plugin.
1218
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001219
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001220 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: