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Bram Moolenaar86ae7202015-07-10 19:31:35 +02001*autocmd.txt* For Vim version 7.4. Last change: 2015 Jul 10
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|
Bram Moolenaar42a45122015-07-10 17:56:23 +0200508 The |v:completed_item| variable contains
509 information about the completed item.
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +0200510
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000511 *CursorHold*
512CursorHold When the user doesn't press a key for the time
513 specified with 'updatetime'. Not re-triggered
514 until the user has pressed a key (i.e. doesn't
515 fire every 'updatetime' ms if you leave Vim to
516 make some coffee. :) See |CursorHold-example|
517 for previewing tags.
518 This event is only triggered in Normal mode.
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000519 It is not triggered when waiting for a command
520 argument to be typed, or a movement after an
521 operator.
Bram Moolenaare3226be2005-12-18 22:10:00 +0000522 While recording the CursorHold event is not
523 triggered. |q|
Bram Moolenaar3a991dd2014-10-02 01:41:41 +0200524 *<CursorHold>*
525 Internally the autocommand is triggered by the
526 <CursorHold> key. In an expression mapping
527 |getchar()| may see this character.
528
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000529 Note: Interactive commands cannot be used for
530 this event. There is no hit-enter prompt,
531 the screen is updated directly (when needed).
532 Note: In the future there will probably be
533 another option to set the time.
534 Hint: to force an update of the status lines
535 use: >
536 :let &ro = &ro
537< {only on Amiga, Unix, Win32, MSDOS and all GUI
538 versions}
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000539 *CursorHoldI*
540CursorHoldI Just like CursorHold, but in Insert mode.
541
542 *CursorMoved*
Bram Moolenaar52b91d82013-06-15 21:39:51 +0200543CursorMoved After the cursor was moved in Normal or Visual
544 mode. Also when the text of the cursor line
545 has been changed, e.g., with "x", "rx" or "p".
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000546 Not triggered when there is typeahead or when
547 an operator is pending.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000548 For an example see |match-parens|.
Bram Moolenaarbf884932013-04-05 22:26:15 +0200549 Careful: This is triggered very often, don't
550 do anything that the user does not expect or
551 that is slow.
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000552 *CursorMovedI*
553CursorMovedI After the cursor was moved in Insert mode.
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +0200554 Not triggered when the popup menu is visible.
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000555 Otherwise the same as CursorMoved.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000556 *EncodingChanged*
557EncodingChanged Fires off after the 'encoding' option has been
558 changed. Useful to set up fonts, for example.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000559 *FileAppendCmd*
560FileAppendCmd Before appending to a file. Should do the
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000561 appending to the file. Use the '[ and ']
562 marks for the range of lines.|Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000563 *FileAppendPost*
564FileAppendPost After appending to a file.
565 *FileAppendPre*
566FileAppendPre Before appending to a file. Use the '[ and ']
567 marks for the range of lines.
568 *FileChangedRO*
569FileChangedRO Before making the first change to a read-only
570 file. Can be used to check-out the file from
571 a source control system. Not triggered when
572 the change was caused by an autocommand.
573 This event is triggered when making the first
574 change in a buffer or the first change after
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000575 'readonly' was set, just before the change is
576 applied to the text.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000577 WARNING: If the autocommand moves the cursor
578 the effect of the change is undefined.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000579 *E788*
580 It is not allowed to change to another buffer
581 here. You can reload the buffer but not edit
582 another one.
Bram Moolenaar92dff182014-02-11 19:15:50 +0100583 *E881*
584 If the number of lines changes saving for undo
585 may fail and the change will be aborted.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000586 *FileChangedShell*
587FileChangedShell When Vim notices that the modification time of
588 a file has changed since editing started.
589 Also when the file attributes of the file
Bram Moolenaare968e362014-05-13 20:23:24 +0200590 change or when the size of the file changes.
591 |timestamp|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000592 Mostly triggered after executing a shell
593 command, but also with a |:checktime| command
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000594 or when Gvim regains input focus.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000595 This autocommand is triggered for each changed
596 file. It is not used when 'autoread' is set
597 and the buffer was not changed. If a
598 FileChangedShell autocommand is present the
599 warning message and prompt is not given.
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000600 The |v:fcs_reason| variable is set to indicate
601 what happened and |v:fcs_choice| can be used
602 to tell Vim what to do next.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000603 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
604 current buffer "%" may be different from the
605 buffer that was changed "<afile>".
606 NOTE: The commands must not change the current
607 buffer, jump to another buffer or delete a
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100608 buffer. *E246* *E811*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000609 NOTE: This event never nests, to avoid an
610 endless loop. This means that while executing
611 commands for the FileChangedShell event no
612 other FileChangedShell event will be
613 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000614 *FileChangedShellPost*
615FileChangedShellPost After handling a file that was changed outside
616 of Vim. Can be used to update the statusline.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000617 *FileEncoding*
618FileEncoding Obsolete. It still works and is equivalent
619 to |EncodingChanged|.
620 *FileReadCmd*
621FileReadCmd Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
622 Should do the reading of the file. |Cmd-event|
623 *FileReadPost*
624FileReadPost After reading a file with a ":read" command.
625 Note that Vim sets the '[ and '] marks to the
626 first and last line of the read. This can be
627 used to operate on the lines just read.
628 *FileReadPre*
629FileReadPre Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
630 *FileType*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000631FileType When the 'filetype' option has been set. The
632 pattern is matched against the filetype.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000633 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
634 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
635 the new value of 'filetype'.
636 See |filetypes|.
637 *FileWriteCmd*
638FileWriteCmd Before writing to a file, when not writing the
639 whole buffer. Should do the writing to the
640 file. Should not change the buffer. Use the
641 '[ and '] marks for the range of lines.
642 |Cmd-event|
643 *FileWritePost*
644FileWritePost After writing to a file, when not writing the
645 whole buffer.
646 *FileWritePre*
647FileWritePre Before writing to a file, when not writing the
648 whole buffer. Use the '[ and '] marks for the
649 range of lines.
650 *FilterReadPost*
651FilterReadPost After reading a file from a filter command.
652 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
653 the current buffer as with FilterReadPre.
654 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
655 *FilterReadPre* *E135*
656FilterReadPre Before reading a file from a filter command.
657 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
658 the current buffer, not the name of the
659 temporary file that is the output of the
660 filter command.
661 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
662 *FilterWritePost*
663FilterWritePost After writing a file for a filter command or
664 making a diff.
665 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
666 the current buffer as with FilterWritePre.
667 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
668 *FilterWritePre*
669FilterWritePre Before writing a file for a filter command or
670 making a diff.
671 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
672 the current buffer, not the name of the
673 temporary file that is the output of the
674 filter command.
675 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000676 *FocusGained*
677FocusGained When Vim got input focus. Only for the GUI
678 version and a few console versions where this
679 can be detected.
680 *FocusLost*
681FocusLost When Vim lost input focus. Only for the GUI
682 version and a few console versions where this
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +0000683 can be detected. May also happen when a
684 dialog pops up.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000685 *FuncUndefined*
686FuncUndefined When a user function is used but it isn't
687 defined. Useful for defining a function only
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000688 when it's used. The pattern is matched
689 against the function name. Both <amatch> and
690 <afile> are set to the name of the function.
Bram Moolenaard5005162014-08-22 23:05:54 +0200691 NOTE: When writing Vim scripts a better
692 alternative is to use an autoloaded function.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000693 See |autoload-functions|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000694 *GUIEnter*
695GUIEnter After starting the GUI successfully, and after
696 opening the window. It is triggered before
697 VimEnter when using gvim. Can be used to
698 position the window from a .gvimrc file: >
699 :autocmd GUIEnter * winpos 100 50
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000700< *GUIFailed*
701GUIFailed After starting the GUI failed. Vim may
702 continue to run in the terminal, if possible
703 (only on Unix and alikes, when connecting the
704 X server fails). You may want to quit Vim: >
705 :autocmd GUIFailed * qall
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000706< *InsertChange*
707InsertChange When typing <Insert> while in Insert or
708 Replace mode. The |v:insertmode| variable
709 indicates the new mode.
710 Be careful not to move the cursor or do
711 anything else that the user does not expect.
Bram Moolenaare659c952011-05-19 17:25:41 +0200712 *InsertCharPre*
713InsertCharPre When a character is typed in Insert mode,
714 before inserting the char.
715 The |v:char| variable indicates the char typed
716 and can be changed during the event to insert
717 a different character. When |v:char| is set
718 to more than one character this text is
719 inserted literally.
720 It is not allowed to change the text |textlock|.
721 The event is not triggered when 'paste' is
722 set.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000723 *InsertEnter*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000724InsertEnter Just before starting Insert mode. Also for
725 Replace mode and Virtual Replace mode. The
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000726 |v:insertmode| variable indicates the mode.
Bram Moolenaar097c9922013-05-19 21:15:15 +0200727 Be careful not to do anything else that the
728 user does not expect.
729 The cursor is restored afterwards. If you do
730 not want that set |v:char| to a non-empty
731 string.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000732 *InsertLeave*
733InsertLeave When leaving Insert mode. Also when using
734 CTRL-O |i_CTRL-O|. But not for |i_CTRL-C|.
735 *MenuPopup*
736MenuPopup Just before showing the popup menu (under the
737 right mouse button). Useful for adjusting the
738 menu for what is under the cursor or mouse
739 pointer.
740 The pattern is matched against a single
741 character representing the mode:
742 n Normal
743 v Visual
744 o Operator-pending
745 i Insert
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +0000746 c Command line
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000747 *QuickFixCmdPre*
748QuickFixCmdPre Before a quickfix command is run (|:make|,
Bram Moolenaara6557602006-02-04 22:43:20 +0000749 |:lmake|, |:grep|, |:lgrep|, |:grepadd|,
750 |:lgrepadd|, |:vimgrep|, |:lvimgrep|,
Bram Moolenaar6be7f872012-01-20 21:08:56 +0100751 |:vimgrepadd|, |:lvimgrepadd|, |:cscope|,
Bram Moolenaar84f72352012-03-11 15:57:40 +0100752 |:cfile|, |:cgetfile|, |:caddfile|, |:lfile|,
753 |:lgetfile|, |:laddfile|, |:helpgrep|,
754 |:lhelpgrep|).
Bram Moolenaarf1eeae92010-05-14 23:14:42 +0200755 The pattern is matched against the command
756 being run. When |:grep| is used but 'grepprg'
757 is set to "internal" it still matches "grep".
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000758 This command cannot be used to set the
759 'makeprg' and 'grepprg' variables.
760 If this command causes an error, the quickfix
761 command is not executed.
762 *QuickFixCmdPost*
763QuickFixCmdPost Like QuickFixCmdPre, but after a quickfix
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000764 command is run, before jumping to the first
Bram Moolenaar8ec1f852012-03-07 20:13:49 +0100765 location. For |:cfile| and |:lfile| commands
766 it is run after error file is read and before
Bram Moolenaar92dff182014-02-11 19:15:50 +0100767 moving to the first error.
Bram Moolenaar8ec1f852012-03-07 20:13:49 +0100768 See |QuickFixCmdPost-example|.
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +0200769 *QuitPre*
Bram Moolenaarac7bd632013-03-19 11:35:58 +0100770QuitPre When using `:quit`, `:wq` or `:qall`, before
771 deciding whether it closes the current window
772 or quits Vim. Can be used to close any
773 non-essential window if the current window is
774 the last ordinary window.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000775 *RemoteReply*
776RemoteReply When a reply from a Vim that functions as
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000777 server was received |server2client()|. The
778 pattern is matched against the {serverid}.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000779 <amatch> is equal to the {serverid} from which
780 the reply was sent, and <afile> is the actual
781 reply string.
782 Note that even if an autocommand is defined,
783 the reply should be read with |remote_read()|
784 to consume it.
785 *SessionLoadPost*
786SessionLoadPost After loading the session file created using
787 the |:mksession| command.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +0000788 *ShellCmdPost*
789ShellCmdPost After executing a shell command with |:!cmd|,
790 |:shell|, |:make| and |:grep|. Can be used to
791 check for any changed files.
792 *ShellFilterPost*
793ShellFilterPost After executing a shell command with
794 ":{range}!cmd", ":w !cmd" or ":r !cmd".
795 Can be used to check for any changed files.
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +0000796 *SourcePre*
797SourcePre Before sourcing a Vim script. |:source|
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000798 <afile> is the name of the file being sourced.
799 *SourceCmd*
800SourceCmd When sourcing a Vim script. |:source|
801 <afile> is the name of the file being sourced.
802 The autocommand must source this file.
803 |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000804 *SpellFileMissing*
805SpellFileMissing When trying to load a spell checking file and
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000806 it can't be found. The pattern is matched
807 against the language. <amatch> is the
808 language, 'encoding' also matters. See
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000809 |spell-SpellFileMissing|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000810 *StdinReadPost*
811StdinReadPost After reading from the stdin into the buffer,
812 before executing the modelines. Only used
813 when the "-" argument was used when Vim was
814 started |--|.
815 *StdinReadPre*
816StdinReadPre Before reading from stdin into the buffer.
817 Only used when the "-" argument was used when
818 Vim was started |--|.
819 *SwapExists*
820SwapExists Detected an existing swap file when starting
821 to edit a file. Only when it is possible to
822 select a way to handle the situation, when Vim
823 would ask the user what to do.
824 The |v:swapname| variable holds the name of
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +0000825 the swap file found, <afile> the file being
826 edited. |v:swapcommand| may contain a command
827 to be executed in the opened file.
828 The commands should set the |v:swapchoice|
829 variable to a string with one character to
830 tell Vim what should be done next:
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000831 'o' open read-only
832 'e' edit the file anyway
833 'r' recover
834 'd' delete the swap file
835 'q' quit, don't edit the file
836 'a' abort, like hitting CTRL-C
837 When set to an empty string the user will be
838 asked, as if there was no SwapExists autocmd.
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000839 *E812*
840 It is not allowed to change to another buffer,
841 change a buffer name or change directory
842 here.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000843 *Syntax*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000844Syntax When the 'syntax' option has been set. The
845 pattern is matched against the syntax name.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000846 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
847 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
848 the new value of 'syntax'.
849 See |:syn-on|.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000850 *TabEnter*
851TabEnter Just after entering a tab page. |tab-page|
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +0000852 After triggering the WinEnter and before
853 triggering the BufEnter event.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000854 *TabLeave*
855TabLeave Just before leaving a tab page. |tab-page|
856 A WinLeave event will have been triggered
857 first.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000858 *TermChanged*
859TermChanged After the value of 'term' has changed. Useful
860 for re-loading the syntax file to update the
861 colors, fonts and other terminal-dependent
862 settings. Executed for all loaded buffers.
863 *TermResponse*
864TermResponse After the response to |t_RV| is received from
865 the terminal. The value of |v:termresponse|
866 can be used to do things depending on the
Bram Moolenaar8e5af3e2011-04-28 19:02:44 +0200867 terminal version. Note that this event may be
868 triggered halfway executing another event,
869 especially if file I/O, a shell command or
870 anything else that takes time is involved.
Bram Moolenaarbf884932013-04-05 22:26:15 +0200871 *TextChanged*
872TextChanged After a change was made to the text in the
873 current buffer in Normal mode. That is when
874 |b:changedtick| has changed.
875 Not triggered when there is typeahead or when
876 an operator is pending.
877 Careful: This is triggered very often, don't
878 do anything that the user does not expect or
879 that is slow.
880 *TextChangedI*
881TextChangedI After a change was made to the text in the
882 current buffer in Insert mode.
883 Not triggered when the popup menu is visible.
884 Otherwise the same as TextChanged.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000885 *User*
886User Never executed automatically. To be used for
887 autocommands that are only executed with
888 ":doautocmd".
889 *UserGettingBored*
Bram Moolenaarbf884932013-04-05 22:26:15 +0200890UserGettingBored When the user presses the same key 42 times.
891 Just kidding! :-)
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000892 *VimEnter*
893VimEnter After doing all the startup stuff, including
894 loading .vimrc files, executing the "-c cmd"
895 arguments, creating all windows and loading
896 the buffers in them.
897 *VimLeave*
898VimLeave Before exiting Vim, just after writing the
899 .viminfo file. Executed only once, like
900 VimLeavePre.
901 To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200902 When v:dying is 2 or more this event is not
903 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000904 *VimLeavePre*
905VimLeavePre Before exiting Vim, just before writing the
906 .viminfo file. This is executed only once,
907 if there is a match with the name of what
908 happens to be the current buffer when exiting.
909 Mostly useful with a "*" pattern. >
910 :autocmd VimLeavePre * call CleanupStuff()
911< To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200912 When v:dying is 2 or more this event is not
913 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000914 *VimResized*
915VimResized After the Vim window was resized, thus 'lines'
916 and/or 'columns' changed. Not when starting
917 up though.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000918 *WinEnter*
919WinEnter After entering another window. Not done for
920 the first window, when Vim has just started.
921 Useful for setting the window height.
922 If the window is for another buffer, Vim
923 executes the BufEnter autocommands after the
924 WinEnter autocommands.
925 Note: When using ":split fname" the WinEnter
926 event is triggered after the split but before
927 the file "fname" is loaded.
928 *WinLeave*
929WinLeave Before leaving a window. If the window to be
930 entered next is for a different buffer, Vim
931 executes the BufLeave autocommands before the
932 WinLeave autocommands (but not for ":new").
933 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000934
935==============================================================================
9366. Patterns *autocmd-patterns* *{pat}*
937
Bram Moolenaar5a5f4592015-04-13 12:43:06 +0200938The {pat} argument can be a comma separated list. This works as if the
939command was given with each pattern separately. Thus this command: >
940 :autocmd BufRead *.txt,*.info set et
941Is equivalent to: >
942 :autocmd BufRead *.txt set et
943 :autocmd BufRead *.info set et
944
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000945The file pattern {pat} is tested for a match against the file name in one of
946two ways:
9471. When there is no '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against only
948 the tail part of the file name (without its leading directory path).
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01009492. When there is a '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against both the
950 short file name (as you typed it) and the full file name (after expanding
951 it to a full path and resolving symbolic links).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000952
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000953The special pattern <buffer> or <buffer=N> is used for buffer-local
954autocommands |autocmd-buflocal|. This pattern is not matched against the name
955of a buffer.
956
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000957Examples: >
958 :autocmd BufRead *.txt set et
959Set the 'et' option for all text files. >
960
961 :autocmd BufRead /vim/src/*.c set cindent
962Set the 'cindent' option for C files in the /vim/src directory. >
963
964 :autocmd BufRead /tmp/*.c set ts=5
965If you have a link from "/tmp/test.c" to "/home/nobody/vim/src/test.c", and
966you start editing "/tmp/test.c", this autocommand will match.
967
968Note: To match part of a path, but not from the root directory, use a '*' as
969the first character. Example: >
970 :autocmd BufRead */doc/*.txt set tw=78
971This autocommand will for example be executed for "/tmp/doc/xx.txt" and
972"/usr/home/piet/doc/yy.txt". The number of directories does not matter here.
973
974
975The file name that the pattern is matched against is after expanding
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000976wildcards. Thus if you issue this command: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000977 :e $ROOTDIR/main.$EXT
978The argument is first expanded to: >
979 /usr/root/main.py
980Before it's matched with the pattern of the autocommand. Careful with this
981when using events like FileReadCmd, the value of <amatch> may not be what you
982expect.
983
984
985Environment variables can be used in a pattern: >
986 :autocmd BufRead $VIMRUNTIME/doc/*.txt set expandtab
987And ~ can be used for the home directory (if $HOME is defined): >
988 :autocmd BufWritePost ~/.vimrc so ~/.vimrc
989 :autocmd BufRead ~archive/* set readonly
990The environment variable is expanded when the autocommand is defined, not when
991the autocommand is executed. This is different from the command!
992
993 *file-pattern*
994The pattern is interpreted like mostly used in file names:
Bram Moolenaar3b1db362013-08-10 15:00:24 +0200995 * matches any sequence of characters; Unusual: includes path
Bram Moolenaar9d98fe92013-08-03 18:35:36 +0200996 separators
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000997 ? matches any single character
998 \? matches a '?'
999 . matches a '.'
1000 ~ matches a '~'
1001 , separates patterns
1002 \, matches a ','
1003 { } like \( \) in a |pattern|
1004 , inside { }: like \| in a |pattern|
Bram Moolenaara946afe2013-08-02 15:22:39 +02001005 \} literal }
1006 \{ literal {
1007 \\\{n,m\} like \{n,m} in a |pattern|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001008 \ special meaning like in a |pattern|
1009 [ch] matches 'c' or 'h'
1010 [^ch] match any character but 'c' and 'h'
1011
1012Note that for all systems the '/' character is used for path separator (even
1013MS-DOS and OS/2). This was done because the backslash is difficult to use
1014in a pattern and to make the autocommands portable across different systems.
1015
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001016 *autocmd-changes*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001017Matching with the pattern is done when an event is triggered. Changing the
1018buffer name in one of the autocommands, or even deleting the buffer, does not
1019change which autocommands will be executed. Example: >
1020
1021 au BufEnter *.foo bdel
1022 au BufEnter *.foo set modified
1023
1024This will delete the current buffer and then set 'modified' in what has become
1025the current buffer instead. Vim doesn't take into account that "*.foo"
1026doesn't match with that buffer name. It matches "*.foo" with the name of the
1027buffer at the moment the event was triggered.
1028
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001029However, buffer-local autocommands will not be executed for a buffer that has
1030been wiped out with |:bwipe|. After deleting the buffer with |:bdel| the
1031buffer actually still exists (it becomes unlisted), thus the autocommands are
1032still executed.
1033
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001034==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +000010357. Buffer-local autocommands *autocmd-buflocal* *autocmd-buffer-local*
1036 *<buffer=N>* *<buffer=abuf>* *E680*
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001037
1038Buffer-local autocommands are attached to a specific buffer. They are useful
1039if the buffer does not have a name and when the name does not match a specific
1040pattern. But it also means they must be explicitly added to each buffer.
1041
1042Instead of a pattern buffer-local autocommands use one of these forms:
1043 <buffer> current buffer
1044 <buffer=99> buffer number 99
1045 <buffer=abuf> using <abuf> (only when executing autocommands)
1046 |<abuf>|
1047
1048Examples: >
1049 :au CursorHold <buffer> echo 'hold'
1050 :au CursorHold <buffer=33> echo 'hold'
1051 :au CursorHold <buffer=abuf> echo 'hold'
1052
1053All the commands for autocommands also work with buffer-local autocommands,
1054simply use the special string instead of the pattern. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001055 :au! * <buffer> " remove buffer-local autocommands for
1056 " current buffer
1057 :au! * <buffer=33> " remove buffer-local autocommands for
1058 " buffer #33
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001059 :bufdo :au! CursorHold <buffer> " remove autocmd for given event for all
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001060 " buffers
1061 :au * <buffer> " list buffer-local autocommands for
1062 " current buffer
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001063
1064Note that when an autocommand is defined for the current buffer, it is stored
1065with the buffer number. Thus it uses the form "<buffer=12>", where 12 is the
1066number of the current buffer. You will see this when listing autocommands,
1067for example.
1068
1069To test for presence of buffer-local autocommands use the |exists()| function
1070as follows: >
1071 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer=12>") | ... | endif
1072 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer>") | ... | endif " for current buffer
1073
1074When a buffer is wiped out its buffer-local autocommands are also gone, of
1075course. Note that when deleting a buffer, e.g., with ":bdel", it is only
1076unlisted, the autocommands are still present. In order to see the removal of
1077buffer-local autocommands: >
1078 :set verbose=6
1079
1080It is not possible to define buffer-local autocommands for a non-existent
1081buffer.
1082
1083==============================================================================
10848. Groups *autocmd-groups*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001085
1086Autocommands can be put together in a group. This is useful for removing or
1087executing a group of autocommands. For example, all the autocommands for
1088syntax highlighting are put in the "highlight" group, to be able to execute
1089":doautoall highlight BufRead" when the GUI starts.
1090
1091When no specific group is selected, Vim uses the default group. The default
1092group does not have a name. You cannot execute the autocommands from the
1093default group separately; you can execute them only by executing autocommands
1094for all groups.
1095
1096Normally, when executing autocommands automatically, Vim uses the autocommands
1097for all groups. The group only matters when executing autocommands with
1098":doautocmd" or ":doautoall", or when defining or deleting autocommands.
1099
1100The group name can contain any characters except white space. The group name
1101"end" is reserved (also in uppercase).
1102
1103The group name is case sensitive. Note that this is different from the event
1104name!
1105
1106 *:aug* *:augroup*
1107:aug[roup] {name} Define the autocmd group name for the
1108 following ":autocmd" commands. The name "end"
1109 or "END" selects the default group.
1110
1111 *:augroup-delete* *E367*
1112:aug[roup]! {name} Delete the autocmd group {name}. Don't use
1113 this if there is still an autocommand using
1114 this group! This is not checked.
1115
1116To enter autocommands for a specific group, use this method:
11171. Select the group with ":augroup {name}".
11182. Delete any old autocommands with ":au!".
11193. Define the autocommands.
11204. Go back to the default group with "augroup END".
1121
1122Example: >
1123 :augroup uncompress
1124 : au!
1125 : au BufEnter *.gz %!gunzip
1126 :augroup END
1127
1128This prevents having the autocommands defined twice (e.g., after sourcing the
1129.vimrc file again).
1130
1131==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +000011329. Executing autocommands *autocmd-execute*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001133
1134Vim can also execute Autocommands non-automatically. This is useful if you
1135have changed autocommands, or when Vim has executed the wrong autocommands
1136(e.g., the file pattern match was wrong).
1137
1138Note that the 'eventignore' option applies here too. Events listed in this
1139option will not cause any commands to be executed.
1140
1141 *:do* *:doau* *:doautocmd* *E217*
Bram Moolenaar5dc62522012-02-13 00:05:22 +01001142:do[autocmd] [<nomodeline>] [group] {event} [fname]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001143 Apply the autocommands matching [fname] (default:
1144 current file name) for {event} to the current buffer.
1145 You can use this when the current file name does not
1146 match the right pattern, after changing settings, or
1147 to execute autocommands for a certain event.
1148 It's possible to use this inside an autocommand too,
1149 so you can base the autocommands for one extension on
1150 another extension. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +01001151 :au BufEnter *.cpp so ~/.vimrc_cpp
1152 :au BufEnter *.cpp doau BufEnter x.c
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001153< Be careful to avoid endless loops. See
1154 |autocmd-nested|.
1155
1156 When the [group] argument is not given, Vim executes
1157 the autocommands for all groups. When the [group]
1158 argument is included, Vim executes only the matching
1159 autocommands for that group. Note: if you use an
1160 undefined group name, Vim gives you an error message.
Bram Moolenaar60542ac2012-02-12 20:14:01 +01001161 *<nomodeline>*
1162 After applying the autocommands the modelines are
1163 processed, so that their settings overrule the
1164 settings from autocommands, like what happens when
1165 editing a file. This is skipped when the <nomodeline>
1166 argument is present. You probably want to use
1167 <nomodeline> for events that are not used when loading
1168 a buffer, such as |User|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001169
1170 *:doautoa* *:doautoall*
Bram Moolenaara61d5fb2012-02-12 00:18:58 +01001171:doautoa[ll] [<nomodeline>] [group] {event} [fname]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001172 Like ":doautocmd", but apply the autocommands to each
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001173 loaded buffer. Note that [fname] is used to select
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001174 the autocommands, not the buffers to which they are
1175 applied.
1176 Careful: Don't use this for autocommands that delete a
1177 buffer, change to another buffer or change the
1178 contents of a buffer; the result is unpredictable.
1179 This command is intended for autocommands that set
1180 options, change highlighting, and things like that.
1181
1182==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000118310. Using autocommands *autocmd-use*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001184
1185For WRITING FILES there are four possible sets of events. Vim uses only one
1186of these sets for a write command:
1187
1188BufWriteCmd BufWritePre BufWritePost writing the whole buffer
1189 FilterWritePre FilterWritePost writing to filter temp file
1190FileAppendCmd FileAppendPre FileAppendPost appending to a file
1191FileWriteCmd FileWritePre FileWritePost any other file write
1192
1193When there is a matching "*Cmd" autocommand, it is assumed it will do the
1194writing. No further writing is done and the other events are not triggered.
1195|Cmd-event|
1196
1197Note that the *WritePost commands should undo any changes to the buffer that
1198were caused by the *WritePre commands; otherwise, writing the file will have
1199the side effect of changing the buffer.
1200
1201Before executing the autocommands, the buffer from which the lines are to be
1202written temporarily becomes the current buffer. Unless the autocommands
1203change the current buffer or delete the previously current buffer, the
1204previously current buffer is made the current buffer again.
1205
1206The *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands must not delete the buffer from
1207which the lines are to be written.
1208
1209The '[ and '] marks have a special position:
1210- Before the *ReadPre event the '[ mark is set to the line just above where
1211 the new lines will be inserted.
1212- Before the *ReadPost event the '[ mark is set to the first line that was
1213 just read, the '] mark to the last line.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001214- Before executing the *WriteCmd, *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands the '[
1215 mark is set to the first line that will be written, the '] mark to the last
1216 line.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001217Careful: '[ and '] change when using commands that change the buffer.
1218
1219In commands which expect a file name, you can use "<afile>" for the file name
1220that is being read |:<afile>| (you can also use "%" for the current file
1221name). "<abuf>" can be used for the buffer number of the currently effective
1222buffer. This also works for buffers that doesn't have a name. But it doesn't
1223work for files without a buffer (e.g., with ":r file").
1224
1225 *gzip-example*
1226Examples for reading and writing compressed files: >
1227 :augroup gzip
1228 : autocmd!
1229 : autocmd BufReadPre,FileReadPre *.gz set bin
1230 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz '[,']!gunzip
1231 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz set nobin
1232 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz execute ":doautocmd BufReadPost " . expand("%:r")
1233 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1234 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1235
1236 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !gunzip <afile>
1237 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !mv <afile>:r <afile>
1238 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1239 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1240 :augroup END
1241
1242The "gzip" group is used to be able to delete any existing autocommands with
1243":autocmd!", for when the file is sourced twice.
1244
1245("<afile>:r" is the file name without the extension, see |:_%:|)
1246
1247The commands executed for the BufNewFile, BufRead/BufReadPost, BufWritePost,
1248FileAppendPost and VimLeave events do not set or reset the changed flag of the
1249buffer. When you decompress the buffer with the BufReadPost autocommands, you
1250can still exit with ":q". When you use ":undo" in BufWritePost to undo the
1251changes made by BufWritePre commands, you can still do ":q" (this also makes
1252"ZZ" work). If you do want the buffer to be marked as modified, set the
1253'modified' option.
1254
1255To execute Normal mode commands from an autocommand, use the ":normal"
1256command. Use with care! If the Normal mode command is not finished, the user
1257needs to type characters (e.g., after ":normal m" you need to type a mark
1258name).
1259
1260If you want the buffer to be unmodified after changing it, reset the
1261'modified' option. This makes it possible to exit the buffer with ":q"
1262instead of ":q!".
1263
1264 *autocmd-nested* *E218*
1265By default, autocommands do not nest. If you use ":e" or ":w" in an
1266autocommand, Vim does not execute the BufRead and BufWrite autocommands for
1267those commands. If you do want this, use the "nested" flag for those commands
1268in which you want nesting. For example: >
1269 :autocmd FileChangedShell *.c nested e!
1270The nesting is limited to 10 levels to get out of recursive loops.
1271
1272It's possible to use the ":au" command in an autocommand. This can be a
1273self-modifying command! This can be useful for an autocommand that should
1274execute only once.
1275
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001276If you want to skip autocommands for one command, use the |:noautocmd| command
1277modifier or the 'eventignore' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001278
1279Note: When reading a file (with ":read file" or with a filter command) and the
1280last line in the file does not have an <EOL>, Vim remembers this. At the next
1281write (with ":write file" or with a filter command), if the same line is
1282written again as the last line in a file AND 'binary' is set, Vim does not
1283supply an <EOL>. This makes a filter command on the just read lines write the
1284same file as was read, and makes a write command on just filtered lines write
1285the same file as was read from the filter. For example, another way to write
1286a compressed file: >
1287
1288 :autocmd FileWritePre *.gz set bin|'[,']!gzip
1289 :autocmd FileWritePost *.gz undo|set nobin
1290<
1291 *autocommand-pattern*
1292You can specify multiple patterns, separated by commas. Here are some
1293examples: >
1294
1295 :autocmd BufRead * set tw=79 nocin ic infercase fo=2croq
1296 :autocmd BufRead .letter set tw=72 fo=2tcrq
1297 :autocmd BufEnter .letter set dict=/usr/lib/dict/words
1298 :autocmd BufLeave .letter set dict=
1299 :autocmd BufRead,BufNewFile *.c,*.h set tw=0 cin noic
1300 :autocmd BufEnter *.c,*.h abbr FOR for (i = 0; i < 3; ++i)<CR>{<CR>}<Esc>O
1301 :autocmd BufLeave *.c,*.h unabbr FOR
1302
1303For makefiles (makefile, Makefile, imakefile, makefile.unix, etc.): >
1304
1305 :autocmd BufEnter ?akefile* set include=^s\=include
1306 :autocmd BufLeave ?akefile* set include&
1307
1308To always start editing C files at the first function: >
1309
1310 :autocmd BufRead *.c,*.h 1;/^{
1311
1312Without the "1;" above, the search would start from wherever the file was
1313entered, rather than from the start of the file.
1314
1315 *skeleton* *template*
1316To read a skeleton (template) file when opening a new file: >
1317
1318 :autocmd BufNewFile *.c 0r ~/vim/skeleton.c
1319 :autocmd BufNewFile *.h 0r ~/vim/skeleton.h
1320 :autocmd BufNewFile *.java 0r ~/vim/skeleton.java
1321
1322To insert the current date and time in a *.html file when writing it: >
1323
1324 :autocmd BufWritePre,FileWritePre *.html ks|call LastMod()|'s
1325 :fun LastMod()
1326 : if line("$") > 20
1327 : let l = 20
1328 : else
1329 : let l = line("$")
1330 : endif
1331 : exe "1," . l . "g/Last modified: /s/Last modified: .*/Last modified: " .
1332 : \ strftime("%Y %b %d")
1333 :endfun
1334
1335You need to have a line "Last modified: <date time>" in the first 20 lines
1336of the file for this to work. Vim replaces <date time> (and anything in the
1337same line after it) with the current date and time. Explanation:
1338 ks mark current position with mark 's'
1339 call LastMod() call the LastMod() function to do the work
1340 's return the cursor to the old position
1341The LastMod() function checks if the file is shorter than 20 lines, and then
1342uses the ":g" command to find lines that contain "Last modified: ". For those
1343lines the ":s" command is executed to replace the existing date with the
1344current one. The ":execute" command is used to be able to use an expression
1345for the ":g" and ":s" commands. The date is obtained with the strftime()
1346function. You can change its argument to get another date string.
1347
1348When entering :autocmd on the command-line, completion of events and command
1349names may be done (with <Tab>, CTRL-D, etc.) where appropriate.
1350
1351Vim executes all matching autocommands in the order that you specify them.
1352It is recommended that your first autocommand be used for all files by using
1353"*" as the file pattern. This means that you can define defaults you like
1354here for any settings, and if there is another matching autocommand it will
1355override these. But if there is no other matching autocommand, then at least
1356your default settings are recovered (if entering this file from another for
1357which autocommands did match). Note that "*" will also match files starting
1358with ".", unlike Unix shells.
1359
1360 *autocmd-searchpat*
1361Autocommands do not change the current search patterns. Vim saves the current
1362search patterns before executing autocommands then restores them after the
1363autocommands finish. This means that autocommands do not affect the strings
1364highlighted with the 'hlsearch' option. Within autocommands, you can still
1365use search patterns normally, e.g., with the "n" command.
1366If you want an autocommand to set the search pattern, such that it is used
1367after the autocommand finishes, use the ":let @/ =" command.
1368The search-highlighting cannot be switched off with ":nohlsearch" in an
1369autocommand. Use the 'h' flag in the 'viminfo' option to disable search-
1370highlighting when starting Vim.
1371
1372 *Cmd-event*
1373When using one of the "*Cmd" events, the matching autocommands are expected to
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +00001374do the file reading, writing or sourcing. This can be used when working with
1375a special kind of file, for example on a remote system.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001376CAREFUL: If you use these events in a wrong way, it may have the effect of
1377making it impossible to read or write the matching files! Make sure you test
1378your autocommands properly. Best is to use a pattern that will never match a
1379normal file name, for example "ftp://*".
1380
1381When defining a BufReadCmd it will be difficult for Vim to recover a crashed
1382editing session. When recovering from the original file, Vim reads only those
1383parts of a file that are not found in the swap file. Since that is not
1384possible with a BufReadCmd, use the |:preserve| command to make sure the
1385original file isn't needed for recovery. You might want to do this only when
1386you expect the file to be modified.
1387
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +00001388For file read and write commands the |v:cmdarg| variable holds the "++enc="
1389and "++ff=" argument that are effective. These should be used for the command
1390that reads/writes the file. The |v:cmdbang| variable is one when "!" was
1391used, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001392
Bram Moolenaarc88ebf72010-07-22 22:30:23 +02001393See the $VIMRUNTIME/plugin/netrwPlugin.vim for examples.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001394
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001395==============================================================================
139611. Disabling autocommands *autocmd-disable*
1397
1398To disable autocommands for some time use the 'eventignore' option. Note that
1399this may cause unexpected behavior, make sure you restore 'eventignore'
1400afterwards, using a |:try| block with |:finally|.
1401
1402 *:noautocmd* *:noa*
1403To disable autocommands for just one command use the ":noautocmd" command
1404modifier. This will set 'eventignore' to "all" for the duration of the
1405following command. Example: >
1406
1407 :noautocmd w fname.gz
1408
1409This will write the file without triggering the autocommands defined by the
1410gzip plugin.
1411
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001412
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001413 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: