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Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +00001*autocmd.txt* For Vim version 7.0. Last change: 2007 Jan 16
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Automatic commands *autocommand*
8
9For a basic explanation, see section |40.3| in the user manual.
10
111. Introduction |autocmd-intro|
122. Defining autocommands |autocmd-define|
133. Removing autocommands |autocmd-remove|
144. Listing autocommands |autocmd-list|
155. Events |autocmd-events|
166. Patterns |autocmd-patterns|
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000177. Buffer-local autocommands |autocmd-buflocal|
188. Groups |autocmd-groups|
199. Executing autocommands |autocmd-execute|
2010. Using autocommands |autocmd-use|
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00002111. Disabling autocommands |autocmd-disable|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000022
23{Vi does not have any of these commands}
24{only when the |+autocmd| feature has not been disabled at compile time}
25
26==============================================================================
271. Introduction *autocmd-intro*
28
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +000029You can specify commands to be executed automatically when reading or writing
30a file, when entering or leaving a buffer or window, and when exiting Vim.
31For example, you can create an autocommand to set the 'cindent' option for
32files matching *.c. You can also use autocommands to implement advanced
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000033features, such as editing compressed files (see |gzip-example|). The usual
34place to put autocommands is in your .vimrc or .exrc file.
35
36 *E203* *E204* *E143*
37WARNING: Using autocommands is very powerful, and may lead to unexpected side
38effects. Be careful not to destroy your text.
39- It's a good idea to do some testing on an expendable copy of a file first.
40 For example: If you use autocommands to decompress a file when starting to
41 edit it, make sure that the autocommands for compressing when writing work
42 correctly.
43- Be prepared for an error halfway through (e.g., disk full). Vim will mostly
44 be able to undo the changes to the buffer, but you may have to clean up the
45 changes to other files by hand (e.g., compress a file that has been
46 decompressed).
47- If the BufRead* events allow you to edit a compressed file, the FileRead*
48 events should do the same (this makes recovery possible in some rare cases).
49 It's a good idea to use the same autocommands for the File* and Buf* events
50 when possible.
51
52==============================================================================
532. Defining autocommands *autocmd-define*
54
55Note: The ":autocmd" command cannot be followed by another command, since any
56'|' is considered part of the command.
57
58 *:au* *:autocmd*
59:au[tocmd] [group] {event} {pat} [nested] {cmd}
60 Add {cmd} to the list of commands that Vim will
61 execute automatically on {event} for a file matching
62 {pat}. Vim always adds the {cmd} after existing
63 autocommands, so that the autocommands execute in the
64 order in which they were given. See |autocmd-nested|
65 for [nested].
66
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +000067The special pattern <buffer> or <buffer=N> defines a buffer-local autocommand.
68See |autocmd-buflocal|.
69
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000070Note that special characters (e.g., "%", "<cword>") in the ":autocmd"
71arguments are not expanded when the autocommand is defined. These will be
72expanded when the Event is recognized, and the {cmd} is executed. The only
73exception is that "<sfile>" is expanded when the autocmd is defined. Example:
74>
75 :au BufNewFile,BufRead *.html so <sfile>:h/html.vim
76
77Here Vim expands <sfile> to the name of the file containing this line.
78
79When your .vimrc file is sourced twice, the autocommands will appear twice.
80To avoid this, put this command in your .vimrc file, before defining
81autocommands: >
82
83 :autocmd! " Remove ALL autocommands for the current group.
84
85If you don't want to remove all autocommands, you can instead use a variable
86to ensure that Vim includes the autocommands only once: >
87
88 :if !exists("autocommands_loaded")
89 : let autocommands_loaded = 1
90 : au ...
91 :endif
92
93When the [group] argument is not given, Vim uses the current group (as defined
94with ":augroup"); otherwise, Vim uses the group defined with [group]. Note
95that [group] must have been defined before. You cannot define a new group
96with ":au group ..."; use ":augroup" for that.
97
98While testing autocommands, you might find the 'verbose' option to be useful: >
99 :set verbose=9
100This setting makes Vim echo the autocommands as it executes them.
101
102When defining an autocommand in a script, it will be able to call functions
103local to the script and use mappings local to the script. When the event is
104triggered and the command executed, it will run in the context of the script
105it was defined in. This matters if |<SID>| is used in a command.
106
107When executing the commands, the messages from one command overwrites a
108previous message. This is different from when executing the commands
109manually. Mostly the screen will not scroll up, thus there is no hit-enter
110prompt. When one command outputs two messages this can happen anyway.
111
112==============================================================================
1133. Removing autocommands *autocmd-remove*
114
115:au[tocmd]! [group] {event} {pat} [nested] {cmd}
116 Remove all autocommands associated with {event} and
117 {pat}, and add the command {cmd}. See
118 |autocmd-nested| for [nested].
119
120:au[tocmd]! [group] {event} {pat}
121 Remove all autocommands associated with {event} and
122 {pat}.
123
124:au[tocmd]! [group] * {pat}
125 Remove all autocommands associated with {pat} for all
126 events.
127
128:au[tocmd]! [group] {event}
129 Remove ALL autocommands for {event}.
130
131:au[tocmd]! [group] Remove ALL autocommands.
132
133When the [group] argument is not given, Vim uses the current group (as defined
134with ":augroup"); otherwise, Vim uses the group defined with [group].
135
136==============================================================================
1374. Listing autocommands *autocmd-list*
138
139:au[tocmd] [group] {event} {pat}
140 Show the autocommands associated with {event} and
141 {pat}.
142
143:au[tocmd] [group] * {pat}
144 Show the autocommands associated with {pat} for all
145 events.
146
147:au[tocmd] [group] {event}
148 Show all autocommands for {event}.
149
150:au[tocmd] [group] Show all autocommands.
151
152If you provide the [group] argument, Vim lists only the autocommands for
153[group]; otherwise, Vim lists the autocommands for ALL groups. Note that this
154argument behavior differs from that for defining and removing autocommands.
155
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000156In order to list buffer-local autocommands, use a pattern in the form <buffer>
157or <buffer=N>. See |autocmd-buflocal|.
158
Bram Moolenaarac6e65f2005-08-29 22:25:38 +0000159 *:autocmd-verbose*
160When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing an autocommand will also display where it
161was last defined. Example: >
162
163 :verbose autocmd BufEnter
164 FileExplorer BufEnter
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
266|TermResponse| after the termainal response to |t_RV| is received
267
268|VimLeavePre| before exiting Vim, before writing the viminfo file
269|VimLeave| before exiting Vim, after writing the viminfo file
270
271 Various
272|FileChangedShell| Vim notices that a file changed since editing started
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000273|FileChangedShellPost| After handling a file changed since editing started
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000274|FileChangedRO| before making the first change to a read-only file
275
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +0000276|ShellCmdPost| after executing a shell command
277|ShellFilterPost| after filtering with a shell command
278
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000279|FuncUndefined| a user function is used but it isn't defined
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000280|SpellFileMissing| a spell file is used but it can't be found
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +0000281|SourcePre| before sourcing a Vim script
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000282|SourceCmd| before sourcing a Vim script |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000283
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000284|VimResized| after the Vim window size changed
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000285|FocusGained| Vim got input focus
286|FocusLost| Vim lost input focus
287|CursorHold| the user doesn't press a key for a while
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000288|CursorHoldI| the user doesn't press a key for a while in Insert mode
289|CursorMoved| the cursor was moved in Normal mode
290|CursorMovedI| the cursor was moved in Insert mode
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000291
292|WinEnter| after entering another window
293|WinLeave| before leaving a window
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000294|TabEnter| after entering another tab page
295|TabLeave| before leaving a tab page
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000296|CmdwinEnter| after entering the command-line window
297|CmdwinLeave| before leaving the command-line window
298
299|InsertEnter| starting Insert mode
300|InsertChange| when typing <Insert> while in Insert or Replace mode
301|InsertLeave| when leaving Insert mode
302
303|ColorScheme| after loading a color scheme
304
305|RemoteReply| a reply from a server Vim was received
306
307|QuickFixCmdPre| before a quickfix command is run
308|QuickFixCmdPost| after a quickfix command is run
309
310|SessionLoadPost| after loading a session file
311
312|MenuPopup| just before showing the popup menu
313
314|User| to be used in combination with ":doautocmd"
315
316
317The alphabetical list of autocommand events: *autocmd-events-abc*
318
319 *BufCreate* *BufAdd*
320BufAdd or BufCreate Just after creating a new buffer which is
321 added to the buffer list, or adding a buffer
322 to the buffer list.
323 Also used just after a buffer in the buffer
324 list has been renamed.
325 The BufCreate event is for historic reasons.
326 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
327 current buffer "%" may be different from the
328 buffer being created "<afile>".
329 *BufDelete*
330BufDelete Before deleting a buffer from the buffer list.
331 The BufUnload may be called first (if the
332 buffer was loaded).
333 Also used just before a buffer in the buffer
334 list is renamed.
335 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
336 current buffer "%" may be different from the
337 buffer being deleted "<afile>".
338 *BufEnter*
339BufEnter After entering a buffer. Useful for setting
340 options for a file type. Also executed when
341 starting to edit a buffer, after the
342 BufReadPost autocommands.
343 *BufFilePost*
344BufFilePost After changing the name of the current buffer
345 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000346 *BufFilePre*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000347BufFilePre Before changing the name of the current buffer
348 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
349 *BufHidden*
350BufHidden Just after a buffer has become hidden. That
351 is, when there are no longer windows that show
352 the buffer, but the buffer is not unloaded or
353 deleted. Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when
354 exiting Vim.
355 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
356 current buffer "%" may be different from the
357 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
358 *BufLeave*
359BufLeave Before leaving to another buffer. Also when
360 leaving or closing the current window and the
361 new current window is not for the same buffer.
362 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
363 *BufNew*
364BufNew Just after creating a new buffer. Also used
365 just after a buffer has been renamed. When
366 the buffer is added to the buffer list BufAdd
367 will be triggered too.
368 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
369 current buffer "%" may be different from the
370 buffer being created "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000371 *BufNewFile*
372BufNewFile When starting to edit a file that doesn't
373 exist. Can be used to read in a skeleton
374 file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000375 *BufRead* *BufReadPost*
376BufRead or BufReadPost When starting to edit a new buffer, after
377 reading the file into the buffer, before
378 executing the modelines. See |BufWinEnter|
379 for when you need to do something after
380 processing the modelines.
381 This does NOT work for ":r file". Not used
382 when the file doesn't exist. Also used after
383 successfully recovering a file.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000384 *BufReadCmd*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000385BufReadCmd Before starting to edit a new buffer. Should
386 read the file into the buffer. |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000387 *BufReadPre* *E200* *E201*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000388BufReadPre When starting to edit a new buffer, before
389 reading the file into the buffer. Not used
390 if the file doesn't exist.
391 *BufUnload*
392BufUnload Before unloading a buffer. This is when the
393 text in the buffer is going to be freed. This
394 may be after a BufWritePost and before a
395 BufDelete. Also used for all buffers that are
396 loaded when Vim is going to exit.
397 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
398 current buffer "%" may be different from the
399 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
400 *BufWinEnter*
401BufWinEnter After a buffer is displayed in a window. This
402 can be when the buffer is loaded (after
403 processing the modelines), when a hidden
404 buffer is displayed in a window (and is no
405 longer hidden) or a buffer already visible in
406 a window is also displayed in another window.
407 *BufWinLeave*
408BufWinLeave Before a buffer is removed from a window.
409 Not when it's still visible in another window.
410 Also triggered when exiting. It's triggered
411 before BufUnload or BufHidden.
412 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
413 current buffer "%" may be different from the
414 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
415 *BufWipeout*
416BufWipeout Before completely deleting a buffer. The
417 BufUnload and BufDelete events may be called
418 first (if the buffer was loaded and was in the
419 buffer list). Also used just before a buffer
420 is renamed (also when it's not in the buffer
421 list).
422 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
423 current buffer "%" may be different from the
424 buffer being deleted "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000425 *BufWrite* *BufWritePre*
426BufWrite or BufWritePre Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000427 *BufWriteCmd*
428BufWriteCmd Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
429 Should do the writing of the file and reset
Bram Moolenaar1cd871b2004-12-19 22:46:22 +0000430 'modified' if successful, unless '+' is in
431 'cpo' and writing to another file |cpo-+|.
432 The buffer contents should not be changed.
433 |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000434 *BufWritePost*
435BufWritePost After writing the whole buffer to a file
436 (should undo the commands for BufWritePre).
437 *CmdwinEnter*
438CmdwinEnter After entering the command-line window.
439 Useful for setting options specifically for
440 this special type of window. This is
441 triggered _instead_ of BufEnter and WinEnter.
442 <afile> is set to a single character,
443 indicating the type of command-line.
444 |cmdwin-char|
445 *CmdwinLeave*
446CmdwinLeave Before leaving the command-line window.
447 Useful to clean up any global setting done
448 with CmdwinEnter. This is triggered _instead_
449 of BufLeave and WinLeave.
450 <afile> is set to a single character,
451 indicating the type of command-line.
452 |cmdwin-char|
453 *ColorScheme*
454ColorScheme After loading a color scheme. |:colorscheme|
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000455
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000456 *CursorHold*
457CursorHold When the user doesn't press a key for the time
458 specified with 'updatetime'. Not re-triggered
459 until the user has pressed a key (i.e. doesn't
460 fire every 'updatetime' ms if you leave Vim to
461 make some coffee. :) See |CursorHold-example|
462 for previewing tags.
463 This event is only triggered in Normal mode.
Bram Moolenaare3226be2005-12-18 22:10:00 +0000464 While recording the CursorHold event is not
465 triggered. |q|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000466 Note: Interactive commands cannot be used for
467 this event. There is no hit-enter prompt,
468 the screen is updated directly (when needed).
469 Note: In the future there will probably be
470 another option to set the time.
471 Hint: to force an update of the status lines
472 use: >
473 :let &ro = &ro
474< {only on Amiga, Unix, Win32, MSDOS and all GUI
475 versions}
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000476 *CursorHoldI*
477CursorHoldI Just like CursorHold, but in Insert mode.
478
479 *CursorMoved*
480CursorMoved After the cursor was moved in Normal mode.
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +0000481 Also when the text of the cursor line has been
482 changed, e.g., with "x", "rx" or "p".
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000483 Not triggered when there is typeahead or when
484 an operator is pending.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000485 For an example see |match-parens|.
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000486 Careful: Don't do anything that the user does
487 not expect or that is slow.
488 *CursorMovedI*
489CursorMovedI After the cursor was moved in Insert mode.
490 Otherwise the same as CursorMoved.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000491 *EncodingChanged*
492EncodingChanged Fires off after the 'encoding' option has been
493 changed. Useful to set up fonts, for example.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000494 *FileAppendCmd*
495FileAppendCmd Before appending to a file. Should do the
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000496 appending to the file. Use the '[ and ']
497 marks for the range of lines.|Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000498 *FileAppendPost*
499FileAppendPost After appending to a file.
500 *FileAppendPre*
501FileAppendPre Before appending to a file. Use the '[ and ']
502 marks for the range of lines.
503 *FileChangedRO*
504FileChangedRO Before making the first change to a read-only
505 file. Can be used to check-out the file from
506 a source control system. Not triggered when
507 the change was caused by an autocommand.
508 This event is triggered when making the first
509 change in a buffer or the first change after
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000510 'readonly' was set, just before the change is
511 applied to the text.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000512 WARNING: If the autocommand moves the cursor
513 the effect of the change is undefined.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000514 *E788*
515 It is not allowed to change to another buffer
516 here. You can reload the buffer but not edit
517 another one.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000518 *FileChangedShell*
519FileChangedShell When Vim notices that the modification time of
520 a file has changed since editing started.
521 Also when the file attributes of the file
522 change. |timestamp|
523 Mostly triggered after executing a shell
524 command, but also with a |:checktime| command
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000525 or when Gvim regains input focus.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000526 This autocommand is triggered for each changed
527 file. It is not used when 'autoread' is set
528 and the buffer was not changed. If a
529 FileChangedShell autocommand is present the
530 warning message and prompt is not given.
531 This is useful for reloading related buffers
532 which are affected by a single command.
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000533 The |v:fcs_reason| variable is set to indicate
534 what happened and |v:fcs_choice| can be used
535 to tell Vim what to do next.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000536 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
537 current buffer "%" may be different from the
538 buffer that was changed "<afile>".
539 NOTE: The commands must not change the current
540 buffer, jump to another buffer or delete a
541 buffer. *E246*
542 NOTE: This event never nests, to avoid an
543 endless loop. This means that while executing
544 commands for the FileChangedShell event no
545 other FileChangedShell event will be
546 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000547 *FileChangedShellPost*
548FileChangedShellPost After handling a file that was changed outside
549 of Vim. Can be used to update the statusline.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000550 *FileEncoding*
551FileEncoding Obsolete. It still works and is equivalent
552 to |EncodingChanged|.
553 *FileReadCmd*
554FileReadCmd Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
555 Should do the reading of the file. |Cmd-event|
556 *FileReadPost*
557FileReadPost After reading a file with a ":read" command.
558 Note that Vim sets the '[ and '] marks to the
559 first and last line of the read. This can be
560 used to operate on the lines just read.
561 *FileReadPre*
562FileReadPre Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
563 *FileType*
564FileType When the 'filetype' option has been set.
565 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
566 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
567 the new value of 'filetype'.
568 See |filetypes|.
569 *FileWriteCmd*
570FileWriteCmd Before writing to a file, when not writing the
571 whole buffer. Should do the writing to the
572 file. Should not change the buffer. Use the
573 '[ and '] marks for the range of lines.
574 |Cmd-event|
575 *FileWritePost*
576FileWritePost After writing to a file, when not writing the
577 whole buffer.
578 *FileWritePre*
579FileWritePre Before writing to a file, when not writing the
580 whole buffer. Use the '[ and '] marks for the
581 range of lines.
582 *FilterReadPost*
583FilterReadPost After reading a file from a filter command.
584 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
585 the current buffer as with FilterReadPre.
586 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
587 *FilterReadPre* *E135*
588FilterReadPre Before reading a file from a filter command.
589 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
590 the current buffer, not the name of the
591 temporary file that is the output of the
592 filter command.
593 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
594 *FilterWritePost*
595FilterWritePost After writing a file for a filter command or
596 making a diff.
597 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
598 the current buffer as with FilterWritePre.
599 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
600 *FilterWritePre*
601FilterWritePre Before writing a file for a filter command or
602 making a diff.
603 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
604 the current buffer, not the name of the
605 temporary file that is the output of the
606 filter command.
607 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000608 *FocusGained*
609FocusGained When Vim got input focus. Only for the GUI
610 version and a few console versions where this
611 can be detected.
612 *FocusLost*
613FocusLost When Vim lost input focus. Only for the GUI
614 version and a few console versions where this
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +0000615 can be detected. May also happen when a
616 dialog pops up.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000617 *FuncUndefined*
618FuncUndefined When a user function is used but it isn't
619 defined. Useful for defining a function only
620 when it's used. Both <amatch> and <afile> are
621 set to the name of the function.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000622 See |autoload-functions|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000623 *GUIEnter*
624GUIEnter After starting the GUI successfully, and after
625 opening the window. It is triggered before
626 VimEnter when using gvim. Can be used to
627 position the window from a .gvimrc file: >
628 :autocmd GUIEnter * winpos 100 50
629< *InsertChange*
630InsertChange When typing <Insert> while in Insert or
631 Replace mode. The |v:insertmode| variable
632 indicates the new mode.
633 Be careful not to move the cursor or do
634 anything else that the user does not expect.
635 *InsertEnter*
636InsertEnter When starting Insert mode. Also for Replace
637 mode and Virtual Replace mode. The
638 |v:insertmode| variable indicates the mode.
639 Be careful not to move the cursor or do
640 anything else that the user does not expect.
641 *InsertLeave*
642InsertLeave When leaving Insert mode. Also when using
643 CTRL-O |i_CTRL-O|. But not for |i_CTRL-C|.
644 *MenuPopup*
645MenuPopup Just before showing the popup menu (under the
646 right mouse button). Useful for adjusting the
647 menu for what is under the cursor or mouse
648 pointer.
649 The pattern is matched against a single
650 character representing the mode:
651 n Normal
652 v Visual
653 o Operator-pending
654 i Insert
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +0000655 c Command line
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000656 *QuickFixCmdPre*
657QuickFixCmdPre Before a quickfix command is run (|:make|,
Bram Moolenaara6557602006-02-04 22:43:20 +0000658 |:lmake|, |:grep|, |:lgrep|, |:grepadd|,
659 |:lgrepadd|, |:vimgrep|, |:lvimgrep|,
660 |:vimgrepadd|, |:vimgrepadd|). The pattern is
661 matched against the command being run. When
662 |:grep| is used but 'grepprg' is set to
663 "internal" it still matches "grep".
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000664 This command cannot be used to set the
665 'makeprg' and 'grepprg' variables.
666 If this command causes an error, the quickfix
667 command is not executed.
668 *QuickFixCmdPost*
669QuickFixCmdPost Like QuickFixCmdPre, but after a quickfix
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000670 command is run, before jumping to the first
671 location.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000672 *RemoteReply*
673RemoteReply When a reply from a Vim that functions as
674 server was received |server2client()|.
675 <amatch> is equal to the {serverid} from which
676 the reply was sent, and <afile> is the actual
677 reply string.
678 Note that even if an autocommand is defined,
679 the reply should be read with |remote_read()|
680 to consume it.
681 *SessionLoadPost*
682SessionLoadPost After loading the session file created using
683 the |:mksession| command.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +0000684 *ShellCmdPost*
685ShellCmdPost After executing a shell command with |:!cmd|,
686 |:shell|, |:make| and |:grep|. Can be used to
687 check for any changed files.
688 *ShellFilterPost*
689ShellFilterPost After executing a shell command with
690 ":{range}!cmd", ":w !cmd" or ":r !cmd".
691 Can be used to check for any changed files.
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +0000692 *SourcePre*
693SourcePre Before sourcing a Vim script. |:source|
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000694 <afile> is the name of the file being sourced.
695 *SourceCmd*
696SourceCmd When sourcing a Vim script. |:source|
697 <afile> is the name of the file being sourced.
698 The autocommand must source this file.
699 |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000700 *SpellFileMissing*
701SpellFileMissing When trying to load a spell checking file and
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000702 it can't be found. The pattern is matched
703 against the language. <amatch> is the
704 language, 'encoding' also matters. See
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000705 |spell-SpellFileMissing|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000706 *StdinReadPost*
707StdinReadPost After reading from the stdin into the buffer,
708 before executing the modelines. Only used
709 when the "-" argument was used when Vim was
710 started |--|.
711 *StdinReadPre*
712StdinReadPre Before reading from stdin into the buffer.
713 Only used when the "-" argument was used when
714 Vim was started |--|.
715 *SwapExists*
716SwapExists Detected an existing swap file when starting
717 to edit a file. Only when it is possible to
718 select a way to handle the situation, when Vim
719 would ask the user what to do.
720 The |v:swapname| variable holds the name of
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +0000721 the swap file found, <afile> the file being
722 edited. |v:swapcommand| may contain a command
723 to be executed in the opened file.
724 The commands should set the |v:swapchoice|
725 variable to a string with one character to
726 tell Vim what should be done next:
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000727 'o' open read-only
728 'e' edit the file anyway
729 'r' recover
730 'd' delete the swap file
731 'q' quit, don't edit the file
732 'a' abort, like hitting CTRL-C
733 When set to an empty string the user will be
734 asked, as if there was no SwapExists autocmd.
735 Note: Do not try to change the buffer, the
736 results are unpredictable.
737 *Syntax*
738Syntax When the 'syntax' option has been set.
739 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
740 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
741 the new value of 'syntax'.
742 See |:syn-on|.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000743 *TabEnter*
744TabEnter Just after entering a tab page. |tab-page|
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +0000745 After triggering the WinEnter and before
746 triggering the BufEnter event.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000747 *TabLeave*
748TabLeave Just before leaving a tab page. |tab-page|
749 A WinLeave event will have been triggered
750 first.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000751 *TermChanged*
752TermChanged After the value of 'term' has changed. Useful
753 for re-loading the syntax file to update the
754 colors, fonts and other terminal-dependent
755 settings. Executed for all loaded buffers.
756 *TermResponse*
757TermResponse After the response to |t_RV| is received from
758 the terminal. The value of |v:termresponse|
759 can be used to do things depending on the
760 terminal version.
761 *User*
762User Never executed automatically. To be used for
763 autocommands that are only executed with
764 ":doautocmd".
765 *UserGettingBored*
766UserGettingBored When the user hits CTRL-C. Just kidding! :-)
767 *VimEnter*
768VimEnter After doing all the startup stuff, including
769 loading .vimrc files, executing the "-c cmd"
770 arguments, creating all windows and loading
771 the buffers in them.
772 *VimLeave*
773VimLeave Before exiting Vim, just after writing the
774 .viminfo file. Executed only once, like
775 VimLeavePre.
776 To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
777 *VimLeavePre*
778VimLeavePre Before exiting Vim, just before writing the
779 .viminfo file. This is executed only once,
780 if there is a match with the name of what
781 happens to be the current buffer when exiting.
782 Mostly useful with a "*" pattern. >
783 :autocmd VimLeavePre * call CleanupStuff()
784< To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000785 *VimResized*
786VimResized After the Vim window was resized, thus 'lines'
787 and/or 'columns' changed. Not when starting
788 up though.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000789 *WinEnter*
790WinEnter After entering another window. Not done for
791 the first window, when Vim has just started.
792 Useful for setting the window height.
793 If the window is for another buffer, Vim
794 executes the BufEnter autocommands after the
795 WinEnter autocommands.
796 Note: When using ":split fname" the WinEnter
797 event is triggered after the split but before
798 the file "fname" is loaded.
799 *WinLeave*
800WinLeave Before leaving a window. If the window to be
801 entered next is for a different buffer, Vim
802 executes the BufLeave autocommands before the
803 WinLeave autocommands (but not for ":new").
804 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000805
806==============================================================================
8076. Patterns *autocmd-patterns* *{pat}*
808
809The file pattern {pat} is tested for a match against the file name in one of
810two ways:
8111. When there is no '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against only
812 the tail part of the file name (without its leading directory path).
8132. When there is a '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against the
814 both short file name (as you typed it) and the full file name (after
815 expanding it to a full path and resolving symbolic links).
816
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000817The special pattern <buffer> or <buffer=N> is used for buffer-local
818autocommands |autocmd-buflocal|. This pattern is not matched against the name
819of a buffer.
820
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000821Examples: >
822 :autocmd BufRead *.txt set et
823Set the 'et' option for all text files. >
824
825 :autocmd BufRead /vim/src/*.c set cindent
826Set the 'cindent' option for C files in the /vim/src directory. >
827
828 :autocmd BufRead /tmp/*.c set ts=5
829If you have a link from "/tmp/test.c" to "/home/nobody/vim/src/test.c", and
830you start editing "/tmp/test.c", this autocommand will match.
831
832Note: To match part of a path, but not from the root directory, use a '*' as
833the first character. Example: >
834 :autocmd BufRead */doc/*.txt set tw=78
835This autocommand will for example be executed for "/tmp/doc/xx.txt" and
836"/usr/home/piet/doc/yy.txt". The number of directories does not matter here.
837
838
839The file name that the pattern is matched against is after expanding
840wildcards. Thus is you issue this command: >
841 :e $ROOTDIR/main.$EXT
842The argument is first expanded to: >
843 /usr/root/main.py
844Before it's matched with the pattern of the autocommand. Careful with this
845when using events like FileReadCmd, the value of <amatch> may not be what you
846expect.
847
848
849Environment variables can be used in a pattern: >
850 :autocmd BufRead $VIMRUNTIME/doc/*.txt set expandtab
851And ~ can be used for the home directory (if $HOME is defined): >
852 :autocmd BufWritePost ~/.vimrc so ~/.vimrc
853 :autocmd BufRead ~archive/* set readonly
854The environment variable is expanded when the autocommand is defined, not when
855the autocommand is executed. This is different from the command!
856
857 *file-pattern*
858The pattern is interpreted like mostly used in file names:
859 * matches any sequence of characters
860 ? matches any single character
861 \? matches a '?'
862 . matches a '.'
863 ~ matches a '~'
864 , separates patterns
865 \, matches a ','
866 { } like \( \) in a |pattern|
867 , inside { }: like \| in a |pattern|
868 \ special meaning like in a |pattern|
869 [ch] matches 'c' or 'h'
870 [^ch] match any character but 'c' and 'h'
871
872Note that for all systems the '/' character is used for path separator (even
873MS-DOS and OS/2). This was done because the backslash is difficult to use
874in a pattern and to make the autocommands portable across different systems.
875
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000876 *autocmd-changes*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000877Matching with the pattern is done when an event is triggered. Changing the
878buffer name in one of the autocommands, or even deleting the buffer, does not
879change which autocommands will be executed. Example: >
880
881 au BufEnter *.foo bdel
882 au BufEnter *.foo set modified
883
884This will delete the current buffer and then set 'modified' in what has become
885the current buffer instead. Vim doesn't take into account that "*.foo"
886doesn't match with that buffer name. It matches "*.foo" with the name of the
887buffer at the moment the event was triggered.
888
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000889However, buffer-local autocommands will not be executed for a buffer that has
890been wiped out with |:bwipe|. After deleting the buffer with |:bdel| the
891buffer actually still exists (it becomes unlisted), thus the autocommands are
892still executed.
893
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000894==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00008957. Buffer-local autocommands *autocmd-buflocal* *autocmd-buffer-local*
896 *<buffer=N>* *<buffer=abuf>* *E680*
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000897
898Buffer-local autocommands are attached to a specific buffer. They are useful
899if the buffer does not have a name and when the name does not match a specific
900pattern. But it also means they must be explicitly added to each buffer.
901
902Instead of a pattern buffer-local autocommands use one of these forms:
903 <buffer> current buffer
904 <buffer=99> buffer number 99
905 <buffer=abuf> using <abuf> (only when executing autocommands)
906 |<abuf>|
907
908Examples: >
909 :au CursorHold <buffer> echo 'hold'
910 :au CursorHold <buffer=33> echo 'hold'
911 :au CursorHold <buffer=abuf> echo 'hold'
912
913All the commands for autocommands also work with buffer-local autocommands,
914simply use the special string instead of the pattern. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000915 :au! * <buffer> " remove buffer-local autocommands for
916 " current buffer
917 :au! * <buffer=33> " remove buffer-local autocommands for
918 " buffer #33
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000919 :dobuf :au! CursorHold <buffer> " remove autocmd for given event for all
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000920 " buffers
921 :au * <buffer> " list buffer-local autocommands for
922 " current buffer
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000923
924Note that when an autocommand is defined for the current buffer, it is stored
925with the buffer number. Thus it uses the form "<buffer=12>", where 12 is the
926number of the current buffer. You will see this when listing autocommands,
927for example.
928
929To test for presence of buffer-local autocommands use the |exists()| function
930as follows: >
931 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer=12>") | ... | endif
932 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer>") | ... | endif " for current buffer
933
934When a buffer is wiped out its buffer-local autocommands are also gone, of
935course. Note that when deleting a buffer, e.g., with ":bdel", it is only
936unlisted, the autocommands are still present. In order to see the removal of
937buffer-local autocommands: >
938 :set verbose=6
939
940It is not possible to define buffer-local autocommands for a non-existent
941buffer.
942
943==============================================================================
9448. Groups *autocmd-groups*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000945
946Autocommands can be put together in a group. This is useful for removing or
947executing a group of autocommands. For example, all the autocommands for
948syntax highlighting are put in the "highlight" group, to be able to execute
949":doautoall highlight BufRead" when the GUI starts.
950
951When no specific group is selected, Vim uses the default group. The default
952group does not have a name. You cannot execute the autocommands from the
953default group separately; you can execute them only by executing autocommands
954for all groups.
955
956Normally, when executing autocommands automatically, Vim uses the autocommands
957for all groups. The group only matters when executing autocommands with
958":doautocmd" or ":doautoall", or when defining or deleting autocommands.
959
960The group name can contain any characters except white space. The group name
961"end" is reserved (also in uppercase).
962
963The group name is case sensitive. Note that this is different from the event
964name!
965
966 *:aug* *:augroup*
967:aug[roup] {name} Define the autocmd group name for the
968 following ":autocmd" commands. The name "end"
969 or "END" selects the default group.
970
971 *:augroup-delete* *E367*
972:aug[roup]! {name} Delete the autocmd group {name}. Don't use
973 this if there is still an autocommand using
974 this group! This is not checked.
975
976To enter autocommands for a specific group, use this method:
9771. Select the group with ":augroup {name}".
9782. Delete any old autocommands with ":au!".
9793. Define the autocommands.
9804. Go back to the default group with "augroup END".
981
982Example: >
983 :augroup uncompress
984 : au!
985 : au BufEnter *.gz %!gunzip
986 :augroup END
987
988This prevents having the autocommands defined twice (e.g., after sourcing the
989.vimrc file again).
990
991==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00009929. Executing autocommands *autocmd-execute*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000993
994Vim can also execute Autocommands non-automatically. This is useful if you
995have changed autocommands, or when Vim has executed the wrong autocommands
996(e.g., the file pattern match was wrong).
997
998Note that the 'eventignore' option applies here too. Events listed in this
999option will not cause any commands to be executed.
1000
1001 *:do* *:doau* *:doautocmd* *E217*
1002:do[autocmd] [group] {event} [fname]
1003 Apply the autocommands matching [fname] (default:
1004 current file name) for {event} to the current buffer.
1005 You can use this when the current file name does not
1006 match the right pattern, after changing settings, or
1007 to execute autocommands for a certain event.
1008 It's possible to use this inside an autocommand too,
1009 so you can base the autocommands for one extension on
1010 another extension. Example: >
1011 :au Bufenter *.cpp so ~/.vimrc_cpp
1012 :au Bufenter *.cpp doau BufEnter x.c
1013< Be careful to avoid endless loops. See
1014 |autocmd-nested|.
1015
1016 When the [group] argument is not given, Vim executes
1017 the autocommands for all groups. When the [group]
1018 argument is included, Vim executes only the matching
1019 autocommands for that group. Note: if you use an
1020 undefined group name, Vim gives you an error message.
1021
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001022 After applying the autocommands the modelines are
1023 processed, so that their overrule the settings from
1024 autocommands, like what happens when editing a file.
1025
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001026 *:doautoa* *:doautoall*
1027:doautoa[ll] [group] {event} [fname]
1028 Like ":doautocmd", but apply the autocommands to each
1029 loaded buffer. Note that {fname} is used to select
1030 the autocommands, not the buffers to which they are
1031 applied.
1032 Careful: Don't use this for autocommands that delete a
1033 buffer, change to another buffer or change the
1034 contents of a buffer; the result is unpredictable.
1035 This command is intended for autocommands that set
1036 options, change highlighting, and things like that.
1037
1038==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000103910. Using autocommands *autocmd-use*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001040
1041For WRITING FILES there are four possible sets of events. Vim uses only one
1042of these sets for a write command:
1043
1044BufWriteCmd BufWritePre BufWritePost writing the whole buffer
1045 FilterWritePre FilterWritePost writing to filter temp file
1046FileAppendCmd FileAppendPre FileAppendPost appending to a file
1047FileWriteCmd FileWritePre FileWritePost any other file write
1048
1049When there is a matching "*Cmd" autocommand, it is assumed it will do the
1050writing. No further writing is done and the other events are not triggered.
1051|Cmd-event|
1052
1053Note that the *WritePost commands should undo any changes to the buffer that
1054were caused by the *WritePre commands; otherwise, writing the file will have
1055the side effect of changing the buffer.
1056
1057Before executing the autocommands, the buffer from which the lines are to be
1058written temporarily becomes the current buffer. Unless the autocommands
1059change the current buffer or delete the previously current buffer, the
1060previously current buffer is made the current buffer again.
1061
1062The *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands must not delete the buffer from
1063which the lines are to be written.
1064
1065The '[ and '] marks have a special position:
1066- Before the *ReadPre event the '[ mark is set to the line just above where
1067 the new lines will be inserted.
1068- Before the *ReadPost event the '[ mark is set to the first line that was
1069 just read, the '] mark to the last line.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001070- Before executing the *WriteCmd, *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands the '[
1071 mark is set to the first line that will be written, the '] mark to the last
1072 line.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001073Careful: '[ and '] change when using commands that change the buffer.
1074
1075In commands which expect a file name, you can use "<afile>" for the file name
1076that is being read |:<afile>| (you can also use "%" for the current file
1077name). "<abuf>" can be used for the buffer number of the currently effective
1078buffer. This also works for buffers that doesn't have a name. But it doesn't
1079work for files without a buffer (e.g., with ":r file").
1080
1081 *gzip-example*
1082Examples for reading and writing compressed files: >
1083 :augroup gzip
1084 : autocmd!
1085 : autocmd BufReadPre,FileReadPre *.gz set bin
1086 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz '[,']!gunzip
1087 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz set nobin
1088 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz execute ":doautocmd BufReadPost " . expand("%:r")
1089 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1090 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1091
1092 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !gunzip <afile>
1093 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !mv <afile>:r <afile>
1094 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1095 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1096 :augroup END
1097
1098The "gzip" group is used to be able to delete any existing autocommands with
1099":autocmd!", for when the file is sourced twice.
1100
1101("<afile>:r" is the file name without the extension, see |:_%:|)
1102
1103The commands executed for the BufNewFile, BufRead/BufReadPost, BufWritePost,
1104FileAppendPost and VimLeave events do not set or reset the changed flag of the
1105buffer. When you decompress the buffer with the BufReadPost autocommands, you
1106can still exit with ":q". When you use ":undo" in BufWritePost to undo the
1107changes made by BufWritePre commands, you can still do ":q" (this also makes
1108"ZZ" work). If you do want the buffer to be marked as modified, set the
1109'modified' option.
1110
1111To execute Normal mode commands from an autocommand, use the ":normal"
1112command. Use with care! If the Normal mode command is not finished, the user
1113needs to type characters (e.g., after ":normal m" you need to type a mark
1114name).
1115
1116If you want the buffer to be unmodified after changing it, reset the
1117'modified' option. This makes it possible to exit the buffer with ":q"
1118instead of ":q!".
1119
1120 *autocmd-nested* *E218*
1121By default, autocommands do not nest. If you use ":e" or ":w" in an
1122autocommand, Vim does not execute the BufRead and BufWrite autocommands for
1123those commands. If you do want this, use the "nested" flag for those commands
1124in which you want nesting. For example: >
1125 :autocmd FileChangedShell *.c nested e!
1126The nesting is limited to 10 levels to get out of recursive loops.
1127
1128It's possible to use the ":au" command in an autocommand. This can be a
1129self-modifying command! This can be useful for an autocommand that should
1130execute only once.
1131
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001132If you want to skip autocommands for one command, use the |:noautocmd| command
1133modifier or the 'eventignore' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001134
1135Note: When reading a file (with ":read file" or with a filter command) and the
1136last line in the file does not have an <EOL>, Vim remembers this. At the next
1137write (with ":write file" or with a filter command), if the same line is
1138written again as the last line in a file AND 'binary' is set, Vim does not
1139supply an <EOL>. This makes a filter command on the just read lines write the
1140same file as was read, and makes a write command on just filtered lines write
1141the same file as was read from the filter. For example, another way to write
1142a compressed file: >
1143
1144 :autocmd FileWritePre *.gz set bin|'[,']!gzip
1145 :autocmd FileWritePost *.gz undo|set nobin
1146<
1147 *autocommand-pattern*
1148You can specify multiple patterns, separated by commas. Here are some
1149examples: >
1150
1151 :autocmd BufRead * set tw=79 nocin ic infercase fo=2croq
1152 :autocmd BufRead .letter set tw=72 fo=2tcrq
1153 :autocmd BufEnter .letter set dict=/usr/lib/dict/words
1154 :autocmd BufLeave .letter set dict=
1155 :autocmd BufRead,BufNewFile *.c,*.h set tw=0 cin noic
1156 :autocmd BufEnter *.c,*.h abbr FOR for (i = 0; i < 3; ++i)<CR>{<CR>}<Esc>O
1157 :autocmd BufLeave *.c,*.h unabbr FOR
1158
1159For makefiles (makefile, Makefile, imakefile, makefile.unix, etc.): >
1160
1161 :autocmd BufEnter ?akefile* set include=^s\=include
1162 :autocmd BufLeave ?akefile* set include&
1163
1164To always start editing C files at the first function: >
1165
1166 :autocmd BufRead *.c,*.h 1;/^{
1167
1168Without the "1;" above, the search would start from wherever the file was
1169entered, rather than from the start of the file.
1170
1171 *skeleton* *template*
1172To read a skeleton (template) file when opening a new file: >
1173
1174 :autocmd BufNewFile *.c 0r ~/vim/skeleton.c
1175 :autocmd BufNewFile *.h 0r ~/vim/skeleton.h
1176 :autocmd BufNewFile *.java 0r ~/vim/skeleton.java
1177
1178To insert the current date and time in a *.html file when writing it: >
1179
1180 :autocmd BufWritePre,FileWritePre *.html ks|call LastMod()|'s
1181 :fun LastMod()
1182 : if line("$") > 20
1183 : let l = 20
1184 : else
1185 : let l = line("$")
1186 : endif
1187 : exe "1," . l . "g/Last modified: /s/Last modified: .*/Last modified: " .
1188 : \ strftime("%Y %b %d")
1189 :endfun
1190
1191You need to have a line "Last modified: <date time>" in the first 20 lines
1192of the file for this to work. Vim replaces <date time> (and anything in the
1193same line after it) with the current date and time. Explanation:
1194 ks mark current position with mark 's'
1195 call LastMod() call the LastMod() function to do the work
1196 's return the cursor to the old position
1197The LastMod() function checks if the file is shorter than 20 lines, and then
1198uses the ":g" command to find lines that contain "Last modified: ". For those
1199lines the ":s" command is executed to replace the existing date with the
1200current one. The ":execute" command is used to be able to use an expression
1201for the ":g" and ":s" commands. The date is obtained with the strftime()
1202function. You can change its argument to get another date string.
1203
1204When entering :autocmd on the command-line, completion of events and command
1205names may be done (with <Tab>, CTRL-D, etc.) where appropriate.
1206
1207Vim executes all matching autocommands in the order that you specify them.
1208It is recommended that your first autocommand be used for all files by using
1209"*" as the file pattern. This means that you can define defaults you like
1210here for any settings, and if there is another matching autocommand it will
1211override these. But if there is no other matching autocommand, then at least
1212your default settings are recovered (if entering this file from another for
1213which autocommands did match). Note that "*" will also match files starting
1214with ".", unlike Unix shells.
1215
1216 *autocmd-searchpat*
1217Autocommands do not change the current search patterns. Vim saves the current
1218search patterns before executing autocommands then restores them after the
1219autocommands finish. This means that autocommands do not affect the strings
1220highlighted with the 'hlsearch' option. Within autocommands, you can still
1221use search patterns normally, e.g., with the "n" command.
1222If you want an autocommand to set the search pattern, such that it is used
1223after the autocommand finishes, use the ":let @/ =" command.
1224The search-highlighting cannot be switched off with ":nohlsearch" in an
1225autocommand. Use the 'h' flag in the 'viminfo' option to disable search-
1226highlighting when starting Vim.
1227
1228 *Cmd-event*
1229When using one of the "*Cmd" events, the matching autocommands are expected to
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +00001230do the file reading, writing or sourcing. This can be used when working with
1231a special kind of file, for example on a remote system.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001232CAREFUL: If you use these events in a wrong way, it may have the effect of
1233making it impossible to read or write the matching files! Make sure you test
1234your autocommands properly. Best is to use a pattern that will never match a
1235normal file name, for example "ftp://*".
1236
1237When defining a BufReadCmd it will be difficult for Vim to recover a crashed
1238editing session. When recovering from the original file, Vim reads only those
1239parts of a file that are not found in the swap file. Since that is not
1240possible with a BufReadCmd, use the |:preserve| command to make sure the
1241original file isn't needed for recovery. You might want to do this only when
1242you expect the file to be modified.
1243
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +00001244For file read and write commands the |v:cmdarg| variable holds the "++enc="
1245and "++ff=" argument that are effective. These should be used for the command
1246that reads/writes the file. The |v:cmdbang| variable is one when "!" was
1247used, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001248
1249See the $VIMRUNTIME/plugin/netrw.vim for examples.
1250
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001251==============================================================================
125211. Disabling autocommands *autocmd-disable*
1253
1254To disable autocommands for some time use the 'eventignore' option. Note that
1255this may cause unexpected behavior, make sure you restore 'eventignore'
1256afterwards, using a |:try| block with |:finally|.
1257
1258 *:noautocmd* *:noa*
1259To disable autocommands for just one command use the ":noautocmd" command
1260modifier. This will set 'eventignore' to "all" for the duration of the
1261following command. Example: >
1262
1263 :noautocmd w fname.gz
1264
1265This will write the file without triggering the autocommands defined by the
1266gzip plugin.
1267
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001268
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001269 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: