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Bram Moolenaare968e362014-05-13 20:23:24 +02001*autocmd.txt* For Vim version 7.4. Last change: 2014 May 02
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 Moolenaard09acef2012-09-21 14:54:30 +0200266|GUIFailed| after starting the GUI failed
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000267|TermResponse| after the terminal response to |t_RV| is received
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000268
Bram Moolenaar00154502013-02-13 16:15:55 +0100269|QuitPre| when using `:quit`, before deciding whether to quit
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000270|VimLeavePre| before exiting Vim, before writing the viminfo file
271|VimLeave| before exiting Vim, after writing the viminfo file
272
273 Various
274|FileChangedShell| Vim notices that a file changed since editing started
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000275|FileChangedShellPost| After handling a file changed since editing started
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000276|FileChangedRO| before making the first change to a read-only file
277
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +0000278|ShellCmdPost| after executing a shell command
279|ShellFilterPost| after filtering with a shell command
280
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000281|FuncUndefined| a user function is used but it isn't defined
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000282|SpellFileMissing| a spell file is used but it can't be found
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +0000283|SourcePre| before sourcing a Vim script
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000284|SourceCmd| before sourcing a Vim script |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000285
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000286|VimResized| after the Vim window size changed
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000287|FocusGained| Vim got input focus
288|FocusLost| Vim lost input focus
289|CursorHold| the user doesn't press a key for a while
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000290|CursorHoldI| the user doesn't press a key for a while in Insert mode
291|CursorMoved| the cursor was moved in Normal mode
292|CursorMovedI| the cursor was moved in Insert mode
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000293
294|WinEnter| after entering another window
295|WinLeave| before leaving a window
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000296|TabEnter| after entering another tab page
297|TabLeave| before leaving a tab page
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000298|CmdwinEnter| after entering the command-line window
299|CmdwinLeave| before leaving the command-line window
300
301|InsertEnter| starting Insert mode
302|InsertChange| when typing <Insert> while in Insert or Replace mode
303|InsertLeave| when leaving Insert mode
Bram Moolenaare659c952011-05-19 17:25:41 +0200304|InsertCharPre| when a character was typed in Insert mode, before
305 inserting it
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000306
Bram Moolenaardfb18412013-12-11 18:53:29 +0100307|TextChanged| after a change was made to the text in Normal mode
308|TextChangedI| after a change was made to the text in Insert mode
309
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000310|ColorScheme| after loading a color scheme
311
312|RemoteReply| a reply from a server Vim was received
313
314|QuickFixCmdPre| before a quickfix command is run
315|QuickFixCmdPost| after a quickfix command is run
316
317|SessionLoadPost| after loading a session file
318
319|MenuPopup| just before showing the popup menu
Bram Moolenaard09acef2012-09-21 14:54:30 +0200320|CompleteDone| after Insert mode completion is done
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000321
322|User| to be used in combination with ":doautocmd"
323
324
325The alphabetical list of autocommand events: *autocmd-events-abc*
326
327 *BufCreate* *BufAdd*
328BufAdd or BufCreate Just after creating a new buffer which is
329 added to the buffer list, or adding a buffer
330 to the buffer list.
331 Also used just after a buffer in the buffer
332 list has been renamed.
333 The BufCreate event is for historic reasons.
334 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
335 current buffer "%" may be different from the
336 buffer being created "<afile>".
337 *BufDelete*
338BufDelete Before deleting a buffer from the buffer list.
339 The BufUnload may be called first (if the
340 buffer was loaded).
341 Also used just before a buffer in the buffer
342 list is renamed.
343 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
344 current buffer "%" may be different from the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000345 buffer being deleted "<afile>" and "<abuf>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000346 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
347 problems.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000348 *BufEnter*
349BufEnter After entering a buffer. Useful for setting
350 options for a file type. Also executed when
351 starting to edit a buffer, after the
352 BufReadPost autocommands.
353 *BufFilePost*
354BufFilePost After changing the name of the current buffer
355 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000356 *BufFilePre*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000357BufFilePre Before changing the name of the current buffer
358 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
359 *BufHidden*
360BufHidden Just after a buffer has become hidden. That
361 is, when there are no longer windows that show
362 the buffer, but the buffer is not unloaded or
363 deleted. Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when
364 exiting Vim.
365 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
366 current buffer "%" may be different from the
367 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
368 *BufLeave*
369BufLeave Before leaving to another buffer. Also when
370 leaving or closing the current window and the
371 new current window is not for the same buffer.
372 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
373 *BufNew*
374BufNew Just after creating a new buffer. Also used
375 just after a buffer has been renamed. When
376 the buffer is added to the buffer list BufAdd
377 will be triggered too.
378 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
379 current buffer "%" may be different from the
380 buffer being created "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000381 *BufNewFile*
382BufNewFile When starting to edit a file that doesn't
383 exist. Can be used to read in a skeleton
384 file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000385 *BufRead* *BufReadPost*
386BufRead or BufReadPost When starting to edit a new buffer, after
387 reading the file into the buffer, before
388 executing the modelines. See |BufWinEnter|
389 for when you need to do something after
390 processing the modelines.
391 This does NOT work for ":r file". Not used
392 when the file doesn't exist. Also used after
393 successfully recovering a file.
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +0200394 Also triggered for the filetypedetect group
395 when executing ":filetype detect" and when
396 writing an unnamed buffer in a way that the
397 buffer gets a name.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000398 *BufReadCmd*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000399BufReadCmd Before starting to edit a new buffer. Should
400 read the file into the buffer. |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000401 *BufReadPre* *E200* *E201*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000402BufReadPre When starting to edit a new buffer, before
403 reading the file into the buffer. Not used
404 if the file doesn't exist.
405 *BufUnload*
406BufUnload Before unloading a buffer. This is when the
407 text in the buffer is going to be freed. This
408 may be after a BufWritePost and before a
409 BufDelete. Also used for all buffers that are
410 loaded when Vim is going to exit.
411 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
412 current buffer "%" may be different from the
413 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000414 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
415 problems.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200416 When exiting and v:dying is 2 or more this
417 event is not triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000418 *BufWinEnter*
419BufWinEnter After a buffer is displayed in a window. This
420 can be when the buffer is loaded (after
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000421 processing the modelines) or when a hidden
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000422 buffer is displayed in a window (and is no
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000423 longer hidden).
424 Does not happen for |:split| without
425 arguments, since you keep editing the same
426 buffer, or ":split" with a file that's already
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +0000427 open in a window, because it re-uses an
428 existing buffer. But it does happen for a
429 ":split" with the name of the current buffer,
430 since it reloads that buffer.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000431 *BufWinLeave*
432BufWinLeave Before a buffer is removed from a window.
433 Not when it's still visible in another window.
434 Also triggered when exiting. It's triggered
435 before BufUnload or BufHidden.
436 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
437 current buffer "%" may be different from the
438 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200439 When exiting and v:dying is 2 or more this
440 event is not triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000441 *BufWipeout*
442BufWipeout Before completely deleting a buffer. The
443 BufUnload and BufDelete events may be called
444 first (if the buffer was loaded and was in the
445 buffer list). Also used just before a buffer
446 is renamed (also when it's not in the buffer
447 list).
448 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
449 current buffer "%" may be different from the
450 buffer being deleted "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000451 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
452 problems.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000453 *BufWrite* *BufWritePre*
454BufWrite or BufWritePre Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000455 *BufWriteCmd*
456BufWriteCmd Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
457 Should do the writing of the file and reset
Bram Moolenaar1cd871b2004-12-19 22:46:22 +0000458 'modified' if successful, unless '+' is in
459 'cpo' and writing to another file |cpo-+|.
460 The buffer contents should not be changed.
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +0200461 When the command resets 'modified' the undo
462 information is adjusted to mark older undo
463 states as 'modified', like |:write| does.
Bram Moolenaar1cd871b2004-12-19 22:46:22 +0000464 |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000465 *BufWritePost*
466BufWritePost After writing the whole buffer to a file
467 (should undo the commands for BufWritePre).
468 *CmdwinEnter*
469CmdwinEnter After entering the command-line window.
470 Useful for setting options specifically for
471 this special type of window. This is
472 triggered _instead_ of BufEnter and WinEnter.
473 <afile> is set to a single character,
474 indicating the type of command-line.
475 |cmdwin-char|
476 *CmdwinLeave*
477CmdwinLeave Before leaving the command-line window.
478 Useful to clean up any global setting done
479 with CmdwinEnter. This is triggered _instead_
480 of BufLeave and WinLeave.
481 <afile> is set to a single character,
482 indicating the type of command-line.
483 |cmdwin-char|
484 *ColorScheme*
485ColorScheme After loading a color scheme. |:colorscheme|
Bram Moolenaarb95186f2013-11-28 18:53:52 +0100486 The pattern is matched against the
487 colorscheme name. <afile> can be used for the
488 name of the actual file where this option was
489 set, and <amatch> for the new colorscheme
490 name.
491
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000492
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +0200493 *CompleteDone*
494CompleteDone After Insert mode completion is done. Either
495 when something was completed or abandoning
496 completion. |ins-completion|
497
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000498 *CursorHold*
499CursorHold When the user doesn't press a key for the time
500 specified with 'updatetime'. Not re-triggered
501 until the user has pressed a key (i.e. doesn't
502 fire every 'updatetime' ms if you leave Vim to
503 make some coffee. :) See |CursorHold-example|
504 for previewing tags.
505 This event is only triggered in Normal mode.
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000506 It is not triggered when waiting for a command
507 argument to be typed, or a movement after an
508 operator.
Bram Moolenaare3226be2005-12-18 22:10:00 +0000509 While recording the CursorHold event is not
510 triggered. |q|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000511 Note: Interactive commands cannot be used for
512 this event. There is no hit-enter prompt,
513 the screen is updated directly (when needed).
514 Note: In the future there will probably be
515 another option to set the time.
516 Hint: to force an update of the status lines
517 use: >
518 :let &ro = &ro
519< {only on Amiga, Unix, Win32, MSDOS and all GUI
520 versions}
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000521 *CursorHoldI*
522CursorHoldI Just like CursorHold, but in Insert mode.
523
524 *CursorMoved*
Bram Moolenaar52b91d82013-06-15 21:39:51 +0200525CursorMoved After the cursor was moved in Normal or Visual
526 mode. Also when the text of the cursor line
527 has been changed, e.g., with "x", "rx" or "p".
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000528 Not triggered when there is typeahead or when
529 an operator is pending.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000530 For an example see |match-parens|.
Bram Moolenaarbf884932013-04-05 22:26:15 +0200531 Careful: This is triggered very often, don't
532 do anything that the user does not expect or
533 that is slow.
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000534 *CursorMovedI*
535CursorMovedI After the cursor was moved in Insert mode.
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +0200536 Not triggered when the popup menu is visible.
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000537 Otherwise the same as CursorMoved.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000538 *EncodingChanged*
539EncodingChanged Fires off after the 'encoding' option has been
540 changed. Useful to set up fonts, for example.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000541 *FileAppendCmd*
542FileAppendCmd Before appending to a file. Should do the
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000543 appending to the file. Use the '[ and ']
544 marks for the range of lines.|Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000545 *FileAppendPost*
546FileAppendPost After appending to a file.
547 *FileAppendPre*
548FileAppendPre Before appending to a file. Use the '[ and ']
549 marks for the range of lines.
550 *FileChangedRO*
551FileChangedRO Before making the first change to a read-only
552 file. Can be used to check-out the file from
553 a source control system. Not triggered when
554 the change was caused by an autocommand.
555 This event is triggered when making the first
556 change in a buffer or the first change after
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000557 'readonly' was set, just before the change is
558 applied to the text.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000559 WARNING: If the autocommand moves the cursor
560 the effect of the change is undefined.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000561 *E788*
562 It is not allowed to change to another buffer
563 here. You can reload the buffer but not edit
564 another one.
Bram Moolenaar92dff182014-02-11 19:15:50 +0100565 *E881*
566 If the number of lines changes saving for undo
567 may fail and the change will be aborted.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000568 *FileChangedShell*
569FileChangedShell When Vim notices that the modification time of
570 a file has changed since editing started.
571 Also when the file attributes of the file
Bram Moolenaare968e362014-05-13 20:23:24 +0200572 change or when the size of the file changes.
573 |timestamp|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000574 Mostly triggered after executing a shell
575 command, but also with a |:checktime| command
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000576 or when Gvim regains input focus.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000577 This autocommand is triggered for each changed
578 file. It is not used when 'autoread' is set
579 and the buffer was not changed. If a
580 FileChangedShell autocommand is present the
581 warning message and prompt is not given.
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000582 The |v:fcs_reason| variable is set to indicate
583 what happened and |v:fcs_choice| can be used
584 to tell Vim what to do next.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000585 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
586 current buffer "%" may be different from the
587 buffer that was changed "<afile>".
588 NOTE: The commands must not change the current
589 buffer, jump to another buffer or delete a
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100590 buffer. *E246* *E811*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000591 NOTE: This event never nests, to avoid an
592 endless loop. This means that while executing
593 commands for the FileChangedShell event no
594 other FileChangedShell event will be
595 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000596 *FileChangedShellPost*
597FileChangedShellPost After handling a file that was changed outside
598 of Vim. Can be used to update the statusline.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000599 *FileEncoding*
600FileEncoding Obsolete. It still works and is equivalent
601 to |EncodingChanged|.
602 *FileReadCmd*
603FileReadCmd Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
604 Should do the reading of the file. |Cmd-event|
605 *FileReadPost*
606FileReadPost After reading a file with a ":read" command.
607 Note that Vim sets the '[ and '] marks to the
608 first and last line of the read. This can be
609 used to operate on the lines just read.
610 *FileReadPre*
611FileReadPre Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
612 *FileType*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000613FileType When the 'filetype' option has been set. The
614 pattern is matched against the filetype.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000615 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
616 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
617 the new value of 'filetype'.
618 See |filetypes|.
619 *FileWriteCmd*
620FileWriteCmd Before writing to a file, when not writing the
621 whole buffer. Should do the writing to the
622 file. Should not change the buffer. Use the
623 '[ and '] marks for the range of lines.
624 |Cmd-event|
625 *FileWritePost*
626FileWritePost After writing to a file, when not writing the
627 whole buffer.
628 *FileWritePre*
629FileWritePre Before writing to a file, when not writing the
630 whole buffer. Use the '[ and '] marks for the
631 range of lines.
632 *FilterReadPost*
633FilterReadPost After reading a file from a filter command.
634 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
635 the current buffer as with FilterReadPre.
636 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
637 *FilterReadPre* *E135*
638FilterReadPre Before reading a file from a filter command.
639 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
640 the current buffer, not the name of the
641 temporary file that is the output of the
642 filter command.
643 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
644 *FilterWritePost*
645FilterWritePost After writing a file for a filter command or
646 making a diff.
647 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
648 the current buffer as with FilterWritePre.
649 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
650 *FilterWritePre*
651FilterWritePre Before writing a file for a filter command or
652 making a diff.
653 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
654 the current buffer, not the name of the
655 temporary file that is the output of the
656 filter command.
657 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000658 *FocusGained*
659FocusGained When Vim got input focus. Only for the GUI
660 version and a few console versions where this
661 can be detected.
662 *FocusLost*
663FocusLost When Vim lost input focus. Only for the GUI
664 version and a few console versions where this
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +0000665 can be detected. May also happen when a
666 dialog pops up.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000667 *FuncUndefined*
668FuncUndefined When a user function is used but it isn't
669 defined. Useful for defining a function only
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000670 when it's used. The pattern is matched
671 against the function name. Both <amatch> and
672 <afile> are set to the name of the function.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000673 See |autoload-functions|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000674 *GUIEnter*
675GUIEnter After starting the GUI successfully, and after
676 opening the window. It is triggered before
677 VimEnter when using gvim. Can be used to
678 position the window from a .gvimrc file: >
679 :autocmd GUIEnter * winpos 100 50
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000680< *GUIFailed*
681GUIFailed After starting the GUI failed. Vim may
682 continue to run in the terminal, if possible
683 (only on Unix and alikes, when connecting the
684 X server fails). You may want to quit Vim: >
685 :autocmd GUIFailed * qall
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000686< *InsertChange*
687InsertChange When typing <Insert> while in Insert or
688 Replace mode. The |v:insertmode| variable
689 indicates the new mode.
690 Be careful not to move the cursor or do
691 anything else that the user does not expect.
Bram Moolenaare659c952011-05-19 17:25:41 +0200692 *InsertCharPre*
693InsertCharPre When a character is typed in Insert mode,
694 before inserting the char.
695 The |v:char| variable indicates the char typed
696 and can be changed during the event to insert
697 a different character. When |v:char| is set
698 to more than one character this text is
699 inserted literally.
700 It is not allowed to change the text |textlock|.
701 The event is not triggered when 'paste' is
702 set.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000703 *InsertEnter*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000704InsertEnter Just before starting Insert mode. Also for
705 Replace mode and Virtual Replace mode. The
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000706 |v:insertmode| variable indicates the mode.
Bram Moolenaar097c9922013-05-19 21:15:15 +0200707 Be careful not to do anything else that the
708 user does not expect.
709 The cursor is restored afterwards. If you do
710 not want that set |v:char| to a non-empty
711 string.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000712 *InsertLeave*
713InsertLeave When leaving Insert mode. Also when using
714 CTRL-O |i_CTRL-O|. But not for |i_CTRL-C|.
715 *MenuPopup*
716MenuPopup Just before showing the popup menu (under the
717 right mouse button). Useful for adjusting the
718 menu for what is under the cursor or mouse
719 pointer.
720 The pattern is matched against a single
721 character representing the mode:
722 n Normal
723 v Visual
724 o Operator-pending
725 i Insert
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +0000726 c Command line
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000727 *QuickFixCmdPre*
728QuickFixCmdPre Before a quickfix command is run (|:make|,
Bram Moolenaara6557602006-02-04 22:43:20 +0000729 |:lmake|, |:grep|, |:lgrep|, |:grepadd|,
730 |:lgrepadd|, |:vimgrep|, |:lvimgrep|,
Bram Moolenaar6be7f872012-01-20 21:08:56 +0100731 |:vimgrepadd|, |:lvimgrepadd|, |:cscope|,
Bram Moolenaar84f72352012-03-11 15:57:40 +0100732 |:cfile|, |:cgetfile|, |:caddfile|, |:lfile|,
733 |:lgetfile|, |:laddfile|, |:helpgrep|,
734 |:lhelpgrep|).
Bram Moolenaarf1eeae92010-05-14 23:14:42 +0200735 The pattern is matched against the command
736 being run. When |:grep| is used but 'grepprg'
737 is set to "internal" it still matches "grep".
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000738 This command cannot be used to set the
739 'makeprg' and 'grepprg' variables.
740 If this command causes an error, the quickfix
741 command is not executed.
742 *QuickFixCmdPost*
743QuickFixCmdPost Like QuickFixCmdPre, but after a quickfix
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000744 command is run, before jumping to the first
Bram Moolenaar8ec1f852012-03-07 20:13:49 +0100745 location. For |:cfile| and |:lfile| commands
746 it is run after error file is read and before
Bram Moolenaar92dff182014-02-11 19:15:50 +0100747 moving to the first error.
Bram Moolenaar8ec1f852012-03-07 20:13:49 +0100748 See |QuickFixCmdPost-example|.
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +0200749 *QuitPre*
Bram Moolenaarac7bd632013-03-19 11:35:58 +0100750QuitPre When using `:quit`, `:wq` or `:qall`, before
751 deciding whether it closes the current window
752 or quits Vim. Can be used to close any
753 non-essential window if the current window is
754 the last ordinary window.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000755 *RemoteReply*
756RemoteReply When a reply from a Vim that functions as
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000757 server was received |server2client()|. The
758 pattern is matched against the {serverid}.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000759 <amatch> is equal to the {serverid} from which
760 the reply was sent, and <afile> is the actual
761 reply string.
762 Note that even if an autocommand is defined,
763 the reply should be read with |remote_read()|
764 to consume it.
765 *SessionLoadPost*
766SessionLoadPost After loading the session file created using
767 the |:mksession| command.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +0000768 *ShellCmdPost*
769ShellCmdPost After executing a shell command with |:!cmd|,
770 |:shell|, |:make| and |:grep|. Can be used to
771 check for any changed files.
772 *ShellFilterPost*
773ShellFilterPost After executing a shell command with
774 ":{range}!cmd", ":w !cmd" or ":r !cmd".
775 Can be used to check for any changed files.
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +0000776 *SourcePre*
777SourcePre Before sourcing a Vim script. |:source|
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000778 <afile> is the name of the file being sourced.
779 *SourceCmd*
780SourceCmd When sourcing a Vim script. |:source|
781 <afile> is the name of the file being sourced.
782 The autocommand must source this file.
783 |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000784 *SpellFileMissing*
785SpellFileMissing When trying to load a spell checking file and
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000786 it can't be found. The pattern is matched
787 against the language. <amatch> is the
788 language, 'encoding' also matters. See
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000789 |spell-SpellFileMissing|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000790 *StdinReadPost*
791StdinReadPost After reading from the stdin into the buffer,
792 before executing the modelines. Only used
793 when the "-" argument was used when Vim was
794 started |--|.
795 *StdinReadPre*
796StdinReadPre Before reading from stdin into the buffer.
797 Only used when the "-" argument was used when
798 Vim was started |--|.
799 *SwapExists*
800SwapExists Detected an existing swap file when starting
801 to edit a file. Only when it is possible to
802 select a way to handle the situation, when Vim
803 would ask the user what to do.
804 The |v:swapname| variable holds the name of
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +0000805 the swap file found, <afile> the file being
806 edited. |v:swapcommand| may contain a command
807 to be executed in the opened file.
808 The commands should set the |v:swapchoice|
809 variable to a string with one character to
810 tell Vim what should be done next:
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000811 'o' open read-only
812 'e' edit the file anyway
813 'r' recover
814 'd' delete the swap file
815 'q' quit, don't edit the file
816 'a' abort, like hitting CTRL-C
817 When set to an empty string the user will be
818 asked, as if there was no SwapExists autocmd.
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000819 *E812*
820 It is not allowed to change to another buffer,
821 change a buffer name or change directory
822 here.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000823 *Syntax*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000824Syntax When the 'syntax' option has been set. The
825 pattern is matched against the syntax name.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000826 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
827 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
828 the new value of 'syntax'.
829 See |:syn-on|.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000830 *TabEnter*
831TabEnter Just after entering a tab page. |tab-page|
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +0000832 After triggering the WinEnter and before
833 triggering the BufEnter event.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000834 *TabLeave*
835TabLeave Just before leaving a tab page. |tab-page|
836 A WinLeave event will have been triggered
837 first.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000838 *TermChanged*
839TermChanged After the value of 'term' has changed. Useful
840 for re-loading the syntax file to update the
841 colors, fonts and other terminal-dependent
842 settings. Executed for all loaded buffers.
843 *TermResponse*
844TermResponse After the response to |t_RV| is received from
845 the terminal. The value of |v:termresponse|
846 can be used to do things depending on the
Bram Moolenaar8e5af3e2011-04-28 19:02:44 +0200847 terminal version. Note that this event may be
848 triggered halfway executing another event,
849 especially if file I/O, a shell command or
850 anything else that takes time is involved.
Bram Moolenaarbf884932013-04-05 22:26:15 +0200851 *TextChanged*
852TextChanged After a change was made to the text in the
853 current buffer in Normal mode. That is when
854 |b:changedtick| has changed.
855 Not triggered when there is typeahead or when
856 an operator is pending.
857 Careful: This is triggered very often, don't
858 do anything that the user does not expect or
859 that is slow.
860 *TextChangedI*
861TextChangedI After a change was made to the text in the
862 current buffer in Insert mode.
863 Not triggered when the popup menu is visible.
864 Otherwise the same as TextChanged.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000865 *User*
866User Never executed automatically. To be used for
867 autocommands that are only executed with
868 ":doautocmd".
869 *UserGettingBored*
Bram Moolenaarbf884932013-04-05 22:26:15 +0200870UserGettingBored When the user presses the same key 42 times.
871 Just kidding! :-)
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000872 *VimEnter*
873VimEnter After doing all the startup stuff, including
874 loading .vimrc files, executing the "-c cmd"
875 arguments, creating all windows and loading
876 the buffers in them.
877 *VimLeave*
878VimLeave Before exiting Vim, just after writing the
879 .viminfo file. Executed only once, like
880 VimLeavePre.
881 To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200882 When v:dying is 2 or more this event is not
883 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000884 *VimLeavePre*
885VimLeavePre Before exiting Vim, just before writing the
886 .viminfo file. This is executed only once,
887 if there is a match with the name of what
888 happens to be the current buffer when exiting.
889 Mostly useful with a "*" pattern. >
890 :autocmd VimLeavePre * call CleanupStuff()
891< To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200892 When v:dying is 2 or more this event is not
893 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000894 *VimResized*
895VimResized After the Vim window was resized, thus 'lines'
896 and/or 'columns' changed. Not when starting
897 up though.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000898 *WinEnter*
899WinEnter After entering another window. Not done for
900 the first window, when Vim has just started.
901 Useful for setting the window height.
902 If the window is for another buffer, Vim
903 executes the BufEnter autocommands after the
904 WinEnter autocommands.
905 Note: When using ":split fname" the WinEnter
906 event is triggered after the split but before
907 the file "fname" is loaded.
908 *WinLeave*
909WinLeave Before leaving a window. If the window to be
910 entered next is for a different buffer, Vim
911 executes the BufLeave autocommands before the
912 WinLeave autocommands (but not for ":new").
913 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000914
915==============================================================================
9166. Patterns *autocmd-patterns* *{pat}*
917
918The file pattern {pat} is tested for a match against the file name in one of
919two ways:
9201. When there is no '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against only
921 the tail part of the file name (without its leading directory path).
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01009222. When there is a '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against both the
923 short file name (as you typed it) and the full file name (after expanding
924 it to a full path and resolving symbolic links).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000925
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000926The special pattern <buffer> or <buffer=N> is used for buffer-local
927autocommands |autocmd-buflocal|. This pattern is not matched against the name
928of a buffer.
929
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000930Examples: >
931 :autocmd BufRead *.txt set et
932Set the 'et' option for all text files. >
933
934 :autocmd BufRead /vim/src/*.c set cindent
935Set the 'cindent' option for C files in the /vim/src directory. >
936
937 :autocmd BufRead /tmp/*.c set ts=5
938If you have a link from "/tmp/test.c" to "/home/nobody/vim/src/test.c", and
939you start editing "/tmp/test.c", this autocommand will match.
940
941Note: To match part of a path, but not from the root directory, use a '*' as
942the first character. Example: >
943 :autocmd BufRead */doc/*.txt set tw=78
944This autocommand will for example be executed for "/tmp/doc/xx.txt" and
945"/usr/home/piet/doc/yy.txt". The number of directories does not matter here.
946
947
948The file name that the pattern is matched against is after expanding
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000949wildcards. Thus if you issue this command: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000950 :e $ROOTDIR/main.$EXT
951The argument is first expanded to: >
952 /usr/root/main.py
953Before it's matched with the pattern of the autocommand. Careful with this
954when using events like FileReadCmd, the value of <amatch> may not be what you
955expect.
956
957
958Environment variables can be used in a pattern: >
959 :autocmd BufRead $VIMRUNTIME/doc/*.txt set expandtab
960And ~ can be used for the home directory (if $HOME is defined): >
961 :autocmd BufWritePost ~/.vimrc so ~/.vimrc
962 :autocmd BufRead ~archive/* set readonly
963The environment variable is expanded when the autocommand is defined, not when
964the autocommand is executed. This is different from the command!
965
966 *file-pattern*
967The pattern is interpreted like mostly used in file names:
Bram Moolenaar3b1db362013-08-10 15:00:24 +0200968 * matches any sequence of characters; Unusual: includes path
Bram Moolenaar9d98fe92013-08-03 18:35:36 +0200969 separators
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000970 ? matches any single character
971 \? matches a '?'
972 . matches a '.'
973 ~ matches a '~'
974 , separates patterns
975 \, matches a ','
976 { } like \( \) in a |pattern|
977 , inside { }: like \| in a |pattern|
Bram Moolenaara946afe2013-08-02 15:22:39 +0200978 \} literal }
979 \{ literal {
980 \\\{n,m\} like \{n,m} in a |pattern|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000981 \ special meaning like in a |pattern|
982 [ch] matches 'c' or 'h'
983 [^ch] match any character but 'c' and 'h'
984
985Note that for all systems the '/' character is used for path separator (even
986MS-DOS and OS/2). This was done because the backslash is difficult to use
987in a pattern and to make the autocommands portable across different systems.
988
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000989 *autocmd-changes*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000990Matching with the pattern is done when an event is triggered. Changing the
991buffer name in one of the autocommands, or even deleting the buffer, does not
992change which autocommands will be executed. Example: >
993
994 au BufEnter *.foo bdel
995 au BufEnter *.foo set modified
996
997This will delete the current buffer and then set 'modified' in what has become
998the current buffer instead. Vim doesn't take into account that "*.foo"
999doesn't match with that buffer name. It matches "*.foo" with the name of the
1000buffer at the moment the event was triggered.
1001
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001002However, buffer-local autocommands will not be executed for a buffer that has
1003been wiped out with |:bwipe|. After deleting the buffer with |:bdel| the
1004buffer actually still exists (it becomes unlisted), thus the autocommands are
1005still executed.
1006
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001007==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +000010087. Buffer-local autocommands *autocmd-buflocal* *autocmd-buffer-local*
1009 *<buffer=N>* *<buffer=abuf>* *E680*
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001010
1011Buffer-local autocommands are attached to a specific buffer. They are useful
1012if the buffer does not have a name and when the name does not match a specific
1013pattern. But it also means they must be explicitly added to each buffer.
1014
1015Instead of a pattern buffer-local autocommands use one of these forms:
1016 <buffer> current buffer
1017 <buffer=99> buffer number 99
1018 <buffer=abuf> using <abuf> (only when executing autocommands)
1019 |<abuf>|
1020
1021Examples: >
1022 :au CursorHold <buffer> echo 'hold'
1023 :au CursorHold <buffer=33> echo 'hold'
1024 :au CursorHold <buffer=abuf> echo 'hold'
1025
1026All the commands for autocommands also work with buffer-local autocommands,
1027simply use the special string instead of the pattern. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001028 :au! * <buffer> " remove buffer-local autocommands for
1029 " current buffer
1030 :au! * <buffer=33> " remove buffer-local autocommands for
1031 " buffer #33
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001032 :bufdo :au! CursorHold <buffer> " remove autocmd for given event for all
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001033 " buffers
1034 :au * <buffer> " list buffer-local autocommands for
1035 " current buffer
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001036
1037Note that when an autocommand is defined for the current buffer, it is stored
1038with the buffer number. Thus it uses the form "<buffer=12>", where 12 is the
1039number of the current buffer. You will see this when listing autocommands,
1040for example.
1041
1042To test for presence of buffer-local autocommands use the |exists()| function
1043as follows: >
1044 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer=12>") | ... | endif
1045 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer>") | ... | endif " for current buffer
1046
1047When a buffer is wiped out its buffer-local autocommands are also gone, of
1048course. Note that when deleting a buffer, e.g., with ":bdel", it is only
1049unlisted, the autocommands are still present. In order to see the removal of
1050buffer-local autocommands: >
1051 :set verbose=6
1052
1053It is not possible to define buffer-local autocommands for a non-existent
1054buffer.
1055
1056==============================================================================
10578. Groups *autocmd-groups*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001058
1059Autocommands can be put together in a group. This is useful for removing or
1060executing a group of autocommands. For example, all the autocommands for
1061syntax highlighting are put in the "highlight" group, to be able to execute
1062":doautoall highlight BufRead" when the GUI starts.
1063
1064When no specific group is selected, Vim uses the default group. The default
1065group does not have a name. You cannot execute the autocommands from the
1066default group separately; you can execute them only by executing autocommands
1067for all groups.
1068
1069Normally, when executing autocommands automatically, Vim uses the autocommands
1070for all groups. The group only matters when executing autocommands with
1071":doautocmd" or ":doautoall", or when defining or deleting autocommands.
1072
1073The group name can contain any characters except white space. The group name
1074"end" is reserved (also in uppercase).
1075
1076The group name is case sensitive. Note that this is different from the event
1077name!
1078
1079 *:aug* *:augroup*
1080:aug[roup] {name} Define the autocmd group name for the
1081 following ":autocmd" commands. The name "end"
1082 or "END" selects the default group.
1083
1084 *:augroup-delete* *E367*
1085:aug[roup]! {name} Delete the autocmd group {name}. Don't use
1086 this if there is still an autocommand using
1087 this group! This is not checked.
1088
1089To enter autocommands for a specific group, use this method:
10901. Select the group with ":augroup {name}".
10912. Delete any old autocommands with ":au!".
10923. Define the autocommands.
10934. Go back to the default group with "augroup END".
1094
1095Example: >
1096 :augroup uncompress
1097 : au!
1098 : au BufEnter *.gz %!gunzip
1099 :augroup END
1100
1101This prevents having the autocommands defined twice (e.g., after sourcing the
1102.vimrc file again).
1103
1104==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +000011059. Executing autocommands *autocmd-execute*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001106
1107Vim can also execute Autocommands non-automatically. This is useful if you
1108have changed autocommands, or when Vim has executed the wrong autocommands
1109(e.g., the file pattern match was wrong).
1110
1111Note that the 'eventignore' option applies here too. Events listed in this
1112option will not cause any commands to be executed.
1113
1114 *:do* *:doau* *:doautocmd* *E217*
Bram Moolenaar5dc62522012-02-13 00:05:22 +01001115:do[autocmd] [<nomodeline>] [group] {event} [fname]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001116 Apply the autocommands matching [fname] (default:
1117 current file name) for {event} to the current buffer.
1118 You can use this when the current file name does not
1119 match the right pattern, after changing settings, or
1120 to execute autocommands for a certain event.
1121 It's possible to use this inside an autocommand too,
1122 so you can base the autocommands for one extension on
1123 another extension. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +01001124 :au BufEnter *.cpp so ~/.vimrc_cpp
1125 :au BufEnter *.cpp doau BufEnter x.c
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001126< Be careful to avoid endless loops. See
1127 |autocmd-nested|.
1128
1129 When the [group] argument is not given, Vim executes
1130 the autocommands for all groups. When the [group]
1131 argument is included, Vim executes only the matching
1132 autocommands for that group. Note: if you use an
1133 undefined group name, Vim gives you an error message.
Bram Moolenaar60542ac2012-02-12 20:14:01 +01001134 *<nomodeline>*
1135 After applying the autocommands the modelines are
1136 processed, so that their settings overrule the
1137 settings from autocommands, like what happens when
1138 editing a file. This is skipped when the <nomodeline>
1139 argument is present. You probably want to use
1140 <nomodeline> for events that are not used when loading
1141 a buffer, such as |User|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001142
1143 *:doautoa* *:doautoall*
Bram Moolenaara61d5fb2012-02-12 00:18:58 +01001144:doautoa[ll] [<nomodeline>] [group] {event} [fname]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001145 Like ":doautocmd", but apply the autocommands to each
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001146 loaded buffer. Note that [fname] is used to select
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001147 the autocommands, not the buffers to which they are
1148 applied.
1149 Careful: Don't use this for autocommands that delete a
1150 buffer, change to another buffer or change the
1151 contents of a buffer; the result is unpredictable.
1152 This command is intended for autocommands that set
1153 options, change highlighting, and things like that.
1154
1155==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000115610. Using autocommands *autocmd-use*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001157
1158For WRITING FILES there are four possible sets of events. Vim uses only one
1159of these sets for a write command:
1160
1161BufWriteCmd BufWritePre BufWritePost writing the whole buffer
1162 FilterWritePre FilterWritePost writing to filter temp file
1163FileAppendCmd FileAppendPre FileAppendPost appending to a file
1164FileWriteCmd FileWritePre FileWritePost any other file write
1165
1166When there is a matching "*Cmd" autocommand, it is assumed it will do the
1167writing. No further writing is done and the other events are not triggered.
1168|Cmd-event|
1169
1170Note that the *WritePost commands should undo any changes to the buffer that
1171were caused by the *WritePre commands; otherwise, writing the file will have
1172the side effect of changing the buffer.
1173
1174Before executing the autocommands, the buffer from which the lines are to be
1175written temporarily becomes the current buffer. Unless the autocommands
1176change the current buffer or delete the previously current buffer, the
1177previously current buffer is made the current buffer again.
1178
1179The *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands must not delete the buffer from
1180which the lines are to be written.
1181
1182The '[ and '] marks have a special position:
1183- Before the *ReadPre event the '[ mark is set to the line just above where
1184 the new lines will be inserted.
1185- Before the *ReadPost event the '[ mark is set to the first line that was
1186 just read, the '] mark to the last line.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001187- Before executing the *WriteCmd, *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands the '[
1188 mark is set to the first line that will be written, the '] mark to the last
1189 line.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001190Careful: '[ and '] change when using commands that change the buffer.
1191
1192In commands which expect a file name, you can use "<afile>" for the file name
1193that is being read |:<afile>| (you can also use "%" for the current file
1194name). "<abuf>" can be used for the buffer number of the currently effective
1195buffer. This also works for buffers that doesn't have a name. But it doesn't
1196work for files without a buffer (e.g., with ":r file").
1197
1198 *gzip-example*
1199Examples for reading and writing compressed files: >
1200 :augroup gzip
1201 : autocmd!
1202 : autocmd BufReadPre,FileReadPre *.gz set bin
1203 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz '[,']!gunzip
1204 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz set nobin
1205 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz execute ":doautocmd BufReadPost " . expand("%:r")
1206 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1207 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1208
1209 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !gunzip <afile>
1210 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !mv <afile>:r <afile>
1211 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1212 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1213 :augroup END
1214
1215The "gzip" group is used to be able to delete any existing autocommands with
1216":autocmd!", for when the file is sourced twice.
1217
1218("<afile>:r" is the file name without the extension, see |:_%:|)
1219
1220The commands executed for the BufNewFile, BufRead/BufReadPost, BufWritePost,
1221FileAppendPost and VimLeave events do not set or reset the changed flag of the
1222buffer. When you decompress the buffer with the BufReadPost autocommands, you
1223can still exit with ":q". When you use ":undo" in BufWritePost to undo the
1224changes made by BufWritePre commands, you can still do ":q" (this also makes
1225"ZZ" work). If you do want the buffer to be marked as modified, set the
1226'modified' option.
1227
1228To execute Normal mode commands from an autocommand, use the ":normal"
1229command. Use with care! If the Normal mode command is not finished, the user
1230needs to type characters (e.g., after ":normal m" you need to type a mark
1231name).
1232
1233If you want the buffer to be unmodified after changing it, reset the
1234'modified' option. This makes it possible to exit the buffer with ":q"
1235instead of ":q!".
1236
1237 *autocmd-nested* *E218*
1238By default, autocommands do not nest. If you use ":e" or ":w" in an
1239autocommand, Vim does not execute the BufRead and BufWrite autocommands for
1240those commands. If you do want this, use the "nested" flag for those commands
1241in which you want nesting. For example: >
1242 :autocmd FileChangedShell *.c nested e!
1243The nesting is limited to 10 levels to get out of recursive loops.
1244
1245It's possible to use the ":au" command in an autocommand. This can be a
1246self-modifying command! This can be useful for an autocommand that should
1247execute only once.
1248
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001249If you want to skip autocommands for one command, use the |:noautocmd| command
1250modifier or the 'eventignore' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001251
1252Note: When reading a file (with ":read file" or with a filter command) and the
1253last line in the file does not have an <EOL>, Vim remembers this. At the next
1254write (with ":write file" or with a filter command), if the same line is
1255written again as the last line in a file AND 'binary' is set, Vim does not
1256supply an <EOL>. This makes a filter command on the just read lines write the
1257same file as was read, and makes a write command on just filtered lines write
1258the same file as was read from the filter. For example, another way to write
1259a compressed file: >
1260
1261 :autocmd FileWritePre *.gz set bin|'[,']!gzip
1262 :autocmd FileWritePost *.gz undo|set nobin
1263<
1264 *autocommand-pattern*
1265You can specify multiple patterns, separated by commas. Here are some
1266examples: >
1267
1268 :autocmd BufRead * set tw=79 nocin ic infercase fo=2croq
1269 :autocmd BufRead .letter set tw=72 fo=2tcrq
1270 :autocmd BufEnter .letter set dict=/usr/lib/dict/words
1271 :autocmd BufLeave .letter set dict=
1272 :autocmd BufRead,BufNewFile *.c,*.h set tw=0 cin noic
1273 :autocmd BufEnter *.c,*.h abbr FOR for (i = 0; i < 3; ++i)<CR>{<CR>}<Esc>O
1274 :autocmd BufLeave *.c,*.h unabbr FOR
1275
1276For makefiles (makefile, Makefile, imakefile, makefile.unix, etc.): >
1277
1278 :autocmd BufEnter ?akefile* set include=^s\=include
1279 :autocmd BufLeave ?akefile* set include&
1280
1281To always start editing C files at the first function: >
1282
1283 :autocmd BufRead *.c,*.h 1;/^{
1284
1285Without the "1;" above, the search would start from wherever the file was
1286entered, rather than from the start of the file.
1287
1288 *skeleton* *template*
1289To read a skeleton (template) file when opening a new file: >
1290
1291 :autocmd BufNewFile *.c 0r ~/vim/skeleton.c
1292 :autocmd BufNewFile *.h 0r ~/vim/skeleton.h
1293 :autocmd BufNewFile *.java 0r ~/vim/skeleton.java
1294
1295To insert the current date and time in a *.html file when writing it: >
1296
1297 :autocmd BufWritePre,FileWritePre *.html ks|call LastMod()|'s
1298 :fun LastMod()
1299 : if line("$") > 20
1300 : let l = 20
1301 : else
1302 : let l = line("$")
1303 : endif
1304 : exe "1," . l . "g/Last modified: /s/Last modified: .*/Last modified: " .
1305 : \ strftime("%Y %b %d")
1306 :endfun
1307
1308You need to have a line "Last modified: <date time>" in the first 20 lines
1309of the file for this to work. Vim replaces <date time> (and anything in the
1310same line after it) with the current date and time. Explanation:
1311 ks mark current position with mark 's'
1312 call LastMod() call the LastMod() function to do the work
1313 's return the cursor to the old position
1314The LastMod() function checks if the file is shorter than 20 lines, and then
1315uses the ":g" command to find lines that contain "Last modified: ". For those
1316lines the ":s" command is executed to replace the existing date with the
1317current one. The ":execute" command is used to be able to use an expression
1318for the ":g" and ":s" commands. The date is obtained with the strftime()
1319function. You can change its argument to get another date string.
1320
1321When entering :autocmd on the command-line, completion of events and command
1322names may be done (with <Tab>, CTRL-D, etc.) where appropriate.
1323
1324Vim executes all matching autocommands in the order that you specify them.
1325It is recommended that your first autocommand be used for all files by using
1326"*" as the file pattern. This means that you can define defaults you like
1327here for any settings, and if there is another matching autocommand it will
1328override these. But if there is no other matching autocommand, then at least
1329your default settings are recovered (if entering this file from another for
1330which autocommands did match). Note that "*" will also match files starting
1331with ".", unlike Unix shells.
1332
1333 *autocmd-searchpat*
1334Autocommands do not change the current search patterns. Vim saves the current
1335search patterns before executing autocommands then restores them after the
1336autocommands finish. This means that autocommands do not affect the strings
1337highlighted with the 'hlsearch' option. Within autocommands, you can still
1338use search patterns normally, e.g., with the "n" command.
1339If you want an autocommand to set the search pattern, such that it is used
1340after the autocommand finishes, use the ":let @/ =" command.
1341The search-highlighting cannot be switched off with ":nohlsearch" in an
1342autocommand. Use the 'h' flag in the 'viminfo' option to disable search-
1343highlighting when starting Vim.
1344
1345 *Cmd-event*
1346When using one of the "*Cmd" events, the matching autocommands are expected to
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +00001347do the file reading, writing or sourcing. This can be used when working with
1348a special kind of file, for example on a remote system.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001349CAREFUL: If you use these events in a wrong way, it may have the effect of
1350making it impossible to read or write the matching files! Make sure you test
1351your autocommands properly. Best is to use a pattern that will never match a
1352normal file name, for example "ftp://*".
1353
1354When defining a BufReadCmd it will be difficult for Vim to recover a crashed
1355editing session. When recovering from the original file, Vim reads only those
1356parts of a file that are not found in the swap file. Since that is not
1357possible with a BufReadCmd, use the |:preserve| command to make sure the
1358original file isn't needed for recovery. You might want to do this only when
1359you expect the file to be modified.
1360
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +00001361For file read and write commands the |v:cmdarg| variable holds the "++enc="
1362and "++ff=" argument that are effective. These should be used for the command
1363that reads/writes the file. The |v:cmdbang| variable is one when "!" was
1364used, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001365
Bram Moolenaarc88ebf72010-07-22 22:30:23 +02001366See the $VIMRUNTIME/plugin/netrwPlugin.vim for examples.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001367
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001368==============================================================================
136911. Disabling autocommands *autocmd-disable*
1370
1371To disable autocommands for some time use the 'eventignore' option. Note that
1372this may cause unexpected behavior, make sure you restore 'eventignore'
1373afterwards, using a |:try| block with |:finally|.
1374
1375 *:noautocmd* *:noa*
1376To disable autocommands for just one command use the ":noautocmd" command
1377modifier. This will set 'eventignore' to "all" for the duration of the
1378following command. Example: >
1379
1380 :noautocmd w fname.gz
1381
1382This will write the file without triggering the autocommands defined by the
1383gzip plugin.
1384
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001385
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001386 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: