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Bram Moolenaar51ad4ea2018-04-06 11:14:11 +02001*terminal.txt* For Vim version 8.0. Last change: 2018 Apr 05
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +02002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Terminal window support *terminal*
8
9
Bram Moolenaarb6e0ec62017-07-23 22:12:20 +020010The terminal feature is optional, use this to check if your Vim has it: >
11 echo has('terminal')
12If the result is "1" you have it.
13
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +020014
Bram Moolenaarda650582018-02-20 15:51:40 +0100151. Basic use |terminal-use|
16 Typing |terminal-typing|
17 Size and color |terminal-size-color|
18 Syntax |:terminal|
19 Resizing |terminal-resizing|
20 Terminal Modes |Terminal-mode|
21 Cursor style |terminal-cursor-style|
22 Special keys |terminal-special-keys|
Bram Moolenaarb5b75622018-03-09 22:22:21 +010023 Session |terminal-session|
Bram Moolenaarda650582018-02-20 15:51:40 +010024 Unix |terminal-unix|
25 MS-Windows |terminal-ms-windows|
Bram Moolenaar8fbaeb12018-03-25 18:20:17 +0200262. Terminal communication |terminal-communication|
27 Vim to job: term_sendkeys() |terminal-to-job|
Bram Moolenaar333b80a2018-04-04 22:57:29 +020028 Job to Vim: JSON API |terminal-api|
Bram Moolenaar8fbaeb12018-03-25 18:20:17 +020029 Using the client-server feature |terminal-client-server|
303. Remote testing |terminal-testing|
314. Diffing screen dumps |terminal-diff|
Bram Moolenaarda650582018-02-20 15:51:40 +010032 Writing a screen dump test for Vim |terminal-dumptest|
33 Creating a screen dump |terminal-screendump|
34 Comparing screen dumps |terminal-diffscreendump|
Bram Moolenaar8fbaeb12018-03-25 18:20:17 +0200355. Debugging |terminal-debug|
Bram Moolenaarda650582018-02-20 15:51:40 +010036 Starting |termdebug-starting|
37 Example session |termdebug-example|
38 Stepping through code |termdebug-stepping|
39 Inspecting variables |termdebug-variables|
40 Other commands |termdebug-commands|
41 Communication |termdebug-communication|
42 Customizing |termdebug-customizing|
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +020043
44{Vi does not have any of these commands}
Bram Moolenaarc572da52017-08-27 16:52:01 +020045{only available when compiled with the |+terminal| feature}
Bram Moolenaarc572da52017-08-27 16:52:01 +020046The terminal feature requires the |+multi_byte|, |+job| and |+channel| features.
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +020047
48==============================================================================
491. Basic use *terminal-use*
50
51This feature is for running a terminal emulator in a Vim window. A job can be
52started connected to the terminal emulator. For example, to run a shell: >
53 :term bash
54
Bram Moolenaare09ba7b2017-09-09 22:19:47 +020055Or to run build command: >
56 :term make myprogram
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +020057
58The job runs asynchronously from Vim, the window will be updated to show
Bram Moolenaare09ba7b2017-09-09 22:19:47 +020059output from the job, also while editing in another window.
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +020060
Bram Moolenaar423802d2017-07-30 16:52:24 +020061
Bram Moolenaar1f28b4c2017-07-28 13:48:34 +020062Typing ~
Bram Moolenaar69fbc9e2017-09-14 20:37:57 +020063 *terminal-typing*
Bram Moolenaardd693ce2017-08-10 23:15:19 +020064When the keyboard focus is in the terminal window, typed keys will be sent to
Bram Moolenaar1f28b4c2017-07-28 13:48:34 +020065the job. This uses a pty when possible. You can click outside of the
66terminal window to move keyboard focus elsewhere.
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +020067
Bram Moolenaar423802d2017-07-30 16:52:24 +020068CTRL-W can be used to navigate between windows and other CTRL-W commands, e.g.:
Bram Moolenaar60e73f22017-11-12 18:02:06 +010069 CTRL-W CTRL-W move focus to the next window
Bram Moolenaar423802d2017-07-30 16:52:24 +020070 CTRL-W : enter an Ex command
71See |CTRL-W| for more commands.
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +020072
Bram Moolenaar423802d2017-07-30 16:52:24 +020073Special in the terminal window: *CTRL-W_.* *CTRL-W_N*
74 CTRL-W . send a CTRL-W to the job in the terminal
Bram Moolenaarb59118d2018-04-13 22:11:56 +020075 CTRL-W CTRL-\ send a CTRL-\ to the job in the terminal
Bram Moolenaardd693ce2017-08-10 23:15:19 +020076 CTRL-W N go to Terminal-Normal mode, see |Terminal-mode|
77 CTRL-\ CTRL-N go to Terminal-Normal mode, see |Terminal-mode|
Bram Moolenaarf55e4c82017-08-01 20:44:53 +020078 CTRL-W " {reg} paste register {reg} *CTRL-W_quote*
79 Also works with the = register to insert the result of
80 evaluating an expression.
Bram Moolenaar8e539c52017-08-18 22:57:06 +020081 CTRL-W CTRL-C ends the job, see below |t_CTRL-W_CTRL-C|
Bram Moolenaar423802d2017-07-30 16:52:24 +020082
83See option 'termkey' for specifying another key instead of CTRL-W that
84will work like CTRL-W. However, typing 'termkey' twice sends 'termkey' to
85the job. For example:
86 'termkey' CTRL-W move focus to the next window
87 'termkey' : enter an Ex command
88 'termkey' 'termkey' send 'termkey' to the job in the terminal
89 'termkey' . send a CTRL-W to the job in the terminal
Bram Moolenaar60e73f22017-11-12 18:02:06 +010090 'termkey' N go to terminal Normal mode, see below
Bram Moolenaar423802d2017-07-30 16:52:24 +020091 'termkey' CTRL-N same as CTRL-W N
Bram Moolenaar8e539c52017-08-18 22:57:06 +020092 'termkey' CTRL-C same as |t_CTRL-W_CTRL-C|
Bram Moolenaar69198192017-08-05 14:10:48 +020093 *t_CTRL-\_CTRL-N*
Bram Moolenaardd693ce2017-08-10 23:15:19 +020094The special key combination CTRL-\ CTRL-N can be used to switch to Normal
95mode, just like this works in any other mode.
Bram Moolenaar8e539c52017-08-18 22:57:06 +020096 *t_CTRL-W_CTRL-C*
97CTRL-W CTRL-C can be typed to forcefully end the job. On MS-Windows a
98CTRL-BREAK will also kill the job.
99
100If you type CTRL-C the effect depends on what the pty has been configured to
101do. For simple commands this causes a SIGINT to be sent to the job, which
102would end it. Other commands may ignore the SIGINT or handle the CTRL-C
103themselves (like Vim does).
Bram Moolenaar423802d2017-07-30 16:52:24 +0200104
Bram Moolenaar69fbc9e2017-09-14 20:37:57 +0200105To change the keys you type use terminal mode mappings, see |:tmap|.
106These are defined like any mapping, but apply only when typing keys that are
Bram Moolenaar98ef2332018-03-18 14:44:37 +0100107sent to the job running in the terminal. For example, to make F1 switch
Bram Moolenaar24a98a02017-09-27 22:23:55 +0200108to Terminal-Normal mode: >
Bram Moolenaar98ef2332018-03-18 14:44:37 +0100109 tnoremap <F1> <C-W>N
110You can use Esc, but you need to make sure it won't cause other keys to
111break: >
Bram Moolenaar24a98a02017-09-27 22:23:55 +0200112 tnoremap <Esc> <C-W>N
Bram Moolenaar98ef2332018-03-18 14:44:37 +0100113 set notimeout ttimeout timeoutlen=100
114
Bram Moolenaar01164a62017-11-02 22:58:42 +0100115< *options-in-terminal*
Bram Moolenaar24a98a02017-09-27 22:23:55 +0200116After opening the terminal window and setting 'buftype' to "terminal" the
117BufWinEnter autocommand event is triggered. This makes it possible to set
118options specifically for the window and buffer. Example: >
119 au BufWinEnter * if &buftype == 'terminal' | setlocal bufhidden=hide | endif
Bram Moolenaar69fbc9e2017-09-14 20:37:57 +0200120
Bram Moolenaar52dbb5e2017-11-21 18:11:27 +0100121Mouse events (click and drag) are passed to the terminal. Mouse move events
122are only passed when Vim itself is receiving them. For a terminal that is
123when 'balloonevalterm' is enabled.
124
Bram Moolenaar1f28b4c2017-07-28 13:48:34 +0200125
Bram Moolenaar8e539c52017-08-18 22:57:06 +0200126Size and color ~
Bram Moolenaar7f2e9d72017-11-11 20:58:53 +0100127 *terminal-size-color*
Bram Moolenaar74675a62017-07-15 13:53:23 +0200128See option 'termsize' for controlling the size of the terminal window.
129(TODO: scrolling when the terminal is larger than the window)
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +0200130
Bram Moolenaar38baa3e2017-09-14 16:10:38 +0200131The job running in the terminal can change the colors. The default foreground
132and background colors are taken from Vim, the Normal highlight group.
133
134For a color terminal the 'background' option is used to decide whether the
135terminal window will start with a white or black background.
136
Bram Moolenaardf980db2017-12-24 13:22:00 +0100137To use a different color the Terminal highlight group can be used, for
138example: >
Bram Moolenaar38baa3e2017-09-14 16:10:38 +0200139 hi Terminal ctermbg=lightgrey ctermfg=blue guibg=lightgrey guifg=blue
Bram Moolenaarf59c6e82018-04-10 15:59:11 +0200140<
141 *g:terminal_ansi_colors*
142In GUI mode or with |termguicolors|, the 16 ANSI colors used by default in new
143terminal windows may be configured using the variable
144`g:terminal_ansi_colors`, which should be a list of 16 color names or
145hexadecimal color codes, similar to those accepted by |highlight-guifg|. When
146not using GUI colors, the terminal window always uses the 16 ANSI colors of
147the underlying terminal.
148The |term_setansicolors()| function can be used to change the colors, and
149|term_getansicolors()| to get the currently used colors.
Bram Moolenaar8e539c52017-08-18 22:57:06 +0200150
Bram Moolenaar423802d2017-07-30 16:52:24 +0200151
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +0200152Syntax ~
Bram Moolenaar8a773062017-07-24 22:29:21 +0200153
Bram Moolenaardd693ce2017-08-10 23:15:19 +0200154:[range]ter[minal] [options] [command] *:ter* *:terminal*
Bram Moolenaar8a773062017-07-24 22:29:21 +0200155 Open a new terminal window.
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +0200156
157 If [command] is provided run it as a job and connect
158 the input and output to the terminal.
159 If [command] is not given the 'shell' option is used.
Bram Moolenaarc572da52017-08-27 16:52:01 +0200160 if [command] is NONE no job is started, the pty of the
161 terminal can be used by a command like gdb.
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +0200162
Bram Moolenaar1dd98332018-03-16 22:54:53 +0100163 If [command] is missing the default behavior is to
164 close the terminal when the shell exits. This can be
165 changed with the ++noclose argument.
166 If [command] is present the default behavior is to
167 keep the terminal open in Terminal-Normal mode. This
168 can be changed with the ++close argument.
169
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +0200170 A new buffer will be created, using [command] or
Bram Moolenaarf55e4c82017-08-01 20:44:53 +0200171 'shell' as the name, prefixed with a "!". If a buffer
172 by this name already exists a number is added in
Bram Moolenaardd693ce2017-08-10 23:15:19 +0200173 parentheses. E.g. if "gdb" exists the second terminal
Bram Moolenaarf55e4c82017-08-01 20:44:53 +0200174 buffer will use "!gdb (1)".
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +0200175
Bram Moolenaarb2412082017-08-20 18:09:14 +0200176 If [range] is given the specified lines are used as
177 input for the job. It will not be possible to type
Bram Moolenaare09ba7b2017-09-09 22:19:47 +0200178 keys in the terminal window. For MS-Windows see the
179 ++eof argument below.
Bram Moolenaardd693ce2017-08-10 23:15:19 +0200180
Bram Moolenaardd693ce2017-08-10 23:15:19 +0200181 *term++close* *term++open*
182 Supported [options] are:
183 ++close The terminal window will close
184 automatically when the job terminates.
Bram Moolenaar1dd98332018-03-16 22:54:53 +0100185 ++noclose The terminal window will NOT close
186 automatically when the job terminates.
Bram Moolenaardd693ce2017-08-10 23:15:19 +0200187 ++open When the job terminates and no window
Bram Moolenaar8cad9302017-08-12 14:32:32 +0200188 shows it, a window will be opened.
Bram Moolenaardd693ce2017-08-10 23:15:19 +0200189 Note that this can be interruptive.
Bram Moolenaar1dd98332018-03-16 22:54:53 +0100190 The last of ++close, ++noclose and ++open
191 matters and rules out earlier arguments.
192
Bram Moolenaar8cad9302017-08-12 14:32:32 +0200193 ++curwin Open the terminal in the current
194 window, do not split the current
195 window. Fails if the current buffer
196 cannot be |abandon|ed.
197 ++hidden Open the terminal in a hidden buffer,
198 no window will be used.
Bram Moolenaarb5b75622018-03-09 22:22:21 +0100199 ++norestore Do not include this terminal window
200 in a session file.
Bram Moolenaar25cdd9c2018-03-10 20:28:12 +0100201 ++kill={how} When trying to close the terminal
202 window kill the job with {how}. See
203 |term_setkill()| for the values.
Bram Moolenaarb2412082017-08-20 18:09:14 +0200204 ++rows={height} Use {height} for the terminal window
Bram Moolenaar40962ec2018-01-28 22:47:25 +0100205 height. If the terminal uses the full
206 Vim height (no window above or below
207 th terminal window) the command line
208 height will be reduced as needed.
Bram Moolenaarb2412082017-08-20 18:09:14 +0200209 ++cols={width} Use {width} for the terminal window
Bram Moolenaar40962ec2018-01-28 22:47:25 +0100210 width. If the terminal uses the full
211 Vim width (no window left or right of
212 the terminal window) this value is
213 ignored.
Bram Moolenaare09ba7b2017-09-09 22:19:47 +0200214 ++eof={text} when using [range]: text to send after
215 the last line was written. Cannot
216 contain white space. A CR is
217 appended. For MS-Windows the default
218 is to send CTRL-D.
Bram Moolenaaref68e4f2017-09-02 16:28:36 +0200219 E.g. for a shell use "++eof=exit" and
220 for Python "++eof=exit()". Special
221 codes can be used like with `:map`,
222 e.g. "<C-Z>" for CTRL-Z.
Bram Moolenaar8cad9302017-08-12 14:32:32 +0200223
224 If you want to use more options use the |term_start()|
225 function.
Bram Moolenaardd693ce2017-08-10 23:15:19 +0200226
Bram Moolenaar25cdd9c2018-03-10 20:28:12 +0100227When the buffer associated with the terminal is forcibly unloaded or wiped out
228the job is killed, similar to calling `job_stop(job, "kill")` .
229Closing the window normally results in |E947|. When a kill method was set
230with "++kill={how}" or |term_setkill()| then closing the window will use that
231way to kill or interrupt the job. For example: >
232 :term ++kill=term tail -f /tmp/log
Bram Moolenaarb6e0ec62017-07-23 22:12:20 +0200233
Bram Moolenaare561a7e2017-08-29 22:44:59 +0200234So long as the job is running the window behaves like it contains a modified
Bram Moolenaaref68e4f2017-09-02 16:28:36 +0200235buffer. Trying to close the window with `CTRL-W :quit` fails. When using
236`CTRL-W :quit!` the job is ended. The text in the window is lost. The buffer
237still exists, but getting it in a window with `:buffer` will show an empty
238buffer.
239
240Trying to close the window with `CTRL-W :close` also fails. Using
241`CTRL-W :close!` will close the window and make the buffer hidden.
Bram Moolenaare561a7e2017-08-29 22:44:59 +0200242
243You can use `CTRL-W :hide` to close the terminal window and make the buffer
244hidden, the job keeps running. The `:buffer` command can be used to turn the
245current window into a terminal window. If there are unsaved changes this
246fails, use ! to force, as usual.
Bram Moolenaar8cad9302017-08-12 14:32:32 +0200247
248To have a background job run without a window, and open the window when it's
249done, use options like this: >
250 :term ++hidden ++open make
251Note that the window will open at an unexpected moment, this will interrupt
252what you are doing.
253
Bram Moolenaar8e539c52017-08-18 22:57:06 +0200254 *E947* *E948*
Bram Moolenaar78712a72017-08-05 14:50:12 +0200255So long as the job is running, the buffer is considered modified and Vim
256cannot be quit easily, see |abandon|.
Bram Moolenaarf55e4c82017-08-01 20:44:53 +0200257
258When the job has finished and no changes were made to the buffer: closing the
259window will wipe out the buffer.
260
261Before changes can be made to a terminal buffer, the 'modifiable' option must
262be set. This is only possible when the job has finished. At the first change
263the buffer will become a normal buffer and the highlighting is removed.
264You may want to change the buffer name with |:file| to be able to write, since
265the buffer name will still be set to the command.
266
Bram Moolenaarb6e0ec62017-07-23 22:12:20 +0200267
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +0200268Resizing ~
Bram Moolenaar7f2e9d72017-11-11 20:58:53 +0100269 *terminal-resizing*
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +0200270The size of the terminal can be in one of three modes:
271
2721. The 'termsize' option is empty: The terminal size follows the window size.
273 The minimal size is 2 screen lines with 10 cells.
274
2752. The 'termsize' option is "rows*cols", where "rows" is the minimal number of
Bram Moolenaar8a773062017-07-24 22:29:21 +0200276 screen rows and "cols" is the minimal number of cells.
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +0200277
2783. The 'termsize' option is "rowsXcols" (where the x is upper or lower case).
279 The terminal size is fixed to the specified number of screen lines and
280 cells. If the window is bigger there will be unused empty space.
281
282If the window is smaller than the terminal size, only part of the terminal can
283be seen (the lower-left part).
284
285The |term_getsize()| function can be used to get the current size of the
286terminal. |term_setsize()| can be used only when in the first or second mode,
287not when 'termsize' is "rowsXcols".
288
Bram Moolenaarb6e0ec62017-07-23 22:12:20 +0200289
Bram Moolenaardd693ce2017-08-10 23:15:19 +0200290Terminal-Job and Terminal-Normal mode ~
Bram Moolenaar423802d2017-07-30 16:52:24 +0200291 *Terminal-mode*
292When the job is running the contents of the terminal is under control of the
Bram Moolenaardd693ce2017-08-10 23:15:19 +0200293job. That includes the cursor position. Typed keys are sent to the job.
294The terminal contents can change at any time. This is called Terminal-Job
295mode.
Bram Moolenaar423802d2017-07-30 16:52:24 +0200296
Bram Moolenaardd693ce2017-08-10 23:15:19 +0200297Use CTRL-W N (or 'termkey' N) to switch to Terminal-Normal mode. Now the
298contents of the terminal window is under control of Vim, the job output is
299suspended. CTRL-\ CTRL-N does the same.
Bram Moolenaar69fbc9e2017-09-14 20:37:57 +0200300
Bram Moolenaar1b9645d2017-09-17 23:03:31 +0200301Terminal-Job mode is where |:tmap| mappings are applied. Keys sent by
Bram Moolenaar69fbc9e2017-09-14 20:37:57 +0200302|term_sendkeys()| are not subject to tmap, but keys from |feedkeys()| are.
303
Bram Moolenaar423802d2017-07-30 16:52:24 +0200304 *E946*
Bram Moolenaardd693ce2017-08-10 23:15:19 +0200305In Terminal-Normal mode you can move the cursor around with the usual Vim
306commands, Visually mark text, yank text, etc. But you cannot change the
307contents of the buffer. The commands that would start insert mode, such as
308'i' and 'a', return to Terminal-Job mode. The window will be updated to show
Bram Moolenaar1b9645d2017-09-17 23:03:31 +0200309the contents of the terminal. |:startinsert| is ineffective.
Bram Moolenaar423802d2017-07-30 16:52:24 +0200310
Bram Moolenaardd693ce2017-08-10 23:15:19 +0200311In Terminal-Normal mode the statusline and window title show "(Terminal)". If
312the job ends while in Terminal-Normal mode this changes to
313"(Terminal-finished)".
Bram Moolenaar423802d2017-07-30 16:52:24 +0200314
Bram Moolenaar8e539c52017-08-18 22:57:06 +0200315It is not possible to enter Insert mode from Terminal-Job mode.
316
Bram Moolenaar423802d2017-07-30 16:52:24 +0200317
Bram Moolenaarc572da52017-08-27 16:52:01 +0200318Cursor style ~
Bram Moolenaar7f2e9d72017-11-11 20:58:53 +0100319 *terminal-cursor-style*
Bram Moolenaarc572da52017-08-27 16:52:01 +0200320By default the cursor in the terminal window uses a not blinking block. The
321normal xterm escape sequences can be used to change the blinking state and the
322shape. Once focus leaves the terminal window Vim will restore the original
323cursor.
324
325An exception is when xterm is started with the "-bc" argument, or another way
326that causes the cursor to blink. This actually means that the blinking flag
327is inverted. Since Vim cannot detect this, the terminal window cursor
328blinking will also be inverted.
329
330
Bram Moolenaarb5b75622018-03-09 22:22:21 +0100331Session ~
332 *terminal-session*
333A terminal window will be restored when using a session file, if possible and
334wanted.
335
336If "terminal" was removed from 'sessionoptions' then no terminal windows will
337be restored.
338
339If the job in the terminal was finished the window will not be restored.
340
341If the terminal can be restored, the command that was used to open it will be
342used again. To change this use the |term_setrestore()| function. This can
343also be used to not restore a specific terminal by setting the command to
344"NONE".
345
346
Bram Moolenaar7f2e9d72017-11-11 20:58:53 +0100347Special keys ~
348 *terminal-special-keys*
349Since the terminal emulator simulates an xterm, only escape sequences that
350both Vim and xterm recognize will be available in the terminal window. If you
351want to pass on other escape sequences to the job running in the terminal you
352need to set up forwarding. Example: >
353 tmap <expr> <Esc>]b SendToTerm("\<Esc>]b")
Bram Moolenaar60e73f22017-11-12 18:02:06 +0100354 func SendToTerm(what)
355 call term_sendkeys('', a:what)
356 return ''
357 endfunc
Bram Moolenaarb6e0ec62017-07-23 22:12:20 +0200358
Bram Moolenaar7f2e9d72017-11-11 20:58:53 +0100359
360Unix ~
361 *terminal-unix*
Bram Moolenaarb6e0ec62017-07-23 22:12:20 +0200362On Unix a pty is used to make it possible to run all kinds of commands. You
363can even run Vim in the terminal! That's used for debugging, see below.
364
Bram Moolenaarf55e4c82017-08-01 20:44:53 +0200365Environment variables are used to pass information to the running job:
Bram Moolenaar9a993e32018-04-05 22:15:22 +0200366 TERM the name of the terminal, from the 'term' option or
367 $TERM in the GUI; falls back to "xterm" if it does not
368 start with "xterm"
Bram Moolenaarf55e4c82017-08-01 20:44:53 +0200369 ROWS number of rows in the terminal initially
370 LINES same as ROWS
371 COLUMNS number of columns in the terminal initially
372 COLORS number of colors, 't_Co' (256*256*256 in the GUI)
373 VIM_SERVERNAME v:servername
374
Bram Moolenaarb6e0ec62017-07-23 22:12:20 +0200375
376MS-Windows ~
Bram Moolenaar7f2e9d72017-11-11 20:58:53 +0100377 *terminal-ms-windows*
Bram Moolenaar8a773062017-07-24 22:29:21 +0200378On MS-Windows winpty is used to make it possible to run all kind of commands.
379Obviously, they must be commands that run in a terminal, not open their own
380window.
381
382You need the following two files from winpty:
383
384 winpty.dll
385 winpty-agent.exe
386
387You can download them from the following page:
388
389 https://github.com/rprichard/winpty
390
Bram Moolenaar8e539c52017-08-18 22:57:06 +0200391Just put the files somewhere in your PATH. You can set the 'winptydll' option
392to point to the right file, if needed. If you have both the 32-bit and 64-bit
393version, rename to winpty32.dll and winpty64.dll to match the way Vim was
394build.
Bram Moolenaarb6e0ec62017-07-23 22:12:20 +0200395
Bram Moolenaar52dbb5e2017-11-21 18:11:27 +0100396Environment variables are used to pass information to the running job:
397 VIM_SERVERNAME v:servername
398
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +0200399==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaar8fbaeb12018-03-25 18:20:17 +02004002. Terminal communication *terminal-communication*
401
402There are several ways to communicate with the job running in a terminal:
403- Use |term_sendkeys()| to send text and escape sequences from Vim to the job.
404- Use the JSON API to send encoded commands from the job to Vim.
405- Use the |client-server| mechanism. This works on machines with an X server
406 and on MS-Windows.
407
408
409Vim to job: term_sendkeys() ~
410 *terminal-to-job*
411This allows for remote controlling the job running in the terminal. It is a
412one-way mechanism. The job can update the display to signal back to Vim.
413For example, if a shell is running in a terminal, you can do: >
414 call term_sendkeys(buf, "ls *.java\<CR>")
415
416This requires for the job to be in the right state where it will do the right
417thing when receiving the keys. For the above example, the shell must be
418waiting for a command to be typed.
419
420For a job that was written for the purpose, you can use the JSON API escape
421sequence in the other direction. E.g.: >
422 call term_sendkeys(buf, "\<Esc>]51;["response"]\x07")
423
424
425Job to Vim: JSON API ~
426 *terminal-api*
427The job can send JSON to Vim, using a special escape sequence. The JSON
428encodes a command that Vim understands. Example of such a message: >
429 <Esc>]51;["drop", "README.md"]<07>
430
431The body is always a list, making it easy to find the end: ]<07>.
432The <Esc>]51;msg<07> sequence is reserved by xterm for "Emacs shell", which is
433similar to what we are doing here.
434
435Currently supported commands:
436
437 call {funcname} {argument}
438
Bram Moolenaar2a77d212018-03-26 21:38:52 +0200439 Call a user defined function with {argument}.
440 The function is called with two arguments: the buffer number
441 of the terminal and {argument}, the decoded JSON argument.
442 The function name must start with "Tapi_" to avoid
443 accidentally calling a function not meant to be used for the
444 terminal API
445 The user function should sanity check the argument.
Bram Moolenaar8fbaeb12018-03-25 18:20:17 +0200446 The function can use |term_sendkeys()| to send back a reply.
447 Example in JSON: >
Bram Moolenaar2a77d212018-03-26 21:38:52 +0200448 ["call", "Tapi_Impression", ["play", 14]]
Bram Moolenaar8fbaeb12018-03-25 18:20:17 +0200449< Calls a function defined like this: >
Bram Moolenaar2a77d212018-03-26 21:38:52 +0200450 function Tapi_Impression(bufnum, arglist)
Bram Moolenaar8fbaeb12018-03-25 18:20:17 +0200451 if len(a:arglist) == 2
Bram Moolenaar2a77d212018-03-26 21:38:52 +0200452 echomsg "impression " . a:arglist[0]
453 echomsg "count " . a:arglist[1]
Bram Moolenaar8fbaeb12018-03-25 18:20:17 +0200454 endif
455 endfunc
Bram Moolenaar2a77d212018-03-26 21:38:52 +0200456< Output from `:echo` may be erased by a redraw, use `:echomsg`
457 to be able to see it with `:messages`.
458
Bram Moolenaar333b80a2018-04-04 22:57:29 +0200459 drop {filename} [options]
Bram Moolenaar8fbaeb12018-03-25 18:20:17 +0200460
461 Let Vim open a file, like the `:drop` command. If {filename}
462 is already open in a window, switch to that window. Otherwise
463 open a new window to edit {filename}.
Bram Moolenaar333b80a2018-04-04 22:57:29 +0200464
465 [options] is only used when opening a new window. If present,
466 it must be a Dict. Similarly to |++opt|, These entries are recognized:
467 "ff" file format: "dos", "mac" or "unix"
468 "fileformat" idem
469 "enc" overrides 'fileencoding'
470 "encoding" idem
471 "bin" sets 'binary'
472 "binary" idem
473 "nobin" resets 'binary'
474 "nobinary" idem
475 "bad" specifies behavior for bad characters, see
476 |++bad|
477
Bram Moolenaar8fbaeb12018-03-25 18:20:17 +0200478 Example in JSON: >
479 ["drop", "path/file.txt", {"ff": "dos"}]
480
481A trick to have Vim send this escape sequence: >
482 exe "set t_ts=\<Esc>]51; t_fs=\x07"
Bram Moolenaar2a77d212018-03-26 21:38:52 +0200483 let &titlestring = '["call","Tapi_TryThis",["hello",123]]'
Bram Moolenaar8fbaeb12018-03-25 18:20:17 +0200484 redraw
485 set t_ts& t_fs&
486
487Rationale: Why not allow for any command or expression? Because that might
488create a security problem.
489
490
491Using the client-server feature ~
492 *terminal-client-server*
493This only works when v:servername is not empty. If needed you can set it,
494before opening the terminal, with: >
495 call remote_startserver('vim-server')
496
497$VIM_SERVERNAME is set in the terminal to pass on the server name.
498
499In the job you can then do something like: >
500 vim --servername $VIM_SERVERNAME --remote +123 some_file.c
501This will open the file "some_file.c" and put the cursor on line 123.
502
503==============================================================================
5043. Remote testing *terminal-testing*
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +0200505
506Most Vim tests execute a script inside Vim. For some tests this does not
507work, running the test interferes with the code being tested. To avoid this
508Vim is executed in a terminal window. The test sends keystrokes to it and
509inspects the resulting screen state.
510
511Functions ~
512
Bram Moolenaar69fbc9e2017-09-14 20:37:57 +0200513term_sendkeys() send keystrokes to a terminal (not subject to tmap)
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +0200514term_wait() wait for screen to be updated
515term_scrape() inspect terminal screen
516
517
518==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaar8fbaeb12018-03-25 18:20:17 +02005194. Diffing screen dumps *terminal-diff*
Bram Moolenaarda650582018-02-20 15:51:40 +0100520
521In some cases it can be bothersome to test that Vim displays the right
522characters on the screen. E.g. with syntax highlighting. To make this
523simpler it is possible to take a screen dump of a terminal and compare it to
524an expected screen dump.
525
526Vim uses the window size, text, color and other attributes as displayed. The
527Vim screen size, font and other properties do not matter. Therefore this
Bram Moolenaar98ef2332018-03-18 14:44:37 +0100528mechanism is portable across systems. A conventional screenshot would reflect
Bram Moolenaarda650582018-02-20 15:51:40 +0100529all differences, including font size and family.
530
531
532Writing a screen dump test for Vim ~
533 *terminal-dumptest*
534For an example see the Test_syntax_c() function in
535src/testdir/test_syntax.vim. The main parts are:
536- Write a file you want to test with. This is useful for testing syntax
537 highlighting. You can also start Vim with en empty buffer.
538- Run Vim in a terminal with a specific size. The default is 20 lines of 75
539 characters. This makes sure the dump is always this size. The function
540 RunVimInTerminal() takes care of this. Pass it the arguments for the Vim
541 command.
542- Send any commands to Vim using term_sendkeys(). For example: >
543 call term_sendkeys(buf, ":echo &lines &columns\<CR>")
544- Check that the screen is now in the expected state, using
545 VerifyScreenDump(). This expects the reference screen dump to be in the
546 src/testdir/dumps/ directory. Pass the name without ".dump". It is
547 recommended to use the name of the test function and a sequence number, so
548 that we know what test is using the file.
549- Repeat sending commands and checking the state.
550- Finally stop Vim by calling StopVimInTerminal().
551
552The first time you do this you won't have a screen dump yet. Create an empty
553file for now, e.g.: >
554 touch src/testdir/dumps/Test_function_name_01.dump
555
556The test will then fail, giving you the command to compare the reference dump
557and the failed dump, e.g.: >
558 call term_dumpdiff("Test_func.dump.failed", "dumps/Test_func.dump")
559
560Use this command in Vim, with the current directory set to src/testdir.
561Once you are satisfied with the test, move the failed dump in place of the
562reference: >
563 :!mv Test_func.dump.failed dumps/Test_func.dump
564
565
566Creating a screen dump ~
567 *terminal-screendump*
568
569To create the screen dump, run Vim (or any other program) in a terminal and
570make it show the desired state. Then use the term_dumpwrite() function to
571create a screen dump file. For example: >
572 :call term_dumpwrite(77, "mysyntax.dump")
573
574Here "77" is the buffer number of the terminal. Use `:ls!` to see it.
575
576You can view the screen dump with term_dumpload(): >
577 :call term_dumpload("mysyntax.dump")
578
579To verify that Vim still shows exactly the same screen, run Vim again with
580exactly the same way to show the desired state. Then create a screen dump
581again, using a different file name: >
582 :call term_dumpwrite(88, "test.dump")
583
584To assert that the files are exactly the same use assert_equalfile(): >
585 call assert_equalfile("mysyntax.dump", "test.dump")
586
587If there are differences then v:errors will contain the error message.
588
589
590Comparing screen dumps ~
591 *terminal-diffscreendump*
592
593assert_equalfile() does not make it easy to see what is different.
594To spot the problem use term_dumpdiff(): >
595 call term_dumpdiff("mysyntax.dump", "test.dump")
596
597This will open a window consisting of three parts:
5981. The contents of the first dump
5992. The difference between the first and second dump
6003. The contents of the second dump
601
602You can usually see what differs in the second part. Use the 'ruler' to
Bram Moolenaar98ef2332018-03-18 14:44:37 +0100603relate it to the position in the first or second dump.
Bram Moolenaarda650582018-02-20 15:51:40 +0100604
Bram Moolenaar98ef2332018-03-18 14:44:37 +0100605Alternatively, press "s" to swap the first and second dump. Do this several
Bram Moolenaarda650582018-02-20 15:51:40 +0100606times so that you can spot the difference in the context of the text.
607
608==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaar8fbaeb12018-03-25 18:20:17 +02006095. Debugging *terminal-debug*
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +0200610
611The Terminal debugging plugin can be used to debug a program with gdb and view
Bram Moolenaare09ba7b2017-09-09 22:19:47 +0200612the source code in a Vim window. Since this is completely contained inside
613Vim this also works remotely over an ssh connection.
614
615
616Starting ~
Bram Moolenaar7f2e9d72017-11-11 20:58:53 +0100617 *termdebug-starting*
Bram Moolenaarc572da52017-08-27 16:52:01 +0200618Load the plugin with this command: >
619 packadd termdebug
Bram Moolenaare09ba7b2017-09-09 22:19:47 +0200620< *:Termdebug*
Bram Moolenaarf0b03c42017-12-17 17:17:07 +0100621To start debugging use `:Termdebug` followed by the command name, for example: >
Bram Moolenaar24a98a02017-09-27 22:23:55 +0200622 :Termdebug vim
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +0200623
Bram Moolenaarc572da52017-08-27 16:52:01 +0200624This opens two windows:
Bram Moolenaarf0b03c42017-12-17 17:17:07 +0100625
Bram Moolenaar45d5f262017-09-10 19:14:31 +0200626gdb window A terminal window in which "gdb vim" is executed. Here you
627 can directly interact with gdb. The buffer name is "!gdb".
Bram Moolenaarf0b03c42017-12-17 17:17:07 +0100628
Bram Moolenaar45d5f262017-09-10 19:14:31 +0200629program window A terminal window for the executed program. When "run" is
630 used in gdb the program I/O will happen in this window, so
631 that it does not interfere with controlling gdb. The buffer
632 name is "gdb program".
Bram Moolenaare09ba7b2017-09-09 22:19:47 +0200633
634The current window is used to show the source code. When gdb pauses the
635source file location will be displayed, if possible. A sign is used to
Bram Moolenaar71137fe2018-03-03 20:47:21 +0100636highlight the current position, using highlight group debugPC.
Bram Moolenaare09ba7b2017-09-09 22:19:47 +0200637
638If the buffer in the current window is modified, another window will be opened
639to display the current gdb position.
640
641Focus the terminal of the executed program to interact with it. This works
642the same as any command running in a terminal window.
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +0200643
Bram Moolenaar45d5f262017-09-10 19:14:31 +0200644When the debugger ends, typically by typing "quit" in the gdb window, the two
645opened windows are closed.
Bram Moolenaarc572da52017-08-27 16:52:01 +0200646
647
Bram Moolenaar24a98a02017-09-27 22:23:55 +0200648Example session ~
Bram Moolenaar7f2e9d72017-11-11 20:58:53 +0100649 *termdebug-example*
Bram Moolenaar24a98a02017-09-27 22:23:55 +0200650Start in the Vim "src" directory and build Vim: >
651 % make
652Start Vim: >
653 % ./vim
654Load the termdebug plugin and start debugging Vim: >
655 :packadd termdebug
656 :Termdebug vim
657You should now have three windows:
658 source - where you started, has a window toolbar with buttons
659 gdb - you can type gdb commands here
660 program - the executed program will use this window
Bram Moolenaar71137fe2018-03-03 20:47:21 +0100661
Bram Moolenaar24a98a02017-09-27 22:23:55 +0200662You can use CTRL-W CTRL-W or the mouse to move focus between windows.
663Put focus on the gdb window and type: >
664 break ex_help
665 run
666Vim will start running in the program window. Put focus there and type: >
667 :help gui
668Gdb will run into the ex_help breakpoint. The source window now shows the
669ex_cmds.c file. A ">>" marker will appear where the breakpoint was set. The
670line where the debugger stopped is highlighted. You can now step through the
671program. Let's use the mouse: click on the "Next" button in the window
672toolbar. You will see the highlighting move as the debugger executes a line
673of source code.
674
675Click "Next" a few times until the for loop is highlighted. Put the cursor on
676the end of "eap->arg", then click "Eval" in the toolbar. You will see this
677displayed:
678 "eap->arg": 0x555555e68855 "gui" ~
679This way you can inspect the value of local variables. You can also focus the
680gdb window and use a "print" command, e.g.: >
681 print *eap
Bram Moolenaar71137fe2018-03-03 20:47:21 +0100682If mouse pointer movements are working, Vim will also show a balloon when the
683mouse rests on text that can be evaluated by gdb.
Bram Moolenaar24a98a02017-09-27 22:23:55 +0200684
685Now go back to the source window and put the cursor on the first line after
686the for loop, then type: >
687 :Break
688You will see a ">>" marker appear, this indicates the new breakpoint. Now
689click "Cont" in the toolbar and the code until the breakpoint will be
690executed.
691
692You can type more advanced commands in the gdb window. For example, type: >
693 watch curbuf
694Now click "Cont" in the toolbar (or type "cont" in the gdb window). Execution
695will now continue until the value of "curbuf" changes, which is in do_ecmd().
696To remove this watchpoint again type in the gdb window: >
697 delete 3
698
699You can see the stack by typing in the gdb window: >
700 where
701Move through the stack frames, e.g. with: >
702 frame 3
703The source window will show the code, at the point where the call was made to
704a deeper level.
705
706
Bram Moolenaare09ba7b2017-09-09 22:19:47 +0200707Stepping through code ~
Bram Moolenaar7f2e9d72017-11-11 20:58:53 +0100708 *termdebug-stepping*
Bram Moolenaare09ba7b2017-09-09 22:19:47 +0200709Put focus on the gdb window to type commands there. Some common ones are:
Bram Moolenaar60e73f22017-11-12 18:02:06 +0100710- CTRL-C interrupt the program
711- next execute the current line and stop at the next line
712- step execute the current line and stop at the next statement,
713 entering functions
714- finish execute until leaving the current function
715- where show the stack
716- frame N go to the Nth stack frame
717- continue continue execution
Bram Moolenaare09ba7b2017-09-09 22:19:47 +0200718
Bram Moolenaar71137fe2018-03-03 20:47:21 +0100719In the window showing the source code these commands can be used to control gdb:
720 `:Run` [args] run the program with [args] or the previous arguments
721 `:Arguments` {args} set arguments for the next `:Run`
Bram Moolenaar60e73f22017-11-12 18:02:06 +0100722
Bram Moolenaar71137fe2018-03-03 20:47:21 +0100723 `:Break` set a breakpoint at the current line; a sign will be displayed
724 `:Clear` delete the breakpoint at the current line
Bram Moolenaar60e73f22017-11-12 18:02:06 +0100725
Bram Moolenaar71137fe2018-03-03 20:47:21 +0100726 `:Step` execute the gdb "step" command
727 `:Over` execute the gdb "next" command (`:Next` is a Vim command)
728 `:Finish` execute the gdb "finish" command
729 `:Continue` execute the gdb "continue" command
730 `:Stop` interrupt the program
Bram Moolenaar45d5f262017-09-10 19:14:31 +0200731
Bram Moolenaarf0b03c42017-12-17 17:17:07 +0100732If 'mouse' is set the plugin adds a window toolbar with these entries:
Bram Moolenaar71137fe2018-03-03 20:47:21 +0100733 Step `:Step`
734 Next `:Over`
735 Finish `:Finish`
736 Cont `:Continue`
737 Stop `:Stop`
738 Eval `:Evaluate`
Bram Moolenaarf0b03c42017-12-17 17:17:07 +0100739This way you can use the mouse to perform the most common commands. You need
740to have the 'mouse' option set to enable mouse clicks.
Bram Moolenaar1b9645d2017-09-17 23:03:31 +0200741
Bram Moolenaar71137fe2018-03-03 20:47:21 +0100742You can add the window toolbar in other windows you open with: >
743 :Winbar
744
Bram Moolenaarc4b533e2018-04-06 22:26:25 +0200745If gdb stops at a source line and there is no window currently showing the
746source code, a new window will be created for the source code. This also
747happens if the buffer in the source code window has been modified and can't be
748abandoned.
749
Bram Moolenaar45d5f262017-09-10 19:14:31 +0200750
751Inspecting variables ~
Bram Moolenaar7f2e9d72017-11-11 20:58:53 +0100752 *termdebug-variables*
Bram Moolenaar71137fe2018-03-03 20:47:21 +0100753 `:Evaluate` evaluate the expression under the cursor
754 `K` same
755 `:Evaluate` {expr} evaluate {expr}
756 `:'<,'>Evaluate` evaluate the Visually selected text
Bram Moolenaar45d5f262017-09-10 19:14:31 +0200757
758This is similar to using "print" in the gdb window.
Bram Moolenaar71137fe2018-03-03 20:47:21 +0100759You can usually shorten `:Evaluate` to `:Ev`.
Bram Moolenaar45d5f262017-09-10 19:14:31 +0200760
761
762Other commands ~
Bram Moolenaar7f2e9d72017-11-11 20:58:53 +0100763 *termdebug-commands*
Bram Moolenaarc4b533e2018-04-06 22:26:25 +0200764 :Gdb jump to the gdb window
765 :Program jump to the window with the running program
766 :Source jump to the window with the source code, create it if there
767 isn't one
Bram Moolenaare09ba7b2017-09-09 22:19:47 +0200768
769
770Communication ~
Bram Moolenaar7f2e9d72017-11-11 20:58:53 +0100771 *termdebug-communication*
Bram Moolenaare09ba7b2017-09-09 22:19:47 +0200772There is another, hidden, buffer, which is used for Vim to communicate with
773gdb. The buffer name is "gdb communication". Do not delete this buffer, it
774will break the debugger.
775
776
Bram Moolenaarc572da52017-08-27 16:52:01 +0200777Customizing ~
Bram Moolenaar71137fe2018-03-03 20:47:21 +0100778
779GDB command *termdebug-customizing*
780
Bram Moolenaare09ba7b2017-09-09 22:19:47 +0200781To change the name of the gdb command, set the "termdebugger" variable before
782invoking `:Termdebug`: >
783 let termdebugger = "mygdb"
Bram Moolenaar71137fe2018-03-03 20:47:21 +0100784< *gdb-version*
Bram Moolenaare09ba7b2017-09-09 22:19:47 +0200785Only debuggers fully compatible with gdb will work. Vim uses the GDB/MI
Bram Moolenaar98ef2332018-03-18 14:44:37 +0100786interface. The "new-ui" command requires gdb version 7.12 or later. if you
787get this error:
Bram Moolenaar01164a62017-11-02 22:58:42 +0100788 Undefined command: "new-ui". Try "help".~
789Then your gdb is too old.
Bram Moolenaare09ba7b2017-09-09 22:19:47 +0200790
Bram Moolenaar71137fe2018-03-03 20:47:21 +0100791
792Colors *hl-debugPC* *hl-debugBreakpoint*
793
Bram Moolenaare09ba7b2017-09-09 22:19:47 +0200794The color of the signs can be adjusted with these highlight groups:
795- debugPC the current position
796- debugBreakpoint a breakpoint
797
798The defaults are, when 'background' is "light":
799 hi debugPC term=reverse ctermbg=lightblue guibg=lightblue
800 hi debugBreakpoint term=reverse ctermbg=red guibg=red
801
802When 'background' is "dark":
803 hi debugPC term=reverse ctermbg=darkblue guibg=darkblue
804 hi debugBreakpoint term=reverse ctermbg=red guibg=red
Bram Moolenaarc572da52017-08-27 16:52:01 +0200805
Bram Moolenaar71137fe2018-03-03 20:47:21 +0100806
807Popup menu *termdebug_popup*
808
809By default the Termdebug plugin sets 'mousemodel' to "popup_setpos" and adds
810these entries to the popup menu:
811 Set breakpoint `:Break`
812 Clear breakpoint `:Clear`
813 Evaluate `:Evaluate`
814If you don't want this then disable it with: >
815 let g:termdebug_popup = 0
816
817
818Vim window width *termdebug_wide*
819
Bram Moolenaar38baa3e2017-09-14 16:10:38 +0200820To change the width of the Vim window when debugging starts, and use a
821vertical split: >
822 let g:termdebug_wide = 163
823This will set &columns to 163 when :Termdebug is used. The value is restored
824when quitting the debugger.
Bram Moolenaar24a98a02017-09-27 22:23:55 +0200825If g:termdebug_wide is set and &Columns is already larger than
826g:termdebug_wide then a vertical split will be used without changing &columns.
827Set it to 1 to get a vertical split without every changing &columns (useful
828for when the terminal can't be resized by Vim).
Bram Moolenaar38baa3e2017-09-14 16:10:38 +0200829
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +0200830
Bram Moolenaare4f25e42017-07-07 11:54:15 +0200831
832 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: