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Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00001*autocmd.txt* For Vim version 7.0aa. Last change: 2006 Mar 10
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Automatic commands *autocommand*
8
9For a basic explanation, see section |40.3| in the user manual.
10
111. Introduction |autocmd-intro|
122. Defining autocommands |autocmd-define|
133. Removing autocommands |autocmd-remove|
144. Listing autocommands |autocmd-list|
155. Events |autocmd-events|
166. Patterns |autocmd-patterns|
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000177. Buffer-local autocommands |autocmd-buflocal|
188. Groups |autocmd-groups|
199. Executing autocommands |autocmd-execute|
2010. Using autocommands |autocmd-use|
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00002111. Disabling autocommands |autocmd-disable|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000022
23{Vi does not have any of these commands}
24{only when the |+autocmd| feature has not been disabled at compile time}
25
26==============================================================================
271. Introduction *autocmd-intro*
28
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +000029You can specify commands to be executed automatically when reading or writing
30a file, when entering or leaving a buffer or window, and when exiting Vim.
31For example, you can create an autocommand to set the 'cindent' option for
32files matching *.c. You can also use autocommands to implement advanced
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000033features, such as editing compressed files (see |gzip-example|). The usual
34place to put autocommands is in your .vimrc or .exrc file.
35
36 *E203* *E204* *E143*
37WARNING: Using autocommands is very powerful, and may lead to unexpected side
38effects. Be careful not to destroy your text.
39- It's a good idea to do some testing on an expendable copy of a file first.
40 For example: If you use autocommands to decompress a file when starting to
41 edit it, make sure that the autocommands for compressing when writing work
42 correctly.
43- Be prepared for an error halfway through (e.g., disk full). Vim will mostly
44 be able to undo the changes to the buffer, but you may have to clean up the
45 changes to other files by hand (e.g., compress a file that has been
46 decompressed).
47- If the BufRead* events allow you to edit a compressed file, the FileRead*
48 events should do the same (this makes recovery possible in some rare cases).
49 It's a good idea to use the same autocommands for the File* and Buf* events
50 when possible.
51
52==============================================================================
532. Defining autocommands *autocmd-define*
54
55Note: The ":autocmd" command cannot be followed by another command, since any
56'|' is considered part of the command.
57
58 *:au* *:autocmd*
59:au[tocmd] [group] {event} {pat} [nested] {cmd}
60 Add {cmd} to the list of commands that Vim will
61 execute automatically on {event} for a file matching
62 {pat}. Vim always adds the {cmd} after existing
63 autocommands, so that the autocommands execute in the
64 order in which they were given. See |autocmd-nested|
65 for [nested].
66
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +000067The special pattern <buffer> or <buffer=N> defines a buffer-local autocommand.
68See |autocmd-buflocal|.
69
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000070Note that special characters (e.g., "%", "<cword>") in the ":autocmd"
71arguments are not expanded when the autocommand is defined. These will be
72expanded when the Event is recognized, and the {cmd} is executed. The only
73exception is that "<sfile>" is expanded when the autocmd is defined. Example:
74>
75 :au BufNewFile,BufRead *.html so <sfile>:h/html.vim
76
77Here Vim expands <sfile> to the name of the file containing this line.
78
79When your .vimrc file is sourced twice, the autocommands will appear twice.
80To avoid this, put this command in your .vimrc file, before defining
81autocommands: >
82
83 :autocmd! " Remove ALL autocommands for the current group.
84
85If you don't want to remove all autocommands, you can instead use a variable
86to ensure that Vim includes the autocommands only once: >
87
88 :if !exists("autocommands_loaded")
89 : let autocommands_loaded = 1
90 : au ...
91 :endif
92
93When the [group] argument is not given, Vim uses the current group (as defined
94with ":augroup"); otherwise, Vim uses the group defined with [group]. Note
95that [group] must have been defined before. You cannot define a new group
96with ":au group ..."; use ":augroup" for that.
97
98While testing autocommands, you might find the 'verbose' option to be useful: >
99 :set verbose=9
100This setting makes Vim echo the autocommands as it executes them.
101
102When defining an autocommand in a script, it will be able to call functions
103local to the script and use mappings local to the script. When the event is
104triggered and the command executed, it will run in the context of the script
105it was defined in. This matters if |<SID>| is used in a command.
106
107When executing the commands, the messages from one command overwrites a
108previous message. This is different from when executing the commands
109manually. Mostly the screen will not scroll up, thus there is no hit-enter
110prompt. When one command outputs two messages this can happen anyway.
111
112==============================================================================
1133. Removing autocommands *autocmd-remove*
114
115:au[tocmd]! [group] {event} {pat} [nested] {cmd}
116 Remove all autocommands associated with {event} and
117 {pat}, and add the command {cmd}. See
118 |autocmd-nested| for [nested].
119
120:au[tocmd]! [group] {event} {pat}
121 Remove all autocommands associated with {event} and
122 {pat}.
123
124:au[tocmd]! [group] * {pat}
125 Remove all autocommands associated with {pat} for all
126 events.
127
128:au[tocmd]! [group] {event}
129 Remove ALL autocommands for {event}.
130
131:au[tocmd]! [group] Remove ALL autocommands.
132
133When the [group] argument is not given, Vim uses the current group (as defined
134with ":augroup"); otherwise, Vim uses the group defined with [group].
135
136==============================================================================
1374. Listing autocommands *autocmd-list*
138
139:au[tocmd] [group] {event} {pat}
140 Show the autocommands associated with {event} and
141 {pat}.
142
143:au[tocmd] [group] * {pat}
144 Show the autocommands associated with {pat} for all
145 events.
146
147:au[tocmd] [group] {event}
148 Show all autocommands for {event}.
149
150:au[tocmd] [group] Show all autocommands.
151
152If you provide the [group] argument, Vim lists only the autocommands for
153[group]; otherwise, Vim lists the autocommands for ALL groups. Note that this
154argument behavior differs from that for defining and removing autocommands.
155
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000156In order to list buffer-local autocommands, use a pattern in the form <buffer>
157or <buffer=N>. See |autocmd-buflocal|.
158
Bram Moolenaarac6e65f2005-08-29 22:25:38 +0000159 *:autocmd-verbose*
160When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing an autocommand will also display where it
161was last defined. Example: >
162
163 :verbose autocmd BufEnter
164 FileExplorer BufEnter
165 * call s:LocalBrowse(expand("<amatch>"))
166 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/plugin/NetrwPlugin.vim
167<
168See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
169
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000170==============================================================================
1715. Events *autocmd-events* *E215* *E216*
172
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000173You can specify a comma-separated list of event names. No white space can be
174used in this list. The command applies to all the events in the list.
175
176For READING FILES there are four kinds of events possible:
177 BufNewFile starting to edit a non-existent file
178 BufReadPre BufReadPost starting to edit an existing file
179 FilterReadPre FilterReadPost read the temp file with filter output
180 FileReadPre FileReadPost any other file read
181Vim uses only one of these four kinds when reading a file. The "Pre" and
182"Post" events are both triggered, before and after reading the file.
183
184Note that the autocommands for the *ReadPre events and all the Filter events
185are not allowed to change the current buffer (you will get an error message if
186this happens). This is to prevent the file to be read into the wrong buffer.
187
188Note that the 'modified' flag is reset AFTER executing the BufReadPost
189and BufNewFile autocommands. But when the 'modified' option was set by the
190autocommands, this doesn't happen.
191
192You can use the 'eventignore' option to ignore a number of events or all
193events.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000194 *autocommand-events* *{event}*
195Vim recognizes the following events. Vim ignores the case of event names
196(e.g., you can use "BUFread" or "bufread" instead of "BufRead").
197
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000198First an overview by function with a short explanation. Then the list
199alpabetically with full explanations |autocmd-events-abc|.
200
201Name triggered by ~
202
203 Reading
204|BufNewFile| starting to edit a file that doesn't exist
205|BufReadPre| starting to edit a new buffer, before reading the file
206|BufRead| starting to edit a new buffer, after reading the file
207|BufReadPost| starting to edit a new buffer, after reading the file
208|BufReadCmd| before starting to edit a new buffer |Cmd-event|
209
210|FileReadPre| before reading a file with a ":read" command
211|FileReadPost| after reading a file with a ":read" command
212|FileReadCmd| before reading a file with a ":read" comman |Cmd-event|
213
214|FilterReadPre| before reading a file from a filter command
215|FilterReadPost| after reading a file from a filter command
216
217|StdinReadPre| before reading from stdin into the buffer
218|StdinReadPost| After reading from the stdin into the buffer
219
220 Writing
221|BufWrite| starting to write the whole buffer to a file
222|BufWritePre| starting to write the whole buffer to a file
223|BufWritePost| after writing the whole buffer to a file
224|BufWriteCmd| before writing the whole buffer to a file |Cmd-event|
225
226|FileWritePre| starting to write part of a buffer to a file
227|FileWritePost| after writing part of a buffer to a file
228|FileWriteCmd| before writing part of a buffer to a file |Cmd-event|
229
230|FileAppendPre| starting to append to a file
231|FileAppendPost| after appending to a file
232|FileAppendCmd| before appending to a file |Cmd-event|
233
234|FilterWritePre| starting to write a file for a filter command or diff
235|FilterWritePost| after writing a file for a filter command or diff
236
237 Buffers
238|BufAdd| just after adding a buffer to the buffer list
239|BufCreate| just after adding a buffer to the buffer list
240|BufDelete| before deleting a buffer from the buffer list
241|BufWipeout| before completely deleting a buffer
242
243|BufFilePre| before changing the name of the current buffer
244|BufFilePost| after changing the name of the current buffer
245
246|BufEnter| after entering a buffer
247|BufLeave| before leaving to another buffer
248|BufWinEnter| after a buffer is displayed in a window
249|BufWinLeave| before a buffer is removed from a window
250
251|BufUnload| before unloading a buffer
252|BufHidden| just after a buffer has become hidden
253|BufNew| just after creating a new buffer
254
255|SwapExists| detected an existing swap file
256
257 Options
258|FileType| when the 'filetype' option has been set
259|Syntax| when the 'syntax' option has been set
260|EncodingChanged| after the 'encoding' option has been changed
261|TermChanged| after the value of 'term' has changed
262
263 Startup and exit
264|VimEnter| after doing all the startup stuff
265|GUIEnter| after starting the GUI successfully
266|TermResponse| after the termainal response to |t_RV| is received
267
268|VimLeavePre| before exiting Vim, before writing the viminfo file
269|VimLeave| before exiting Vim, after writing the viminfo file
270
271 Various
272|FileChangedShell| Vim notices that a file changed since editing started
273|FileChangedRO| before making the first change to a read-only file
274
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +0000275|ShellCmdPost| after executing a shell command
276|ShellFilterPost| after filtering with a shell command
277
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000278|FuncUndefined| a user function is used but it isn't defined
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000279|SpellFileMissing| a spell file is used but it can't be found
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +0000280|SourcePre| before sourcing a Vim script
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000281
282|FocusGained| Vim got input focus
283|FocusLost| Vim lost input focus
284|CursorHold| the user doesn't press a key for a while
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000285|CursorHoldI| the user doesn't press a key for a while in Insert mode
286|CursorMoved| the cursor was moved in Normal mode
287|CursorMovedI| the cursor was moved in Insert mode
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000288
289|WinEnter| after entering another window
290|WinLeave| before leaving a window
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000291|TabEnter| after entering another tab page
292|TabLeave| before leaving a tab page
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000293|CmdwinEnter| after entering the command-line window
294|CmdwinLeave| before leaving the command-line window
295
296|InsertEnter| starting Insert mode
297|InsertChange| when typing <Insert> while in Insert or Replace mode
298|InsertLeave| when leaving Insert mode
299
300|ColorScheme| after loading a color scheme
301
302|RemoteReply| a reply from a server Vim was received
303
304|QuickFixCmdPre| before a quickfix command is run
305|QuickFixCmdPost| after a quickfix command is run
306
307|SessionLoadPost| after loading a session file
308
309|MenuPopup| just before showing the popup menu
310
311|User| to be used in combination with ":doautocmd"
312
313
314The alphabetical list of autocommand events: *autocmd-events-abc*
315
316 *BufCreate* *BufAdd*
317BufAdd or BufCreate Just after creating a new buffer which is
318 added to the buffer list, or adding a buffer
319 to the buffer list.
320 Also used just after a buffer in the buffer
321 list has been renamed.
322 The BufCreate event is for historic reasons.
323 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
324 current buffer "%" may be different from the
325 buffer being created "<afile>".
326 *BufDelete*
327BufDelete Before deleting a buffer from the buffer list.
328 The BufUnload may be called first (if the
329 buffer was loaded).
330 Also used just before a buffer in the buffer
331 list is renamed.
332 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
333 current buffer "%" may be different from the
334 buffer being deleted "<afile>".
335 *BufEnter*
336BufEnter After entering a buffer. Useful for setting
337 options for a file type. Also executed when
338 starting to edit a buffer, after the
339 BufReadPost autocommands.
340 *BufFilePost*
341BufFilePost After changing the name of the current buffer
342 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000343 *BufFilePre*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000344BufFilePre Before changing the name of the current buffer
345 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
346 *BufHidden*
347BufHidden Just after a buffer has become hidden. That
348 is, when there are no longer windows that show
349 the buffer, but the buffer is not unloaded or
350 deleted. Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when
351 exiting Vim.
352 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
353 current buffer "%" may be different from the
354 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
355 *BufLeave*
356BufLeave Before leaving to another buffer. Also when
357 leaving or closing the current window and the
358 new current window is not for the same buffer.
359 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
360 *BufNew*
361BufNew Just after creating a new buffer. Also used
362 just after a buffer has been renamed. When
363 the buffer is added to the buffer list BufAdd
364 will be triggered too.
365 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
366 current buffer "%" may be different from the
367 buffer being created "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000368 *BufNewFile*
369BufNewFile When starting to edit a file that doesn't
370 exist. Can be used to read in a skeleton
371 file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000372 *BufRead* *BufReadPost*
373BufRead or BufReadPost When starting to edit a new buffer, after
374 reading the file into the buffer, before
375 executing the modelines. See |BufWinEnter|
376 for when you need to do something after
377 processing the modelines.
378 This does NOT work for ":r file". Not used
379 when the file doesn't exist. Also used after
380 successfully recovering a file.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000381 *BufReadCmd*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000382BufReadCmd Before starting to edit a new buffer. Should
383 read the file into the buffer. |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000384 *BufReadPre* *E200* *E201*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000385BufReadPre When starting to edit a new buffer, before
386 reading the file into the buffer. Not used
387 if the file doesn't exist.
388 *BufUnload*
389BufUnload Before unloading a buffer. This is when the
390 text in the buffer is going to be freed. This
391 may be after a BufWritePost and before a
392 BufDelete. Also used for all buffers that are
393 loaded when Vim is going to exit.
394 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
395 current buffer "%" may be different from the
396 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
397 *BufWinEnter*
398BufWinEnter After a buffer is displayed in a window. This
399 can be when the buffer is loaded (after
400 processing the modelines), when a hidden
401 buffer is displayed in a window (and is no
402 longer hidden) or a buffer already visible in
403 a window is also displayed in another window.
404 *BufWinLeave*
405BufWinLeave Before a buffer is removed from a window.
406 Not when it's still visible in another window.
407 Also triggered when exiting. It's triggered
408 before BufUnload or BufHidden.
409 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
410 current buffer "%" may be different from the
411 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
412 *BufWipeout*
413BufWipeout Before completely deleting a buffer. The
414 BufUnload and BufDelete events may be called
415 first (if the buffer was loaded and was in the
416 buffer list). Also used just before a buffer
417 is renamed (also when it's not in the buffer
418 list).
419 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
420 current buffer "%" may be different from the
421 buffer being deleted "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000422 *BufWrite* *BufWritePre*
423BufWrite or BufWritePre Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000424 *BufWriteCmd*
425BufWriteCmd Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
426 Should do the writing of the file and reset
Bram Moolenaar1cd871b2004-12-19 22:46:22 +0000427 'modified' if successful, unless '+' is in
428 'cpo' and writing to another file |cpo-+|.
429 The buffer contents should not be changed.
430 |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000431 *BufWritePost*
432BufWritePost After writing the whole buffer to a file
433 (should undo the commands for BufWritePre).
434 *CmdwinEnter*
435CmdwinEnter After entering the command-line window.
436 Useful for setting options specifically for
437 this special type of window. This is
438 triggered _instead_ of BufEnter and WinEnter.
439 <afile> is set to a single character,
440 indicating the type of command-line.
441 |cmdwin-char|
442 *CmdwinLeave*
443CmdwinLeave Before leaving the command-line window.
444 Useful to clean up any global setting done
445 with CmdwinEnter. This is triggered _instead_
446 of BufLeave and WinLeave.
447 <afile> is set to a single character,
448 indicating the type of command-line.
449 |cmdwin-char|
450 *ColorScheme*
451ColorScheme After loading a color scheme. |:colorscheme|
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000452
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000453 *CursorHold*
454CursorHold When the user doesn't press a key for the time
455 specified with 'updatetime'. Not re-triggered
456 until the user has pressed a key (i.e. doesn't
457 fire every 'updatetime' ms if you leave Vim to
458 make some coffee. :) See |CursorHold-example|
459 for previewing tags.
460 This event is only triggered in Normal mode.
Bram Moolenaare3226be2005-12-18 22:10:00 +0000461 While recording the CursorHold event is not
462 triggered. |q|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000463 Note: Interactive commands cannot be used for
464 this event. There is no hit-enter prompt,
465 the screen is updated directly (when needed).
466 Note: In the future there will probably be
467 another option to set the time.
468 Hint: to force an update of the status lines
469 use: >
470 :let &ro = &ro
471< {only on Amiga, Unix, Win32, MSDOS and all GUI
472 versions}
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000473 *CursorHoldI*
474CursorHoldI Just like CursorHold, but in Insert mode.
475
476 *CursorMoved*
477CursorMoved After the cursor was moved in Normal mode.
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +0000478 Also when the text of the cursor line has been
479 changed, e.g., with "x", "rx" or "p".
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000480 Not triggered when there is typeahead or when
481 an operator is pending.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000482 For an example see |match-parens|.
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000483 Careful: Don't do anything that the user does
484 not expect or that is slow.
485 *CursorMovedI*
486CursorMovedI After the cursor was moved in Insert mode.
487 Otherwise the same as CursorMoved.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000488 *EncodingChanged*
489EncodingChanged Fires off after the 'encoding' option has been
490 changed. Useful to set up fonts, for example.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000491 *FileAppendCmd*
492FileAppendCmd Before appending to a file. Should do the
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000493 appending to the file. Use the '[ and ']
494 marks for the range of lines.|Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000495 *FileAppendPost*
496FileAppendPost After appending to a file.
497 *FileAppendPre*
498FileAppendPre Before appending to a file. Use the '[ and ']
499 marks for the range of lines.
500 *FileChangedRO*
501FileChangedRO Before making the first change to a read-only
502 file. Can be used to check-out the file from
503 a source control system. Not triggered when
504 the change was caused by an autocommand.
505 This event is triggered when making the first
506 change in a buffer or the first change after
507 'readonly' was set,
508 just before the change is applied to the text.
509 WARNING: If the autocommand moves the cursor
510 the effect of the change is undefined.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000511 *FileChangedShell*
512FileChangedShell When Vim notices that the modification time of
513 a file has changed since editing started.
514 Also when the file attributes of the file
515 change. |timestamp|
516 Mostly triggered after executing a shell
517 command, but also with a |:checktime| command
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000518 or when Gvim regains input focus.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000519 This autocommand is triggered for each changed
520 file. It is not used when 'autoread' is set
521 and the buffer was not changed. If a
522 FileChangedShell autocommand is present the
523 warning message and prompt is not given.
524 This is useful for reloading related buffers
525 which are affected by a single command.
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000526 The |v:fcs_reason| variable is set to indicate
527 what happened and |v:fcs_choice| can be used
528 to tell Vim what to do next.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000529 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
530 current buffer "%" may be different from the
531 buffer that was changed "<afile>".
532 NOTE: The commands must not change the current
533 buffer, jump to another buffer or delete a
534 buffer. *E246*
535 NOTE: This event never nests, to avoid an
536 endless loop. This means that while executing
537 commands for the FileChangedShell event no
538 other FileChangedShell event will be
539 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000540 *FileEncoding*
541FileEncoding Obsolete. It still works and is equivalent
542 to |EncodingChanged|.
543 *FileReadCmd*
544FileReadCmd Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
545 Should do the reading of the file. |Cmd-event|
546 *FileReadPost*
547FileReadPost After reading a file with a ":read" command.
548 Note that Vim sets the '[ and '] marks to the
549 first and last line of the read. This can be
550 used to operate on the lines just read.
551 *FileReadPre*
552FileReadPre Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
553 *FileType*
554FileType When the 'filetype' option has been set.
555 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
556 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
557 the new value of 'filetype'.
558 See |filetypes|.
559 *FileWriteCmd*
560FileWriteCmd Before writing to a file, when not writing the
561 whole buffer. Should do the writing to the
562 file. Should not change the buffer. Use the
563 '[ and '] marks for the range of lines.
564 |Cmd-event|
565 *FileWritePost*
566FileWritePost After writing to a file, when not writing the
567 whole buffer.
568 *FileWritePre*
569FileWritePre Before writing to a file, when not writing the
570 whole buffer. Use the '[ and '] marks for the
571 range of lines.
572 *FilterReadPost*
573FilterReadPost After reading a file from a filter command.
574 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
575 the current buffer as with FilterReadPre.
576 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
577 *FilterReadPre* *E135*
578FilterReadPre Before reading a file from a filter command.
579 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
580 the current buffer, not the name of the
581 temporary file that is the output of the
582 filter command.
583 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
584 *FilterWritePost*
585FilterWritePost After writing a file for a filter command or
586 making a diff.
587 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
588 the current buffer as with FilterWritePre.
589 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
590 *FilterWritePre*
591FilterWritePre Before writing a file for a filter command or
592 making a diff.
593 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
594 the current buffer, not the name of the
595 temporary file that is the output of the
596 filter command.
597 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000598 *FocusGained*
599FocusGained When Vim got input focus. Only for the GUI
600 version and a few console versions where this
601 can be detected.
602 *FocusLost*
603FocusLost When Vim lost input focus. Only for the GUI
604 version and a few console versions where this
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +0000605 can be detected. May also happen when a
606 dialog pops up.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000607 *FuncUndefined*
608FuncUndefined When a user function is used but it isn't
609 defined. Useful for defining a function only
610 when it's used. Both <amatch> and <afile> are
611 set to the name of the function.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000612 See |autoload-functions|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000613 *GUIEnter*
614GUIEnter After starting the GUI successfully, and after
615 opening the window. It is triggered before
616 VimEnter when using gvim. Can be used to
617 position the window from a .gvimrc file: >
618 :autocmd GUIEnter * winpos 100 50
619< *InsertChange*
620InsertChange When typing <Insert> while in Insert or
621 Replace mode. The |v:insertmode| variable
622 indicates the new mode.
623 Be careful not to move the cursor or do
624 anything else that the user does not expect.
625 *InsertEnter*
626InsertEnter When starting Insert mode. Also for Replace
627 mode and Virtual Replace mode. The
628 |v:insertmode| variable indicates the mode.
629 Be careful not to move the cursor or do
630 anything else that the user does not expect.
631 *InsertLeave*
632InsertLeave When leaving Insert mode. Also when using
633 CTRL-O |i_CTRL-O|. But not for |i_CTRL-C|.
634 *MenuPopup*
635MenuPopup Just before showing the popup menu (under the
636 right mouse button). Useful for adjusting the
637 menu for what is under the cursor or mouse
638 pointer.
639 The pattern is matched against a single
640 character representing the mode:
641 n Normal
642 v Visual
643 o Operator-pending
644 i Insert
645 c Commmand line
646 *QuickFixCmdPre*
647QuickFixCmdPre Before a quickfix command is run (|:make|,
Bram Moolenaara6557602006-02-04 22:43:20 +0000648 |:lmake|, |:grep|, |:lgrep|, |:grepadd|,
649 |:lgrepadd|, |:vimgrep|, |:lvimgrep|,
650 |:vimgrepadd|, |:vimgrepadd|). The pattern is
651 matched against the command being run. When
652 |:grep| is used but 'grepprg' is set to
653 "internal" it still matches "grep".
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000654 This command cannot be used to set the
655 'makeprg' and 'grepprg' variables.
656 If this command causes an error, the quickfix
657 command is not executed.
658 *QuickFixCmdPost*
659QuickFixCmdPost Like QuickFixCmdPre, but after a quickfix
660 command is run.
661 *RemoteReply*
662RemoteReply When a reply from a Vim that functions as
663 server was received |server2client()|.
664 <amatch> is equal to the {serverid} from which
665 the reply was sent, and <afile> is the actual
666 reply string.
667 Note that even if an autocommand is defined,
668 the reply should be read with |remote_read()|
669 to consume it.
670 *SessionLoadPost*
671SessionLoadPost After loading the session file created using
672 the |:mksession| command.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +0000673 *ShellCmdPost*
674ShellCmdPost After executing a shell command with |:!cmd|,
675 |:shell|, |:make| and |:grep|. Can be used to
676 check for any changed files.
677 *ShellFilterPost*
678ShellFilterPost After executing a shell command with
679 ":{range}!cmd", ":w !cmd" or ":r !cmd".
680 Can be used to check for any changed files.
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +0000681 *SourcePre*
682SourcePre Before sourcing a Vim script. |:source|
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000683 *SpellFileMissing*
684SpellFileMissing When trying to load a spell checking file and
685 it can't be found. <amatch> is the language,
686 'encoding' also matters. See
687 |spell-SpellFileMissing|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000688 *StdinReadPost*
689StdinReadPost After reading from the stdin into the buffer,
690 before executing the modelines. Only used
691 when the "-" argument was used when Vim was
692 started |--|.
693 *StdinReadPre*
694StdinReadPre Before reading from stdin into the buffer.
695 Only used when the "-" argument was used when
696 Vim was started |--|.
697 *SwapExists*
698SwapExists Detected an existing swap file when starting
699 to edit a file. Only when it is possible to
700 select a way to handle the situation, when Vim
701 would ask the user what to do.
702 The |v:swapname| variable holds the name of
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +0000703 the swap file found, <afile> the file being
704 edited. |v:swapcommand| may contain a command
705 to be executed in the opened file.
706 The commands should set the |v:swapchoice|
707 variable to a string with one character to
708 tell Vim what should be done next:
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000709 'o' open read-only
710 'e' edit the file anyway
711 'r' recover
712 'd' delete the swap file
713 'q' quit, don't edit the file
714 'a' abort, like hitting CTRL-C
715 When set to an empty string the user will be
716 asked, as if there was no SwapExists autocmd.
717 Note: Do not try to change the buffer, the
718 results are unpredictable.
719 *Syntax*
720Syntax When the 'syntax' option has been set.
721 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
722 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
723 the new value of 'syntax'.
724 See |:syn-on|.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000725 *TabEnter*
726TabEnter Just after entering a tab page. |tab-page|
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +0000727 Before triggering the WinEnter and BufEnter
728 events.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000729 *TabLeave*
730TabLeave Just before leaving a tab page. |tab-page|
731 A WinLeave event will have been triggered
732 first.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000733 *TermChanged*
734TermChanged After the value of 'term' has changed. Useful
735 for re-loading the syntax file to update the
736 colors, fonts and other terminal-dependent
737 settings. Executed for all loaded buffers.
738 *TermResponse*
739TermResponse After the response to |t_RV| is received from
740 the terminal. The value of |v:termresponse|
741 can be used to do things depending on the
742 terminal version.
743 *User*
744User Never executed automatically. To be used for
745 autocommands that are only executed with
746 ":doautocmd".
747 *UserGettingBored*
748UserGettingBored When the user hits CTRL-C. Just kidding! :-)
749 *VimEnter*
750VimEnter After doing all the startup stuff, including
751 loading .vimrc files, executing the "-c cmd"
752 arguments, creating all windows and loading
753 the buffers in them.
754 *VimLeave*
755VimLeave Before exiting Vim, just after writing the
756 .viminfo file. Executed only once, like
757 VimLeavePre.
758 To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
759 *VimLeavePre*
760VimLeavePre Before exiting Vim, just before writing the
761 .viminfo file. This is executed only once,
762 if there is a match with the name of what
763 happens to be the current buffer when exiting.
764 Mostly useful with a "*" pattern. >
765 :autocmd VimLeavePre * call CleanupStuff()
766< To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000767 *WinEnter*
768WinEnter After entering another window. Not done for
769 the first window, when Vim has just started.
770 Useful for setting the window height.
771 If the window is for another buffer, Vim
772 executes the BufEnter autocommands after the
773 WinEnter autocommands.
774 Note: When using ":split fname" the WinEnter
775 event is triggered after the split but before
776 the file "fname" is loaded.
777 *WinLeave*
778WinLeave Before leaving a window. If the window to be
779 entered next is for a different buffer, Vim
780 executes the BufLeave autocommands before the
781 WinLeave autocommands (but not for ":new").
782 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000783
784==============================================================================
7856. Patterns *autocmd-patterns* *{pat}*
786
787The file pattern {pat} is tested for a match against the file name in one of
788two ways:
7891. When there is no '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against only
790 the tail part of the file name (without its leading directory path).
7912. When there is a '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against the
792 both short file name (as you typed it) and the full file name (after
793 expanding it to a full path and resolving symbolic links).
794
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000795The special pattern <buffer> or <buffer=N> is used for buffer-local
796autocommands |autocmd-buflocal|. This pattern is not matched against the name
797of a buffer.
798
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000799Examples: >
800 :autocmd BufRead *.txt set et
801Set the 'et' option for all text files. >
802
803 :autocmd BufRead /vim/src/*.c set cindent
804Set the 'cindent' option for C files in the /vim/src directory. >
805
806 :autocmd BufRead /tmp/*.c set ts=5
807If you have a link from "/tmp/test.c" to "/home/nobody/vim/src/test.c", and
808you start editing "/tmp/test.c", this autocommand will match.
809
810Note: To match part of a path, but not from the root directory, use a '*' as
811the first character. Example: >
812 :autocmd BufRead */doc/*.txt set tw=78
813This autocommand will for example be executed for "/tmp/doc/xx.txt" and
814"/usr/home/piet/doc/yy.txt". The number of directories does not matter here.
815
816
817The file name that the pattern is matched against is after expanding
818wildcards. Thus is you issue this command: >
819 :e $ROOTDIR/main.$EXT
820The argument is first expanded to: >
821 /usr/root/main.py
822Before it's matched with the pattern of the autocommand. Careful with this
823when using events like FileReadCmd, the value of <amatch> may not be what you
824expect.
825
826
827Environment variables can be used in a pattern: >
828 :autocmd BufRead $VIMRUNTIME/doc/*.txt set expandtab
829And ~ can be used for the home directory (if $HOME is defined): >
830 :autocmd BufWritePost ~/.vimrc so ~/.vimrc
831 :autocmd BufRead ~archive/* set readonly
832The environment variable is expanded when the autocommand is defined, not when
833the autocommand is executed. This is different from the command!
834
835 *file-pattern*
836The pattern is interpreted like mostly used in file names:
837 * matches any sequence of characters
838 ? matches any single character
839 \? matches a '?'
840 . matches a '.'
841 ~ matches a '~'
842 , separates patterns
843 \, matches a ','
844 { } like \( \) in a |pattern|
845 , inside { }: like \| in a |pattern|
846 \ special meaning like in a |pattern|
847 [ch] matches 'c' or 'h'
848 [^ch] match any character but 'c' and 'h'
849
850Note that for all systems the '/' character is used for path separator (even
851MS-DOS and OS/2). This was done because the backslash is difficult to use
852in a pattern and to make the autocommands portable across different systems.
853
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000854 *autocmd-changes*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000855Matching with the pattern is done when an event is triggered. Changing the
856buffer name in one of the autocommands, or even deleting the buffer, does not
857change which autocommands will be executed. Example: >
858
859 au BufEnter *.foo bdel
860 au BufEnter *.foo set modified
861
862This will delete the current buffer and then set 'modified' in what has become
863the current buffer instead. Vim doesn't take into account that "*.foo"
864doesn't match with that buffer name. It matches "*.foo" with the name of the
865buffer at the moment the event was triggered.
866
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000867However, buffer-local autocommands will not be executed for a buffer that has
868been wiped out with |:bwipe|. After deleting the buffer with |:bdel| the
869buffer actually still exists (it becomes unlisted), thus the autocommands are
870still executed.
871
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000872==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00008737. Buffer-local autocommands *autocmd-buflocal* *autocmd-buffer-local*
874 *<buffer=N>* *<buffer=abuf>* *E680*
875
876Buffer-local autocommands are attached to a specific buffer. They are useful
877if the buffer does not have a name and when the name does not match a specific
878pattern. But it also means they must be explicitly added to each buffer.
879
880Instead of a pattern buffer-local autocommands use one of these forms:
881 <buffer> current buffer
882 <buffer=99> buffer number 99
883 <buffer=abuf> using <abuf> (only when executing autocommands)
884 |<abuf>|
885
886Examples: >
887 :au CursorHold <buffer> echo 'hold'
888 :au CursorHold <buffer=33> echo 'hold'
889 :au CursorHold <buffer=abuf> echo 'hold'
890
891All the commands for autocommands also work with buffer-local autocommands,
892simply use the special string instead of the pattern. Examples: >
893 :au! * <buffer> " remove buffer-local autotommands for
894 " current buffer
895 :au! * <buffer=33> " remove buffer-local autotommands for
896 " buffer #33
897 :dobuf :au! CursorHold <buffer> " remove autocmd for given event for all
898 " buffers
899 :au * <buffer> " list buffer-local autocommands for
900 " current buffer
901
902Note that when an autocommand is defined for the current buffer, it is stored
903with the buffer number. Thus it uses the form "<buffer=12>", where 12 is the
904number of the current buffer. You will see this when listing autocommands,
905for example.
906
907To test for presence of buffer-local autocommands use the |exists()| function
908as follows: >
909 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer=12>") | ... | endif
910 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer>") | ... | endif " for current buffer
911
912When a buffer is wiped out its buffer-local autocommands are also gone, of
913course. Note that when deleting a buffer, e.g., with ":bdel", it is only
914unlisted, the autocommands are still present. In order to see the removal of
915buffer-local autocommands: >
916 :set verbose=6
917
918It is not possible to define buffer-local autocommands for a non-existent
919buffer.
920
921==============================================================================
9228. Groups *autocmd-groups*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000923
924Autocommands can be put together in a group. This is useful for removing or
925executing a group of autocommands. For example, all the autocommands for
926syntax highlighting are put in the "highlight" group, to be able to execute
927":doautoall highlight BufRead" when the GUI starts.
928
929When no specific group is selected, Vim uses the default group. The default
930group does not have a name. You cannot execute the autocommands from the
931default group separately; you can execute them only by executing autocommands
932for all groups.
933
934Normally, when executing autocommands automatically, Vim uses the autocommands
935for all groups. The group only matters when executing autocommands with
936":doautocmd" or ":doautoall", or when defining or deleting autocommands.
937
938The group name can contain any characters except white space. The group name
939"end" is reserved (also in uppercase).
940
941The group name is case sensitive. Note that this is different from the event
942name!
943
944 *:aug* *:augroup*
945:aug[roup] {name} Define the autocmd group name for the
946 following ":autocmd" commands. The name "end"
947 or "END" selects the default group.
948
949 *:augroup-delete* *E367*
950:aug[roup]! {name} Delete the autocmd group {name}. Don't use
951 this if there is still an autocommand using
952 this group! This is not checked.
953
954To enter autocommands for a specific group, use this method:
9551. Select the group with ":augroup {name}".
9562. Delete any old autocommands with ":au!".
9573. Define the autocommands.
9584. Go back to the default group with "augroup END".
959
960Example: >
961 :augroup uncompress
962 : au!
963 : au BufEnter *.gz %!gunzip
964 :augroup END
965
966This prevents having the autocommands defined twice (e.g., after sourcing the
967.vimrc file again).
968
969==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00009709. Executing autocommands *autocmd-execute*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000971
972Vim can also execute Autocommands non-automatically. This is useful if you
973have changed autocommands, or when Vim has executed the wrong autocommands
974(e.g., the file pattern match was wrong).
975
976Note that the 'eventignore' option applies here too. Events listed in this
977option will not cause any commands to be executed.
978
979 *:do* *:doau* *:doautocmd* *E217*
980:do[autocmd] [group] {event} [fname]
981 Apply the autocommands matching [fname] (default:
982 current file name) for {event} to the current buffer.
983 You can use this when the current file name does not
984 match the right pattern, after changing settings, or
985 to execute autocommands for a certain event.
986 It's possible to use this inside an autocommand too,
987 so you can base the autocommands for one extension on
988 another extension. Example: >
989 :au Bufenter *.cpp so ~/.vimrc_cpp
990 :au Bufenter *.cpp doau BufEnter x.c
991< Be careful to avoid endless loops. See
992 |autocmd-nested|.
993
994 When the [group] argument is not given, Vim executes
995 the autocommands for all groups. When the [group]
996 argument is included, Vim executes only the matching
997 autocommands for that group. Note: if you use an
998 undefined group name, Vim gives you an error message.
999
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001000 After applying the autocommands the modelines are
1001 processed, so that their overrule the settings from
1002 autocommands, like what happens when editing a file.
1003
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001004 *:doautoa* *:doautoall*
1005:doautoa[ll] [group] {event} [fname]
1006 Like ":doautocmd", but apply the autocommands to each
1007 loaded buffer. Note that {fname} is used to select
1008 the autocommands, not the buffers to which they are
1009 applied.
1010 Careful: Don't use this for autocommands that delete a
1011 buffer, change to another buffer or change the
1012 contents of a buffer; the result is unpredictable.
1013 This command is intended for autocommands that set
1014 options, change highlighting, and things like that.
1015
1016==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000101710. Using autocommands *autocmd-use*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001018
1019For WRITING FILES there are four possible sets of events. Vim uses only one
1020of these sets for a write command:
1021
1022BufWriteCmd BufWritePre BufWritePost writing the whole buffer
1023 FilterWritePre FilterWritePost writing to filter temp file
1024FileAppendCmd FileAppendPre FileAppendPost appending to a file
1025FileWriteCmd FileWritePre FileWritePost any other file write
1026
1027When there is a matching "*Cmd" autocommand, it is assumed it will do the
1028writing. No further writing is done and the other events are not triggered.
1029|Cmd-event|
1030
1031Note that the *WritePost commands should undo any changes to the buffer that
1032were caused by the *WritePre commands; otherwise, writing the file will have
1033the side effect of changing the buffer.
1034
1035Before executing the autocommands, the buffer from which the lines are to be
1036written temporarily becomes the current buffer. Unless the autocommands
1037change the current buffer or delete the previously current buffer, the
1038previously current buffer is made the current buffer again.
1039
1040The *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands must not delete the buffer from
1041which the lines are to be written.
1042
1043The '[ and '] marks have a special position:
1044- Before the *ReadPre event the '[ mark is set to the line just above where
1045 the new lines will be inserted.
1046- Before the *ReadPost event the '[ mark is set to the first line that was
1047 just read, the '] mark to the last line.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001048- Before executing the *WriteCmd, *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands the '[
1049 mark is set to the first line that will be written, the '] mark to the last
1050 line.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001051Careful: '[ and '] change when using commands that change the buffer.
1052
1053In commands which expect a file name, you can use "<afile>" for the file name
1054that is being read |:<afile>| (you can also use "%" for the current file
1055name). "<abuf>" can be used for the buffer number of the currently effective
1056buffer. This also works for buffers that doesn't have a name. But it doesn't
1057work for files without a buffer (e.g., with ":r file").
1058
1059 *gzip-example*
1060Examples for reading and writing compressed files: >
1061 :augroup gzip
1062 : autocmd!
1063 : autocmd BufReadPre,FileReadPre *.gz set bin
1064 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz '[,']!gunzip
1065 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz set nobin
1066 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz execute ":doautocmd BufReadPost " . expand("%:r")
1067 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1068 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1069
1070 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !gunzip <afile>
1071 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !mv <afile>:r <afile>
1072 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1073 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1074 :augroup END
1075
1076The "gzip" group is used to be able to delete any existing autocommands with
1077":autocmd!", for when the file is sourced twice.
1078
1079("<afile>:r" is the file name without the extension, see |:_%:|)
1080
1081The commands executed for the BufNewFile, BufRead/BufReadPost, BufWritePost,
1082FileAppendPost and VimLeave events do not set or reset the changed flag of the
1083buffer. When you decompress the buffer with the BufReadPost autocommands, you
1084can still exit with ":q". When you use ":undo" in BufWritePost to undo the
1085changes made by BufWritePre commands, you can still do ":q" (this also makes
1086"ZZ" work). If you do want the buffer to be marked as modified, set the
1087'modified' option.
1088
1089To execute Normal mode commands from an autocommand, use the ":normal"
1090command. Use with care! If the Normal mode command is not finished, the user
1091needs to type characters (e.g., after ":normal m" you need to type a mark
1092name).
1093
1094If you want the buffer to be unmodified after changing it, reset the
1095'modified' option. This makes it possible to exit the buffer with ":q"
1096instead of ":q!".
1097
1098 *autocmd-nested* *E218*
1099By default, autocommands do not nest. If you use ":e" or ":w" in an
1100autocommand, Vim does not execute the BufRead and BufWrite autocommands for
1101those commands. If you do want this, use the "nested" flag for those commands
1102in which you want nesting. For example: >
1103 :autocmd FileChangedShell *.c nested e!
1104The nesting is limited to 10 levels to get out of recursive loops.
1105
1106It's possible to use the ":au" command in an autocommand. This can be a
1107self-modifying command! This can be useful for an autocommand that should
1108execute only once.
1109
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001110If you want to skip autocommands for one command, use the |:noautocmd| command
1111modifier or the 'eventignore' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001112
1113Note: When reading a file (with ":read file" or with a filter command) and the
1114last line in the file does not have an <EOL>, Vim remembers this. At the next
1115write (with ":write file" or with a filter command), if the same line is
1116written again as the last line in a file AND 'binary' is set, Vim does not
1117supply an <EOL>. This makes a filter command on the just read lines write the
1118same file as was read, and makes a write command on just filtered lines write
1119the same file as was read from the filter. For example, another way to write
1120a compressed file: >
1121
1122 :autocmd FileWritePre *.gz set bin|'[,']!gzip
1123 :autocmd FileWritePost *.gz undo|set nobin
1124<
1125 *autocommand-pattern*
1126You can specify multiple patterns, separated by commas. Here are some
1127examples: >
1128
1129 :autocmd BufRead * set tw=79 nocin ic infercase fo=2croq
1130 :autocmd BufRead .letter set tw=72 fo=2tcrq
1131 :autocmd BufEnter .letter set dict=/usr/lib/dict/words
1132 :autocmd BufLeave .letter set dict=
1133 :autocmd BufRead,BufNewFile *.c,*.h set tw=0 cin noic
1134 :autocmd BufEnter *.c,*.h abbr FOR for (i = 0; i < 3; ++i)<CR>{<CR>}<Esc>O
1135 :autocmd BufLeave *.c,*.h unabbr FOR
1136
1137For makefiles (makefile, Makefile, imakefile, makefile.unix, etc.): >
1138
1139 :autocmd BufEnter ?akefile* set include=^s\=include
1140 :autocmd BufLeave ?akefile* set include&
1141
1142To always start editing C files at the first function: >
1143
1144 :autocmd BufRead *.c,*.h 1;/^{
1145
1146Without the "1;" above, the search would start from wherever the file was
1147entered, rather than from the start of the file.
1148
1149 *skeleton* *template*
1150To read a skeleton (template) file when opening a new file: >
1151
1152 :autocmd BufNewFile *.c 0r ~/vim/skeleton.c
1153 :autocmd BufNewFile *.h 0r ~/vim/skeleton.h
1154 :autocmd BufNewFile *.java 0r ~/vim/skeleton.java
1155
1156To insert the current date and time in a *.html file when writing it: >
1157
1158 :autocmd BufWritePre,FileWritePre *.html ks|call LastMod()|'s
1159 :fun LastMod()
1160 : if line("$") > 20
1161 : let l = 20
1162 : else
1163 : let l = line("$")
1164 : endif
1165 : exe "1," . l . "g/Last modified: /s/Last modified: .*/Last modified: " .
1166 : \ strftime("%Y %b %d")
1167 :endfun
1168
1169You need to have a line "Last modified: <date time>" in the first 20 lines
1170of the file for this to work. Vim replaces <date time> (and anything in the
1171same line after it) with the current date and time. Explanation:
1172 ks mark current position with mark 's'
1173 call LastMod() call the LastMod() function to do the work
1174 's return the cursor to the old position
1175The LastMod() function checks if the file is shorter than 20 lines, and then
1176uses the ":g" command to find lines that contain "Last modified: ". For those
1177lines the ":s" command is executed to replace the existing date with the
1178current one. The ":execute" command is used to be able to use an expression
1179for the ":g" and ":s" commands. The date is obtained with the strftime()
1180function. You can change its argument to get another date string.
1181
1182When entering :autocmd on the command-line, completion of events and command
1183names may be done (with <Tab>, CTRL-D, etc.) where appropriate.
1184
1185Vim executes all matching autocommands in the order that you specify them.
1186It is recommended that your first autocommand be used for all files by using
1187"*" as the file pattern. This means that you can define defaults you like
1188here for any settings, and if there is another matching autocommand it will
1189override these. But if there is no other matching autocommand, then at least
1190your default settings are recovered (if entering this file from another for
1191which autocommands did match). Note that "*" will also match files starting
1192with ".", unlike Unix shells.
1193
1194 *autocmd-searchpat*
1195Autocommands do not change the current search patterns. Vim saves the current
1196search patterns before executing autocommands then restores them after the
1197autocommands finish. This means that autocommands do not affect the strings
1198highlighted with the 'hlsearch' option. Within autocommands, you can still
1199use search patterns normally, e.g., with the "n" command.
1200If you want an autocommand to set the search pattern, such that it is used
1201after the autocommand finishes, use the ":let @/ =" command.
1202The search-highlighting cannot be switched off with ":nohlsearch" in an
1203autocommand. Use the 'h' flag in the 'viminfo' option to disable search-
1204highlighting when starting Vim.
1205
1206 *Cmd-event*
1207When using one of the "*Cmd" events, the matching autocommands are expected to
1208do the file reading or writing. This can be used when working with a special
1209kind of file, for example on a remote system.
1210CAREFUL: If you use these events in a wrong way, it may have the effect of
1211making it impossible to read or write the matching files! Make sure you test
1212your autocommands properly. Best is to use a pattern that will never match a
1213normal file name, for example "ftp://*".
1214
1215When defining a BufReadCmd it will be difficult for Vim to recover a crashed
1216editing session. When recovering from the original file, Vim reads only those
1217parts of a file that are not found in the swap file. Since that is not
1218possible with a BufReadCmd, use the |:preserve| command to make sure the
1219original file isn't needed for recovery. You might want to do this only when
1220you expect the file to be modified.
1221
1222The |v:cmdarg| variable holds the "++enc=" and "++ff=" argument that are
1223effective. These should be used for the command that reads/writes the file.
1224The |v:cmdbang| variable is one when "!" was used, zero otherwise.
1225
1226See the $VIMRUNTIME/plugin/netrw.vim for examples.
1227
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001228==============================================================================
122911. Disabling autocommands *autocmd-disable*
1230
1231To disable autocommands for some time use the 'eventignore' option. Note that
1232this may cause unexpected behavior, make sure you restore 'eventignore'
1233afterwards, using a |:try| block with |:finally|.
1234
1235 *:noautocmd* *:noa*
1236To disable autocommands for just one command use the ":noautocmd" command
1237modifier. This will set 'eventignore' to "all" for the duration of the
1238following command. Example: >
1239
1240 :noautocmd w fname.gz
1241
1242This will write the file without triggering the autocommands defined by the
1243gzip plugin.
1244
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001245
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001246 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: