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Bram Moolenaardb7207e2012-02-22 17:30:19 +01001*autocmd.txt* For Vim version 7.3. Last change: 2012 Feb 22
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 Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000266|TermResponse| after the terminal response to |t_RV| is received
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000267
268|VimLeavePre| before exiting Vim, before writing the viminfo file
269|VimLeave| before exiting Vim, after writing the viminfo file
270
271 Various
272|FileChangedShell| Vim notices that a file changed since editing started
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000273|FileChangedShellPost| After handling a file changed since editing started
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000274|FileChangedRO| before making the first change to a read-only file
275
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +0000276|ShellCmdPost| after executing a shell command
277|ShellFilterPost| after filtering with a shell command
278
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000279|FuncUndefined| a user function is used but it isn't defined
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000280|SpellFileMissing| a spell file is used but it can't be found
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +0000281|SourcePre| before sourcing a Vim script
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000282|SourceCmd| before sourcing a Vim script |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000283
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000284|VimResized| after the Vim window size changed
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000285|FocusGained| Vim got input focus
286|FocusLost| Vim lost input focus
287|CursorHold| the user doesn't press a key for a while
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000288|CursorHoldI| the user doesn't press a key for a while in Insert mode
289|CursorMoved| the cursor was moved in Normal mode
290|CursorMovedI| the cursor was moved in Insert mode
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000291
292|WinEnter| after entering another window
293|WinLeave| before leaving a window
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000294|TabEnter| after entering another tab page
295|TabLeave| before leaving a tab page
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000296|CmdwinEnter| after entering the command-line window
297|CmdwinLeave| before leaving the command-line window
298
299|InsertEnter| starting Insert mode
300|InsertChange| when typing <Insert> while in Insert or Replace mode
301|InsertLeave| when leaving Insert mode
Bram Moolenaare659c952011-05-19 17:25:41 +0200302|InsertCharPre| when a character was typed in Insert mode, before
303 inserting it
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000304
305|ColorScheme| after loading a color scheme
306
307|RemoteReply| a reply from a server Vim was received
308
309|QuickFixCmdPre| before a quickfix command is run
310|QuickFixCmdPost| after a quickfix command is run
311
312|SessionLoadPost| after loading a session file
313
314|MenuPopup| just before showing the popup menu
315
316|User| to be used in combination with ":doautocmd"
317
318
319The alphabetical list of autocommand events: *autocmd-events-abc*
320
321 *BufCreate* *BufAdd*
322BufAdd or BufCreate Just after creating a new buffer which is
323 added to the buffer list, or adding a buffer
324 to the buffer list.
325 Also used just after a buffer in the buffer
326 list has been renamed.
327 The BufCreate event is for historic reasons.
328 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
329 current buffer "%" may be different from the
330 buffer being created "<afile>".
331 *BufDelete*
332BufDelete Before deleting a buffer from the buffer list.
333 The BufUnload may be called first (if the
334 buffer was loaded).
335 Also used just before a buffer in the buffer
336 list is renamed.
337 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
338 current buffer "%" may be different from the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000339 buffer being deleted "<afile>" and "<abuf>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000340 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
341 problems.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000342 *BufEnter*
343BufEnter After entering a buffer. Useful for setting
344 options for a file type. Also executed when
345 starting to edit a buffer, after the
346 BufReadPost autocommands.
347 *BufFilePost*
348BufFilePost After changing the name of the current buffer
349 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000350 *BufFilePre*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000351BufFilePre Before changing the name of the current buffer
352 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
353 *BufHidden*
354BufHidden Just after a buffer has become hidden. That
355 is, when there are no longer windows that show
356 the buffer, but the buffer is not unloaded or
357 deleted. Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when
358 exiting Vim.
359 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
360 current buffer "%" may be different from the
361 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
362 *BufLeave*
363BufLeave Before leaving to another buffer. Also when
364 leaving or closing the current window and the
365 new current window is not for the same buffer.
366 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
367 *BufNew*
368BufNew Just after creating a new buffer. Also used
369 just after a buffer has been renamed. When
370 the buffer is added to the buffer list BufAdd
371 will be triggered too.
372 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
373 current buffer "%" may be different from the
374 buffer being created "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000375 *BufNewFile*
376BufNewFile When starting to edit a file that doesn't
377 exist. Can be used to read in a skeleton
378 file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000379 *BufRead* *BufReadPost*
380BufRead or BufReadPost When starting to edit a new buffer, after
381 reading the file into the buffer, before
382 executing the modelines. See |BufWinEnter|
383 for when you need to do something after
384 processing the modelines.
385 This does NOT work for ":r file". Not used
386 when the file doesn't exist. Also used after
387 successfully recovering a file.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000388 *BufReadCmd*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000389BufReadCmd Before starting to edit a new buffer. Should
390 read the file into the buffer. |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000391 *BufReadPre* *E200* *E201*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000392BufReadPre When starting to edit a new buffer, before
393 reading the file into the buffer. Not used
394 if the file doesn't exist.
395 *BufUnload*
396BufUnload Before unloading a buffer. This is when the
397 text in the buffer is going to be freed. This
398 may be after a BufWritePost and before a
399 BufDelete. Also used for all buffers that are
400 loaded when Vim is going to exit.
401 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
402 current buffer "%" may be different from the
403 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000404 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
405 problems.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200406 When exiting and v:dying is 2 or more this
407 event is not triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000408 *BufWinEnter*
409BufWinEnter After a buffer is displayed in a window. This
410 can be when the buffer is loaded (after
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000411 processing the modelines) or when a hidden
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000412 buffer is displayed in a window (and is no
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000413 longer hidden).
414 Does not happen for |:split| without
415 arguments, since you keep editing the same
416 buffer, or ":split" with a file that's already
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +0000417 open in a window, because it re-uses an
418 existing buffer. But it does happen for a
419 ":split" with the name of the current buffer,
420 since it reloads that buffer.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000421 *BufWinLeave*
422BufWinLeave Before a buffer is removed from a window.
423 Not when it's still visible in another window.
424 Also triggered when exiting. It's triggered
425 before BufUnload or BufHidden.
426 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
427 current buffer "%" may be different from the
428 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200429 When exiting and v:dying is 2 or more this
430 event is not triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000431 *BufWipeout*
432BufWipeout Before completely deleting a buffer. The
433 BufUnload and BufDelete events may be called
434 first (if the buffer was loaded and was in the
435 buffer list). Also used just before a buffer
436 is renamed (also when it's not in the buffer
437 list).
438 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
439 current buffer "%" may be different from the
440 buffer being deleted "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000441 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
442 problems.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000443 *BufWrite* *BufWritePre*
444BufWrite or BufWritePre Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000445 *BufWriteCmd*
446BufWriteCmd Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
447 Should do the writing of the file and reset
Bram Moolenaar1cd871b2004-12-19 22:46:22 +0000448 'modified' if successful, unless '+' is in
449 'cpo' and writing to another file |cpo-+|.
450 The buffer contents should not be changed.
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +0200451 When the command resets 'modified' the undo
452 information is adjusted to mark older undo
453 states as 'modified', like |:write| does.
Bram Moolenaar1cd871b2004-12-19 22:46:22 +0000454 |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000455 *BufWritePost*
456BufWritePost After writing the whole buffer to a file
457 (should undo the commands for BufWritePre).
458 *CmdwinEnter*
459CmdwinEnter After entering the command-line window.
460 Useful for setting options specifically for
461 this special type of window. This is
462 triggered _instead_ of BufEnter and WinEnter.
463 <afile> is set to a single character,
464 indicating the type of command-line.
465 |cmdwin-char|
466 *CmdwinLeave*
467CmdwinLeave Before leaving the command-line window.
468 Useful to clean up any global setting done
469 with CmdwinEnter. This is triggered _instead_
470 of BufLeave and WinLeave.
471 <afile> is set to a single character,
472 indicating the type of command-line.
473 |cmdwin-char|
474 *ColorScheme*
475ColorScheme After loading a color scheme. |:colorscheme|
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000476
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000477 *CursorHold*
478CursorHold When the user doesn't press a key for the time
479 specified with 'updatetime'. Not re-triggered
480 until the user has pressed a key (i.e. doesn't
481 fire every 'updatetime' ms if you leave Vim to
482 make some coffee. :) See |CursorHold-example|
483 for previewing tags.
484 This event is only triggered in Normal mode.
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000485 It is not triggered when waiting for a command
486 argument to be typed, or a movement after an
487 operator.
Bram Moolenaare3226be2005-12-18 22:10:00 +0000488 While recording the CursorHold event is not
489 triggered. |q|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000490 Note: Interactive commands cannot be used for
491 this event. There is no hit-enter prompt,
492 the screen is updated directly (when needed).
493 Note: In the future there will probably be
494 another option to set the time.
495 Hint: to force an update of the status lines
496 use: >
497 :let &ro = &ro
498< {only on Amiga, Unix, Win32, MSDOS and all GUI
499 versions}
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000500 *CursorHoldI*
501CursorHoldI Just like CursorHold, but in Insert mode.
502
503 *CursorMoved*
504CursorMoved After the cursor was moved in Normal mode.
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +0000505 Also when the text of the cursor line has been
506 changed, e.g., with "x", "rx" or "p".
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000507 Not triggered when there is typeahead or when
508 an operator is pending.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000509 For an example see |match-parens|.
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000510 Careful: Don't do anything that the user does
511 not expect or that is slow.
512 *CursorMovedI*
513CursorMovedI After the cursor was moved in Insert mode.
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +0200514 Not triggered when the popup menu is visible.
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000515 Otherwise the same as CursorMoved.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000516 *EncodingChanged*
517EncodingChanged Fires off after the 'encoding' option has been
518 changed. Useful to set up fonts, for example.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000519 *FileAppendCmd*
520FileAppendCmd Before appending to a file. Should do the
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000521 appending to the file. Use the '[ and ']
522 marks for the range of lines.|Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000523 *FileAppendPost*
524FileAppendPost After appending to a file.
525 *FileAppendPre*
526FileAppendPre Before appending to a file. Use the '[ and ']
527 marks for the range of lines.
528 *FileChangedRO*
529FileChangedRO Before making the first change to a read-only
530 file. Can be used to check-out the file from
531 a source control system. Not triggered when
532 the change was caused by an autocommand.
533 This event is triggered when making the first
534 change in a buffer or the first change after
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000535 'readonly' was set, just before the change is
536 applied to the text.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000537 WARNING: If the autocommand moves the cursor
538 the effect of the change is undefined.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000539 *E788*
540 It is not allowed to change to another buffer
541 here. You can reload the buffer but not edit
542 another one.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000543 *FileChangedShell*
544FileChangedShell When Vim notices that the modification time of
545 a file has changed since editing started.
546 Also when the file attributes of the file
547 change. |timestamp|
548 Mostly triggered after executing a shell
549 command, but also with a |:checktime| command
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000550 or when Gvim regains input focus.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000551 This autocommand is triggered for each changed
552 file. It is not used when 'autoread' is set
553 and the buffer was not changed. If a
554 FileChangedShell autocommand is present the
555 warning message and prompt is not given.
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000556 The |v:fcs_reason| variable is set to indicate
557 what happened and |v:fcs_choice| can be used
558 to tell Vim what to do next.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000559 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
560 current buffer "%" may be different from the
561 buffer that was changed "<afile>".
562 NOTE: The commands must not change the current
563 buffer, jump to another buffer or delete a
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100564 buffer. *E246* *E811*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000565 NOTE: This event never nests, to avoid an
566 endless loop. This means that while executing
567 commands for the FileChangedShell event no
568 other FileChangedShell event will be
569 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000570 *FileChangedShellPost*
571FileChangedShellPost After handling a file that was changed outside
572 of Vim. Can be used to update the statusline.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000573 *FileEncoding*
574FileEncoding Obsolete. It still works and is equivalent
575 to |EncodingChanged|.
576 *FileReadCmd*
577FileReadCmd Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
578 Should do the reading of the file. |Cmd-event|
579 *FileReadPost*
580FileReadPost After reading a file with a ":read" command.
581 Note that Vim sets the '[ and '] marks to the
582 first and last line of the read. This can be
583 used to operate on the lines just read.
584 *FileReadPre*
585FileReadPre Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
586 *FileType*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000587FileType When the 'filetype' option has been set. The
588 pattern is matched against the filetype.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000589 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
590 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
591 the new value of 'filetype'.
592 See |filetypes|.
593 *FileWriteCmd*
594FileWriteCmd Before writing to a file, when not writing the
595 whole buffer. Should do the writing to the
596 file. Should not change the buffer. Use the
597 '[ and '] marks for the range of lines.
598 |Cmd-event|
599 *FileWritePost*
600FileWritePost After writing to a file, when not writing the
601 whole buffer.
602 *FileWritePre*
603FileWritePre Before writing to a file, when not writing the
604 whole buffer. Use the '[ and '] marks for the
605 range of lines.
606 *FilterReadPost*
607FilterReadPost After reading a file from a filter command.
608 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
609 the current buffer as with FilterReadPre.
610 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
611 *FilterReadPre* *E135*
612FilterReadPre Before reading a file from a filter command.
613 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
614 the current buffer, not the name of the
615 temporary file that is the output of the
616 filter command.
617 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
618 *FilterWritePost*
619FilterWritePost After writing a file for a filter command or
620 making a diff.
621 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
622 the current buffer as with FilterWritePre.
623 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
624 *FilterWritePre*
625FilterWritePre Before writing a file for a filter command or
626 making a diff.
627 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
628 the current buffer, not the name of the
629 temporary file that is the output of the
630 filter command.
631 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000632 *FocusGained*
633FocusGained When Vim got input focus. Only for the GUI
634 version and a few console versions where this
635 can be detected.
636 *FocusLost*
637FocusLost When Vim lost input focus. Only for the GUI
638 version and a few console versions where this
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +0000639 can be detected. May also happen when a
640 dialog pops up.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000641 *FuncUndefined*
642FuncUndefined When a user function is used but it isn't
643 defined. Useful for defining a function only
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000644 when it's used. The pattern is matched
645 against the function name. Both <amatch> and
646 <afile> are set to the name of the function.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000647 See |autoload-functions|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000648 *GUIEnter*
649GUIEnter After starting the GUI successfully, and after
650 opening the window. It is triggered before
651 VimEnter when using gvim. Can be used to
652 position the window from a .gvimrc file: >
653 :autocmd GUIEnter * winpos 100 50
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000654< *GUIFailed*
655GUIFailed After starting the GUI failed. Vim may
656 continue to run in the terminal, if possible
657 (only on Unix and alikes, when connecting the
658 X server fails). You may want to quit Vim: >
659 :autocmd GUIFailed * qall
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000660< *InsertChange*
661InsertChange When typing <Insert> while in Insert or
662 Replace mode. The |v:insertmode| variable
663 indicates the new mode.
664 Be careful not to move the cursor or do
665 anything else that the user does not expect.
Bram Moolenaare659c952011-05-19 17:25:41 +0200666 *InsertCharPre*
667InsertCharPre When a character is typed in Insert mode,
668 before inserting the char.
669 The |v:char| variable indicates the char typed
670 and can be changed during the event to insert
671 a different character. When |v:char| is set
672 to more than one character this text is
673 inserted literally.
674 It is not allowed to change the text |textlock|.
675 The event is not triggered when 'paste' is
676 set.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000677 *InsertEnter*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000678InsertEnter Just before starting Insert mode. Also for
679 Replace mode and Virtual Replace mode. The
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000680 |v:insertmode| variable indicates the mode.
681 Be careful not to move the cursor or do
682 anything else that the user does not expect.
683 *InsertLeave*
684InsertLeave When leaving Insert mode. Also when using
685 CTRL-O |i_CTRL-O|. But not for |i_CTRL-C|.
686 *MenuPopup*
687MenuPopup Just before showing the popup menu (under the
688 right mouse button). Useful for adjusting the
689 menu for what is under the cursor or mouse
690 pointer.
691 The pattern is matched against a single
692 character representing the mode:
693 n Normal
694 v Visual
695 o Operator-pending
696 i Insert
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +0000697 c Command line
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000698 *QuickFixCmdPre*
699QuickFixCmdPre Before a quickfix command is run (|:make|,
Bram Moolenaara6557602006-02-04 22:43:20 +0000700 |:lmake|, |:grep|, |:lgrep|, |:grepadd|,
701 |:lgrepadd|, |:vimgrep|, |:lvimgrep|,
Bram Moolenaar6be7f872012-01-20 21:08:56 +0100702 |:vimgrepadd|, |:lvimgrepadd|, |:cscope|,
703 |:helpgrep|, |:lhelpgrep|).
Bram Moolenaarf1eeae92010-05-14 23:14:42 +0200704 The pattern is matched against the command
705 being run. When |:grep| is used but 'grepprg'
706 is set to "internal" it still matches "grep".
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000707 This command cannot be used to set the
708 'makeprg' and 'grepprg' variables.
709 If this command causes an error, the quickfix
710 command is not executed.
711 *QuickFixCmdPost*
712QuickFixCmdPost Like QuickFixCmdPre, but after a quickfix
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000713 command is run, before jumping to the first
Bram Moolenaar8ec1f852012-03-07 20:13:49 +0100714 location. For |:cfile| and |:lfile| commands
715 it is run after error file is read and before
716 moving to the first error.
717 See |QuickFixCmdPost-example|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000718 *RemoteReply*
719RemoteReply When a reply from a Vim that functions as
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000720 server was received |server2client()|. The
721 pattern is matched against the {serverid}.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000722 <amatch> is equal to the {serverid} from which
723 the reply was sent, and <afile> is the actual
724 reply string.
725 Note that even if an autocommand is defined,
726 the reply should be read with |remote_read()|
727 to consume it.
728 *SessionLoadPost*
729SessionLoadPost After loading the session file created using
730 the |:mksession| command.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +0000731 *ShellCmdPost*
732ShellCmdPost After executing a shell command with |:!cmd|,
733 |:shell|, |:make| and |:grep|. Can be used to
734 check for any changed files.
735 *ShellFilterPost*
736ShellFilterPost After executing a shell command with
737 ":{range}!cmd", ":w !cmd" or ":r !cmd".
738 Can be used to check for any changed files.
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +0000739 *SourcePre*
740SourcePre Before sourcing a Vim script. |:source|
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000741 <afile> is the name of the file being sourced.
742 *SourceCmd*
743SourceCmd When sourcing a Vim script. |:source|
744 <afile> is the name of the file being sourced.
745 The autocommand must source this file.
746 |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000747 *SpellFileMissing*
748SpellFileMissing When trying to load a spell checking file and
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000749 it can't be found. The pattern is matched
750 against the language. <amatch> is the
751 language, 'encoding' also matters. See
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000752 |spell-SpellFileMissing|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000753 *StdinReadPost*
754StdinReadPost After reading from the stdin into the buffer,
755 before executing the modelines. Only used
756 when the "-" argument was used when Vim was
757 started |--|.
758 *StdinReadPre*
759StdinReadPre Before reading from stdin into the buffer.
760 Only used when the "-" argument was used when
761 Vim was started |--|.
762 *SwapExists*
763SwapExists Detected an existing swap file when starting
764 to edit a file. Only when it is possible to
765 select a way to handle the situation, when Vim
766 would ask the user what to do.
767 The |v:swapname| variable holds the name of
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +0000768 the swap file found, <afile> the file being
769 edited. |v:swapcommand| may contain a command
770 to be executed in the opened file.
771 The commands should set the |v:swapchoice|
772 variable to a string with one character to
773 tell Vim what should be done next:
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000774 'o' open read-only
775 'e' edit the file anyway
776 'r' recover
777 'd' delete the swap file
778 'q' quit, don't edit the file
779 'a' abort, like hitting CTRL-C
780 When set to an empty string the user will be
781 asked, as if there was no SwapExists autocmd.
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000782 *E812*
783 It is not allowed to change to another buffer,
784 change a buffer name or change directory
785 here.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000786 *Syntax*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000787Syntax When the 'syntax' option has been set. The
788 pattern is matched against the syntax name.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000789 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
790 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
791 the new value of 'syntax'.
792 See |:syn-on|.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000793 *TabEnter*
794TabEnter Just after entering a tab page. |tab-page|
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +0000795 After triggering the WinEnter and before
796 triggering the BufEnter event.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000797 *TabLeave*
798TabLeave Just before leaving a tab page. |tab-page|
799 A WinLeave event will have been triggered
800 first.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000801 *TermChanged*
802TermChanged After the value of 'term' has changed. Useful
803 for re-loading the syntax file to update the
804 colors, fonts and other terminal-dependent
805 settings. Executed for all loaded buffers.
806 *TermResponse*
807TermResponse After the response to |t_RV| is received from
808 the terminal. The value of |v:termresponse|
809 can be used to do things depending on the
Bram Moolenaar8e5af3e2011-04-28 19:02:44 +0200810 terminal version. Note that this event may be
811 triggered halfway executing another event,
812 especially if file I/O, a shell command or
813 anything else that takes time is involved.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000814 *User*
815User Never executed automatically. To be used for
816 autocommands that are only executed with
817 ":doautocmd".
818 *UserGettingBored*
819UserGettingBored When the user hits CTRL-C. Just kidding! :-)
820 *VimEnter*
821VimEnter After doing all the startup stuff, including
822 loading .vimrc files, executing the "-c cmd"
823 arguments, creating all windows and loading
824 the buffers in them.
825 *VimLeave*
826VimLeave Before exiting Vim, just after writing the
827 .viminfo file. Executed only once, like
828 VimLeavePre.
829 To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200830 When v:dying is 2 or more this event is not
831 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000832 *VimLeavePre*
833VimLeavePre Before exiting Vim, just before writing the
834 .viminfo file. This is executed only once,
835 if there is a match with the name of what
836 happens to be the current buffer when exiting.
837 Mostly useful with a "*" pattern. >
838 :autocmd VimLeavePre * call CleanupStuff()
839< To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200840 When v:dying is 2 or more this event is not
841 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000842 *VimResized*
843VimResized After the Vim window was resized, thus 'lines'
844 and/or 'columns' changed. Not when starting
845 up though.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000846 *WinEnter*
847WinEnter After entering another window. Not done for
848 the first window, when Vim has just started.
849 Useful for setting the window height.
850 If the window is for another buffer, Vim
851 executes the BufEnter autocommands after the
852 WinEnter autocommands.
853 Note: When using ":split fname" the WinEnter
854 event is triggered after the split but before
855 the file "fname" is loaded.
856 *WinLeave*
857WinLeave Before leaving a window. If the window to be
858 entered next is for a different buffer, Vim
859 executes the BufLeave autocommands before the
860 WinLeave autocommands (but not for ":new").
861 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000862
863==============================================================================
8646. Patterns *autocmd-patterns* *{pat}*
865
866The file pattern {pat} is tested for a match against the file name in one of
867two ways:
8681. When there is no '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against only
869 the tail part of the file name (without its leading directory path).
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01008702. When there is a '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against both the
871 short file name (as you typed it) and the full file name (after expanding
872 it to a full path and resolving symbolic links).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000873
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000874The special pattern <buffer> or <buffer=N> is used for buffer-local
875autocommands |autocmd-buflocal|. This pattern is not matched against the name
876of a buffer.
877
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000878Examples: >
879 :autocmd BufRead *.txt set et
880Set the 'et' option for all text files. >
881
882 :autocmd BufRead /vim/src/*.c set cindent
883Set the 'cindent' option for C files in the /vim/src directory. >
884
885 :autocmd BufRead /tmp/*.c set ts=5
886If you have a link from "/tmp/test.c" to "/home/nobody/vim/src/test.c", and
887you start editing "/tmp/test.c", this autocommand will match.
888
889Note: To match part of a path, but not from the root directory, use a '*' as
890the first character. Example: >
891 :autocmd BufRead */doc/*.txt set tw=78
892This autocommand will for example be executed for "/tmp/doc/xx.txt" and
893"/usr/home/piet/doc/yy.txt". The number of directories does not matter here.
894
895
896The file name that the pattern is matched against is after expanding
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000897wildcards. Thus if you issue this command: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000898 :e $ROOTDIR/main.$EXT
899The argument is first expanded to: >
900 /usr/root/main.py
901Before it's matched with the pattern of the autocommand. Careful with this
902when using events like FileReadCmd, the value of <amatch> may not be what you
903expect.
904
905
906Environment variables can be used in a pattern: >
907 :autocmd BufRead $VIMRUNTIME/doc/*.txt set expandtab
908And ~ can be used for the home directory (if $HOME is defined): >
909 :autocmd BufWritePost ~/.vimrc so ~/.vimrc
910 :autocmd BufRead ~archive/* set readonly
911The environment variable is expanded when the autocommand is defined, not when
912the autocommand is executed. This is different from the command!
913
914 *file-pattern*
915The pattern is interpreted like mostly used in file names:
916 * matches any sequence of characters
917 ? matches any single character
918 \? matches a '?'
919 . matches a '.'
920 ~ matches a '~'
921 , separates patterns
922 \, matches a ','
923 { } like \( \) in a |pattern|
924 , inside { }: like \| in a |pattern|
925 \ special meaning like in a |pattern|
926 [ch] matches 'c' or 'h'
927 [^ch] match any character but 'c' and 'h'
928
929Note that for all systems the '/' character is used for path separator (even
930MS-DOS and OS/2). This was done because the backslash is difficult to use
931in a pattern and to make the autocommands portable across different systems.
932
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000933 *autocmd-changes*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000934Matching with the pattern is done when an event is triggered. Changing the
935buffer name in one of the autocommands, or even deleting the buffer, does not
936change which autocommands will be executed. Example: >
937
938 au BufEnter *.foo bdel
939 au BufEnter *.foo set modified
940
941This will delete the current buffer and then set 'modified' in what has become
942the current buffer instead. Vim doesn't take into account that "*.foo"
943doesn't match with that buffer name. It matches "*.foo" with the name of the
944buffer at the moment the event was triggered.
945
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000946However, buffer-local autocommands will not be executed for a buffer that has
947been wiped out with |:bwipe|. After deleting the buffer with |:bdel| the
948buffer actually still exists (it becomes unlisted), thus the autocommands are
949still executed.
950
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000951==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00009527. Buffer-local autocommands *autocmd-buflocal* *autocmd-buffer-local*
953 *<buffer=N>* *<buffer=abuf>* *E680*
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000954
955Buffer-local autocommands are attached to a specific buffer. They are useful
956if the buffer does not have a name and when the name does not match a specific
957pattern. But it also means they must be explicitly added to each buffer.
958
959Instead of a pattern buffer-local autocommands use one of these forms:
960 <buffer> current buffer
961 <buffer=99> buffer number 99
962 <buffer=abuf> using <abuf> (only when executing autocommands)
963 |<abuf>|
964
965Examples: >
966 :au CursorHold <buffer> echo 'hold'
967 :au CursorHold <buffer=33> echo 'hold'
968 :au CursorHold <buffer=abuf> echo 'hold'
969
970All the commands for autocommands also work with buffer-local autocommands,
971simply use the special string instead of the pattern. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000972 :au! * <buffer> " remove buffer-local autocommands for
973 " current buffer
974 :au! * <buffer=33> " remove buffer-local autocommands for
975 " buffer #33
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000976 :bufdo :au! CursorHold <buffer> " remove autocmd for given event for all
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000977 " buffers
978 :au * <buffer> " list buffer-local autocommands for
979 " current buffer
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000980
981Note that when an autocommand is defined for the current buffer, it is stored
982with the buffer number. Thus it uses the form "<buffer=12>", where 12 is the
983number of the current buffer. You will see this when listing autocommands,
984for example.
985
986To test for presence of buffer-local autocommands use the |exists()| function
987as follows: >
988 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer=12>") | ... | endif
989 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer>") | ... | endif " for current buffer
990
991When a buffer is wiped out its buffer-local autocommands are also gone, of
992course. Note that when deleting a buffer, e.g., with ":bdel", it is only
993unlisted, the autocommands are still present. In order to see the removal of
994buffer-local autocommands: >
995 :set verbose=6
996
997It is not possible to define buffer-local autocommands for a non-existent
998buffer.
999
1000==============================================================================
10018. Groups *autocmd-groups*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001002
1003Autocommands can be put together in a group. This is useful for removing or
1004executing a group of autocommands. For example, all the autocommands for
1005syntax highlighting are put in the "highlight" group, to be able to execute
1006":doautoall highlight BufRead" when the GUI starts.
1007
1008When no specific group is selected, Vim uses the default group. The default
1009group does not have a name. You cannot execute the autocommands from the
1010default group separately; you can execute them only by executing autocommands
1011for all groups.
1012
1013Normally, when executing autocommands automatically, Vim uses the autocommands
1014for all groups. The group only matters when executing autocommands with
1015":doautocmd" or ":doautoall", or when defining or deleting autocommands.
1016
1017The group name can contain any characters except white space. The group name
1018"end" is reserved (also in uppercase).
1019
1020The group name is case sensitive. Note that this is different from the event
1021name!
1022
1023 *:aug* *:augroup*
1024:aug[roup] {name} Define the autocmd group name for the
1025 following ":autocmd" commands. The name "end"
1026 or "END" selects the default group.
1027
1028 *:augroup-delete* *E367*
1029:aug[roup]! {name} Delete the autocmd group {name}. Don't use
1030 this if there is still an autocommand using
1031 this group! This is not checked.
1032
1033To enter autocommands for a specific group, use this method:
10341. Select the group with ":augroup {name}".
10352. Delete any old autocommands with ":au!".
10363. Define the autocommands.
10374. Go back to the default group with "augroup END".
1038
1039Example: >
1040 :augroup uncompress
1041 : au!
1042 : au BufEnter *.gz %!gunzip
1043 :augroup END
1044
1045This prevents having the autocommands defined twice (e.g., after sourcing the
1046.vimrc file again).
1047
1048==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +000010499. Executing autocommands *autocmd-execute*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001050
1051Vim can also execute Autocommands non-automatically. This is useful if you
1052have changed autocommands, or when Vim has executed the wrong autocommands
1053(e.g., the file pattern match was wrong).
1054
1055Note that the 'eventignore' option applies here too. Events listed in this
1056option will not cause any commands to be executed.
1057
1058 *:do* *:doau* *:doautocmd* *E217*
Bram Moolenaar5dc62522012-02-13 00:05:22 +01001059:do[autocmd] [<nomodeline>] [group] {event} [fname]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001060 Apply the autocommands matching [fname] (default:
1061 current file name) for {event} to the current buffer.
1062 You can use this when the current file name does not
1063 match the right pattern, after changing settings, or
1064 to execute autocommands for a certain event.
1065 It's possible to use this inside an autocommand too,
1066 so you can base the autocommands for one extension on
1067 another extension. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +01001068 :au BufEnter *.cpp so ~/.vimrc_cpp
1069 :au BufEnter *.cpp doau BufEnter x.c
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001070< Be careful to avoid endless loops. See
1071 |autocmd-nested|.
1072
1073 When the [group] argument is not given, Vim executes
1074 the autocommands for all groups. When the [group]
1075 argument is included, Vim executes only the matching
1076 autocommands for that group. Note: if you use an
1077 undefined group name, Vim gives you an error message.
Bram Moolenaar60542ac2012-02-12 20:14:01 +01001078 *<nomodeline>*
1079 After applying the autocommands the modelines are
1080 processed, so that their settings overrule the
1081 settings from autocommands, like what happens when
1082 editing a file. This is skipped when the <nomodeline>
1083 argument is present. You probably want to use
1084 <nomodeline> for events that are not used when loading
1085 a buffer, such as |User|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001086
1087 *:doautoa* *:doautoall*
Bram Moolenaara61d5fb2012-02-12 00:18:58 +01001088:doautoa[ll] [<nomodeline>] [group] {event} [fname]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001089 Like ":doautocmd", but apply the autocommands to each
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001090 loaded buffer. Note that [fname] is used to select
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001091 the autocommands, not the buffers to which they are
1092 applied.
1093 Careful: Don't use this for autocommands that delete a
1094 buffer, change to another buffer or change the
1095 contents of a buffer; the result is unpredictable.
1096 This command is intended for autocommands that set
1097 options, change highlighting, and things like that.
1098
1099==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000110010. Using autocommands *autocmd-use*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001101
1102For WRITING FILES there are four possible sets of events. Vim uses only one
1103of these sets for a write command:
1104
1105BufWriteCmd BufWritePre BufWritePost writing the whole buffer
1106 FilterWritePre FilterWritePost writing to filter temp file
1107FileAppendCmd FileAppendPre FileAppendPost appending to a file
1108FileWriteCmd FileWritePre FileWritePost any other file write
1109
1110When there is a matching "*Cmd" autocommand, it is assumed it will do the
1111writing. No further writing is done and the other events are not triggered.
1112|Cmd-event|
1113
1114Note that the *WritePost commands should undo any changes to the buffer that
1115were caused by the *WritePre commands; otherwise, writing the file will have
1116the side effect of changing the buffer.
1117
1118Before executing the autocommands, the buffer from which the lines are to be
1119written temporarily becomes the current buffer. Unless the autocommands
1120change the current buffer or delete the previously current buffer, the
1121previously current buffer is made the current buffer again.
1122
1123The *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands must not delete the buffer from
1124which the lines are to be written.
1125
1126The '[ and '] marks have a special position:
1127- Before the *ReadPre event the '[ mark is set to the line just above where
1128 the new lines will be inserted.
1129- Before the *ReadPost event the '[ mark is set to the first line that was
1130 just read, the '] mark to the last line.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001131- Before executing the *WriteCmd, *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands the '[
1132 mark is set to the first line that will be written, the '] mark to the last
1133 line.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001134Careful: '[ and '] change when using commands that change the buffer.
1135
1136In commands which expect a file name, you can use "<afile>" for the file name
1137that is being read |:<afile>| (you can also use "%" for the current file
1138name). "<abuf>" can be used for the buffer number of the currently effective
1139buffer. This also works for buffers that doesn't have a name. But it doesn't
1140work for files without a buffer (e.g., with ":r file").
1141
1142 *gzip-example*
1143Examples for reading and writing compressed files: >
1144 :augroup gzip
1145 : autocmd!
1146 : autocmd BufReadPre,FileReadPre *.gz set bin
1147 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz '[,']!gunzip
1148 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz set nobin
1149 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz execute ":doautocmd BufReadPost " . expand("%:r")
1150 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1151 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1152
1153 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !gunzip <afile>
1154 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !mv <afile>:r <afile>
1155 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1156 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1157 :augroup END
1158
1159The "gzip" group is used to be able to delete any existing autocommands with
1160":autocmd!", for when the file is sourced twice.
1161
1162("<afile>:r" is the file name without the extension, see |:_%:|)
1163
1164The commands executed for the BufNewFile, BufRead/BufReadPost, BufWritePost,
1165FileAppendPost and VimLeave events do not set or reset the changed flag of the
1166buffer. When you decompress the buffer with the BufReadPost autocommands, you
1167can still exit with ":q". When you use ":undo" in BufWritePost to undo the
1168changes made by BufWritePre commands, you can still do ":q" (this also makes
1169"ZZ" work). If you do want the buffer to be marked as modified, set the
1170'modified' option.
1171
1172To execute Normal mode commands from an autocommand, use the ":normal"
1173command. Use with care! If the Normal mode command is not finished, the user
1174needs to type characters (e.g., after ":normal m" you need to type a mark
1175name).
1176
1177If you want the buffer to be unmodified after changing it, reset the
1178'modified' option. This makes it possible to exit the buffer with ":q"
1179instead of ":q!".
1180
1181 *autocmd-nested* *E218*
1182By default, autocommands do not nest. If you use ":e" or ":w" in an
1183autocommand, Vim does not execute the BufRead and BufWrite autocommands for
1184those commands. If you do want this, use the "nested" flag for those commands
1185in which you want nesting. For example: >
1186 :autocmd FileChangedShell *.c nested e!
1187The nesting is limited to 10 levels to get out of recursive loops.
1188
1189It's possible to use the ":au" command in an autocommand. This can be a
1190self-modifying command! This can be useful for an autocommand that should
1191execute only once.
1192
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001193If you want to skip autocommands for one command, use the |:noautocmd| command
1194modifier or the 'eventignore' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001195
1196Note: When reading a file (with ":read file" or with a filter command) and the
1197last line in the file does not have an <EOL>, Vim remembers this. At the next
1198write (with ":write file" or with a filter command), if the same line is
1199written again as the last line in a file AND 'binary' is set, Vim does not
1200supply an <EOL>. This makes a filter command on the just read lines write the
1201same file as was read, and makes a write command on just filtered lines write
1202the same file as was read from the filter. For example, another way to write
1203a compressed file: >
1204
1205 :autocmd FileWritePre *.gz set bin|'[,']!gzip
1206 :autocmd FileWritePost *.gz undo|set nobin
1207<
1208 *autocommand-pattern*
1209You can specify multiple patterns, separated by commas. Here are some
1210examples: >
1211
1212 :autocmd BufRead * set tw=79 nocin ic infercase fo=2croq
1213 :autocmd BufRead .letter set tw=72 fo=2tcrq
1214 :autocmd BufEnter .letter set dict=/usr/lib/dict/words
1215 :autocmd BufLeave .letter set dict=
1216 :autocmd BufRead,BufNewFile *.c,*.h set tw=0 cin noic
1217 :autocmd BufEnter *.c,*.h abbr FOR for (i = 0; i < 3; ++i)<CR>{<CR>}<Esc>O
1218 :autocmd BufLeave *.c,*.h unabbr FOR
1219
1220For makefiles (makefile, Makefile, imakefile, makefile.unix, etc.): >
1221
1222 :autocmd BufEnter ?akefile* set include=^s\=include
1223 :autocmd BufLeave ?akefile* set include&
1224
1225To always start editing C files at the first function: >
1226
1227 :autocmd BufRead *.c,*.h 1;/^{
1228
1229Without the "1;" above, the search would start from wherever the file was
1230entered, rather than from the start of the file.
1231
1232 *skeleton* *template*
1233To read a skeleton (template) file when opening a new file: >
1234
1235 :autocmd BufNewFile *.c 0r ~/vim/skeleton.c
1236 :autocmd BufNewFile *.h 0r ~/vim/skeleton.h
1237 :autocmd BufNewFile *.java 0r ~/vim/skeleton.java
1238
1239To insert the current date and time in a *.html file when writing it: >
1240
1241 :autocmd BufWritePre,FileWritePre *.html ks|call LastMod()|'s
1242 :fun LastMod()
1243 : if line("$") > 20
1244 : let l = 20
1245 : else
1246 : let l = line("$")
1247 : endif
1248 : exe "1," . l . "g/Last modified: /s/Last modified: .*/Last modified: " .
1249 : \ strftime("%Y %b %d")
1250 :endfun
1251
1252You need to have a line "Last modified: <date time>" in the first 20 lines
1253of the file for this to work. Vim replaces <date time> (and anything in the
1254same line after it) with the current date and time. Explanation:
1255 ks mark current position with mark 's'
1256 call LastMod() call the LastMod() function to do the work
1257 's return the cursor to the old position
1258The LastMod() function checks if the file is shorter than 20 lines, and then
1259uses the ":g" command to find lines that contain "Last modified: ". For those
1260lines the ":s" command is executed to replace the existing date with the
1261current one. The ":execute" command is used to be able to use an expression
1262for the ":g" and ":s" commands. The date is obtained with the strftime()
1263function. You can change its argument to get another date string.
1264
1265When entering :autocmd on the command-line, completion of events and command
1266names may be done (with <Tab>, CTRL-D, etc.) where appropriate.
1267
1268Vim executes all matching autocommands in the order that you specify them.
1269It is recommended that your first autocommand be used for all files by using
1270"*" as the file pattern. This means that you can define defaults you like
1271here for any settings, and if there is another matching autocommand it will
1272override these. But if there is no other matching autocommand, then at least
1273your default settings are recovered (if entering this file from another for
1274which autocommands did match). Note that "*" will also match files starting
1275with ".", unlike Unix shells.
1276
1277 *autocmd-searchpat*
1278Autocommands do not change the current search patterns. Vim saves the current
1279search patterns before executing autocommands then restores them after the
1280autocommands finish. This means that autocommands do not affect the strings
1281highlighted with the 'hlsearch' option. Within autocommands, you can still
1282use search patterns normally, e.g., with the "n" command.
1283If you want an autocommand to set the search pattern, such that it is used
1284after the autocommand finishes, use the ":let @/ =" command.
1285The search-highlighting cannot be switched off with ":nohlsearch" in an
1286autocommand. Use the 'h' flag in the 'viminfo' option to disable search-
1287highlighting when starting Vim.
1288
1289 *Cmd-event*
1290When using one of the "*Cmd" events, the matching autocommands are expected to
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +00001291do the file reading, writing or sourcing. This can be used when working with
1292a special kind of file, for example on a remote system.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001293CAREFUL: If you use these events in a wrong way, it may have the effect of
1294making it impossible to read or write the matching files! Make sure you test
1295your autocommands properly. Best is to use a pattern that will never match a
1296normal file name, for example "ftp://*".
1297
1298When defining a BufReadCmd it will be difficult for Vim to recover a crashed
1299editing session. When recovering from the original file, Vim reads only those
1300parts of a file that are not found in the swap file. Since that is not
1301possible with a BufReadCmd, use the |:preserve| command to make sure the
1302original file isn't needed for recovery. You might want to do this only when
1303you expect the file to be modified.
1304
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +00001305For file read and write commands the |v:cmdarg| variable holds the "++enc="
1306and "++ff=" argument that are effective. These should be used for the command
1307that reads/writes the file. The |v:cmdbang| variable is one when "!" was
1308used, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001309
Bram Moolenaarc88ebf72010-07-22 22:30:23 +02001310See the $VIMRUNTIME/plugin/netrwPlugin.vim for examples.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001311
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001312==============================================================================
131311. Disabling autocommands *autocmd-disable*
1314
1315To disable autocommands for some time use the 'eventignore' option. Note that
1316this may cause unexpected behavior, make sure you restore 'eventignore'
1317afterwards, using a |:try| block with |:finally|.
1318
1319 *:noautocmd* *:noa*
1320To disable autocommands for just one command use the ":noautocmd" command
1321modifier. This will set 'eventignore' to "all" for the duration of the
1322following command. Example: >
1323
1324 :noautocmd w fname.gz
1325
1326This will write the file without triggering the autocommands defined by the
1327gzip plugin.
1328
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001329
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001330 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: