blob: 703590a5f34dda7cfd0168fff33356ca98be695d [file] [log] [blame]
Bram Moolenaarb1c91982018-05-17 17:04:55 +02001*autocmd.txt* For Vim version 8.1. Last change: 2018 May 03
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}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000024
25==============================================================================
261. Introduction *autocmd-intro*
27
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +000028You can specify commands to be executed automatically when reading or writing
29a file, when entering or leaving a buffer or window, and when exiting Vim.
30For example, you can create an autocommand to set the 'cindent' option for
31files matching *.c. You can also use autocommands to implement advanced
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000032features, such as editing compressed files (see |gzip-example|). The usual
33place to put autocommands is in your .vimrc or .exrc file.
34
Bram Moolenaar72540672018-02-09 22:00:53 +010035 *E203* *E204* *E143* *E855* *E937* *E952*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000036WARNING: Using autocommands is very powerful, and may lead to unexpected side
37effects. Be careful not to destroy your text.
38- It's a good idea to do some testing on an expendable copy of a file first.
39 For example: If you use autocommands to decompress a file when starting to
40 edit it, make sure that the autocommands for compressing when writing work
41 correctly.
42- Be prepared for an error halfway through (e.g., disk full). Vim will mostly
43 be able to undo the changes to the buffer, but you may have to clean up the
44 changes to other files by hand (e.g., compress a file that has been
45 decompressed).
46- If the BufRead* events allow you to edit a compressed file, the FileRead*
47 events should do the same (this makes recovery possible in some rare cases).
48 It's a good idea to use the same autocommands for the File* and Buf* events
49 when possible.
50
51==============================================================================
522. Defining autocommands *autocmd-define*
53
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000054 *:au* *:autocmd*
55:au[tocmd] [group] {event} {pat} [nested] {cmd}
56 Add {cmd} to the list of commands that Vim will
57 execute automatically on {event} for a file matching
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +010058 {pat} |autocmd-patterns|.
Bram Moolenaar98ef2332018-03-18 14:44:37 +010059 Note: A quote character is seen as argument to the
60 :autocmd and won't start a comment.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +010061 Vim always adds the {cmd} after existing autocommands,
62 so that the autocommands execute in the order in which
63 they were given. See |autocmd-nested| for [nested].
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000064
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +000065The special pattern <buffer> or <buffer=N> defines a buffer-local autocommand.
66See |autocmd-buflocal|.
67
Bram Moolenaare99e8442016-07-26 20:43:40 +020068Note: The ":autocmd" command can only be followed by another command when the
69'|' appears before {cmd}. This works: >
70 :augroup mine | au! BufRead | augroup END
71But this sees "augroup" as part of the defined command: >
Bram Moolenaarb0d45e72017-11-05 18:19:24 +010072 :augroup mine | au! BufRead * | augroup END
Bram Moolenaare99e8442016-07-26 20:43:40 +020073 :augroup mine | au BufRead * set tw=70 | augroup END
Bram Moolenaarb0d45e72017-11-05 18:19:24 +010074Instead you can put the group name into the command: >
75 :au! mine BufRead *
76 :au mine BufRead * set tw=70
77Or use `:execute`: >
78 :augroup mine | exe "au! BufRead *" | augroup END
79 :augroup mine | exe "au BufRead * set tw=70" | augroup END
Bram Moolenaare99e8442016-07-26 20:43:40 +020080
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000081Note that special characters (e.g., "%", "<cword>") in the ":autocmd"
82arguments are not expanded when the autocommand is defined. These will be
83expanded when the Event is recognized, and the {cmd} is executed. The only
84exception is that "<sfile>" is expanded when the autocmd is defined. Example:
85>
86 :au BufNewFile,BufRead *.html so <sfile>:h/html.vim
87
88Here Vim expands <sfile> to the name of the file containing this line.
89
Bram Moolenaar2ec618c2016-10-01 14:47:05 +020090`:autocmd` adds to the list of autocommands regardless of whether they are
91already present. When your .vimrc file is sourced twice, the autocommands
92will appear twice. To avoid this, define your autocommands in a group, so
93that you can easily clear them: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000094
Bram Moolenaar2ec618c2016-10-01 14:47:05 +020095 augroup vimrc
Bram Moolenaar98ef2332018-03-18 14:44:37 +010096 " Remove all vimrc autocommands
97 autocmd!
Bram Moolenaar2ec618c2016-10-01 14:47:05 +020098 au BufNewFile,BufRead *.html so <sfile>:h/html.vim
99 augroup END
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000100
101If you don't want to remove all autocommands, you can instead use a variable
102to ensure that Vim includes the autocommands only once: >
103
104 :if !exists("autocommands_loaded")
105 : let autocommands_loaded = 1
106 : au ...
107 :endif
108
109When the [group] argument is not given, Vim uses the current group (as defined
110with ":augroup"); otherwise, Vim uses the group defined with [group]. Note
111that [group] must have been defined before. You cannot define a new group
112with ":au group ..."; use ":augroup" for that.
113
114While testing autocommands, you might find the 'verbose' option to be useful: >
115 :set verbose=9
116This setting makes Vim echo the autocommands as it executes them.
117
118When defining an autocommand in a script, it will be able to call functions
119local to the script and use mappings local to the script. When the event is
120triggered and the command executed, it will run in the context of the script
121it was defined in. This matters if |<SID>| is used in a command.
122
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000123When executing the commands, the message from one command overwrites a
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000124previous message. This is different from when executing the commands
125manually. Mostly the screen will not scroll up, thus there is no hit-enter
126prompt. When one command outputs two messages this can happen anyway.
127
128==============================================================================
1293. Removing autocommands *autocmd-remove*
130
131:au[tocmd]! [group] {event} {pat} [nested] {cmd}
132 Remove all autocommands associated with {event} and
133 {pat}, and add the command {cmd}. See
134 |autocmd-nested| for [nested].
135
136:au[tocmd]! [group] {event} {pat}
137 Remove all autocommands associated with {event} and
138 {pat}.
139
140:au[tocmd]! [group] * {pat}
141 Remove all autocommands associated with {pat} for all
142 events.
143
144:au[tocmd]! [group] {event}
145 Remove ALL autocommands for {event}.
Bram Moolenaar2ec618c2016-10-01 14:47:05 +0200146 Warning: You should not do this without a group for
147 |BufRead| and other common events, it can break
148 plugins, syntax highlighting, etc.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000149
150:au[tocmd]! [group] Remove ALL autocommands.
Bram Moolenaar98ef2332018-03-18 14:44:37 +0100151 Note: a quote will be seen as argument to the :autocmd
152 and won't start a comment.
Bram Moolenaar2ec618c2016-10-01 14:47:05 +0200153 Warning: You should normally not do this without a
154 group, it breaks plugins, syntax highlighting, etc.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000155
156When the [group] argument is not given, Vim uses the current group (as defined
157with ":augroup"); otherwise, Vim uses the group defined with [group].
158
159==============================================================================
1604. Listing autocommands *autocmd-list*
161
162:au[tocmd] [group] {event} {pat}
163 Show the autocommands associated with {event} and
164 {pat}.
165
166:au[tocmd] [group] * {pat}
167 Show the autocommands associated with {pat} for all
168 events.
169
170:au[tocmd] [group] {event}
171 Show all autocommands for {event}.
172
173:au[tocmd] [group] Show all autocommands.
174
175If you provide the [group] argument, Vim lists only the autocommands for
176[group]; otherwise, Vim lists the autocommands for ALL groups. Note that this
177argument behavior differs from that for defining and removing autocommands.
178
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000179In order to list buffer-local autocommands, use a pattern in the form <buffer>
180or <buffer=N>. See |autocmd-buflocal|.
181
Bram Moolenaarac6e65f2005-08-29 22:25:38 +0000182 *:autocmd-verbose*
183When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing an autocommand will also display where it
184was last defined. Example: >
185
186 :verbose autocmd BufEnter
187 FileExplorer BufEnter
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000188 * call s:LocalBrowse(expand("<amatch>"))
Bram Moolenaarac6e65f2005-08-29 22:25:38 +0000189 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/plugin/NetrwPlugin.vim
190<
191See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
192
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000193==============================================================================
1945. Events *autocmd-events* *E215* *E216*
195
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000196You can specify a comma-separated list of event names. No white space can be
197used in this list. The command applies to all the events in the list.
198
199For READING FILES there are four kinds of events possible:
200 BufNewFile starting to edit a non-existent file
201 BufReadPre BufReadPost starting to edit an existing file
202 FilterReadPre FilterReadPost read the temp file with filter output
203 FileReadPre FileReadPost any other file read
204Vim uses only one of these four kinds when reading a file. The "Pre" and
205"Post" events are both triggered, before and after reading the file.
206
207Note that the autocommands for the *ReadPre events and all the Filter events
208are not allowed to change the current buffer (you will get an error message if
209this happens). This is to prevent the file to be read into the wrong buffer.
210
211Note that the 'modified' flag is reset AFTER executing the BufReadPost
212and BufNewFile autocommands. But when the 'modified' option was set by the
213autocommands, this doesn't happen.
214
215You can use the 'eventignore' option to ignore a number of events or all
216events.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000217 *autocommand-events* *{event}*
218Vim recognizes the following events. Vim ignores the case of event names
219(e.g., you can use "BUFread" or "bufread" instead of "BufRead").
220
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000221First an overview by function with a short explanation. Then the list
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +0000222alphabetically with full explanations |autocmd-events-abc|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000223
224Name triggered by ~
225
226 Reading
227|BufNewFile| starting to edit a file that doesn't exist
228|BufReadPre| starting to edit a new buffer, before reading the file
229|BufRead| starting to edit a new buffer, after reading the file
230|BufReadPost| starting to edit a new buffer, after reading the file
231|BufReadCmd| before starting to edit a new buffer |Cmd-event|
232
233|FileReadPre| before reading a file with a ":read" command
234|FileReadPost| after reading a file with a ":read" command
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +0000235|FileReadCmd| before reading a file with a ":read" command |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000236
237|FilterReadPre| before reading a file from a filter command
238|FilterReadPost| after reading a file from a filter command
239
240|StdinReadPre| before reading from stdin into the buffer
241|StdinReadPost| After reading from the stdin into the buffer
242
243 Writing
244|BufWrite| starting to write the whole buffer to a file
245|BufWritePre| starting to write the whole buffer to a file
246|BufWritePost| after writing the whole buffer to a file
247|BufWriteCmd| before writing the whole buffer to a file |Cmd-event|
248
249|FileWritePre| starting to write part of a buffer to a file
250|FileWritePost| after writing part of a buffer to a file
251|FileWriteCmd| before writing part of a buffer to a file |Cmd-event|
252
253|FileAppendPre| starting to append to a file
254|FileAppendPost| after appending to a file
255|FileAppendCmd| before appending to a file |Cmd-event|
256
257|FilterWritePre| starting to write a file for a filter command or diff
258|FilterWritePost| after writing a file for a filter command or diff
259
260 Buffers
261|BufAdd| just after adding a buffer to the buffer list
262|BufCreate| just after adding a buffer to the buffer list
263|BufDelete| before deleting a buffer from the buffer list
264|BufWipeout| before completely deleting a buffer
Bram Moolenaarb852c3e2018-03-11 16:55:36 +0100265|TerminalOpen| after a terminal buffer was created
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000266
267|BufFilePre| before changing the name of the current buffer
268|BufFilePost| after changing the name of the current buffer
269
270|BufEnter| after entering a buffer
271|BufLeave| before leaving to another buffer
272|BufWinEnter| after a buffer is displayed in a window
273|BufWinLeave| before a buffer is removed from a window
274
275|BufUnload| before unloading a buffer
276|BufHidden| just after a buffer has become hidden
277|BufNew| just after creating a new buffer
278
279|SwapExists| detected an existing swap file
280
281 Options
282|FileType| when the 'filetype' option has been set
283|Syntax| when the 'syntax' option has been set
284|EncodingChanged| after the 'encoding' option has been changed
285|TermChanged| after the value of 'term' has changed
Bram Moolenaar53744302015-07-17 17:38:22 +0200286|OptionSet| after setting any option
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000287
288 Startup and exit
289|VimEnter| after doing all the startup stuff
290|GUIEnter| after starting the GUI successfully
Bram Moolenaard09acef2012-09-21 14:54:30 +0200291|GUIFailed| after starting the GUI failed
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000292|TermResponse| after the terminal response to |t_RV| is received
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000293
Bram Moolenaar12a96de2018-03-11 14:44:18 +0100294|QuitPre| when using `:quit`, before deciding whether to exit
295|ExitPre| when using a command that may make Vim exit
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000296|VimLeavePre| before exiting Vim, before writing the viminfo file
297|VimLeave| before exiting Vim, after writing the viminfo file
298
299 Various
300|FileChangedShell| Vim notices that a file changed since editing started
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000301|FileChangedShellPost| After handling a file changed since editing started
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000302|FileChangedRO| before making the first change to a read-only file
303
Bram Moolenaarb7407d32018-02-03 17:36:27 +0100304|DirChanged| after the working directory has changed
305
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +0000306|ShellCmdPost| after executing a shell command
307|ShellFilterPost| after filtering with a shell command
308
Bram Moolenaard5005162014-08-22 23:05:54 +0200309|CmdUndefined| a user command is used but it isn't defined
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000310|FuncUndefined| a user function is used but it isn't defined
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000311|SpellFileMissing| a spell file is used but it can't be found
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +0000312|SourcePre| before sourcing a Vim script
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000313|SourceCmd| before sourcing a Vim script |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000314
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000315|VimResized| after the Vim window size changed
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000316|FocusGained| Vim got input focus
317|FocusLost| Vim lost input focus
318|CursorHold| the user doesn't press a key for a while
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000319|CursorHoldI| the user doesn't press a key for a while in Insert mode
320|CursorMoved| the cursor was moved in Normal mode
321|CursorMovedI| the cursor was moved in Insert mode
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000322
Bram Moolenaarc917da42016-07-19 22:31:36 +0200323|WinNew| after creating a new window
Bram Moolenaar12c11d52016-07-19 23:13:03 +0200324|TabNew| after creating a new tab page
325|TabClosed| after closing a tab page
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000326|WinEnter| after entering another window
327|WinLeave| before leaving a window
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000328|TabEnter| after entering another tab page
329|TabLeave| before leaving a tab page
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000330|CmdwinEnter| after entering the command-line window
331|CmdwinLeave| before leaving the command-line window
332
Bram Moolenaarb5b75622018-03-09 22:22:21 +0100333|CmdlineChanged| after a change was made to the command-line text
334|CmdlineEnter| after the cursor moves to the command line
335|CmdlineLeave| before the cursor leaves the command line
336
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000337|InsertEnter| starting Insert mode
338|InsertChange| when typing <Insert> while in Insert or Replace mode
339|InsertLeave| when leaving Insert mode
Bram Moolenaare659c952011-05-19 17:25:41 +0200340|InsertCharPre| when a character was typed in Insert mode, before
341 inserting it
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000342
Bram Moolenaardfb18412013-12-11 18:53:29 +0100343|TextChanged| after a change was made to the text in Normal mode
344|TextChangedI| after a change was made to the text in Insert mode
Bram Moolenaar5a093432018-02-10 18:15:19 +0100345 when popup menu is not visible
346|TextChangedP| after a change was made to the text in Insert mode
347 when popup menu visible
Bram Moolenaar7e1652c2017-12-16 18:27:02 +0100348|TextYankPost| after text is yanked or deleted
Bram Moolenaardfb18412013-12-11 18:53:29 +0100349
Bram Moolenaar15142e22018-04-30 22:19:58 +0200350|ColorSchemePre| before loading a color scheme
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000351|ColorScheme| after loading a color scheme
352
353|RemoteReply| a reply from a server Vim was received
354
355|QuickFixCmdPre| before a quickfix command is run
356|QuickFixCmdPost| after a quickfix command is run
357
358|SessionLoadPost| after loading a session file
359
360|MenuPopup| just before showing the popup menu
Bram Moolenaard09acef2012-09-21 14:54:30 +0200361|CompleteDone| after Insert mode completion is done
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000362
363|User| to be used in combination with ":doautocmd"
364
365
366The alphabetical list of autocommand events: *autocmd-events-abc*
367
368 *BufCreate* *BufAdd*
369BufAdd or BufCreate Just after creating a new buffer which is
370 added to the buffer list, or adding a buffer
371 to the buffer list.
372 Also used just after a buffer in the buffer
373 list has been renamed.
374 The BufCreate event is for historic reasons.
375 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
376 current buffer "%" may be different from the
377 buffer being created "<afile>".
378 *BufDelete*
379BufDelete Before deleting a buffer from the buffer list.
380 The BufUnload may be called first (if the
381 buffer was loaded).
382 Also used just before a buffer in the buffer
383 list is renamed.
384 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
385 current buffer "%" may be different from the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000386 buffer being deleted "<afile>" and "<abuf>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000387 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
388 problems.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000389 *BufEnter*
390BufEnter After entering a buffer. Useful for setting
391 options for a file type. Also executed when
392 starting to edit a buffer, after the
393 BufReadPost autocommands.
394 *BufFilePost*
395BufFilePost After changing the name of the current buffer
396 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000397 *BufFilePre*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000398BufFilePre Before changing the name of the current buffer
399 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
400 *BufHidden*
401BufHidden Just after a buffer has become hidden. That
402 is, when there are no longer windows that show
403 the buffer, but the buffer is not unloaded or
404 deleted. Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when
405 exiting Vim.
406 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
407 current buffer "%" may be different from the
408 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
409 *BufLeave*
410BufLeave Before leaving to another buffer. Also when
411 leaving or closing the current window and the
412 new current window is not for the same buffer.
413 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
414 *BufNew*
415BufNew Just after creating a new buffer. Also used
416 just after a buffer has been renamed. When
417 the buffer is added to the buffer list BufAdd
418 will be triggered too.
419 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
420 current buffer "%" may be different from the
421 buffer being created "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000422 *BufNewFile*
423BufNewFile When starting to edit a file that doesn't
424 exist. Can be used to read in a skeleton
425 file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000426 *BufRead* *BufReadPost*
427BufRead or BufReadPost When starting to edit a new buffer, after
428 reading the file into the buffer, before
429 executing the modelines. See |BufWinEnter|
430 for when you need to do something after
431 processing the modelines.
432 This does NOT work for ":r file". Not used
433 when the file doesn't exist. Also used after
434 successfully recovering a file.
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +0200435 Also triggered for the filetypedetect group
436 when executing ":filetype detect" and when
437 writing an unnamed buffer in a way that the
438 buffer gets a name.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000439 *BufReadCmd*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000440BufReadCmd Before starting to edit a new buffer. Should
441 read the file into the buffer. |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000442 *BufReadPre* *E200* *E201*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000443BufReadPre When starting to edit a new buffer, before
444 reading the file into the buffer. Not used
445 if the file doesn't exist.
446 *BufUnload*
447BufUnload Before unloading a buffer. This is when the
448 text in the buffer is going to be freed. This
449 may be after a BufWritePost and before a
450 BufDelete. Also used for all buffers that are
451 loaded when Vim is going to exit.
452 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
453 current buffer "%" may be different from the
454 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar64d8e252016-09-06 22:12:34 +0200455 Don't change to another buffer or window, it
456 will cause problems!
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200457 When exiting and v:dying is 2 or more this
458 event is not triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000459 *BufWinEnter*
460BufWinEnter After a buffer is displayed in a window. This
461 can be when the buffer is loaded (after
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000462 processing the modelines) or when a hidden
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000463 buffer is displayed in a window (and is no
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000464 longer hidden).
465 Does not happen for |:split| without
466 arguments, since you keep editing the same
467 buffer, or ":split" with a file that's already
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +0000468 open in a window, because it re-uses an
469 existing buffer. But it does happen for a
470 ":split" with the name of the current buffer,
471 since it reloads that buffer.
Bram Moolenaar606cb8b2018-05-03 20:40:20 +0200472 Does not happen for a terminal window, because
473 it starts in Terminal-Job mode and Normal mode
474 commands won't work. Use |TerminalOpen| instead.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000475 *BufWinLeave*
476BufWinLeave Before a buffer is removed from a window.
477 Not when it's still visible in another window.
478 Also triggered when exiting. It's triggered
479 before BufUnload or BufHidden.
480 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
481 current buffer "%" may be different from the
482 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200483 When exiting and v:dying is 2 or more this
484 event is not triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000485 *BufWipeout*
486BufWipeout Before completely deleting a buffer. The
487 BufUnload and BufDelete events may be called
488 first (if the buffer was loaded and was in the
489 buffer list). Also used just before a buffer
490 is renamed (also when it's not in the buffer
491 list).
492 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
493 current buffer "%" may be different from the
494 buffer being deleted "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000495 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
496 problems.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000497 *BufWrite* *BufWritePre*
498BufWrite or BufWritePre Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000499 *BufWriteCmd*
500BufWriteCmd Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
501 Should do the writing of the file and reset
Bram Moolenaar1cd871b2004-12-19 22:46:22 +0000502 'modified' if successful, unless '+' is in
503 'cpo' and writing to another file |cpo-+|.
504 The buffer contents should not be changed.
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +0200505 When the command resets 'modified' the undo
506 information is adjusted to mark older undo
507 states as 'modified', like |:write| does.
Bram Moolenaar1cd871b2004-12-19 22:46:22 +0000508 |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000509 *BufWritePost*
510BufWritePost After writing the whole buffer to a file
511 (should undo the commands for BufWritePre).
Bram Moolenaard5005162014-08-22 23:05:54 +0200512 *CmdUndefined*
513CmdUndefined When a user command is used but it isn't
514 defined. Useful for defining a command only
515 when it's used. The pattern is matched
516 against the command name. Both <amatch> and
517 <afile> are set to the name of the command.
518 NOTE: Autocompletion won't work until the
519 command is defined. An alternative is to
520 always define the user command and have it
521 invoke an autoloaded function. See |autoload|.
Bram Moolenaar153b7042018-01-31 15:48:32 +0100522 *CmdlineChanged*
Bram Moolenaarb5b75622018-03-09 22:22:21 +0100523CmdlineChanged After a change was made to the text in the
524 command line. Be careful not to mess up
525 the command line, it may cause Vim to lock up.
Bram Moolenaar153b7042018-01-31 15:48:32 +0100526 <afile> is set to a single character,
527 indicating the type of command-line.
528 |cmdwin-char|
Bram Moolenaarfafcf0d2017-10-19 18:35:51 +0200529 *CmdlineEnter*
530CmdlineEnter After moving the cursor to the command line,
531 where the user can type a command or search
532 string.
533 <afile> is set to a single character,
534 indicating the type of command-line.
535 |cmdwin-char|
536 *CmdlineLeave*
537CmdlineLeave Before leaving the command line.
Bram Moolenaar01164a62017-11-02 22:58:42 +0100538 Also when abandoning the command line, after
539 typing CTRL-C or <Esc>.
540 When the commands result in an error the
541 command line is still executed.
Bram Moolenaarfafcf0d2017-10-19 18:35:51 +0200542 <afile> is set to a single character,
543 indicating the type of command-line.
544 |cmdwin-char|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000545 *CmdwinEnter*
546CmdwinEnter After entering the command-line window.
547 Useful for setting options specifically for
548 this special type of window. This is
549 triggered _instead_ of BufEnter and WinEnter.
550 <afile> is set to a single character,
551 indicating the type of command-line.
552 |cmdwin-char|
553 *CmdwinLeave*
554CmdwinLeave Before leaving the command-line window.
555 Useful to clean up any global setting done
556 with CmdwinEnter. This is triggered _instead_
557 of BufLeave and WinLeave.
558 <afile> is set to a single character,
559 indicating the type of command-line.
560 |cmdwin-char|
561 *ColorScheme*
562ColorScheme After loading a color scheme. |:colorscheme|
Bram Moolenaarb95186f2013-11-28 18:53:52 +0100563 The pattern is matched against the
564 colorscheme name. <afile> can be used for the
565 name of the actual file where this option was
566 set, and <amatch> for the new colorscheme
567 name.
568
Bram Moolenaar15142e22018-04-30 22:19:58 +0200569 *ColorSchemePre*
570ColorSchemePre Before loading a color scheme. |:colorscheme|
571 Useful to setup removing things added by a
572 color scheme, before another one is loaded.
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000573
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +0200574 *CompleteDone*
575CompleteDone After Insert mode completion is done. Either
576 when something was completed or abandoning
577 completion. |ins-completion|
Bram Moolenaar42a45122015-07-10 17:56:23 +0200578 The |v:completed_item| variable contains
579 information about the completed item.
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +0200580
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000581 *CursorHold*
582CursorHold When the user doesn't press a key for the time
583 specified with 'updatetime'. Not re-triggered
584 until the user has pressed a key (i.e. doesn't
585 fire every 'updatetime' ms if you leave Vim to
586 make some coffee. :) See |CursorHold-example|
587 for previewing tags.
588 This event is only triggered in Normal mode.
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000589 It is not triggered when waiting for a command
590 argument to be typed, or a movement after an
591 operator.
Bram Moolenaare3226be2005-12-18 22:10:00 +0000592 While recording the CursorHold event is not
593 triggered. |q|
Bram Moolenaar3a991dd2014-10-02 01:41:41 +0200594 *<CursorHold>*
595 Internally the autocommand is triggered by the
596 <CursorHold> key. In an expression mapping
597 |getchar()| may see this character.
598
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000599 Note: Interactive commands cannot be used for
600 this event. There is no hit-enter prompt,
601 the screen is updated directly (when needed).
602 Note: In the future there will probably be
603 another option to set the time.
604 Hint: to force an update of the status lines
605 use: >
606 :let &ro = &ro
607< {only on Amiga, Unix, Win32, MSDOS and all GUI
608 versions}
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000609 *CursorHoldI*
610CursorHoldI Just like CursorHold, but in Insert mode.
Bram Moolenaaraa3b15d2016-04-21 08:53:19 +0200611 Not triggered when waiting for another key,
612 e.g. after CTRL-V, and not when in CTRL-X mode
613 |insert_expand|.
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000614
615 *CursorMoved*
Bram Moolenaar52b91d82013-06-15 21:39:51 +0200616CursorMoved After the cursor was moved in Normal or Visual
617 mode. Also when the text of the cursor line
618 has been changed, e.g., with "x", "rx" or "p".
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000619 Not triggered when there is typeahead or when
620 an operator is pending.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000621 For an example see |match-parens|.
Bram Moolenaarbf884932013-04-05 22:26:15 +0200622 Careful: This is triggered very often, don't
623 do anything that the user does not expect or
624 that is slow.
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000625 *CursorMovedI*
626CursorMovedI After the cursor was moved in Insert mode.
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +0200627 Not triggered when the popup menu is visible.
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000628 Otherwise the same as CursorMoved.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000629 *EncodingChanged*
630EncodingChanged Fires off after the 'encoding' option has been
631 changed. Useful to set up fonts, for example.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000632 *FileAppendCmd*
633FileAppendCmd Before appending to a file. Should do the
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000634 appending to the file. Use the '[ and ']
635 marks for the range of lines.|Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000636 *FileAppendPost*
637FileAppendPost After appending to a file.
638 *FileAppendPre*
639FileAppendPre Before appending to a file. Use the '[ and ']
640 marks for the range of lines.
641 *FileChangedRO*
642FileChangedRO Before making the first change to a read-only
643 file. Can be used to check-out the file from
644 a source control system. Not triggered when
645 the change was caused by an autocommand.
646 This event is triggered when making the first
647 change in a buffer or the first change after
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000648 'readonly' was set, just before the change is
649 applied to the text.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000650 WARNING: If the autocommand moves the cursor
651 the effect of the change is undefined.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000652 *E788*
653 It is not allowed to change to another buffer
654 here. You can reload the buffer but not edit
655 another one.
Bram Moolenaar92dff182014-02-11 19:15:50 +0100656 *E881*
657 If the number of lines changes saving for undo
658 may fail and the change will be aborted.
Bram Moolenaarb7407d32018-02-03 17:36:27 +0100659 *DirChanged*
660DirChanged The working directory has changed in response
661 to the |:cd| or |:lcd| commands, or as a
662 result of the 'autochdir' option.
663 The pattern can be:
664 "window" to trigger on `:lcd
665 "global" to trigger on `:cd`
666 "auto" to trigger on 'autochdir'.
667 "drop" to trigger on editing a file
668 <afile> is set to the new directory name.
Bram Moolenaar12a96de2018-03-11 14:44:18 +0100669 *ExitPre*
670ExitPre When using `:quit`, `:wq` in a way it makes
671 Vim exit, or using `:qall`, just after
672 |QuitPre|. Can be used to close any
673 non-essential window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000674 *FileChangedShell*
675FileChangedShell When Vim notices that the modification time of
676 a file has changed since editing started.
677 Also when the file attributes of the file
Bram Moolenaare968e362014-05-13 20:23:24 +0200678 change or when the size of the file changes.
679 |timestamp|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000680 Mostly triggered after executing a shell
681 command, but also with a |:checktime| command
Bram Moolenaar6aa8cea2017-06-05 14:44:35 +0200682 or when gvim regains input focus.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000683 This autocommand is triggered for each changed
684 file. It is not used when 'autoread' is set
685 and the buffer was not changed. If a
686 FileChangedShell autocommand is present the
687 warning message and prompt is not given.
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000688 The |v:fcs_reason| variable is set to indicate
689 what happened and |v:fcs_choice| can be used
690 to tell Vim what to do next.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000691 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
692 current buffer "%" may be different from the
Bram Moolenaarcd5c8f82017-04-09 20:11:58 +0200693 buffer that was changed, which is in "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000694 NOTE: The commands must not change the current
695 buffer, jump to another buffer or delete a
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100696 buffer. *E246* *E811*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000697 NOTE: This event never nests, to avoid an
698 endless loop. This means that while executing
699 commands for the FileChangedShell event no
700 other FileChangedShell event will be
701 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000702 *FileChangedShellPost*
703FileChangedShellPost After handling a file that was changed outside
704 of Vim. Can be used to update the statusline.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000705 *FileEncoding*
706FileEncoding Obsolete. It still works and is equivalent
707 to |EncodingChanged|.
708 *FileReadCmd*
709FileReadCmd Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
710 Should do the reading of the file. |Cmd-event|
711 *FileReadPost*
712FileReadPost After reading a file with a ":read" command.
713 Note that Vim sets the '[ and '] marks to the
714 first and last line of the read. This can be
715 used to operate on the lines just read.
716 *FileReadPre*
717FileReadPre Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
718 *FileType*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000719FileType When the 'filetype' option has been set. The
720 pattern is matched against the filetype.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000721 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
722 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
Bram Moolenaar74675a62017-07-15 13:53:23 +0200723 the new value of 'filetype'. Navigating to
724 another window or buffer is not allowed.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000725 See |filetypes|.
726 *FileWriteCmd*
727FileWriteCmd Before writing to a file, when not writing the
728 whole buffer. Should do the writing to the
729 file. Should not change the buffer. Use the
730 '[ and '] marks for the range of lines.
731 |Cmd-event|
732 *FileWritePost*
733FileWritePost After writing to a file, when not writing the
734 whole buffer.
735 *FileWritePre*
736FileWritePre Before writing to a file, when not writing the
737 whole buffer. Use the '[ and '] marks for the
738 range of lines.
739 *FilterReadPost*
740FilterReadPost After reading a file from a filter command.
741 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
742 the current buffer as with FilterReadPre.
743 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
744 *FilterReadPre* *E135*
745FilterReadPre Before reading a file from a filter command.
746 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
747 the current buffer, not the name of the
748 temporary file that is the output of the
749 filter command.
750 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
751 *FilterWritePost*
752FilterWritePost After writing a file for a filter command or
753 making a diff.
754 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
755 the current buffer as with FilterWritePre.
756 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
757 *FilterWritePre*
758FilterWritePre Before writing a file for a filter command or
759 making a diff.
760 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
761 the current buffer, not the name of the
762 temporary file that is the output of the
763 filter command.
764 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000765 *FocusGained*
766FocusGained When Vim got input focus. Only for the GUI
767 version and a few console versions where this
768 can be detected.
769 *FocusLost*
770FocusLost When Vim lost input focus. Only for the GUI
771 version and a few console versions where this
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +0000772 can be detected. May also happen when a
773 dialog pops up.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000774 *FuncUndefined*
775FuncUndefined When a user function is used but it isn't
776 defined. Useful for defining a function only
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000777 when it's used. The pattern is matched
778 against the function name. Both <amatch> and
779 <afile> are set to the name of the function.
Bram Moolenaard5005162014-08-22 23:05:54 +0200780 NOTE: When writing Vim scripts a better
781 alternative is to use an autoloaded function.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000782 See |autoload-functions|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000783 *GUIEnter*
784GUIEnter After starting the GUI successfully, and after
785 opening the window. It is triggered before
786 VimEnter when using gvim. Can be used to
787 position the window from a .gvimrc file: >
788 :autocmd GUIEnter * winpos 100 50
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000789< *GUIFailed*
790GUIFailed After starting the GUI failed. Vim may
791 continue to run in the terminal, if possible
792 (only on Unix and alikes, when connecting the
793 X server fails). You may want to quit Vim: >
794 :autocmd GUIFailed * qall
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000795< *InsertChange*
796InsertChange When typing <Insert> while in Insert or
797 Replace mode. The |v:insertmode| variable
798 indicates the new mode.
799 Be careful not to move the cursor or do
800 anything else that the user does not expect.
Bram Moolenaare659c952011-05-19 17:25:41 +0200801 *InsertCharPre*
802InsertCharPre When a character is typed in Insert mode,
803 before inserting the char.
804 The |v:char| variable indicates the char typed
805 and can be changed during the event to insert
806 a different character. When |v:char| is set
807 to more than one character this text is
808 inserted literally.
809 It is not allowed to change the text |textlock|.
810 The event is not triggered when 'paste' is
Bram Moolenaarb5b75622018-03-09 22:22:21 +0100811 set. {only with the +eval feature}
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000812 *InsertEnter*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000813InsertEnter Just before starting Insert mode. Also for
814 Replace mode and Virtual Replace mode. The
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000815 |v:insertmode| variable indicates the mode.
Bram Moolenaar097c9922013-05-19 21:15:15 +0200816 Be careful not to do anything else that the
817 user does not expect.
818 The cursor is restored afterwards. If you do
819 not want that set |v:char| to a non-empty
820 string.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000821 *InsertLeave*
822InsertLeave When leaving Insert mode. Also when using
823 CTRL-O |i_CTRL-O|. But not for |i_CTRL-C|.
824 *MenuPopup*
825MenuPopup Just before showing the popup menu (under the
826 right mouse button). Useful for adjusting the
827 menu for what is under the cursor or mouse
828 pointer.
829 The pattern is matched against a single
830 character representing the mode:
831 n Normal
832 v Visual
833 o Operator-pending
834 i Insert
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +0000835 c Command line
Bram Moolenaar53744302015-07-17 17:38:22 +0200836 *OptionSet*
837OptionSet After setting an option. The pattern is
838 matched against the long option name.
839 The |v:option_old| variable indicates the
840 old option value, |v:option_new| variable
841 indicates the newly set value, the
842 |v:option_type| variable indicates whether
843 it's global or local scoped and |<amatch>|
844 indicates what option has been set.
845
846 Is not triggered on startup and for the 'key'
847 option for obvious reasons.
848
Bram Moolenaarf9132812015-07-21 19:19:13 +0200849 Usage example: Check for the existence of the
850 directory in the 'backupdir' and 'undodir'
851 options, create the directory if it doesn't
852 exist yet.
853
854 Note: It's a bad idea to reset an option
855 during this autocommand, this may break a
856 plugin. You can always use `:noa` to prevent
857 triggering this autocommand.
Bram Moolenaar53744302015-07-17 17:38:22 +0200858
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000859 *QuickFixCmdPre*
860QuickFixCmdPre Before a quickfix command is run (|:make|,
Bram Moolenaara6557602006-02-04 22:43:20 +0000861 |:lmake|, |:grep|, |:lgrep|, |:grepadd|,
862 |:lgrepadd|, |:vimgrep|, |:lvimgrep|,
Bram Moolenaar6be7f872012-01-20 21:08:56 +0100863 |:vimgrepadd|, |:lvimgrepadd|, |:cscope|,
Bram Moolenaar84f72352012-03-11 15:57:40 +0100864 |:cfile|, |:cgetfile|, |:caddfile|, |:lfile|,
865 |:lgetfile|, |:laddfile|, |:helpgrep|,
Bram Moolenaar64d8e252016-09-06 22:12:34 +0200866 |:lhelpgrep|, |:cexpr|, |:cgetexpr|,
867 |:caddexpr|, |:cbuffer|, |:cgetbuffer|,
868 |:caddbuffer|).
Bram Moolenaarf1eeae92010-05-14 23:14:42 +0200869 The pattern is matched against the command
870 being run. When |:grep| is used but 'grepprg'
871 is set to "internal" it still matches "grep".
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000872 This command cannot be used to set the
873 'makeprg' and 'grepprg' variables.
874 If this command causes an error, the quickfix
875 command is not executed.
876 *QuickFixCmdPost*
877QuickFixCmdPost Like QuickFixCmdPre, but after a quickfix
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000878 command is run, before jumping to the first
Bram Moolenaar8ec1f852012-03-07 20:13:49 +0100879 location. For |:cfile| and |:lfile| commands
880 it is run after error file is read and before
Bram Moolenaar92dff182014-02-11 19:15:50 +0100881 moving to the first error.
Bram Moolenaar8ec1f852012-03-07 20:13:49 +0100882 See |QuickFixCmdPost-example|.
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +0200883 *QuitPre*
Bram Moolenaarac7bd632013-03-19 11:35:58 +0100884QuitPre When using `:quit`, `:wq` or `:qall`, before
885 deciding whether it closes the current window
886 or quits Vim. Can be used to close any
887 non-essential window if the current window is
888 the last ordinary window.
Bram Moolenaar12a96de2018-03-11 14:44:18 +0100889 Also see |ExitPre|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000890 *RemoteReply*
891RemoteReply When a reply from a Vim that functions as
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000892 server was received |server2client()|. The
893 pattern is matched against the {serverid}.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000894 <amatch> is equal to the {serverid} from which
895 the reply was sent, and <afile> is the actual
896 reply string.
897 Note that even if an autocommand is defined,
898 the reply should be read with |remote_read()|
899 to consume it.
900 *SessionLoadPost*
901SessionLoadPost After loading the session file created using
902 the |:mksession| command.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +0000903 *ShellCmdPost*
904ShellCmdPost After executing a shell command with |:!cmd|,
905 |:shell|, |:make| and |:grep|. Can be used to
906 check for any changed files.
907 *ShellFilterPost*
908ShellFilterPost After executing a shell command with
909 ":{range}!cmd", ":w !cmd" or ":r !cmd".
910 Can be used to check for any changed files.
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +0000911 *SourcePre*
912SourcePre Before sourcing a Vim script. |:source|
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000913 <afile> is the name of the file being sourced.
914 *SourceCmd*
915SourceCmd When sourcing a Vim script. |:source|
916 <afile> is the name of the file being sourced.
917 The autocommand must source this file.
918 |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000919 *SpellFileMissing*
920SpellFileMissing When trying to load a spell checking file and
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000921 it can't be found. The pattern is matched
922 against the language. <amatch> is the
923 language, 'encoding' also matters. See
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000924 |spell-SpellFileMissing|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000925 *StdinReadPost*
926StdinReadPost After reading from the stdin into the buffer,
927 before executing the modelines. Only used
928 when the "-" argument was used when Vim was
929 started |--|.
930 *StdinReadPre*
931StdinReadPre Before reading from stdin into the buffer.
932 Only used when the "-" argument was used when
933 Vim was started |--|.
934 *SwapExists*
935SwapExists Detected an existing swap file when starting
936 to edit a file. Only when it is possible to
937 select a way to handle the situation, when Vim
938 would ask the user what to do.
939 The |v:swapname| variable holds the name of
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +0000940 the swap file found, <afile> the file being
941 edited. |v:swapcommand| may contain a command
942 to be executed in the opened file.
943 The commands should set the |v:swapchoice|
944 variable to a string with one character to
945 tell Vim what should be done next:
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000946 'o' open read-only
947 'e' edit the file anyway
948 'r' recover
949 'd' delete the swap file
950 'q' quit, don't edit the file
951 'a' abort, like hitting CTRL-C
952 When set to an empty string the user will be
953 asked, as if there was no SwapExists autocmd.
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000954 *E812*
955 It is not allowed to change to another buffer,
956 change a buffer name or change directory
957 here.
Bram Moolenaarb5b75622018-03-09 22:22:21 +0100958 {only available with the +eval feature}
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000959 *Syntax*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000960Syntax When the 'syntax' option has been set. The
961 pattern is matched against the syntax name.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000962 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
963 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
964 the new value of 'syntax'.
965 See |:syn-on|.
Bram Moolenaar12c11d52016-07-19 23:13:03 +0200966 *TabClosed*
967TabClosed After closing a tab page.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000968 *TabEnter*
969TabEnter Just after entering a tab page. |tab-page|
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +0000970 After triggering the WinEnter and before
971 triggering the BufEnter event.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000972 *TabLeave*
973TabLeave Just before leaving a tab page. |tab-page|
974 A WinLeave event will have been triggered
975 first.
Bram Moolenaarc917da42016-07-19 22:31:36 +0200976 *TabNew*
977TabNew When a tab page was created. |tab-page|
978 A WinEnter event will have been triggered
979 first, TabEnter follows.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000980 *TermChanged*
981TermChanged After the value of 'term' has changed. Useful
982 for re-loading the syntax file to update the
983 colors, fonts and other terminal-dependent
984 settings. Executed for all loaded buffers.
Bram Moolenaarb852c3e2018-03-11 16:55:36 +0100985 *TerminalOpen*
986TerminalOpen Just after a terminal buffer was created, with
987 `:terminal` or |term_start()|. This event is
988 triggered even if the buffer is created
989 without a window, with the ++hidden option.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000990 *TermResponse*
991TermResponse After the response to |t_RV| is received from
992 the terminal. The value of |v:termresponse|
993 can be used to do things depending on the
Bram Moolenaar8e5af3e2011-04-28 19:02:44 +0200994 terminal version. Note that this event may be
995 triggered halfway executing another event,
996 especially if file I/O, a shell command or
997 anything else that takes time is involved.
Bram Moolenaarbf884932013-04-05 22:26:15 +0200998 *TextChanged*
999TextChanged After a change was made to the text in the
1000 current buffer in Normal mode. That is when
1001 |b:changedtick| has changed.
1002 Not triggered when there is typeahead or when
1003 an operator is pending.
1004 Careful: This is triggered very often, don't
1005 do anything that the user does not expect or
1006 that is slow.
1007 *TextChangedI*
1008TextChangedI After a change was made to the text in the
1009 current buffer in Insert mode.
1010 Not triggered when the popup menu is visible.
1011 Otherwise the same as TextChanged.
Bram Moolenaar5a093432018-02-10 18:15:19 +01001012 *TextChangedP*
1013TextChangedP After a change was made to the text in the
1014 current buffer in Insert mode, only when the
1015 popup menu is visible. Otherwise the same as
1016 TextChanged.
Bram Moolenaarf0b03c42017-12-17 17:17:07 +01001017 *TextYankPost*
Bram Moolenaar7e1652c2017-12-16 18:27:02 +01001018TextYankPost After text has been yanked or deleted in the
1019 current buffer. The following values of
1020 |v:event| can be used to determine the operation
1021 that triggered this autocmd:
1022 operator The operation performed.
1023 regcontents Text that was stored in the
1024 register, as a list of lines,
1025 like with: >
1026 getreg(r, 1, 1)
1027< regname Name of the |register| or
1028 empty string for the unnamed
1029 register.
1030 regtype Type of the register, see
1031 |getregtype()|.
1032 Not triggered when |quote_| is used nor when
1033 called recursively.
1034 It is not allowed to change the buffer text,
1035 see |textlock|.
Bram Moolenaarb5b75622018-03-09 22:22:21 +01001036 {only when compiled with the +eval feature}
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001037 *User*
1038User Never executed automatically. To be used for
1039 autocommands that are only executed with
1040 ":doautocmd".
Bram Moolenaar7dda86f2018-04-20 22:36:41 +02001041 Note that when `:doautocmd User MyEvent` is
1042 used while there are no matching autocommands,
1043 you will get an error. If you don't want
1044 that, define a dummy autocommand yourself.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001045 *UserGettingBored*
Bram Moolenaarbf884932013-04-05 22:26:15 +02001046UserGettingBored When the user presses the same key 42 times.
1047 Just kidding! :-)
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001048 *VimEnter*
1049VimEnter After doing all the startup stuff, including
1050 loading .vimrc files, executing the "-c cmd"
1051 arguments, creating all windows and loading
1052 the buffers in them.
Bram Moolenaar14735512016-03-26 21:00:08 +01001053 Just before this event is triggered the
1054 |v:vim_did_enter| variable is set, so that you
1055 can do: >
1056 if v:vim_did_enter
1057 call s:init()
1058 else
1059 au VimEnter * call s:init()
1060 endif
1061< *VimLeave*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001062VimLeave Before exiting Vim, just after writing the
1063 .viminfo file. Executed only once, like
1064 VimLeavePre.
1065 To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +02001066 When v:dying is 2 or more this event is not
1067 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001068 *VimLeavePre*
1069VimLeavePre Before exiting Vim, just before writing the
1070 .viminfo file. This is executed only once,
1071 if there is a match with the name of what
1072 happens to be the current buffer when exiting.
1073 Mostly useful with a "*" pattern. >
1074 :autocmd VimLeavePre * call CleanupStuff()
1075< To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +02001076 When v:dying is 2 or more this event is not
1077 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +00001078 *VimResized*
1079VimResized After the Vim window was resized, thus 'lines'
1080 and/or 'columns' changed. Not when starting
1081 up though.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001082 *WinEnter*
1083WinEnter After entering another window. Not done for
1084 the first window, when Vim has just started.
1085 Useful for setting the window height.
1086 If the window is for another buffer, Vim
1087 executes the BufEnter autocommands after the
1088 WinEnter autocommands.
Bram Moolenaar7dda86f2018-04-20 22:36:41 +02001089 Note: For split and tabpage commands the
1090 WinEnter event is triggered after the split
1091 or tab command but before the file is loaded.
1092
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001093 *WinLeave*
1094WinLeave Before leaving a window. If the window to be
1095 entered next is for a different buffer, Vim
1096 executes the BufLeave autocommands before the
1097 WinLeave autocommands (but not for ":new").
1098 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001099
Bram Moolenaar12c11d52016-07-19 23:13:03 +02001100 *WinNew*
1101WinNew When a new window was created. Not done for
Bram Moolenaar50ba5262016-09-22 22:33:02 +02001102 the first window, when Vim has just started.
Bram Moolenaar12c11d52016-07-19 23:13:03 +02001103 Before a WinEnter event.
1104
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001105==============================================================================
11066. Patterns *autocmd-patterns* *{pat}*
1107
Bram Moolenaar5a5f4592015-04-13 12:43:06 +02001108The {pat} argument can be a comma separated list. This works as if the
1109command was given with each pattern separately. Thus this command: >
1110 :autocmd BufRead *.txt,*.info set et
1111Is equivalent to: >
1112 :autocmd BufRead *.txt set et
1113 :autocmd BufRead *.info set et
1114
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001115The file pattern {pat} is tested for a match against the file name in one of
1116two ways:
11171. When there is no '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against only
1118 the tail part of the file name (without its leading directory path).
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +010011192. When there is a '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against both the
1120 short file name (as you typed it) and the full file name (after expanding
1121 it to a full path and resolving symbolic links).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001122
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001123The special pattern <buffer> or <buffer=N> is used for buffer-local
1124autocommands |autocmd-buflocal|. This pattern is not matched against the name
1125of a buffer.
1126
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001127Examples: >
1128 :autocmd BufRead *.txt set et
1129Set the 'et' option for all text files. >
1130
1131 :autocmd BufRead /vim/src/*.c set cindent
1132Set the 'cindent' option for C files in the /vim/src directory. >
1133
1134 :autocmd BufRead /tmp/*.c set ts=5
1135If you have a link from "/tmp/test.c" to "/home/nobody/vim/src/test.c", and
1136you start editing "/tmp/test.c", this autocommand will match.
1137
1138Note: To match part of a path, but not from the root directory, use a '*' as
1139the first character. Example: >
1140 :autocmd BufRead */doc/*.txt set tw=78
1141This autocommand will for example be executed for "/tmp/doc/xx.txt" and
1142"/usr/home/piet/doc/yy.txt". The number of directories does not matter here.
1143
1144
1145The file name that the pattern is matched against is after expanding
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001146wildcards. Thus if you issue this command: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001147 :e $ROOTDIR/main.$EXT
1148The argument is first expanded to: >
1149 /usr/root/main.py
1150Before it's matched with the pattern of the autocommand. Careful with this
1151when using events like FileReadCmd, the value of <amatch> may not be what you
1152expect.
1153
1154
1155Environment variables can be used in a pattern: >
1156 :autocmd BufRead $VIMRUNTIME/doc/*.txt set expandtab
1157And ~ can be used for the home directory (if $HOME is defined): >
1158 :autocmd BufWritePost ~/.vimrc so ~/.vimrc
1159 :autocmd BufRead ~archive/* set readonly
1160The environment variable is expanded when the autocommand is defined, not when
1161the autocommand is executed. This is different from the command!
1162
1163 *file-pattern*
1164The pattern is interpreted like mostly used in file names:
Bram Moolenaar3b1db362013-08-10 15:00:24 +02001165 * matches any sequence of characters; Unusual: includes path
Bram Moolenaar9d98fe92013-08-03 18:35:36 +02001166 separators
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001167 ? matches any single character
1168 \? matches a '?'
1169 . matches a '.'
1170 ~ matches a '~'
1171 , separates patterns
1172 \, matches a ','
1173 { } like \( \) in a |pattern|
1174 , inside { }: like \| in a |pattern|
Bram Moolenaara946afe2013-08-02 15:22:39 +02001175 \} literal }
1176 \{ literal {
1177 \\\{n,m\} like \{n,m} in a |pattern|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001178 \ special meaning like in a |pattern|
1179 [ch] matches 'c' or 'h'
1180 [^ch] match any character but 'c' and 'h'
1181
1182Note that for all systems the '/' character is used for path separator (even
1183MS-DOS and OS/2). This was done because the backslash is difficult to use
1184in a pattern and to make the autocommands portable across different systems.
1185
Bram Moolenaar64d8e252016-09-06 22:12:34 +02001186It is possible to use |pattern| items, but they may not work as expected,
1187because of the translation done for the above.
1188
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001189 *autocmd-changes*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001190Matching with the pattern is done when an event is triggered. Changing the
1191buffer name in one of the autocommands, or even deleting the buffer, does not
1192change which autocommands will be executed. Example: >
1193
1194 au BufEnter *.foo bdel
1195 au BufEnter *.foo set modified
1196
1197This will delete the current buffer and then set 'modified' in what has become
1198the current buffer instead. Vim doesn't take into account that "*.foo"
1199doesn't match with that buffer name. It matches "*.foo" with the name of the
1200buffer at the moment the event was triggered.
1201
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001202However, buffer-local autocommands will not be executed for a buffer that has
1203been wiped out with |:bwipe|. After deleting the buffer with |:bdel| the
1204buffer actually still exists (it becomes unlisted), thus the autocommands are
1205still executed.
1206
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001207==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +000012087. Buffer-local autocommands *autocmd-buflocal* *autocmd-buffer-local*
1209 *<buffer=N>* *<buffer=abuf>* *E680*
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001210
1211Buffer-local autocommands are attached to a specific buffer. They are useful
1212if the buffer does not have a name and when the name does not match a specific
1213pattern. But it also means they must be explicitly added to each buffer.
1214
1215Instead of a pattern buffer-local autocommands use one of these forms:
1216 <buffer> current buffer
1217 <buffer=99> buffer number 99
1218 <buffer=abuf> using <abuf> (only when executing autocommands)
1219 |<abuf>|
1220
1221Examples: >
1222 :au CursorHold <buffer> echo 'hold'
1223 :au CursorHold <buffer=33> echo 'hold'
Bram Moolenaar88774fd2015-08-25 19:52:04 +02001224 :au BufNewFile * au CursorHold <buffer=abuf> echo 'hold'
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001225
1226All the commands for autocommands also work with buffer-local autocommands,
1227simply use the special string instead of the pattern. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001228 :au! * <buffer> " remove buffer-local autocommands for
1229 " current buffer
1230 :au! * <buffer=33> " remove buffer-local autocommands for
1231 " buffer #33
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001232 :bufdo :au! CursorHold <buffer> " remove autocmd for given event for all
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001233 " buffers
1234 :au * <buffer> " list buffer-local autocommands for
1235 " current buffer
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001236
1237Note that when an autocommand is defined for the current buffer, it is stored
1238with the buffer number. Thus it uses the form "<buffer=12>", where 12 is the
1239number of the current buffer. You will see this when listing autocommands,
1240for example.
1241
1242To test for presence of buffer-local autocommands use the |exists()| function
1243as follows: >
1244 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer=12>") | ... | endif
1245 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer>") | ... | endif " for current buffer
1246
1247When a buffer is wiped out its buffer-local autocommands are also gone, of
1248course. Note that when deleting a buffer, e.g., with ":bdel", it is only
1249unlisted, the autocommands are still present. In order to see the removal of
1250buffer-local autocommands: >
1251 :set verbose=6
1252
1253It is not possible to define buffer-local autocommands for a non-existent
1254buffer.
1255
1256==============================================================================
12578. Groups *autocmd-groups*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001258
1259Autocommands can be put together in a group. This is useful for removing or
1260executing a group of autocommands. For example, all the autocommands for
1261syntax highlighting are put in the "highlight" group, to be able to execute
1262":doautoall highlight BufRead" when the GUI starts.
1263
1264When no specific group is selected, Vim uses the default group. The default
1265group does not have a name. You cannot execute the autocommands from the
1266default group separately; you can execute them only by executing autocommands
1267for all groups.
1268
1269Normally, when executing autocommands automatically, Vim uses the autocommands
1270for all groups. The group only matters when executing autocommands with
1271":doautocmd" or ":doautoall", or when defining or deleting autocommands.
1272
1273The group name can contain any characters except white space. The group name
1274"end" is reserved (also in uppercase).
1275
1276The group name is case sensitive. Note that this is different from the event
1277name!
1278
1279 *:aug* *:augroup*
1280:aug[roup] {name} Define the autocmd group name for the
1281 following ":autocmd" commands. The name "end"
1282 or "END" selects the default group.
Bram Moolenaar256972a2015-12-29 19:10:25 +01001283 To avoid confusion, the name should be
1284 different from existing {event} names, as this
1285 most likely will not do what you intended.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001286
Bram Moolenaar64d8e252016-09-06 22:12:34 +02001287 *:augroup-delete* *E367* *W19* *E936*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001288:aug[roup]! {name} Delete the autocmd group {name}. Don't use
1289 this if there is still an autocommand using
Bram Moolenaarbc8801c2016-08-02 21:04:33 +02001290 this group! You will get a warning if doing
Bram Moolenaar64d8e252016-09-06 22:12:34 +02001291 it anyway. when the group is the current group
1292 you will get error E936.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001293
1294To enter autocommands for a specific group, use this method:
12951. Select the group with ":augroup {name}".
12962. Delete any old autocommands with ":au!".
12973. Define the autocommands.
12984. Go back to the default group with "augroup END".
1299
1300Example: >
1301 :augroup uncompress
1302 : au!
1303 : au BufEnter *.gz %!gunzip
1304 :augroup END
1305
1306This prevents having the autocommands defined twice (e.g., after sourcing the
1307.vimrc file again).
1308
1309==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +000013109. Executing autocommands *autocmd-execute*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001311
1312Vim can also execute Autocommands non-automatically. This is useful if you
1313have changed autocommands, or when Vim has executed the wrong autocommands
1314(e.g., the file pattern match was wrong).
1315
1316Note that the 'eventignore' option applies here too. Events listed in this
1317option will not cause any commands to be executed.
1318
1319 *:do* *:doau* *:doautocmd* *E217*
Bram Moolenaar5dc62522012-02-13 00:05:22 +01001320:do[autocmd] [<nomodeline>] [group] {event} [fname]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001321 Apply the autocommands matching [fname] (default:
1322 current file name) for {event} to the current buffer.
1323 You can use this when the current file name does not
1324 match the right pattern, after changing settings, or
1325 to execute autocommands for a certain event.
1326 It's possible to use this inside an autocommand too,
1327 so you can base the autocommands for one extension on
1328 another extension. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +01001329 :au BufEnter *.cpp so ~/.vimrc_cpp
1330 :au BufEnter *.cpp doau BufEnter x.c
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001331< Be careful to avoid endless loops. See
1332 |autocmd-nested|.
1333
1334 When the [group] argument is not given, Vim executes
1335 the autocommands for all groups. When the [group]
1336 argument is included, Vim executes only the matching
1337 autocommands for that group. Note: if you use an
1338 undefined group name, Vim gives you an error message.
Bram Moolenaar60542ac2012-02-12 20:14:01 +01001339 *<nomodeline>*
1340 After applying the autocommands the modelines are
1341 processed, so that their settings overrule the
1342 settings from autocommands, like what happens when
1343 editing a file. This is skipped when the <nomodeline>
1344 argument is present. You probably want to use
1345 <nomodeline> for events that are not used when loading
1346 a buffer, such as |User|.
Bram Moolenaarc95a3022016-06-12 23:01:46 +02001347 Processing modelines is also skipped when no
1348 matching autocommands were executed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001349
1350 *:doautoa* *:doautoall*
Bram Moolenaara61d5fb2012-02-12 00:18:58 +01001351:doautoa[ll] [<nomodeline>] [group] {event} [fname]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001352 Like ":doautocmd", but apply the autocommands to each
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001353 loaded buffer. Note that [fname] is used to select
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001354 the autocommands, not the buffers to which they are
1355 applied.
1356 Careful: Don't use this for autocommands that delete a
1357 buffer, change to another buffer or change the
1358 contents of a buffer; the result is unpredictable.
1359 This command is intended for autocommands that set
1360 options, change highlighting, and things like that.
1361
1362==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000136310. Using autocommands *autocmd-use*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001364
1365For WRITING FILES there are four possible sets of events. Vim uses only one
1366of these sets for a write command:
1367
1368BufWriteCmd BufWritePre BufWritePost writing the whole buffer
1369 FilterWritePre FilterWritePost writing to filter temp file
1370FileAppendCmd FileAppendPre FileAppendPost appending to a file
1371FileWriteCmd FileWritePre FileWritePost any other file write
1372
1373When there is a matching "*Cmd" autocommand, it is assumed it will do the
1374writing. No further writing is done and the other events are not triggered.
1375|Cmd-event|
1376
1377Note that the *WritePost commands should undo any changes to the buffer that
1378were caused by the *WritePre commands; otherwise, writing the file will have
1379the side effect of changing the buffer.
1380
1381Before executing the autocommands, the buffer from which the lines are to be
1382written temporarily becomes the current buffer. Unless the autocommands
1383change the current buffer or delete the previously current buffer, the
1384previously current buffer is made the current buffer again.
1385
1386The *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands must not delete the buffer from
1387which the lines are to be written.
1388
1389The '[ and '] marks have a special position:
1390- Before the *ReadPre event the '[ mark is set to the line just above where
1391 the new lines will be inserted.
1392- Before the *ReadPost event the '[ mark is set to the first line that was
1393 just read, the '] mark to the last line.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001394- Before executing the *WriteCmd, *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands the '[
1395 mark is set to the first line that will be written, the '] mark to the last
1396 line.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001397Careful: '[ and '] change when using commands that change the buffer.
1398
1399In commands which expect a file name, you can use "<afile>" for the file name
1400that is being read |:<afile>| (you can also use "%" for the current file
1401name). "<abuf>" can be used for the buffer number of the currently effective
1402buffer. This also works for buffers that doesn't have a name. But it doesn't
1403work for files without a buffer (e.g., with ":r file").
1404
1405 *gzip-example*
1406Examples for reading and writing compressed files: >
1407 :augroup gzip
1408 : autocmd!
1409 : autocmd BufReadPre,FileReadPre *.gz set bin
1410 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz '[,']!gunzip
1411 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz set nobin
1412 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz execute ":doautocmd BufReadPost " . expand("%:r")
1413 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1414 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1415
1416 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !gunzip <afile>
1417 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !mv <afile>:r <afile>
1418 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1419 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1420 :augroup END
1421
1422The "gzip" group is used to be able to delete any existing autocommands with
1423":autocmd!", for when the file is sourced twice.
1424
1425("<afile>:r" is the file name without the extension, see |:_%:|)
1426
1427The commands executed for the BufNewFile, BufRead/BufReadPost, BufWritePost,
1428FileAppendPost and VimLeave events do not set or reset the changed flag of the
1429buffer. When you decompress the buffer with the BufReadPost autocommands, you
1430can still exit with ":q". When you use ":undo" in BufWritePost to undo the
1431changes made by BufWritePre commands, you can still do ":q" (this also makes
1432"ZZ" work). If you do want the buffer to be marked as modified, set the
1433'modified' option.
1434
1435To execute Normal mode commands from an autocommand, use the ":normal"
1436command. Use with care! If the Normal mode command is not finished, the user
1437needs to type characters (e.g., after ":normal m" you need to type a mark
1438name).
1439
1440If you want the buffer to be unmodified after changing it, reset the
1441'modified' option. This makes it possible to exit the buffer with ":q"
1442instead of ":q!".
1443
1444 *autocmd-nested* *E218*
1445By default, autocommands do not nest. If you use ":e" or ":w" in an
1446autocommand, Vim does not execute the BufRead and BufWrite autocommands for
1447those commands. If you do want this, use the "nested" flag for those commands
1448in which you want nesting. For example: >
1449 :autocmd FileChangedShell *.c nested e!
1450The nesting is limited to 10 levels to get out of recursive loops.
1451
1452It's possible to use the ":au" command in an autocommand. This can be a
1453self-modifying command! This can be useful for an autocommand that should
1454execute only once.
1455
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001456If you want to skip autocommands for one command, use the |:noautocmd| command
1457modifier or the 'eventignore' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001458
1459Note: When reading a file (with ":read file" or with a filter command) and the
1460last line in the file does not have an <EOL>, Vim remembers this. At the next
1461write (with ":write file" or with a filter command), if the same line is
1462written again as the last line in a file AND 'binary' is set, Vim does not
1463supply an <EOL>. This makes a filter command on the just read lines write the
1464same file as was read, and makes a write command on just filtered lines write
1465the same file as was read from the filter. For example, another way to write
1466a compressed file: >
1467
1468 :autocmd FileWritePre *.gz set bin|'[,']!gzip
1469 :autocmd FileWritePost *.gz undo|set nobin
1470<
1471 *autocommand-pattern*
1472You can specify multiple patterns, separated by commas. Here are some
1473examples: >
1474
1475 :autocmd BufRead * set tw=79 nocin ic infercase fo=2croq
1476 :autocmd BufRead .letter set tw=72 fo=2tcrq
1477 :autocmd BufEnter .letter set dict=/usr/lib/dict/words
1478 :autocmd BufLeave .letter set dict=
1479 :autocmd BufRead,BufNewFile *.c,*.h set tw=0 cin noic
1480 :autocmd BufEnter *.c,*.h abbr FOR for (i = 0; i < 3; ++i)<CR>{<CR>}<Esc>O
1481 :autocmd BufLeave *.c,*.h unabbr FOR
1482
1483For makefiles (makefile, Makefile, imakefile, makefile.unix, etc.): >
1484
1485 :autocmd BufEnter ?akefile* set include=^s\=include
1486 :autocmd BufLeave ?akefile* set include&
1487
1488To always start editing C files at the first function: >
1489
1490 :autocmd BufRead *.c,*.h 1;/^{
1491
1492Without the "1;" above, the search would start from wherever the file was
1493entered, rather than from the start of the file.
1494
1495 *skeleton* *template*
1496To read a skeleton (template) file when opening a new file: >
1497
1498 :autocmd BufNewFile *.c 0r ~/vim/skeleton.c
1499 :autocmd BufNewFile *.h 0r ~/vim/skeleton.h
1500 :autocmd BufNewFile *.java 0r ~/vim/skeleton.java
1501
1502To insert the current date and time in a *.html file when writing it: >
1503
1504 :autocmd BufWritePre,FileWritePre *.html ks|call LastMod()|'s
1505 :fun LastMod()
1506 : if line("$") > 20
1507 : let l = 20
1508 : else
1509 : let l = line("$")
1510 : endif
1511 : exe "1," . l . "g/Last modified: /s/Last modified: .*/Last modified: " .
1512 : \ strftime("%Y %b %d")
1513 :endfun
1514
1515You need to have a line "Last modified: <date time>" in the first 20 lines
1516of the file for this to work. Vim replaces <date time> (and anything in the
1517same line after it) with the current date and time. Explanation:
1518 ks mark current position with mark 's'
1519 call LastMod() call the LastMod() function to do the work
1520 's return the cursor to the old position
1521The LastMod() function checks if the file is shorter than 20 lines, and then
1522uses the ":g" command to find lines that contain "Last modified: ". For those
1523lines the ":s" command is executed to replace the existing date with the
1524current one. The ":execute" command is used to be able to use an expression
1525for the ":g" and ":s" commands. The date is obtained with the strftime()
1526function. You can change its argument to get another date string.
1527
1528When entering :autocmd on the command-line, completion of events and command
1529names may be done (with <Tab>, CTRL-D, etc.) where appropriate.
1530
1531Vim executes all matching autocommands in the order that you specify them.
1532It is recommended that your first autocommand be used for all files by using
1533"*" as the file pattern. This means that you can define defaults you like
1534here for any settings, and if there is another matching autocommand it will
1535override these. But if there is no other matching autocommand, then at least
1536your default settings are recovered (if entering this file from another for
1537which autocommands did match). Note that "*" will also match files starting
1538with ".", unlike Unix shells.
1539
1540 *autocmd-searchpat*
1541Autocommands do not change the current search patterns. Vim saves the current
1542search patterns before executing autocommands then restores them after the
1543autocommands finish. This means that autocommands do not affect the strings
1544highlighted with the 'hlsearch' option. Within autocommands, you can still
1545use search patterns normally, e.g., with the "n" command.
1546If you want an autocommand to set the search pattern, such that it is used
1547after the autocommand finishes, use the ":let @/ =" command.
1548The search-highlighting cannot be switched off with ":nohlsearch" in an
1549autocommand. Use the 'h' flag in the 'viminfo' option to disable search-
1550highlighting when starting Vim.
1551
1552 *Cmd-event*
1553When using one of the "*Cmd" events, the matching autocommands are expected to
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +00001554do the file reading, writing or sourcing. This can be used when working with
1555a special kind of file, for example on a remote system.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001556CAREFUL: If you use these events in a wrong way, it may have the effect of
1557making it impossible to read or write the matching files! Make sure you test
1558your autocommands properly. Best is to use a pattern that will never match a
1559normal file name, for example "ftp://*".
1560
1561When defining a BufReadCmd it will be difficult for Vim to recover a crashed
1562editing session. When recovering from the original file, Vim reads only those
1563parts of a file that are not found in the swap file. Since that is not
1564possible with a BufReadCmd, use the |:preserve| command to make sure the
1565original file isn't needed for recovery. You might want to do this only when
1566you expect the file to be modified.
1567
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +00001568For file read and write commands the |v:cmdarg| variable holds the "++enc="
1569and "++ff=" argument that are effective. These should be used for the command
1570that reads/writes the file. The |v:cmdbang| variable is one when "!" was
1571used, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001572
Bram Moolenaarc88ebf72010-07-22 22:30:23 +02001573See the $VIMRUNTIME/plugin/netrwPlugin.vim for examples.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001574
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001575==============================================================================
157611. Disabling autocommands *autocmd-disable*
1577
1578To disable autocommands for some time use the 'eventignore' option. Note that
1579this may cause unexpected behavior, make sure you restore 'eventignore'
1580afterwards, using a |:try| block with |:finally|.
1581
1582 *:noautocmd* *:noa*
1583To disable autocommands for just one command use the ":noautocmd" command
1584modifier. This will set 'eventignore' to "all" for the duration of the
1585following command. Example: >
1586
1587 :noautocmd w fname.gz
1588
1589This will write the file without triggering the autocommands defined by the
1590gzip plugin.
1591
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001592
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001593 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: