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Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +02001*autocmd.txt* For Vim version 7.3. Last change: 2012 Jul 10
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Automatic commands *autocommand*
8
9For a basic explanation, see section |40.3| in the user manual.
10
111. Introduction |autocmd-intro|
122. Defining autocommands |autocmd-define|
133. Removing autocommands |autocmd-remove|
144. Listing autocommands |autocmd-list|
155. Events |autocmd-events|
166. Patterns |autocmd-patterns|
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000177. Buffer-local autocommands |autocmd-buflocal|
188. Groups |autocmd-groups|
199. Executing autocommands |autocmd-execute|
2010. Using autocommands |autocmd-use|
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00002111. Disabling autocommands |autocmd-disable|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000022
23{Vi does not have any of these commands}
24{only when the |+autocmd| feature has not been disabled at compile time}
25
26==============================================================================
271. Introduction *autocmd-intro*
28
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +000029You can specify commands to be executed automatically when reading or writing
30a file, when entering or leaving a buffer or window, and when exiting Vim.
31For example, you can create an autocommand to set the 'cindent' option for
32files matching *.c. You can also use autocommands to implement advanced
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000033features, such as editing compressed files (see |gzip-example|). The usual
34place to put autocommands is in your .vimrc or .exrc file.
35
Bram Moolenaardb7207e2012-02-22 17:30:19 +010036 *E203* *E204* *E143* *E855*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000037WARNING: Using autocommands is very powerful, and may lead to unexpected side
38effects. Be careful not to destroy your text.
39- It's a good idea to do some testing on an expendable copy of a file first.
40 For example: If you use autocommands to decompress a file when starting to
41 edit it, make sure that the autocommands for compressing when writing work
42 correctly.
43- Be prepared for an error halfway through (e.g., disk full). Vim will mostly
44 be able to undo the changes to the buffer, but you may have to clean up the
45 changes to other files by hand (e.g., compress a file that has been
46 decompressed).
47- If the BufRead* events allow you to edit a compressed file, the FileRead*
48 events should do the same (this makes recovery possible in some rare cases).
49 It's a good idea to use the same autocommands for the File* and Buf* events
50 when possible.
51
52==============================================================================
532. Defining autocommands *autocmd-define*
54
55Note: The ":autocmd" command cannot be followed by another command, since any
56'|' is considered part of the command.
57
58 *:au* *:autocmd*
59:au[tocmd] [group] {event} {pat} [nested] {cmd}
60 Add {cmd} to the list of commands that Vim will
61 execute automatically on {event} for a file matching
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +010062 {pat} |autocmd-patterns|.
63 Vim always adds the {cmd} after existing autocommands,
64 so that the autocommands execute in the order in which
65 they were given. See |autocmd-nested| for [nested].
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000066
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +000067The special pattern <buffer> or <buffer=N> defines a buffer-local autocommand.
68See |autocmd-buflocal|.
69
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000070Note that special characters (e.g., "%", "<cword>") in the ":autocmd"
71arguments are not expanded when the autocommand is defined. These will be
72expanded when the Event is recognized, and the {cmd} is executed. The only
73exception is that "<sfile>" is expanded when the autocmd is defined. Example:
74>
75 :au BufNewFile,BufRead *.html so <sfile>:h/html.vim
76
77Here Vim expands <sfile> to the name of the file containing this line.
78
79When your .vimrc file is sourced twice, the autocommands will appear twice.
80To avoid this, put this command in your .vimrc file, before defining
81autocommands: >
82
83 :autocmd! " Remove ALL autocommands for the current group.
84
85If you don't want to remove all autocommands, you can instead use a variable
86to ensure that Vim includes the autocommands only once: >
87
88 :if !exists("autocommands_loaded")
89 : let autocommands_loaded = 1
90 : au ...
91 :endif
92
93When the [group] argument is not given, Vim uses the current group (as defined
94with ":augroup"); otherwise, Vim uses the group defined with [group]. Note
95that [group] must have been defined before. You cannot define a new group
96with ":au group ..."; use ":augroup" for that.
97
98While testing autocommands, you might find the 'verbose' option to be useful: >
99 :set verbose=9
100This setting makes Vim echo the autocommands as it executes them.
101
102When defining an autocommand in a script, it will be able to call functions
103local to the script and use mappings local to the script. When the event is
104triggered and the command executed, it will run in the context of the script
105it was defined in. This matters if |<SID>| is used in a command.
106
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000107When executing the commands, the message from one command overwrites a
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000108previous message. This is different from when executing the commands
109manually. Mostly the screen will not scroll up, thus there is no hit-enter
110prompt. When one command outputs two messages this can happen anyway.
111
112==============================================================================
1133. Removing autocommands *autocmd-remove*
114
115:au[tocmd]! [group] {event} {pat} [nested] {cmd}
116 Remove all autocommands associated with {event} and
117 {pat}, and add the command {cmd}. See
118 |autocmd-nested| for [nested].
119
120:au[tocmd]! [group] {event} {pat}
121 Remove all autocommands associated with {event} and
122 {pat}.
123
124:au[tocmd]! [group] * {pat}
125 Remove all autocommands associated with {pat} for all
126 events.
127
128:au[tocmd]! [group] {event}
129 Remove ALL autocommands for {event}.
130
131:au[tocmd]! [group] Remove ALL autocommands.
132
133When the [group] argument is not given, Vim uses the current group (as defined
134with ":augroup"); otherwise, Vim uses the group defined with [group].
135
136==============================================================================
1374. Listing autocommands *autocmd-list*
138
139:au[tocmd] [group] {event} {pat}
140 Show the autocommands associated with {event} and
141 {pat}.
142
143:au[tocmd] [group] * {pat}
144 Show the autocommands associated with {pat} for all
145 events.
146
147:au[tocmd] [group] {event}
148 Show all autocommands for {event}.
149
150:au[tocmd] [group] Show all autocommands.
151
152If you provide the [group] argument, Vim lists only the autocommands for
153[group]; otherwise, Vim lists the autocommands for ALL groups. Note that this
154argument behavior differs from that for defining and removing autocommands.
155
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000156In order to list buffer-local autocommands, use a pattern in the form <buffer>
157or <buffer=N>. See |autocmd-buflocal|.
158
Bram Moolenaarac6e65f2005-08-29 22:25:38 +0000159 *:autocmd-verbose*
160When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing an autocommand will also display where it
161was last defined. Example: >
162
163 :verbose autocmd BufEnter
164 FileExplorer BufEnter
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000165 * call s:LocalBrowse(expand("<amatch>"))
Bram Moolenaarac6e65f2005-08-29 22:25:38 +0000166 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/plugin/NetrwPlugin.vim
167<
168See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
169
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000170==============================================================================
1715. Events *autocmd-events* *E215* *E216*
172
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000173You can specify a comma-separated list of event names. No white space can be
174used in this list. The command applies to all the events in the list.
175
176For READING FILES there are four kinds of events possible:
177 BufNewFile starting to edit a non-existent file
178 BufReadPre BufReadPost starting to edit an existing file
179 FilterReadPre FilterReadPost read the temp file with filter output
180 FileReadPre FileReadPost any other file read
181Vim uses only one of these four kinds when reading a file. The "Pre" and
182"Post" events are both triggered, before and after reading the file.
183
184Note that the autocommands for the *ReadPre events and all the Filter events
185are not allowed to change the current buffer (you will get an error message if
186this happens). This is to prevent the file to be read into the wrong buffer.
187
188Note that the 'modified' flag is reset AFTER executing the BufReadPost
189and BufNewFile autocommands. But when the 'modified' option was set by the
190autocommands, this doesn't happen.
191
192You can use the 'eventignore' option to ignore a number of events or all
193events.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000194 *autocommand-events* *{event}*
195Vim recognizes the following events. Vim ignores the case of event names
196(e.g., you can use "BUFread" or "bufread" instead of "BufRead").
197
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000198First an overview by function with a short explanation. Then the list
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +0000199alphabetically with full explanations |autocmd-events-abc|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000200
201Name triggered by ~
202
203 Reading
204|BufNewFile| starting to edit a file that doesn't exist
205|BufReadPre| starting to edit a new buffer, before reading the file
206|BufRead| starting to edit a new buffer, after reading the file
207|BufReadPost| starting to edit a new buffer, after reading the file
208|BufReadCmd| before starting to edit a new buffer |Cmd-event|
209
210|FileReadPre| before reading a file with a ":read" command
211|FileReadPost| after reading a file with a ":read" command
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +0000212|FileReadCmd| before reading a file with a ":read" command |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000213
214|FilterReadPre| before reading a file from a filter command
215|FilterReadPost| after reading a file from a filter command
216
217|StdinReadPre| before reading from stdin into the buffer
218|StdinReadPost| After reading from the stdin into the buffer
219
220 Writing
221|BufWrite| starting to write the whole buffer to a file
222|BufWritePre| starting to write the whole buffer to a file
223|BufWritePost| after writing the whole buffer to a file
224|BufWriteCmd| before writing the whole buffer to a file |Cmd-event|
225
226|FileWritePre| starting to write part of a buffer to a file
227|FileWritePost| after writing part of a buffer to a file
228|FileWriteCmd| before writing part of a buffer to a file |Cmd-event|
229
230|FileAppendPre| starting to append to a file
231|FileAppendPost| after appending to a file
232|FileAppendCmd| before appending to a file |Cmd-event|
233
234|FilterWritePre| starting to write a file for a filter command or diff
235|FilterWritePost| after writing a file for a filter command or diff
236
237 Buffers
238|BufAdd| just after adding a buffer to the buffer list
239|BufCreate| just after adding a buffer to the buffer list
240|BufDelete| before deleting a buffer from the buffer list
241|BufWipeout| before completely deleting a buffer
242
243|BufFilePre| before changing the name of the current buffer
244|BufFilePost| after changing the name of the current buffer
245
246|BufEnter| after entering a buffer
247|BufLeave| before leaving to another buffer
248|BufWinEnter| after a buffer is displayed in a window
249|BufWinLeave| before a buffer is removed from a window
250
251|BufUnload| before unloading a buffer
252|BufHidden| just after a buffer has become hidden
253|BufNew| just after creating a new buffer
254
255|SwapExists| detected an existing swap file
256
257 Options
258|FileType| when the 'filetype' option has been set
259|Syntax| when the 'syntax' option has been set
260|EncodingChanged| after the 'encoding' option has been changed
261|TermChanged| after the value of 'term' has changed
262
263 Startup and exit
264|VimEnter| after doing all the startup stuff
265|GUIEnter| after starting the GUI successfully
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000266|TermResponse| after the terminal response to |t_RV| is received
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000267
268|VimLeavePre| before exiting Vim, before writing the viminfo file
269|VimLeave| before exiting Vim, after writing the viminfo file
270
271 Various
272|FileChangedShell| Vim notices that a file changed since editing started
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000273|FileChangedShellPost| After handling a file changed since editing started
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000274|FileChangedRO| before making the first change to a read-only file
275
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +0000276|ShellCmdPost| after executing a shell command
277|ShellFilterPost| after filtering with a shell command
278
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000279|FuncUndefined| a user function is used but it isn't defined
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000280|SpellFileMissing| a spell file is used but it can't be found
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +0000281|SourcePre| before sourcing a Vim script
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000282|SourceCmd| before sourcing a Vim script |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000283
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000284|VimResized| after the Vim window size changed
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000285|FocusGained| Vim got input focus
286|FocusLost| Vim lost input focus
287|CursorHold| the user doesn't press a key for a while
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000288|CursorHoldI| the user doesn't press a key for a while in Insert mode
289|CursorMoved| the cursor was moved in Normal mode
290|CursorMovedI| the cursor was moved in Insert mode
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000291
292|WinEnter| after entering another window
293|WinLeave| before leaving a window
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000294|TabEnter| after entering another tab page
295|TabLeave| before leaving a tab page
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000296|CmdwinEnter| after entering the command-line window
297|CmdwinLeave| before leaving the command-line window
298
299|InsertEnter| starting Insert mode
300|InsertChange| when typing <Insert> while in Insert or Replace mode
301|InsertLeave| when leaving Insert mode
Bram Moolenaare659c952011-05-19 17:25:41 +0200302|InsertCharPre| when a character was typed in Insert mode, before
303 inserting it
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000304
305|ColorScheme| after loading a color scheme
306
307|RemoteReply| a reply from a server Vim was received
308
309|QuickFixCmdPre| before a quickfix command is run
310|QuickFixCmdPost| after a quickfix command is run
311
312|SessionLoadPost| after loading a session file
313
314|MenuPopup| just before showing the popup menu
315
316|User| to be used in combination with ":doautocmd"
317
318
319The alphabetical list of autocommand events: *autocmd-events-abc*
320
321 *BufCreate* *BufAdd*
322BufAdd or BufCreate Just after creating a new buffer which is
323 added to the buffer list, or adding a buffer
324 to the buffer list.
325 Also used just after a buffer in the buffer
326 list has been renamed.
327 The BufCreate event is for historic reasons.
328 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
329 current buffer "%" may be different from the
330 buffer being created "<afile>".
331 *BufDelete*
332BufDelete Before deleting a buffer from the buffer list.
333 The BufUnload may be called first (if the
334 buffer was loaded).
335 Also used just before a buffer in the buffer
336 list is renamed.
337 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
338 current buffer "%" may be different from the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000339 buffer being deleted "<afile>" and "<abuf>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000340 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
341 problems.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000342 *BufEnter*
343BufEnter After entering a buffer. Useful for setting
344 options for a file type. Also executed when
345 starting to edit a buffer, after the
346 BufReadPost autocommands.
347 *BufFilePost*
348BufFilePost After changing the name of the current buffer
349 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000350 *BufFilePre*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000351BufFilePre Before changing the name of the current buffer
352 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
353 *BufHidden*
354BufHidden Just after a buffer has become hidden. That
355 is, when there are no longer windows that show
356 the buffer, but the buffer is not unloaded or
357 deleted. Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when
358 exiting Vim.
359 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
360 current buffer "%" may be different from the
361 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
362 *BufLeave*
363BufLeave Before leaving to another buffer. Also when
364 leaving or closing the current window and the
365 new current window is not for the same buffer.
366 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
367 *BufNew*
368BufNew Just after creating a new buffer. Also used
369 just after a buffer has been renamed. When
370 the buffer is added to the buffer list BufAdd
371 will be triggered too.
372 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
373 current buffer "%" may be different from the
374 buffer being created "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000375 *BufNewFile*
376BufNewFile When starting to edit a file that doesn't
377 exist. Can be used to read in a skeleton
378 file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000379 *BufRead* *BufReadPost*
380BufRead or BufReadPost When starting to edit a new buffer, after
381 reading the file into the buffer, before
382 executing the modelines. See |BufWinEnter|
383 for when you need to do something after
384 processing the modelines.
385 This does NOT work for ":r file". Not used
386 when the file doesn't exist. Also used after
387 successfully recovering a file.
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +0200388 Also triggered for the filetypedetect group
389 when executing ":filetype detect" and when
390 writing an unnamed buffer in a way that the
391 buffer gets a name.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000392 *BufReadCmd*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000393BufReadCmd Before starting to edit a new buffer. Should
394 read the file into the buffer. |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000395 *BufReadPre* *E200* *E201*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000396BufReadPre When starting to edit a new buffer, before
397 reading the file into the buffer. Not used
398 if the file doesn't exist.
399 *BufUnload*
400BufUnload Before unloading a buffer. This is when the
401 text in the buffer is going to be freed. This
402 may be after a BufWritePost and before a
403 BufDelete. Also used for all buffers that are
404 loaded when Vim is going to exit.
405 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
406 current buffer "%" may be different from the
407 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000408 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
409 problems.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200410 When exiting and v:dying is 2 or more this
411 event is not triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000412 *BufWinEnter*
413BufWinEnter After a buffer is displayed in a window. This
414 can be when the buffer is loaded (after
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000415 processing the modelines) or when a hidden
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000416 buffer is displayed in a window (and is no
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000417 longer hidden).
418 Does not happen for |:split| without
419 arguments, since you keep editing the same
420 buffer, or ":split" with a file that's already
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +0000421 open in a window, because it re-uses an
422 existing buffer. But it does happen for a
423 ":split" with the name of the current buffer,
424 since it reloads that buffer.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000425 *BufWinLeave*
426BufWinLeave Before a buffer is removed from a window.
427 Not when it's still visible in another window.
428 Also triggered when exiting. It's triggered
429 before BufUnload or BufHidden.
430 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
431 current buffer "%" may be different from the
432 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200433 When exiting and v:dying is 2 or more this
434 event is not triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000435 *BufWipeout*
436BufWipeout Before completely deleting a buffer. The
437 BufUnload and BufDelete events may be called
438 first (if the buffer was loaded and was in the
439 buffer list). Also used just before a buffer
440 is renamed (also when it's not in the buffer
441 list).
442 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
443 current buffer "%" may be different from the
444 buffer being deleted "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000445 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
446 problems.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000447 *BufWrite* *BufWritePre*
448BufWrite or BufWritePre Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000449 *BufWriteCmd*
450BufWriteCmd Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
451 Should do the writing of the file and reset
Bram Moolenaar1cd871b2004-12-19 22:46:22 +0000452 'modified' if successful, unless '+' is in
453 'cpo' and writing to another file |cpo-+|.
454 The buffer contents should not be changed.
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +0200455 When the command resets 'modified' the undo
456 information is adjusted to mark older undo
457 states as 'modified', like |:write| does.
Bram Moolenaar1cd871b2004-12-19 22:46:22 +0000458 |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000459 *BufWritePost*
460BufWritePost After writing the whole buffer to a file
461 (should undo the commands for BufWritePre).
462 *CmdwinEnter*
463CmdwinEnter After entering the command-line window.
464 Useful for setting options specifically for
465 this special type of window. This is
466 triggered _instead_ of BufEnter and WinEnter.
467 <afile> is set to a single character,
468 indicating the type of command-line.
469 |cmdwin-char|
470 *CmdwinLeave*
471CmdwinLeave Before leaving the command-line window.
472 Useful to clean up any global setting done
473 with CmdwinEnter. This is triggered _instead_
474 of BufLeave and WinLeave.
475 <afile> is set to a single character,
476 indicating the type of command-line.
477 |cmdwin-char|
478 *ColorScheme*
479ColorScheme After loading a color scheme. |:colorscheme|
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000480
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +0200481 *CompleteDone*
482CompleteDone After Insert mode completion is done. Either
483 when something was completed or abandoning
484 completion. |ins-completion|
485
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000486 *CursorHold*
487CursorHold When the user doesn't press a key for the time
488 specified with 'updatetime'. Not re-triggered
489 until the user has pressed a key (i.e. doesn't
490 fire every 'updatetime' ms if you leave Vim to
491 make some coffee. :) See |CursorHold-example|
492 for previewing tags.
493 This event is only triggered in Normal mode.
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000494 It is not triggered when waiting for a command
495 argument to be typed, or a movement after an
496 operator.
Bram Moolenaare3226be2005-12-18 22:10:00 +0000497 While recording the CursorHold event is not
498 triggered. |q|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000499 Note: Interactive commands cannot be used for
500 this event. There is no hit-enter prompt,
501 the screen is updated directly (when needed).
502 Note: In the future there will probably be
503 another option to set the time.
504 Hint: to force an update of the status lines
505 use: >
506 :let &ro = &ro
507< {only on Amiga, Unix, Win32, MSDOS and all GUI
508 versions}
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000509 *CursorHoldI*
510CursorHoldI Just like CursorHold, but in Insert mode.
511
512 *CursorMoved*
513CursorMoved After the cursor was moved in Normal mode.
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +0000514 Also when the text of the cursor line has been
515 changed, e.g., with "x", "rx" or "p".
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000516 Not triggered when there is typeahead or when
517 an operator is pending.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000518 For an example see |match-parens|.
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000519 Careful: Don't do anything that the user does
520 not expect or that is slow.
521 *CursorMovedI*
522CursorMovedI After the cursor was moved in Insert mode.
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +0200523 Not triggered when the popup menu is visible.
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000524 Otherwise the same as CursorMoved.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000525 *EncodingChanged*
526EncodingChanged Fires off after the 'encoding' option has been
527 changed. Useful to set up fonts, for example.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000528 *FileAppendCmd*
529FileAppendCmd Before appending to a file. Should do the
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000530 appending to the file. Use the '[ and ']
531 marks for the range of lines.|Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000532 *FileAppendPost*
533FileAppendPost After appending to a file.
534 *FileAppendPre*
535FileAppendPre Before appending to a file. Use the '[ and ']
536 marks for the range of lines.
537 *FileChangedRO*
538FileChangedRO Before making the first change to a read-only
539 file. Can be used to check-out the file from
540 a source control system. Not triggered when
541 the change was caused by an autocommand.
542 This event is triggered when making the first
543 change in a buffer or the first change after
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000544 'readonly' was set, just before the change is
545 applied to the text.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000546 WARNING: If the autocommand moves the cursor
547 the effect of the change is undefined.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000548 *E788*
549 It is not allowed to change to another buffer
550 here. You can reload the buffer but not edit
551 another one.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000552 *FileChangedShell*
553FileChangedShell When Vim notices that the modification time of
554 a file has changed since editing started.
555 Also when the file attributes of the file
556 change. |timestamp|
557 Mostly triggered after executing a shell
558 command, but also with a |:checktime| command
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000559 or when Gvim regains input focus.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000560 This autocommand is triggered for each changed
561 file. It is not used when 'autoread' is set
562 and the buffer was not changed. If a
563 FileChangedShell autocommand is present the
564 warning message and prompt is not given.
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000565 The |v:fcs_reason| variable is set to indicate
566 what happened and |v:fcs_choice| can be used
567 to tell Vim what to do next.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000568 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
569 current buffer "%" may be different from the
570 buffer that was changed "<afile>".
571 NOTE: The commands must not change the current
572 buffer, jump to another buffer or delete a
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100573 buffer. *E246* *E811*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000574 NOTE: This event never nests, to avoid an
575 endless loop. This means that while executing
576 commands for the FileChangedShell event no
577 other FileChangedShell event will be
578 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000579 *FileChangedShellPost*
580FileChangedShellPost After handling a file that was changed outside
581 of Vim. Can be used to update the statusline.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000582 *FileEncoding*
583FileEncoding Obsolete. It still works and is equivalent
584 to |EncodingChanged|.
585 *FileReadCmd*
586FileReadCmd Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
587 Should do the reading of the file. |Cmd-event|
588 *FileReadPost*
589FileReadPost After reading a file with a ":read" command.
590 Note that Vim sets the '[ and '] marks to the
591 first and last line of the read. This can be
592 used to operate on the lines just read.
593 *FileReadPre*
594FileReadPre Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
595 *FileType*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000596FileType When the 'filetype' option has been set. The
597 pattern is matched against the filetype.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000598 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
599 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
600 the new value of 'filetype'.
601 See |filetypes|.
602 *FileWriteCmd*
603FileWriteCmd Before writing to a file, when not writing the
604 whole buffer. Should do the writing to the
605 file. Should not change the buffer. Use the
606 '[ and '] marks for the range of lines.
607 |Cmd-event|
608 *FileWritePost*
609FileWritePost After writing to a file, when not writing the
610 whole buffer.
611 *FileWritePre*
612FileWritePre Before writing to a file, when not writing the
613 whole buffer. Use the '[ and '] marks for the
614 range of lines.
615 *FilterReadPost*
616FilterReadPost After reading a file from a filter command.
617 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
618 the current buffer as with FilterReadPre.
619 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
620 *FilterReadPre* *E135*
621FilterReadPre Before reading a file from a filter command.
622 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
623 the current buffer, not the name of the
624 temporary file that is the output of the
625 filter command.
626 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
627 *FilterWritePost*
628FilterWritePost After writing a file for a filter command or
629 making a diff.
630 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
631 the current buffer as with FilterWritePre.
632 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
633 *FilterWritePre*
634FilterWritePre Before writing a file for a filter command or
635 making a diff.
636 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
637 the current buffer, not the name of the
638 temporary file that is the output of the
639 filter command.
640 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000641 *FocusGained*
642FocusGained When Vim got input focus. Only for the GUI
643 version and a few console versions where this
644 can be detected.
645 *FocusLost*
646FocusLost When Vim lost input focus. Only for the GUI
647 version and a few console versions where this
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +0000648 can be detected. May also happen when a
649 dialog pops up.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000650 *FuncUndefined*
651FuncUndefined When a user function is used but it isn't
652 defined. Useful for defining a function only
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000653 when it's used. The pattern is matched
654 against the function name. Both <amatch> and
655 <afile> are set to the name of the function.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000656 See |autoload-functions|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000657 *GUIEnter*
658GUIEnter After starting the GUI successfully, and after
659 opening the window. It is triggered before
660 VimEnter when using gvim. Can be used to
661 position the window from a .gvimrc file: >
662 :autocmd GUIEnter * winpos 100 50
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000663< *GUIFailed*
664GUIFailed After starting the GUI failed. Vim may
665 continue to run in the terminal, if possible
666 (only on Unix and alikes, when connecting the
667 X server fails). You may want to quit Vim: >
668 :autocmd GUIFailed * qall
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000669< *InsertChange*
670InsertChange When typing <Insert> while in Insert or
671 Replace mode. The |v:insertmode| variable
672 indicates the new mode.
673 Be careful not to move the cursor or do
674 anything else that the user does not expect.
Bram Moolenaare659c952011-05-19 17:25:41 +0200675 *InsertCharPre*
676InsertCharPre When a character is typed in Insert mode,
677 before inserting the char.
678 The |v:char| variable indicates the char typed
679 and can be changed during the event to insert
680 a different character. When |v:char| is set
681 to more than one character this text is
682 inserted literally.
683 It is not allowed to change the text |textlock|.
684 The event is not triggered when 'paste' is
685 set.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000686 *InsertEnter*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000687InsertEnter Just before starting Insert mode. Also for
688 Replace mode and Virtual Replace mode. The
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000689 |v:insertmode| variable indicates the mode.
690 Be careful not to move the cursor or do
691 anything else that the user does not expect.
692 *InsertLeave*
693InsertLeave When leaving Insert mode. Also when using
694 CTRL-O |i_CTRL-O|. But not for |i_CTRL-C|.
695 *MenuPopup*
696MenuPopup Just before showing the popup menu (under the
697 right mouse button). Useful for adjusting the
698 menu for what is under the cursor or mouse
699 pointer.
700 The pattern is matched against a single
701 character representing the mode:
702 n Normal
703 v Visual
704 o Operator-pending
705 i Insert
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +0000706 c Command line
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000707 *QuickFixCmdPre*
708QuickFixCmdPre Before a quickfix command is run (|:make|,
Bram Moolenaara6557602006-02-04 22:43:20 +0000709 |:lmake|, |:grep|, |:lgrep|, |:grepadd|,
710 |:lgrepadd|, |:vimgrep|, |:lvimgrep|,
Bram Moolenaar6be7f872012-01-20 21:08:56 +0100711 |:vimgrepadd|, |:lvimgrepadd|, |:cscope|,
Bram Moolenaar84f72352012-03-11 15:57:40 +0100712 |:cfile|, |:cgetfile|, |:caddfile|, |:lfile|,
713 |:lgetfile|, |:laddfile|, |:helpgrep|,
714 |:lhelpgrep|).
Bram Moolenaarf1eeae92010-05-14 23:14:42 +0200715 The pattern is matched against the command
716 being run. When |:grep| is used but 'grepprg'
717 is set to "internal" it still matches "grep".
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000718 This command cannot be used to set the
719 'makeprg' and 'grepprg' variables.
720 If this command causes an error, the quickfix
721 command is not executed.
722 *QuickFixCmdPost*
723QuickFixCmdPost Like QuickFixCmdPre, but after a quickfix
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000724 command is run, before jumping to the first
Bram Moolenaar8ec1f852012-03-07 20:13:49 +0100725 location. For |:cfile| and |:lfile| commands
726 it is run after error file is read and before
727 moving to the first error.
728 See |QuickFixCmdPost-example|.
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +0200729 *QuitPre*
730QuitPre When using `:quit`, before deciding whether it
731 closes the current window or quits Vim. Can
732 be used to close any non-essential window if
733 the current window is the last ordinary
734 window.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000735 *RemoteReply*
736RemoteReply When a reply from a Vim that functions as
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000737 server was received |server2client()|. The
738 pattern is matched against the {serverid}.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000739 <amatch> is equal to the {serverid} from which
740 the reply was sent, and <afile> is the actual
741 reply string.
742 Note that even if an autocommand is defined,
743 the reply should be read with |remote_read()|
744 to consume it.
745 *SessionLoadPost*
746SessionLoadPost After loading the session file created using
747 the |:mksession| command.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +0000748 *ShellCmdPost*
749ShellCmdPost After executing a shell command with |:!cmd|,
750 |:shell|, |:make| and |:grep|. Can be used to
751 check for any changed files.
752 *ShellFilterPost*
753ShellFilterPost After executing a shell command with
754 ":{range}!cmd", ":w !cmd" or ":r !cmd".
755 Can be used to check for any changed files.
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +0000756 *SourcePre*
757SourcePre Before sourcing a Vim script. |:source|
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000758 <afile> is the name of the file being sourced.
759 *SourceCmd*
760SourceCmd When sourcing a Vim script. |:source|
761 <afile> is the name of the file being sourced.
762 The autocommand must source this file.
763 |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000764 *SpellFileMissing*
765SpellFileMissing When trying to load a spell checking file and
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000766 it can't be found. The pattern is matched
767 against the language. <amatch> is the
768 language, 'encoding' also matters. See
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000769 |spell-SpellFileMissing|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000770 *StdinReadPost*
771StdinReadPost After reading from the stdin into the buffer,
772 before executing the modelines. Only used
773 when the "-" argument was used when Vim was
774 started |--|.
775 *StdinReadPre*
776StdinReadPre Before reading from stdin into the buffer.
777 Only used when the "-" argument was used when
778 Vim was started |--|.
779 *SwapExists*
780SwapExists Detected an existing swap file when starting
781 to edit a file. Only when it is possible to
782 select a way to handle the situation, when Vim
783 would ask the user what to do.
784 The |v:swapname| variable holds the name of
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +0000785 the swap file found, <afile> the file being
786 edited. |v:swapcommand| may contain a command
787 to be executed in the opened file.
788 The commands should set the |v:swapchoice|
789 variable to a string with one character to
790 tell Vim what should be done next:
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000791 'o' open read-only
792 'e' edit the file anyway
793 'r' recover
794 'd' delete the swap file
795 'q' quit, don't edit the file
796 'a' abort, like hitting CTRL-C
797 When set to an empty string the user will be
798 asked, as if there was no SwapExists autocmd.
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000799 *E812*
800 It is not allowed to change to another buffer,
801 change a buffer name or change directory
802 here.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000803 *Syntax*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000804Syntax When the 'syntax' option has been set. The
805 pattern is matched against the syntax name.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000806 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
807 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
808 the new value of 'syntax'.
809 See |:syn-on|.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000810 *TabEnter*
811TabEnter Just after entering a tab page. |tab-page|
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +0000812 After triggering the WinEnter and before
813 triggering the BufEnter event.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000814 *TabLeave*
815TabLeave Just before leaving a tab page. |tab-page|
816 A WinLeave event will have been triggered
817 first.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000818 *TermChanged*
819TermChanged After the value of 'term' has changed. Useful
820 for re-loading the syntax file to update the
821 colors, fonts and other terminal-dependent
822 settings. Executed for all loaded buffers.
823 *TermResponse*
824TermResponse After the response to |t_RV| is received from
825 the terminal. The value of |v:termresponse|
826 can be used to do things depending on the
Bram Moolenaar8e5af3e2011-04-28 19:02:44 +0200827 terminal version. Note that this event may be
828 triggered halfway executing another event,
829 especially if file I/O, a shell command or
830 anything else that takes time is involved.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000831 *User*
832User Never executed automatically. To be used for
833 autocommands that are only executed with
834 ":doautocmd".
835 *UserGettingBored*
836UserGettingBored When the user hits CTRL-C. Just kidding! :-)
837 *VimEnter*
838VimEnter After doing all the startup stuff, including
839 loading .vimrc files, executing the "-c cmd"
840 arguments, creating all windows and loading
841 the buffers in them.
842 *VimLeave*
843VimLeave Before exiting Vim, just after writing the
844 .viminfo file. Executed only once, like
845 VimLeavePre.
846 To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200847 When v:dying is 2 or more this event is not
848 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000849 *VimLeavePre*
850VimLeavePre Before exiting Vim, just before writing the
851 .viminfo file. This is executed only once,
852 if there is a match with the name of what
853 happens to be the current buffer when exiting.
854 Mostly useful with a "*" pattern. >
855 :autocmd VimLeavePre * call CleanupStuff()
856< To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200857 When v:dying is 2 or more this event is not
858 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000859 *VimResized*
860VimResized After the Vim window was resized, thus 'lines'
861 and/or 'columns' changed. Not when starting
862 up though.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000863 *WinEnter*
864WinEnter After entering another window. Not done for
865 the first window, when Vim has just started.
866 Useful for setting the window height.
867 If the window is for another buffer, Vim
868 executes the BufEnter autocommands after the
869 WinEnter autocommands.
870 Note: When using ":split fname" the WinEnter
871 event is triggered after the split but before
872 the file "fname" is loaded.
873 *WinLeave*
874WinLeave Before leaving a window. If the window to be
875 entered next is for a different buffer, Vim
876 executes the BufLeave autocommands before the
877 WinLeave autocommands (but not for ":new").
878 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000879
880==============================================================================
8816. Patterns *autocmd-patterns* *{pat}*
882
883The file pattern {pat} is tested for a match against the file name in one of
884two ways:
8851. When there is no '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against only
886 the tail part of the file name (without its leading directory path).
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01008872. When there is a '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against both the
888 short file name (as you typed it) and the full file name (after expanding
889 it to a full path and resolving symbolic links).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000890
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000891The special pattern <buffer> or <buffer=N> is used for buffer-local
892autocommands |autocmd-buflocal|. This pattern is not matched against the name
893of a buffer.
894
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000895Examples: >
896 :autocmd BufRead *.txt set et
897Set the 'et' option for all text files. >
898
899 :autocmd BufRead /vim/src/*.c set cindent
900Set the 'cindent' option for C files in the /vim/src directory. >
901
902 :autocmd BufRead /tmp/*.c set ts=5
903If you have a link from "/tmp/test.c" to "/home/nobody/vim/src/test.c", and
904you start editing "/tmp/test.c", this autocommand will match.
905
906Note: To match part of a path, but not from the root directory, use a '*' as
907the first character. Example: >
908 :autocmd BufRead */doc/*.txt set tw=78
909This autocommand will for example be executed for "/tmp/doc/xx.txt" and
910"/usr/home/piet/doc/yy.txt". The number of directories does not matter here.
911
912
913The file name that the pattern is matched against is after expanding
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000914wildcards. Thus if you issue this command: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000915 :e $ROOTDIR/main.$EXT
916The argument is first expanded to: >
917 /usr/root/main.py
918Before it's matched with the pattern of the autocommand. Careful with this
919when using events like FileReadCmd, the value of <amatch> may not be what you
920expect.
921
922
923Environment variables can be used in a pattern: >
924 :autocmd BufRead $VIMRUNTIME/doc/*.txt set expandtab
925And ~ can be used for the home directory (if $HOME is defined): >
926 :autocmd BufWritePost ~/.vimrc so ~/.vimrc
927 :autocmd BufRead ~archive/* set readonly
928The environment variable is expanded when the autocommand is defined, not when
929the autocommand is executed. This is different from the command!
930
931 *file-pattern*
932The pattern is interpreted like mostly used in file names:
933 * matches any sequence of characters
934 ? matches any single character
935 \? matches a '?'
936 . matches a '.'
937 ~ matches a '~'
938 , separates patterns
939 \, matches a ','
940 { } like \( \) in a |pattern|
941 , inside { }: like \| in a |pattern|
942 \ special meaning like in a |pattern|
943 [ch] matches 'c' or 'h'
944 [^ch] match any character but 'c' and 'h'
945
946Note that for all systems the '/' character is used for path separator (even
947MS-DOS and OS/2). This was done because the backslash is difficult to use
948in a pattern and to make the autocommands portable across different systems.
949
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000950 *autocmd-changes*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000951Matching with the pattern is done when an event is triggered. Changing the
952buffer name in one of the autocommands, or even deleting the buffer, does not
953change which autocommands will be executed. Example: >
954
955 au BufEnter *.foo bdel
956 au BufEnter *.foo set modified
957
958This will delete the current buffer and then set 'modified' in what has become
959the current buffer instead. Vim doesn't take into account that "*.foo"
960doesn't match with that buffer name. It matches "*.foo" with the name of the
961buffer at the moment the event was triggered.
962
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000963However, buffer-local autocommands will not be executed for a buffer that has
964been wiped out with |:bwipe|. After deleting the buffer with |:bdel| the
965buffer actually still exists (it becomes unlisted), thus the autocommands are
966still executed.
967
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000968==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00009697. Buffer-local autocommands *autocmd-buflocal* *autocmd-buffer-local*
970 *<buffer=N>* *<buffer=abuf>* *E680*
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000971
972Buffer-local autocommands are attached to a specific buffer. They are useful
973if the buffer does not have a name and when the name does not match a specific
974pattern. But it also means they must be explicitly added to each buffer.
975
976Instead of a pattern buffer-local autocommands use one of these forms:
977 <buffer> current buffer
978 <buffer=99> buffer number 99
979 <buffer=abuf> using <abuf> (only when executing autocommands)
980 |<abuf>|
981
982Examples: >
983 :au CursorHold <buffer> echo 'hold'
984 :au CursorHold <buffer=33> echo 'hold'
985 :au CursorHold <buffer=abuf> echo 'hold'
986
987All the commands for autocommands also work with buffer-local autocommands,
988simply use the special string instead of the pattern. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000989 :au! * <buffer> " remove buffer-local autocommands for
990 " current buffer
991 :au! * <buffer=33> " remove buffer-local autocommands for
992 " buffer #33
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000993 :bufdo :au! CursorHold <buffer> " remove autocmd for given event for all
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000994 " buffers
995 :au * <buffer> " list buffer-local autocommands for
996 " current buffer
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000997
998Note that when an autocommand is defined for the current buffer, it is stored
999with the buffer number. Thus it uses the form "<buffer=12>", where 12 is the
1000number of the current buffer. You will see this when listing autocommands,
1001for example.
1002
1003To test for presence of buffer-local autocommands use the |exists()| function
1004as follows: >
1005 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer=12>") | ... | endif
1006 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer>") | ... | endif " for current buffer
1007
1008When a buffer is wiped out its buffer-local autocommands are also gone, of
1009course. Note that when deleting a buffer, e.g., with ":bdel", it is only
1010unlisted, the autocommands are still present. In order to see the removal of
1011buffer-local autocommands: >
1012 :set verbose=6
1013
1014It is not possible to define buffer-local autocommands for a non-existent
1015buffer.
1016
1017==============================================================================
10188. Groups *autocmd-groups*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001019
1020Autocommands can be put together in a group. This is useful for removing or
1021executing a group of autocommands. For example, all the autocommands for
1022syntax highlighting are put in the "highlight" group, to be able to execute
1023":doautoall highlight BufRead" when the GUI starts.
1024
1025When no specific group is selected, Vim uses the default group. The default
1026group does not have a name. You cannot execute the autocommands from the
1027default group separately; you can execute them only by executing autocommands
1028for all groups.
1029
1030Normally, when executing autocommands automatically, Vim uses the autocommands
1031for all groups. The group only matters when executing autocommands with
1032":doautocmd" or ":doautoall", or when defining or deleting autocommands.
1033
1034The group name can contain any characters except white space. The group name
1035"end" is reserved (also in uppercase).
1036
1037The group name is case sensitive. Note that this is different from the event
1038name!
1039
1040 *:aug* *:augroup*
1041:aug[roup] {name} Define the autocmd group name for the
1042 following ":autocmd" commands. The name "end"
1043 or "END" selects the default group.
1044
1045 *:augroup-delete* *E367*
1046:aug[roup]! {name} Delete the autocmd group {name}. Don't use
1047 this if there is still an autocommand using
1048 this group! This is not checked.
1049
1050To enter autocommands for a specific group, use this method:
10511. Select the group with ":augroup {name}".
10522. Delete any old autocommands with ":au!".
10533. Define the autocommands.
10544. Go back to the default group with "augroup END".
1055
1056Example: >
1057 :augroup uncompress
1058 : au!
1059 : au BufEnter *.gz %!gunzip
1060 :augroup END
1061
1062This prevents having the autocommands defined twice (e.g., after sourcing the
1063.vimrc file again).
1064
1065==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +000010669. Executing autocommands *autocmd-execute*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001067
1068Vim can also execute Autocommands non-automatically. This is useful if you
1069have changed autocommands, or when Vim has executed the wrong autocommands
1070(e.g., the file pattern match was wrong).
1071
1072Note that the 'eventignore' option applies here too. Events listed in this
1073option will not cause any commands to be executed.
1074
1075 *:do* *:doau* *:doautocmd* *E217*
Bram Moolenaar5dc62522012-02-13 00:05:22 +01001076:do[autocmd] [<nomodeline>] [group] {event} [fname]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001077 Apply the autocommands matching [fname] (default:
1078 current file name) for {event} to the current buffer.
1079 You can use this when the current file name does not
1080 match the right pattern, after changing settings, or
1081 to execute autocommands for a certain event.
1082 It's possible to use this inside an autocommand too,
1083 so you can base the autocommands for one extension on
1084 another extension. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +01001085 :au BufEnter *.cpp so ~/.vimrc_cpp
1086 :au BufEnter *.cpp doau BufEnter x.c
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001087< Be careful to avoid endless loops. See
1088 |autocmd-nested|.
1089
1090 When the [group] argument is not given, Vim executes
1091 the autocommands for all groups. When the [group]
1092 argument is included, Vim executes only the matching
1093 autocommands for that group. Note: if you use an
1094 undefined group name, Vim gives you an error message.
Bram Moolenaar60542ac2012-02-12 20:14:01 +01001095 *<nomodeline>*
1096 After applying the autocommands the modelines are
1097 processed, so that their settings overrule the
1098 settings from autocommands, like what happens when
1099 editing a file. This is skipped when the <nomodeline>
1100 argument is present. You probably want to use
1101 <nomodeline> for events that are not used when loading
1102 a buffer, such as |User|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001103
1104 *:doautoa* *:doautoall*
Bram Moolenaara61d5fb2012-02-12 00:18:58 +01001105:doautoa[ll] [<nomodeline>] [group] {event} [fname]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001106 Like ":doautocmd", but apply the autocommands to each
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001107 loaded buffer. Note that [fname] is used to select
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001108 the autocommands, not the buffers to which they are
1109 applied.
1110 Careful: Don't use this for autocommands that delete a
1111 buffer, change to another buffer or change the
1112 contents of a buffer; the result is unpredictable.
1113 This command is intended for autocommands that set
1114 options, change highlighting, and things like that.
1115
1116==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000111710. Using autocommands *autocmd-use*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001118
1119For WRITING FILES there are four possible sets of events. Vim uses only one
1120of these sets for a write command:
1121
1122BufWriteCmd BufWritePre BufWritePost writing the whole buffer
1123 FilterWritePre FilterWritePost writing to filter temp file
1124FileAppendCmd FileAppendPre FileAppendPost appending to a file
1125FileWriteCmd FileWritePre FileWritePost any other file write
1126
1127When there is a matching "*Cmd" autocommand, it is assumed it will do the
1128writing. No further writing is done and the other events are not triggered.
1129|Cmd-event|
1130
1131Note that the *WritePost commands should undo any changes to the buffer that
1132were caused by the *WritePre commands; otherwise, writing the file will have
1133the side effect of changing the buffer.
1134
1135Before executing the autocommands, the buffer from which the lines are to be
1136written temporarily becomes the current buffer. Unless the autocommands
1137change the current buffer or delete the previously current buffer, the
1138previously current buffer is made the current buffer again.
1139
1140The *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands must not delete the buffer from
1141which the lines are to be written.
1142
1143The '[ and '] marks have a special position:
1144- Before the *ReadPre event the '[ mark is set to the line just above where
1145 the new lines will be inserted.
1146- Before the *ReadPost event the '[ mark is set to the first line that was
1147 just read, the '] mark to the last line.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001148- Before executing the *WriteCmd, *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands the '[
1149 mark is set to the first line that will be written, the '] mark to the last
1150 line.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001151Careful: '[ and '] change when using commands that change the buffer.
1152
1153In commands which expect a file name, you can use "<afile>" for the file name
1154that is being read |:<afile>| (you can also use "%" for the current file
1155name). "<abuf>" can be used for the buffer number of the currently effective
1156buffer. This also works for buffers that doesn't have a name. But it doesn't
1157work for files without a buffer (e.g., with ":r file").
1158
1159 *gzip-example*
1160Examples for reading and writing compressed files: >
1161 :augroup gzip
1162 : autocmd!
1163 : autocmd BufReadPre,FileReadPre *.gz set bin
1164 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz '[,']!gunzip
1165 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz set nobin
1166 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz execute ":doautocmd BufReadPost " . expand("%:r")
1167 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1168 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1169
1170 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !gunzip <afile>
1171 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !mv <afile>:r <afile>
1172 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1173 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1174 :augroup END
1175
1176The "gzip" group is used to be able to delete any existing autocommands with
1177":autocmd!", for when the file is sourced twice.
1178
1179("<afile>:r" is the file name without the extension, see |:_%:|)
1180
1181The commands executed for the BufNewFile, BufRead/BufReadPost, BufWritePost,
1182FileAppendPost and VimLeave events do not set or reset the changed flag of the
1183buffer. When you decompress the buffer with the BufReadPost autocommands, you
1184can still exit with ":q". When you use ":undo" in BufWritePost to undo the
1185changes made by BufWritePre commands, you can still do ":q" (this also makes
1186"ZZ" work). If you do want the buffer to be marked as modified, set the
1187'modified' option.
1188
1189To execute Normal mode commands from an autocommand, use the ":normal"
1190command. Use with care! If the Normal mode command is not finished, the user
1191needs to type characters (e.g., after ":normal m" you need to type a mark
1192name).
1193
1194If you want the buffer to be unmodified after changing it, reset the
1195'modified' option. This makes it possible to exit the buffer with ":q"
1196instead of ":q!".
1197
1198 *autocmd-nested* *E218*
1199By default, autocommands do not nest. If you use ":e" or ":w" in an
1200autocommand, Vim does not execute the BufRead and BufWrite autocommands for
1201those commands. If you do want this, use the "nested" flag for those commands
1202in which you want nesting. For example: >
1203 :autocmd FileChangedShell *.c nested e!
1204The nesting is limited to 10 levels to get out of recursive loops.
1205
1206It's possible to use the ":au" command in an autocommand. This can be a
1207self-modifying command! This can be useful for an autocommand that should
1208execute only once.
1209
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001210If you want to skip autocommands for one command, use the |:noautocmd| command
1211modifier or the 'eventignore' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001212
1213Note: When reading a file (with ":read file" or with a filter command) and the
1214last line in the file does not have an <EOL>, Vim remembers this. At the next
1215write (with ":write file" or with a filter command), if the same line is
1216written again as the last line in a file AND 'binary' is set, Vim does not
1217supply an <EOL>. This makes a filter command on the just read lines write the
1218same file as was read, and makes a write command on just filtered lines write
1219the same file as was read from the filter. For example, another way to write
1220a compressed file: >
1221
1222 :autocmd FileWritePre *.gz set bin|'[,']!gzip
1223 :autocmd FileWritePost *.gz undo|set nobin
1224<
1225 *autocommand-pattern*
1226You can specify multiple patterns, separated by commas. Here are some
1227examples: >
1228
1229 :autocmd BufRead * set tw=79 nocin ic infercase fo=2croq
1230 :autocmd BufRead .letter set tw=72 fo=2tcrq
1231 :autocmd BufEnter .letter set dict=/usr/lib/dict/words
1232 :autocmd BufLeave .letter set dict=
1233 :autocmd BufRead,BufNewFile *.c,*.h set tw=0 cin noic
1234 :autocmd BufEnter *.c,*.h abbr FOR for (i = 0; i < 3; ++i)<CR>{<CR>}<Esc>O
1235 :autocmd BufLeave *.c,*.h unabbr FOR
1236
1237For makefiles (makefile, Makefile, imakefile, makefile.unix, etc.): >
1238
1239 :autocmd BufEnter ?akefile* set include=^s\=include
1240 :autocmd BufLeave ?akefile* set include&
1241
1242To always start editing C files at the first function: >
1243
1244 :autocmd BufRead *.c,*.h 1;/^{
1245
1246Without the "1;" above, the search would start from wherever the file was
1247entered, rather than from the start of the file.
1248
1249 *skeleton* *template*
1250To read a skeleton (template) file when opening a new file: >
1251
1252 :autocmd BufNewFile *.c 0r ~/vim/skeleton.c
1253 :autocmd BufNewFile *.h 0r ~/vim/skeleton.h
1254 :autocmd BufNewFile *.java 0r ~/vim/skeleton.java
1255
1256To insert the current date and time in a *.html file when writing it: >
1257
1258 :autocmd BufWritePre,FileWritePre *.html ks|call LastMod()|'s
1259 :fun LastMod()
1260 : if line("$") > 20
1261 : let l = 20
1262 : else
1263 : let l = line("$")
1264 : endif
1265 : exe "1," . l . "g/Last modified: /s/Last modified: .*/Last modified: " .
1266 : \ strftime("%Y %b %d")
1267 :endfun
1268
1269You need to have a line "Last modified: <date time>" in the first 20 lines
1270of the file for this to work. Vim replaces <date time> (and anything in the
1271same line after it) with the current date and time. Explanation:
1272 ks mark current position with mark 's'
1273 call LastMod() call the LastMod() function to do the work
1274 's return the cursor to the old position
1275The LastMod() function checks if the file is shorter than 20 lines, and then
1276uses the ":g" command to find lines that contain "Last modified: ". For those
1277lines the ":s" command is executed to replace the existing date with the
1278current one. The ":execute" command is used to be able to use an expression
1279for the ":g" and ":s" commands. The date is obtained with the strftime()
1280function. You can change its argument to get another date string.
1281
1282When entering :autocmd on the command-line, completion of events and command
1283names may be done (with <Tab>, CTRL-D, etc.) where appropriate.
1284
1285Vim executes all matching autocommands in the order that you specify them.
1286It is recommended that your first autocommand be used for all files by using
1287"*" as the file pattern. This means that you can define defaults you like
1288here for any settings, and if there is another matching autocommand it will
1289override these. But if there is no other matching autocommand, then at least
1290your default settings are recovered (if entering this file from another for
1291which autocommands did match). Note that "*" will also match files starting
1292with ".", unlike Unix shells.
1293
1294 *autocmd-searchpat*
1295Autocommands do not change the current search patterns. Vim saves the current
1296search patterns before executing autocommands then restores them after the
1297autocommands finish. This means that autocommands do not affect the strings
1298highlighted with the 'hlsearch' option. Within autocommands, you can still
1299use search patterns normally, e.g., with the "n" command.
1300If you want an autocommand to set the search pattern, such that it is used
1301after the autocommand finishes, use the ":let @/ =" command.
1302The search-highlighting cannot be switched off with ":nohlsearch" in an
1303autocommand. Use the 'h' flag in the 'viminfo' option to disable search-
1304highlighting when starting Vim.
1305
1306 *Cmd-event*
1307When using one of the "*Cmd" events, the matching autocommands are expected to
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +00001308do the file reading, writing or sourcing. This can be used when working with
1309a special kind of file, for example on a remote system.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001310CAREFUL: If you use these events in a wrong way, it may have the effect of
1311making it impossible to read or write the matching files! Make sure you test
1312your autocommands properly. Best is to use a pattern that will never match a
1313normal file name, for example "ftp://*".
1314
1315When defining a BufReadCmd it will be difficult for Vim to recover a crashed
1316editing session. When recovering from the original file, Vim reads only those
1317parts of a file that are not found in the swap file. Since that is not
1318possible with a BufReadCmd, use the |:preserve| command to make sure the
1319original file isn't needed for recovery. You might want to do this only when
1320you expect the file to be modified.
1321
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +00001322For file read and write commands the |v:cmdarg| variable holds the "++enc="
1323and "++ff=" argument that are effective. These should be used for the command
1324that reads/writes the file. The |v:cmdbang| variable is one when "!" was
1325used, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001326
Bram Moolenaarc88ebf72010-07-22 22:30:23 +02001327See the $VIMRUNTIME/plugin/netrwPlugin.vim for examples.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001328
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001329==============================================================================
133011. Disabling autocommands *autocmd-disable*
1331
1332To disable autocommands for some time use the 'eventignore' option. Note that
1333this may cause unexpected behavior, make sure you restore 'eventignore'
1334afterwards, using a |:try| block with |:finally|.
1335
1336 *:noautocmd* *:noa*
1337To disable autocommands for just one command use the ":noautocmd" command
1338modifier. This will set 'eventignore' to "all" for the duration of the
1339following command. Example: >
1340
1341 :noautocmd w fname.gz
1342
1343This will write the file without triggering the autocommands defined by the
1344gzip plugin.
1345
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001346
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001347 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: