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Bram Moolenaar5a5f4592015-04-13 12:43:06 +02001*autocmd.txt* For Vim version 7.4. Last change: 2015 Mar 21
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
Bram Moolenaardb7207e2012-02-22 17:30:19 +010036 *E203* *E204* *E143* *E855*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000037WARNING: 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
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +010062 {pat} |autocmd-patterns|.
63 Vim always adds the {cmd} after existing autocommands,
64 so that the autocommands execute in the order in which
65 they were given. See |autocmd-nested| for [nested].
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000066
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
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000107When executing the commands, the message from one command overwrites a
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000108previous 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
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000165 * call s:LocalBrowse(expand("<amatch>"))
Bram Moolenaarac6e65f2005-08-29 22:25:38 +0000166 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
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +0000199alphabetically with full explanations |autocmd-events-abc|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000200
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
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +0000212|FileReadCmd| before reading a file with a ":read" command |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000213
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
Bram Moolenaard09acef2012-09-21 14:54:30 +0200266|GUIFailed| after starting the GUI failed
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000267|TermResponse| after the terminal response to |t_RV| is received
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000268
Bram Moolenaar00154502013-02-13 16:15:55 +0100269|QuitPre| when using `:quit`, before deciding whether to quit
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000270|VimLeavePre| before exiting Vim, before writing the viminfo file
271|VimLeave| before exiting Vim, after writing the viminfo file
272
273 Various
274|FileChangedShell| Vim notices that a file changed since editing started
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000275|FileChangedShellPost| After handling a file changed since editing started
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000276|FileChangedRO| before making the first change to a read-only file
277
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +0000278|ShellCmdPost| after executing a shell command
279|ShellFilterPost| after filtering with a shell command
280
Bram Moolenaard5005162014-08-22 23:05:54 +0200281|CmdUndefined| a user command is used but it isn't defined
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000282|FuncUndefined| a user function is used but it isn't defined
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000283|SpellFileMissing| a spell file is used but it can't be found
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +0000284|SourcePre| before sourcing a Vim script
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000285|SourceCmd| before sourcing a Vim script |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000286
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000287|VimResized| after the Vim window size changed
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000288|FocusGained| Vim got input focus
289|FocusLost| Vim lost input focus
290|CursorHold| the user doesn't press a key for a while
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000291|CursorHoldI| the user doesn't press a key for a while in Insert mode
292|CursorMoved| the cursor was moved in Normal mode
293|CursorMovedI| the cursor was moved in Insert mode
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000294
295|WinEnter| after entering another window
296|WinLeave| before leaving a window
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000297|TabEnter| after entering another tab page
298|TabLeave| before leaving a tab page
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000299|CmdwinEnter| after entering the command-line window
300|CmdwinLeave| before leaving the command-line window
301
302|InsertEnter| starting Insert mode
303|InsertChange| when typing <Insert> while in Insert or Replace mode
304|InsertLeave| when leaving Insert mode
Bram Moolenaare659c952011-05-19 17:25:41 +0200305|InsertCharPre| when a character was typed in Insert mode, before
306 inserting it
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000307
Bram Moolenaardfb18412013-12-11 18:53:29 +0100308|TextChanged| after a change was made to the text in Normal mode
309|TextChangedI| after a change was made to the text in Insert mode
310
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000311|ColorScheme| after loading a color scheme
312
313|RemoteReply| a reply from a server Vim was received
314
315|QuickFixCmdPre| before a quickfix command is run
316|QuickFixCmdPost| after a quickfix command is run
317
318|SessionLoadPost| after loading a session file
319
320|MenuPopup| just before showing the popup menu
Bram Moolenaard09acef2012-09-21 14:54:30 +0200321|CompleteDone| after Insert mode completion is done
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000322
323|User| to be used in combination with ":doautocmd"
324
325
326The alphabetical list of autocommand events: *autocmd-events-abc*
327
328 *BufCreate* *BufAdd*
329BufAdd or BufCreate Just after creating a new buffer which is
330 added to the buffer list, or adding a buffer
331 to the buffer list.
332 Also used just after a buffer in the buffer
333 list has been renamed.
334 The BufCreate event is for historic reasons.
335 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
336 current buffer "%" may be different from the
337 buffer being created "<afile>".
338 *BufDelete*
339BufDelete Before deleting a buffer from the buffer list.
340 The BufUnload may be called first (if the
341 buffer was loaded).
342 Also used just before a buffer in the buffer
343 list is renamed.
344 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
345 current buffer "%" may be different from the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000346 buffer being deleted "<afile>" and "<abuf>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000347 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
348 problems.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000349 *BufEnter*
350BufEnter After entering a buffer. Useful for setting
351 options for a file type. Also executed when
352 starting to edit a buffer, after the
353 BufReadPost autocommands.
354 *BufFilePost*
355BufFilePost After changing the name of the current buffer
356 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000357 *BufFilePre*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000358BufFilePre Before changing the name of the current buffer
359 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
360 *BufHidden*
361BufHidden Just after a buffer has become hidden. That
362 is, when there are no longer windows that show
363 the buffer, but the buffer is not unloaded or
364 deleted. Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when
365 exiting Vim.
366 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
367 current buffer "%" may be different from the
368 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
369 *BufLeave*
370BufLeave Before leaving to another buffer. Also when
371 leaving or closing the current window and the
372 new current window is not for the same buffer.
373 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
374 *BufNew*
375BufNew Just after creating a new buffer. Also used
376 just after a buffer has been renamed. When
377 the buffer is added to the buffer list BufAdd
378 will be triggered too.
379 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
380 current buffer "%" may be different from the
381 buffer being created "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000382 *BufNewFile*
383BufNewFile When starting to edit a file that doesn't
384 exist. Can be used to read in a skeleton
385 file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000386 *BufRead* *BufReadPost*
387BufRead or BufReadPost When starting to edit a new buffer, after
388 reading the file into the buffer, before
389 executing the modelines. See |BufWinEnter|
390 for when you need to do something after
391 processing the modelines.
392 This does NOT work for ":r file". Not used
393 when the file doesn't exist. Also used after
394 successfully recovering a file.
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +0200395 Also triggered for the filetypedetect group
396 when executing ":filetype detect" and when
397 writing an unnamed buffer in a way that the
398 buffer gets a name.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000399 *BufReadCmd*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000400BufReadCmd Before starting to edit a new buffer. Should
401 read the file into the buffer. |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000402 *BufReadPre* *E200* *E201*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000403BufReadPre When starting to edit a new buffer, before
404 reading the file into the buffer. Not used
405 if the file doesn't exist.
406 *BufUnload*
407BufUnload Before unloading a buffer. This is when the
408 text in the buffer is going to be freed. This
409 may be after a BufWritePost and before a
410 BufDelete. Also used for all buffers that are
411 loaded when Vim is going to exit.
412 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
413 current buffer "%" may be different from the
414 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000415 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
416 problems.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200417 When exiting and v:dying is 2 or more this
418 event is not triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000419 *BufWinEnter*
420BufWinEnter After a buffer is displayed in a window. This
421 can be when the buffer is loaded (after
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000422 processing the modelines) or when a hidden
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000423 buffer is displayed in a window (and is no
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000424 longer hidden).
425 Does not happen for |:split| without
426 arguments, since you keep editing the same
427 buffer, or ":split" with a file that's already
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +0000428 open in a window, because it re-uses an
429 existing buffer. But it does happen for a
430 ":split" with the name of the current buffer,
431 since it reloads that buffer.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000432 *BufWinLeave*
433BufWinLeave Before a buffer is removed from a window.
434 Not when it's still visible in another window.
435 Also triggered when exiting. It's triggered
436 before BufUnload or BufHidden.
437 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
438 current buffer "%" may be different from the
439 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200440 When exiting and v:dying is 2 or more this
441 event is not triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000442 *BufWipeout*
443BufWipeout Before completely deleting a buffer. The
444 BufUnload and BufDelete events may be called
445 first (if the buffer was loaded and was in the
446 buffer list). Also used just before a buffer
447 is renamed (also when it's not in the buffer
448 list).
449 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
450 current buffer "%" may be different from the
451 buffer being deleted "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000452 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
453 problems.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000454 *BufWrite* *BufWritePre*
455BufWrite or BufWritePre Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000456 *BufWriteCmd*
457BufWriteCmd Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
458 Should do the writing of the file and reset
Bram Moolenaar1cd871b2004-12-19 22:46:22 +0000459 'modified' if successful, unless '+' is in
460 'cpo' and writing to another file |cpo-+|.
461 The buffer contents should not be changed.
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +0200462 When the command resets 'modified' the undo
463 information is adjusted to mark older undo
464 states as 'modified', like |:write| does.
Bram Moolenaar1cd871b2004-12-19 22:46:22 +0000465 |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000466 *BufWritePost*
467BufWritePost After writing the whole buffer to a file
468 (should undo the commands for BufWritePre).
Bram Moolenaard5005162014-08-22 23:05:54 +0200469 *CmdUndefined*
470CmdUndefined When a user command is used but it isn't
471 defined. Useful for defining a command only
472 when it's used. The pattern is matched
473 against the command name. Both <amatch> and
474 <afile> are set to the name of the command.
475 NOTE: Autocompletion won't work until the
476 command is defined. An alternative is to
477 always define the user command and have it
478 invoke an autoloaded function. See |autoload|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000479 *CmdwinEnter*
480CmdwinEnter After entering the command-line window.
481 Useful for setting options specifically for
482 this special type of window. This is
483 triggered _instead_ of BufEnter and WinEnter.
484 <afile> is set to a single character,
485 indicating the type of command-line.
486 |cmdwin-char|
487 *CmdwinLeave*
488CmdwinLeave Before leaving the command-line window.
489 Useful to clean up any global setting done
490 with CmdwinEnter. This is triggered _instead_
491 of BufLeave and WinLeave.
492 <afile> is set to a single character,
493 indicating the type of command-line.
494 |cmdwin-char|
495 *ColorScheme*
496ColorScheme After loading a color scheme. |:colorscheme|
Bram Moolenaarb95186f2013-11-28 18:53:52 +0100497 The pattern is matched against the
498 colorscheme name. <afile> can be used for the
499 name of the actual file where this option was
500 set, and <amatch> for the new colorscheme
501 name.
502
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000503
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +0200504 *CompleteDone*
505CompleteDone After Insert mode completion is done. Either
506 when something was completed or abandoning
507 completion. |ins-completion|
508
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000509 *CursorHold*
510CursorHold When the user doesn't press a key for the time
511 specified with 'updatetime'. Not re-triggered
512 until the user has pressed a key (i.e. doesn't
513 fire every 'updatetime' ms if you leave Vim to
514 make some coffee. :) See |CursorHold-example|
515 for previewing tags.
516 This event is only triggered in Normal mode.
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000517 It is not triggered when waiting for a command
518 argument to be typed, or a movement after an
519 operator.
Bram Moolenaare3226be2005-12-18 22:10:00 +0000520 While recording the CursorHold event is not
521 triggered. |q|
Bram Moolenaar3a991dd2014-10-02 01:41:41 +0200522 *<CursorHold>*
523 Internally the autocommand is triggered by the
524 <CursorHold> key. In an expression mapping
525 |getchar()| may see this character.
526
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000527 Note: Interactive commands cannot be used for
528 this event. There is no hit-enter prompt,
529 the screen is updated directly (when needed).
530 Note: In the future there will probably be
531 another option to set the time.
532 Hint: to force an update of the status lines
533 use: >
534 :let &ro = &ro
535< {only on Amiga, Unix, Win32, MSDOS and all GUI
536 versions}
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000537 *CursorHoldI*
538CursorHoldI Just like CursorHold, but in Insert mode.
539
540 *CursorMoved*
Bram Moolenaar52b91d82013-06-15 21:39:51 +0200541CursorMoved After the cursor was moved in Normal or Visual
542 mode. Also when the text of the cursor line
543 has been changed, e.g., with "x", "rx" or "p".
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000544 Not triggered when there is typeahead or when
545 an operator is pending.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000546 For an example see |match-parens|.
Bram Moolenaarbf884932013-04-05 22:26:15 +0200547 Careful: This is triggered very often, don't
548 do anything that the user does not expect or
549 that is slow.
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000550 *CursorMovedI*
551CursorMovedI After the cursor was moved in Insert mode.
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +0200552 Not triggered when the popup menu is visible.
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000553 Otherwise the same as CursorMoved.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000554 *EncodingChanged*
555EncodingChanged Fires off after the 'encoding' option has been
556 changed. Useful to set up fonts, for example.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000557 *FileAppendCmd*
558FileAppendCmd Before appending to a file. Should do the
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000559 appending to the file. Use the '[ and ']
560 marks for the range of lines.|Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000561 *FileAppendPost*
562FileAppendPost After appending to a file.
563 *FileAppendPre*
564FileAppendPre Before appending to a file. Use the '[ and ']
565 marks for the range of lines.
566 *FileChangedRO*
567FileChangedRO Before making the first change to a read-only
568 file. Can be used to check-out the file from
569 a source control system. Not triggered when
570 the change was caused by an autocommand.
571 This event is triggered when making the first
572 change in a buffer or the first change after
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000573 'readonly' was set, just before the change is
574 applied to the text.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000575 WARNING: If the autocommand moves the cursor
576 the effect of the change is undefined.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000577 *E788*
578 It is not allowed to change to another buffer
579 here. You can reload the buffer but not edit
580 another one.
Bram Moolenaar92dff182014-02-11 19:15:50 +0100581 *E881*
582 If the number of lines changes saving for undo
583 may fail and the change will be aborted.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000584 *FileChangedShell*
585FileChangedShell When Vim notices that the modification time of
586 a file has changed since editing started.
587 Also when the file attributes of the file
Bram Moolenaare968e362014-05-13 20:23:24 +0200588 change or when the size of the file changes.
589 |timestamp|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000590 Mostly triggered after executing a shell
591 command, but also with a |:checktime| command
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000592 or when Gvim regains input focus.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000593 This autocommand is triggered for each changed
594 file. It is not used when 'autoread' is set
595 and the buffer was not changed. If a
596 FileChangedShell autocommand is present the
597 warning message and prompt is not given.
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000598 The |v:fcs_reason| variable is set to indicate
599 what happened and |v:fcs_choice| can be used
600 to tell Vim what to do next.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000601 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
602 current buffer "%" may be different from the
603 buffer that was changed "<afile>".
604 NOTE: The commands must not change the current
605 buffer, jump to another buffer or delete a
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100606 buffer. *E246* *E811*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000607 NOTE: This event never nests, to avoid an
608 endless loop. This means that while executing
609 commands for the FileChangedShell event no
610 other FileChangedShell event will be
611 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000612 *FileChangedShellPost*
613FileChangedShellPost After handling a file that was changed outside
614 of Vim. Can be used to update the statusline.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000615 *FileEncoding*
616FileEncoding Obsolete. It still works and is equivalent
617 to |EncodingChanged|.
618 *FileReadCmd*
619FileReadCmd Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
620 Should do the reading of the file. |Cmd-event|
621 *FileReadPost*
622FileReadPost After reading a file with a ":read" command.
623 Note that Vim sets the '[ and '] marks to the
624 first and last line of the read. This can be
625 used to operate on the lines just read.
626 *FileReadPre*
627FileReadPre Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
628 *FileType*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000629FileType When the 'filetype' option has been set. The
630 pattern is matched against the filetype.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000631 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
632 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
633 the new value of 'filetype'.
634 See |filetypes|.
635 *FileWriteCmd*
636FileWriteCmd Before writing to a file, when not writing the
637 whole buffer. Should do the writing to the
638 file. Should not change the buffer. Use the
639 '[ and '] marks for the range of lines.
640 |Cmd-event|
641 *FileWritePost*
642FileWritePost After writing to a file, when not writing the
643 whole buffer.
644 *FileWritePre*
645FileWritePre Before writing to a file, when not writing the
646 whole buffer. Use the '[ and '] marks for the
647 range of lines.
648 *FilterReadPost*
649FilterReadPost After reading a file from a filter command.
650 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
651 the current buffer as with FilterReadPre.
652 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
653 *FilterReadPre* *E135*
654FilterReadPre Before reading a file from a filter command.
655 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
656 the current buffer, not the name of the
657 temporary file that is the output of the
658 filter command.
659 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
660 *FilterWritePost*
661FilterWritePost After writing a file for a filter command or
662 making a diff.
663 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
664 the current buffer as with FilterWritePre.
665 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
666 *FilterWritePre*
667FilterWritePre Before writing a file for a filter command or
668 making a diff.
669 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
670 the current buffer, not the name of the
671 temporary file that is the output of the
672 filter command.
673 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000674 *FocusGained*
675FocusGained When Vim got input focus. Only for the GUI
676 version and a few console versions where this
677 can be detected.
678 *FocusLost*
679FocusLost When Vim lost input focus. Only for the GUI
680 version and a few console versions where this
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +0000681 can be detected. May also happen when a
682 dialog pops up.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000683 *FuncUndefined*
684FuncUndefined When a user function is used but it isn't
685 defined. Useful for defining a function only
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000686 when it's used. The pattern is matched
687 against the function name. Both <amatch> and
688 <afile> are set to the name of the function.
Bram Moolenaard5005162014-08-22 23:05:54 +0200689 NOTE: When writing Vim scripts a better
690 alternative is to use an autoloaded function.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000691 See |autoload-functions|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000692 *GUIEnter*
693GUIEnter After starting the GUI successfully, and after
694 opening the window. It is triggered before
695 VimEnter when using gvim. Can be used to
696 position the window from a .gvimrc file: >
697 :autocmd GUIEnter * winpos 100 50
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000698< *GUIFailed*
699GUIFailed After starting the GUI failed. Vim may
700 continue to run in the terminal, if possible
701 (only on Unix and alikes, when connecting the
702 X server fails). You may want to quit Vim: >
703 :autocmd GUIFailed * qall
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000704< *InsertChange*
705InsertChange When typing <Insert> while in Insert or
706 Replace mode. The |v:insertmode| variable
707 indicates the new mode.
708 Be careful not to move the cursor or do
709 anything else that the user does not expect.
Bram Moolenaare659c952011-05-19 17:25:41 +0200710 *InsertCharPre*
711InsertCharPre When a character is typed in Insert mode,
712 before inserting the char.
713 The |v:char| variable indicates the char typed
714 and can be changed during the event to insert
715 a different character. When |v:char| is set
716 to more than one character this text is
717 inserted literally.
718 It is not allowed to change the text |textlock|.
719 The event is not triggered when 'paste' is
720 set.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000721 *InsertEnter*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000722InsertEnter Just before starting Insert mode. Also for
723 Replace mode and Virtual Replace mode. The
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000724 |v:insertmode| variable indicates the mode.
Bram Moolenaar097c9922013-05-19 21:15:15 +0200725 Be careful not to do anything else that the
726 user does not expect.
727 The cursor is restored afterwards. If you do
728 not want that set |v:char| to a non-empty
729 string.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000730 *InsertLeave*
731InsertLeave When leaving Insert mode. Also when using
732 CTRL-O |i_CTRL-O|. But not for |i_CTRL-C|.
733 *MenuPopup*
734MenuPopup Just before showing the popup menu (under the
735 right mouse button). Useful for adjusting the
736 menu for what is under the cursor or mouse
737 pointer.
738 The pattern is matched against a single
739 character representing the mode:
740 n Normal
741 v Visual
742 o Operator-pending
743 i Insert
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +0000744 c Command line
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000745 *QuickFixCmdPre*
746QuickFixCmdPre Before a quickfix command is run (|:make|,
Bram Moolenaara6557602006-02-04 22:43:20 +0000747 |:lmake|, |:grep|, |:lgrep|, |:grepadd|,
748 |:lgrepadd|, |:vimgrep|, |:lvimgrep|,
Bram Moolenaar6be7f872012-01-20 21:08:56 +0100749 |:vimgrepadd|, |:lvimgrepadd|, |:cscope|,
Bram Moolenaar84f72352012-03-11 15:57:40 +0100750 |:cfile|, |:cgetfile|, |:caddfile|, |:lfile|,
751 |:lgetfile|, |:laddfile|, |:helpgrep|,
752 |:lhelpgrep|).
Bram Moolenaarf1eeae92010-05-14 23:14:42 +0200753 The pattern is matched against the command
754 being run. When |:grep| is used but 'grepprg'
755 is set to "internal" it still matches "grep".
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000756 This command cannot be used to set the
757 'makeprg' and 'grepprg' variables.
758 If this command causes an error, the quickfix
759 command is not executed.
760 *QuickFixCmdPost*
761QuickFixCmdPost Like QuickFixCmdPre, but after a quickfix
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000762 command is run, before jumping to the first
Bram Moolenaar8ec1f852012-03-07 20:13:49 +0100763 location. For |:cfile| and |:lfile| commands
764 it is run after error file is read and before
Bram Moolenaar92dff182014-02-11 19:15:50 +0100765 moving to the first error.
Bram Moolenaar8ec1f852012-03-07 20:13:49 +0100766 See |QuickFixCmdPost-example|.
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +0200767 *QuitPre*
Bram Moolenaarac7bd632013-03-19 11:35:58 +0100768QuitPre When using `:quit`, `:wq` or `:qall`, before
769 deciding whether it closes the current window
770 or quits Vim. Can be used to close any
771 non-essential window if the current window is
772 the last ordinary window.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000773 *RemoteReply*
774RemoteReply When a reply from a Vim that functions as
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000775 server was received |server2client()|. The
776 pattern is matched against the {serverid}.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000777 <amatch> is equal to the {serverid} from which
778 the reply was sent, and <afile> is the actual
779 reply string.
780 Note that even if an autocommand is defined,
781 the reply should be read with |remote_read()|
782 to consume it.
783 *SessionLoadPost*
784SessionLoadPost After loading the session file created using
785 the |:mksession| command.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +0000786 *ShellCmdPost*
787ShellCmdPost After executing a shell command with |:!cmd|,
788 |:shell|, |:make| and |:grep|. Can be used to
789 check for any changed files.
790 *ShellFilterPost*
791ShellFilterPost After executing a shell command with
792 ":{range}!cmd", ":w !cmd" or ":r !cmd".
793 Can be used to check for any changed files.
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +0000794 *SourcePre*
795SourcePre Before sourcing a Vim script. |:source|
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000796 <afile> is the name of the file being sourced.
797 *SourceCmd*
798SourceCmd When sourcing a Vim script. |:source|
799 <afile> is the name of the file being sourced.
800 The autocommand must source this file.
801 |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000802 *SpellFileMissing*
803SpellFileMissing When trying to load a spell checking file and
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000804 it can't be found. The pattern is matched
805 against the language. <amatch> is the
806 language, 'encoding' also matters. See
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000807 |spell-SpellFileMissing|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000808 *StdinReadPost*
809StdinReadPost After reading from the stdin into the buffer,
810 before executing the modelines. Only used
811 when the "-" argument was used when Vim was
812 started |--|.
813 *StdinReadPre*
814StdinReadPre Before reading from stdin into the buffer.
815 Only used when the "-" argument was used when
816 Vim was started |--|.
817 *SwapExists*
818SwapExists Detected an existing swap file when starting
819 to edit a file. Only when it is possible to
820 select a way to handle the situation, when Vim
821 would ask the user what to do.
822 The |v:swapname| variable holds the name of
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +0000823 the swap file found, <afile> the file being
824 edited. |v:swapcommand| may contain a command
825 to be executed in the opened file.
826 The commands should set the |v:swapchoice|
827 variable to a string with one character to
828 tell Vim what should be done next:
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000829 'o' open read-only
830 'e' edit the file anyway
831 'r' recover
832 'd' delete the swap file
833 'q' quit, don't edit the file
834 'a' abort, like hitting CTRL-C
835 When set to an empty string the user will be
836 asked, as if there was no SwapExists autocmd.
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000837 *E812*
838 It is not allowed to change to another buffer,
839 change a buffer name or change directory
840 here.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000841 *Syntax*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000842Syntax When the 'syntax' option has been set. The
843 pattern is matched against the syntax name.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000844 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
845 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
846 the new value of 'syntax'.
847 See |:syn-on|.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000848 *TabEnter*
849TabEnter Just after entering a tab page. |tab-page|
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +0000850 After triggering the WinEnter and before
851 triggering the BufEnter event.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000852 *TabLeave*
853TabLeave Just before leaving a tab page. |tab-page|
854 A WinLeave event will have been triggered
855 first.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000856 *TermChanged*
857TermChanged After the value of 'term' has changed. Useful
858 for re-loading the syntax file to update the
859 colors, fonts and other terminal-dependent
860 settings. Executed for all loaded buffers.
861 *TermResponse*
862TermResponse After the response to |t_RV| is received from
863 the terminal. The value of |v:termresponse|
864 can be used to do things depending on the
Bram Moolenaar8e5af3e2011-04-28 19:02:44 +0200865 terminal version. Note that this event may be
866 triggered halfway executing another event,
867 especially if file I/O, a shell command or
868 anything else that takes time is involved.
Bram Moolenaarbf884932013-04-05 22:26:15 +0200869 *TextChanged*
870TextChanged After a change was made to the text in the
871 current buffer in Normal mode. That is when
872 |b:changedtick| has changed.
873 Not triggered when there is typeahead or when
874 an operator is pending.
875 Careful: This is triggered very often, don't
876 do anything that the user does not expect or
877 that is slow.
878 *TextChangedI*
879TextChangedI After a change was made to the text in the
880 current buffer in Insert mode.
881 Not triggered when the popup menu is visible.
882 Otherwise the same as TextChanged.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000883 *User*
884User Never executed automatically. To be used for
885 autocommands that are only executed with
886 ":doautocmd".
887 *UserGettingBored*
Bram Moolenaarbf884932013-04-05 22:26:15 +0200888UserGettingBored When the user presses the same key 42 times.
889 Just kidding! :-)
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000890 *VimEnter*
891VimEnter After doing all the startup stuff, including
892 loading .vimrc files, executing the "-c cmd"
893 arguments, creating all windows and loading
894 the buffers in them.
895 *VimLeave*
896VimLeave Before exiting Vim, just after writing the
897 .viminfo file. Executed only once, like
898 VimLeavePre.
899 To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200900 When v:dying is 2 or more this event is not
901 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000902 *VimLeavePre*
903VimLeavePre Before exiting Vim, just before writing the
904 .viminfo file. This is executed only once,
905 if there is a match with the name of what
906 happens to be the current buffer when exiting.
907 Mostly useful with a "*" pattern. >
908 :autocmd VimLeavePre * call CleanupStuff()
909< To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200910 When v:dying is 2 or more this event is not
911 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000912 *VimResized*
913VimResized After the Vim window was resized, thus 'lines'
914 and/or 'columns' changed. Not when starting
915 up though.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000916 *WinEnter*
917WinEnter After entering another window. Not done for
918 the first window, when Vim has just started.
919 Useful for setting the window height.
920 If the window is for another buffer, Vim
921 executes the BufEnter autocommands after the
922 WinEnter autocommands.
923 Note: When using ":split fname" the WinEnter
924 event is triggered after the split but before
925 the file "fname" is loaded.
926 *WinLeave*
927WinLeave Before leaving a window. If the window to be
928 entered next is for a different buffer, Vim
929 executes the BufLeave autocommands before the
930 WinLeave autocommands (but not for ":new").
931 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000932
933==============================================================================
9346. Patterns *autocmd-patterns* *{pat}*
935
Bram Moolenaar5a5f4592015-04-13 12:43:06 +0200936The {pat} argument can be a comma separated list. This works as if the
937command was given with each pattern separately. Thus this command: >
938 :autocmd BufRead *.txt,*.info set et
939Is equivalent to: >
940 :autocmd BufRead *.txt set et
941 :autocmd BufRead *.info set et
942
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000943The file pattern {pat} is tested for a match against the file name in one of
944two ways:
9451. When there is no '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against only
946 the tail part of the file name (without its leading directory path).
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01009472. When there is a '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against both the
948 short file name (as you typed it) and the full file name (after expanding
949 it to a full path and resolving symbolic links).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000950
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000951The special pattern <buffer> or <buffer=N> is used for buffer-local
952autocommands |autocmd-buflocal|. This pattern is not matched against the name
953of a buffer.
954
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000955Examples: >
956 :autocmd BufRead *.txt set et
957Set the 'et' option for all text files. >
958
959 :autocmd BufRead /vim/src/*.c set cindent
960Set the 'cindent' option for C files in the /vim/src directory. >
961
962 :autocmd BufRead /tmp/*.c set ts=5
963If you have a link from "/tmp/test.c" to "/home/nobody/vim/src/test.c", and
964you start editing "/tmp/test.c", this autocommand will match.
965
966Note: To match part of a path, but not from the root directory, use a '*' as
967the first character. Example: >
968 :autocmd BufRead */doc/*.txt set tw=78
969This autocommand will for example be executed for "/tmp/doc/xx.txt" and
970"/usr/home/piet/doc/yy.txt". The number of directories does not matter here.
971
972
973The file name that the pattern is matched against is after expanding
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000974wildcards. Thus if you issue this command: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000975 :e $ROOTDIR/main.$EXT
976The argument is first expanded to: >
977 /usr/root/main.py
978Before it's matched with the pattern of the autocommand. Careful with this
979when using events like FileReadCmd, the value of <amatch> may not be what you
980expect.
981
982
983Environment variables can be used in a pattern: >
984 :autocmd BufRead $VIMRUNTIME/doc/*.txt set expandtab
985And ~ can be used for the home directory (if $HOME is defined): >
986 :autocmd BufWritePost ~/.vimrc so ~/.vimrc
987 :autocmd BufRead ~archive/* set readonly
988The environment variable is expanded when the autocommand is defined, not when
989the autocommand is executed. This is different from the command!
990
991 *file-pattern*
992The pattern is interpreted like mostly used in file names:
Bram Moolenaar3b1db362013-08-10 15:00:24 +0200993 * matches any sequence of characters; Unusual: includes path
Bram Moolenaar9d98fe92013-08-03 18:35:36 +0200994 separators
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000995 ? matches any single character
996 \? matches a '?'
997 . matches a '.'
998 ~ matches a '~'
999 , separates patterns
1000 \, matches a ','
1001 { } like \( \) in a |pattern|
1002 , inside { }: like \| in a |pattern|
Bram Moolenaara946afe2013-08-02 15:22:39 +02001003 \} literal }
1004 \{ literal {
1005 \\\{n,m\} like \{n,m} in a |pattern|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001006 \ special meaning like in a |pattern|
1007 [ch] matches 'c' or 'h'
1008 [^ch] match any character but 'c' and 'h'
1009
1010Note that for all systems the '/' character is used for path separator (even
1011MS-DOS and OS/2). This was done because the backslash is difficult to use
1012in a pattern and to make the autocommands portable across different systems.
1013
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001014 *autocmd-changes*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001015Matching with the pattern is done when an event is triggered. Changing the
1016buffer name in one of the autocommands, or even deleting the buffer, does not
1017change which autocommands will be executed. Example: >
1018
1019 au BufEnter *.foo bdel
1020 au BufEnter *.foo set modified
1021
1022This will delete the current buffer and then set 'modified' in what has become
1023the current buffer instead. Vim doesn't take into account that "*.foo"
1024doesn't match with that buffer name. It matches "*.foo" with the name of the
1025buffer at the moment the event was triggered.
1026
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001027However, buffer-local autocommands will not be executed for a buffer that has
1028been wiped out with |:bwipe|. After deleting the buffer with |:bdel| the
1029buffer actually still exists (it becomes unlisted), thus the autocommands are
1030still executed.
1031
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001032==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +000010337. Buffer-local autocommands *autocmd-buflocal* *autocmd-buffer-local*
1034 *<buffer=N>* *<buffer=abuf>* *E680*
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001035
1036Buffer-local autocommands are attached to a specific buffer. They are useful
1037if the buffer does not have a name and when the name does not match a specific
1038pattern. But it also means they must be explicitly added to each buffer.
1039
1040Instead of a pattern buffer-local autocommands use one of these forms:
1041 <buffer> current buffer
1042 <buffer=99> buffer number 99
1043 <buffer=abuf> using <abuf> (only when executing autocommands)
1044 |<abuf>|
1045
1046Examples: >
1047 :au CursorHold <buffer> echo 'hold'
1048 :au CursorHold <buffer=33> echo 'hold'
1049 :au CursorHold <buffer=abuf> echo 'hold'
1050
1051All the commands for autocommands also work with buffer-local autocommands,
1052simply use the special string instead of the pattern. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001053 :au! * <buffer> " remove buffer-local autocommands for
1054 " current buffer
1055 :au! * <buffer=33> " remove buffer-local autocommands for
1056 " buffer #33
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001057 :bufdo :au! CursorHold <buffer> " remove autocmd for given event for all
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001058 " buffers
1059 :au * <buffer> " list buffer-local autocommands for
1060 " current buffer
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001061
1062Note that when an autocommand is defined for the current buffer, it is stored
1063with the buffer number. Thus it uses the form "<buffer=12>", where 12 is the
1064number of the current buffer. You will see this when listing autocommands,
1065for example.
1066
1067To test for presence of buffer-local autocommands use the |exists()| function
1068as follows: >
1069 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer=12>") | ... | endif
1070 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer>") | ... | endif " for current buffer
1071
1072When a buffer is wiped out its buffer-local autocommands are also gone, of
1073course. Note that when deleting a buffer, e.g., with ":bdel", it is only
1074unlisted, the autocommands are still present. In order to see the removal of
1075buffer-local autocommands: >
1076 :set verbose=6
1077
1078It is not possible to define buffer-local autocommands for a non-existent
1079buffer.
1080
1081==============================================================================
10828. Groups *autocmd-groups*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001083
1084Autocommands can be put together in a group. This is useful for removing or
1085executing a group of autocommands. For example, all the autocommands for
1086syntax highlighting are put in the "highlight" group, to be able to execute
1087":doautoall highlight BufRead" when the GUI starts.
1088
1089When no specific group is selected, Vim uses the default group. The default
1090group does not have a name. You cannot execute the autocommands from the
1091default group separately; you can execute them only by executing autocommands
1092for all groups.
1093
1094Normally, when executing autocommands automatically, Vim uses the autocommands
1095for all groups. The group only matters when executing autocommands with
1096":doautocmd" or ":doautoall", or when defining or deleting autocommands.
1097
1098The group name can contain any characters except white space. The group name
1099"end" is reserved (also in uppercase).
1100
1101The group name is case sensitive. Note that this is different from the event
1102name!
1103
1104 *:aug* *:augroup*
1105:aug[roup] {name} Define the autocmd group name for the
1106 following ":autocmd" commands. The name "end"
1107 or "END" selects the default group.
1108
1109 *:augroup-delete* *E367*
1110:aug[roup]! {name} Delete the autocmd group {name}. Don't use
1111 this if there is still an autocommand using
1112 this group! This is not checked.
1113
1114To enter autocommands for a specific group, use this method:
11151. Select the group with ":augroup {name}".
11162. Delete any old autocommands with ":au!".
11173. Define the autocommands.
11184. Go back to the default group with "augroup END".
1119
1120Example: >
1121 :augroup uncompress
1122 : au!
1123 : au BufEnter *.gz %!gunzip
1124 :augroup END
1125
1126This prevents having the autocommands defined twice (e.g., after sourcing the
1127.vimrc file again).
1128
1129==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +000011309. Executing autocommands *autocmd-execute*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001131
1132Vim can also execute Autocommands non-automatically. This is useful if you
1133have changed autocommands, or when Vim has executed the wrong autocommands
1134(e.g., the file pattern match was wrong).
1135
1136Note that the 'eventignore' option applies here too. Events listed in this
1137option will not cause any commands to be executed.
1138
1139 *:do* *:doau* *:doautocmd* *E217*
Bram Moolenaar5dc62522012-02-13 00:05:22 +01001140:do[autocmd] [<nomodeline>] [group] {event} [fname]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001141 Apply the autocommands matching [fname] (default:
1142 current file name) for {event} to the current buffer.
1143 You can use this when the current file name does not
1144 match the right pattern, after changing settings, or
1145 to execute autocommands for a certain event.
1146 It's possible to use this inside an autocommand too,
1147 so you can base the autocommands for one extension on
1148 another extension. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +01001149 :au BufEnter *.cpp so ~/.vimrc_cpp
1150 :au BufEnter *.cpp doau BufEnter x.c
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001151< Be careful to avoid endless loops. See
1152 |autocmd-nested|.
1153
1154 When the [group] argument is not given, Vim executes
1155 the autocommands for all groups. When the [group]
1156 argument is included, Vim executes only the matching
1157 autocommands for that group. Note: if you use an
1158 undefined group name, Vim gives you an error message.
Bram Moolenaar60542ac2012-02-12 20:14:01 +01001159 *<nomodeline>*
1160 After applying the autocommands the modelines are
1161 processed, so that their settings overrule the
1162 settings from autocommands, like what happens when
1163 editing a file. This is skipped when the <nomodeline>
1164 argument is present. You probably want to use
1165 <nomodeline> for events that are not used when loading
1166 a buffer, such as |User|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001167
1168 *:doautoa* *:doautoall*
Bram Moolenaara61d5fb2012-02-12 00:18:58 +01001169:doautoa[ll] [<nomodeline>] [group] {event} [fname]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001170 Like ":doautocmd", but apply the autocommands to each
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001171 loaded buffer. Note that [fname] is used to select
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001172 the autocommands, not the buffers to which they are
1173 applied.
1174 Careful: Don't use this for autocommands that delete a
1175 buffer, change to another buffer or change the
1176 contents of a buffer; the result is unpredictable.
1177 This command is intended for autocommands that set
1178 options, change highlighting, and things like that.
1179
1180==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000118110. Using autocommands *autocmd-use*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001182
1183For WRITING FILES there are four possible sets of events. Vim uses only one
1184of these sets for a write command:
1185
1186BufWriteCmd BufWritePre BufWritePost writing the whole buffer
1187 FilterWritePre FilterWritePost writing to filter temp file
1188FileAppendCmd FileAppendPre FileAppendPost appending to a file
1189FileWriteCmd FileWritePre FileWritePost any other file write
1190
1191When there is a matching "*Cmd" autocommand, it is assumed it will do the
1192writing. No further writing is done and the other events are not triggered.
1193|Cmd-event|
1194
1195Note that the *WritePost commands should undo any changes to the buffer that
1196were caused by the *WritePre commands; otherwise, writing the file will have
1197the side effect of changing the buffer.
1198
1199Before executing the autocommands, the buffer from which the lines are to be
1200written temporarily becomes the current buffer. Unless the autocommands
1201change the current buffer or delete the previously current buffer, the
1202previously current buffer is made the current buffer again.
1203
1204The *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands must not delete the buffer from
1205which the lines are to be written.
1206
1207The '[ and '] marks have a special position:
1208- Before the *ReadPre event the '[ mark is set to the line just above where
1209 the new lines will be inserted.
1210- Before the *ReadPost event the '[ mark is set to the first line that was
1211 just read, the '] mark to the last line.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001212- Before executing the *WriteCmd, *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands the '[
1213 mark is set to the first line that will be written, the '] mark to the last
1214 line.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001215Careful: '[ and '] change when using commands that change the buffer.
1216
1217In commands which expect a file name, you can use "<afile>" for the file name
1218that is being read |:<afile>| (you can also use "%" for the current file
1219name). "<abuf>" can be used for the buffer number of the currently effective
1220buffer. This also works for buffers that doesn't have a name. But it doesn't
1221work for files without a buffer (e.g., with ":r file").
1222
1223 *gzip-example*
1224Examples for reading and writing compressed files: >
1225 :augroup gzip
1226 : autocmd!
1227 : autocmd BufReadPre,FileReadPre *.gz set bin
1228 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz '[,']!gunzip
1229 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz set nobin
1230 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz execute ":doautocmd BufReadPost " . expand("%:r")
1231 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1232 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1233
1234 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !gunzip <afile>
1235 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !mv <afile>:r <afile>
1236 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1237 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1238 :augroup END
1239
1240The "gzip" group is used to be able to delete any existing autocommands with
1241":autocmd!", for when the file is sourced twice.
1242
1243("<afile>:r" is the file name without the extension, see |:_%:|)
1244
1245The commands executed for the BufNewFile, BufRead/BufReadPost, BufWritePost,
1246FileAppendPost and VimLeave events do not set or reset the changed flag of the
1247buffer. When you decompress the buffer with the BufReadPost autocommands, you
1248can still exit with ":q". When you use ":undo" in BufWritePost to undo the
1249changes made by BufWritePre commands, you can still do ":q" (this also makes
1250"ZZ" work). If you do want the buffer to be marked as modified, set the
1251'modified' option.
1252
1253To execute Normal mode commands from an autocommand, use the ":normal"
1254command. Use with care! If the Normal mode command is not finished, the user
1255needs to type characters (e.g., after ":normal m" you need to type a mark
1256name).
1257
1258If you want the buffer to be unmodified after changing it, reset the
1259'modified' option. This makes it possible to exit the buffer with ":q"
1260instead of ":q!".
1261
1262 *autocmd-nested* *E218*
1263By default, autocommands do not nest. If you use ":e" or ":w" in an
1264autocommand, Vim does not execute the BufRead and BufWrite autocommands for
1265those commands. If you do want this, use the "nested" flag for those commands
1266in which you want nesting. For example: >
1267 :autocmd FileChangedShell *.c nested e!
1268The nesting is limited to 10 levels to get out of recursive loops.
1269
1270It's possible to use the ":au" command in an autocommand. This can be a
1271self-modifying command! This can be useful for an autocommand that should
1272execute only once.
1273
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001274If you want to skip autocommands for one command, use the |:noautocmd| command
1275modifier or the 'eventignore' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001276
1277Note: When reading a file (with ":read file" or with a filter command) and the
1278last line in the file does not have an <EOL>, Vim remembers this. At the next
1279write (with ":write file" or with a filter command), if the same line is
1280written again as the last line in a file AND 'binary' is set, Vim does not
1281supply an <EOL>. This makes a filter command on the just read lines write the
1282same file as was read, and makes a write command on just filtered lines write
1283the same file as was read from the filter. For example, another way to write
1284a compressed file: >
1285
1286 :autocmd FileWritePre *.gz set bin|'[,']!gzip
1287 :autocmd FileWritePost *.gz undo|set nobin
1288<
1289 *autocommand-pattern*
1290You can specify multiple patterns, separated by commas. Here are some
1291examples: >
1292
1293 :autocmd BufRead * set tw=79 nocin ic infercase fo=2croq
1294 :autocmd BufRead .letter set tw=72 fo=2tcrq
1295 :autocmd BufEnter .letter set dict=/usr/lib/dict/words
1296 :autocmd BufLeave .letter set dict=
1297 :autocmd BufRead,BufNewFile *.c,*.h set tw=0 cin noic
1298 :autocmd BufEnter *.c,*.h abbr FOR for (i = 0; i < 3; ++i)<CR>{<CR>}<Esc>O
1299 :autocmd BufLeave *.c,*.h unabbr FOR
1300
1301For makefiles (makefile, Makefile, imakefile, makefile.unix, etc.): >
1302
1303 :autocmd BufEnter ?akefile* set include=^s\=include
1304 :autocmd BufLeave ?akefile* set include&
1305
1306To always start editing C files at the first function: >
1307
1308 :autocmd BufRead *.c,*.h 1;/^{
1309
1310Without the "1;" above, the search would start from wherever the file was
1311entered, rather than from the start of the file.
1312
1313 *skeleton* *template*
1314To read a skeleton (template) file when opening a new file: >
1315
1316 :autocmd BufNewFile *.c 0r ~/vim/skeleton.c
1317 :autocmd BufNewFile *.h 0r ~/vim/skeleton.h
1318 :autocmd BufNewFile *.java 0r ~/vim/skeleton.java
1319
1320To insert the current date and time in a *.html file when writing it: >
1321
1322 :autocmd BufWritePre,FileWritePre *.html ks|call LastMod()|'s
1323 :fun LastMod()
1324 : if line("$") > 20
1325 : let l = 20
1326 : else
1327 : let l = line("$")
1328 : endif
1329 : exe "1," . l . "g/Last modified: /s/Last modified: .*/Last modified: " .
1330 : \ strftime("%Y %b %d")
1331 :endfun
1332
1333You need to have a line "Last modified: <date time>" in the first 20 lines
1334of the file for this to work. Vim replaces <date time> (and anything in the
1335same line after it) with the current date and time. Explanation:
1336 ks mark current position with mark 's'
1337 call LastMod() call the LastMod() function to do the work
1338 's return the cursor to the old position
1339The LastMod() function checks if the file is shorter than 20 lines, and then
1340uses the ":g" command to find lines that contain "Last modified: ". For those
1341lines the ":s" command is executed to replace the existing date with the
1342current one. The ":execute" command is used to be able to use an expression
1343for the ":g" and ":s" commands. The date is obtained with the strftime()
1344function. You can change its argument to get another date string.
1345
1346When entering :autocmd on the command-line, completion of events and command
1347names may be done (with <Tab>, CTRL-D, etc.) where appropriate.
1348
1349Vim executes all matching autocommands in the order that you specify them.
1350It is recommended that your first autocommand be used for all files by using
1351"*" as the file pattern. This means that you can define defaults you like
1352here for any settings, and if there is another matching autocommand it will
1353override these. But if there is no other matching autocommand, then at least
1354your default settings are recovered (if entering this file from another for
1355which autocommands did match). Note that "*" will also match files starting
1356with ".", unlike Unix shells.
1357
1358 *autocmd-searchpat*
1359Autocommands do not change the current search patterns. Vim saves the current
1360search patterns before executing autocommands then restores them after the
1361autocommands finish. This means that autocommands do not affect the strings
1362highlighted with the 'hlsearch' option. Within autocommands, you can still
1363use search patterns normally, e.g., with the "n" command.
1364If you want an autocommand to set the search pattern, such that it is used
1365after the autocommand finishes, use the ":let @/ =" command.
1366The search-highlighting cannot be switched off with ":nohlsearch" in an
1367autocommand. Use the 'h' flag in the 'viminfo' option to disable search-
1368highlighting when starting Vim.
1369
1370 *Cmd-event*
1371When using one of the "*Cmd" events, the matching autocommands are expected to
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +00001372do the file reading, writing or sourcing. This can be used when working with
1373a special kind of file, for example on a remote system.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001374CAREFUL: If you use these events in a wrong way, it may have the effect of
1375making it impossible to read or write the matching files! Make sure you test
1376your autocommands properly. Best is to use a pattern that will never match a
1377normal file name, for example "ftp://*".
1378
1379When defining a BufReadCmd it will be difficult for Vim to recover a crashed
1380editing session. When recovering from the original file, Vim reads only those
1381parts of a file that are not found in the swap file. Since that is not
1382possible with a BufReadCmd, use the |:preserve| command to make sure the
1383original file isn't needed for recovery. You might want to do this only when
1384you expect the file to be modified.
1385
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +00001386For file read and write commands the |v:cmdarg| variable holds the "++enc="
1387and "++ff=" argument that are effective. These should be used for the command
1388that reads/writes the file. The |v:cmdbang| variable is one when "!" was
1389used, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001390
Bram Moolenaarc88ebf72010-07-22 22:30:23 +02001391See the $VIMRUNTIME/plugin/netrwPlugin.vim for examples.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001392
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001393==============================================================================
139411. Disabling autocommands *autocmd-disable*
1395
1396To disable autocommands for some time use the 'eventignore' option. Note that
1397this may cause unexpected behavior, make sure you restore 'eventignore'
1398afterwards, using a |:try| block with |:finally|.
1399
1400 *:noautocmd* *:noa*
1401To disable autocommands for just one command use the ":noautocmd" command
1402modifier. This will set 'eventignore' to "all" for the duration of the
1403following command. Example: >
1404
1405 :noautocmd w fname.gz
1406
1407This will write the file without triggering the autocommands defined by the
1408gzip plugin.
1409
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001410
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001411 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: