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Bram Moolenaar3b1db362013-08-10 15:00:24 +02001*autocmd.txt* For Vim version 7.4. Last change: 2013 Aug 04
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
307|ColorScheme| after loading a color scheme
308
309|RemoteReply| a reply from a server Vim was received
310
311|QuickFixCmdPre| before a quickfix command is run
312|QuickFixCmdPost| after a quickfix command is run
313
314|SessionLoadPost| after loading a session file
315
316|MenuPopup| just before showing the popup menu
Bram Moolenaard09acef2012-09-21 14:54:30 +0200317|CompleteDone| after Insert mode completion is done
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000318
319|User| to be used in combination with ":doautocmd"
320
321
322The alphabetical list of autocommand events: *autocmd-events-abc*
323
324 *BufCreate* *BufAdd*
325BufAdd or BufCreate Just after creating a new buffer which is
326 added to the buffer list, or adding a buffer
327 to the buffer list.
328 Also used just after a buffer in the buffer
329 list has been renamed.
330 The BufCreate event is for historic reasons.
331 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
332 current buffer "%" may be different from the
333 buffer being created "<afile>".
334 *BufDelete*
335BufDelete Before deleting a buffer from the buffer list.
336 The BufUnload may be called first (if the
337 buffer was loaded).
338 Also used just before a buffer in the buffer
339 list is renamed.
340 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
341 current buffer "%" may be different from the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000342 buffer being deleted "<afile>" and "<abuf>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000343 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
344 problems.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000345 *BufEnter*
346BufEnter After entering a buffer. Useful for setting
347 options for a file type. Also executed when
348 starting to edit a buffer, after the
349 BufReadPost autocommands.
350 *BufFilePost*
351BufFilePost After changing the name of the current buffer
352 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000353 *BufFilePre*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000354BufFilePre Before changing the name of the current buffer
355 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
356 *BufHidden*
357BufHidden Just after a buffer has become hidden. That
358 is, when there are no longer windows that show
359 the buffer, but the buffer is not unloaded or
360 deleted. Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when
361 exiting Vim.
362 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
363 current buffer "%" may be different from the
364 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
365 *BufLeave*
366BufLeave Before leaving to another buffer. Also when
367 leaving or closing the current window and the
368 new current window is not for the same buffer.
369 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
370 *BufNew*
371BufNew Just after creating a new buffer. Also used
372 just after a buffer has been renamed. When
373 the buffer is added to the buffer list BufAdd
374 will be triggered too.
375 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
376 current buffer "%" may be different from the
377 buffer being created "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000378 *BufNewFile*
379BufNewFile When starting to edit a file that doesn't
380 exist. Can be used to read in a skeleton
381 file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000382 *BufRead* *BufReadPost*
383BufRead or BufReadPost When starting to edit a new buffer, after
384 reading the file into the buffer, before
385 executing the modelines. See |BufWinEnter|
386 for when you need to do something after
387 processing the modelines.
388 This does NOT work for ":r file". Not used
389 when the file doesn't exist. Also used after
390 successfully recovering a file.
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +0200391 Also triggered for the filetypedetect group
392 when executing ":filetype detect" and when
393 writing an unnamed buffer in a way that the
394 buffer gets a name.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000395 *BufReadCmd*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000396BufReadCmd Before starting to edit a new buffer. Should
397 read the file into the buffer. |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000398 *BufReadPre* *E200* *E201*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000399BufReadPre When starting to edit a new buffer, before
400 reading the file into the buffer. Not used
401 if the file doesn't exist.
402 *BufUnload*
403BufUnload Before unloading a buffer. This is when the
404 text in the buffer is going to be freed. This
405 may be after a BufWritePost and before a
406 BufDelete. Also used for all buffers that are
407 loaded when Vim is going to exit.
408 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
409 current buffer "%" may be different from the
410 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000411 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
412 problems.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200413 When exiting and v:dying is 2 or more this
414 event is not triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000415 *BufWinEnter*
416BufWinEnter After a buffer is displayed in a window. This
417 can be when the buffer is loaded (after
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000418 processing the modelines) or when a hidden
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000419 buffer is displayed in a window (and is no
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000420 longer hidden).
421 Does not happen for |:split| without
422 arguments, since you keep editing the same
423 buffer, or ":split" with a file that's already
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +0000424 open in a window, because it re-uses an
425 existing buffer. But it does happen for a
426 ":split" with the name of the current buffer,
427 since it reloads that buffer.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000428 *BufWinLeave*
429BufWinLeave Before a buffer is removed from a window.
430 Not when it's still visible in another window.
431 Also triggered when exiting. It's triggered
432 before BufUnload or BufHidden.
433 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
434 current buffer "%" may be different from the
435 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200436 When exiting and v:dying is 2 or more this
437 event is not triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000438 *BufWipeout*
439BufWipeout Before completely deleting a buffer. The
440 BufUnload and BufDelete events may be called
441 first (if the buffer was loaded and was in the
442 buffer list). Also used just before a buffer
443 is renamed (also when it's not in the buffer
444 list).
445 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
446 current buffer "%" may be different from the
447 buffer being deleted "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000448 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
449 problems.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000450 *BufWrite* *BufWritePre*
451BufWrite or BufWritePre Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000452 *BufWriteCmd*
453BufWriteCmd Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
454 Should do the writing of the file and reset
Bram Moolenaar1cd871b2004-12-19 22:46:22 +0000455 'modified' if successful, unless '+' is in
456 'cpo' and writing to another file |cpo-+|.
457 The buffer contents should not be changed.
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +0200458 When the command resets 'modified' the undo
459 information is adjusted to mark older undo
460 states as 'modified', like |:write| does.
Bram Moolenaar1cd871b2004-12-19 22:46:22 +0000461 |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000462 *BufWritePost*
463BufWritePost After writing the whole buffer to a file
464 (should undo the commands for BufWritePre).
465 *CmdwinEnter*
466CmdwinEnter After entering the command-line window.
467 Useful for setting options specifically for
468 this special type of window. This is
469 triggered _instead_ of BufEnter and WinEnter.
470 <afile> is set to a single character,
471 indicating the type of command-line.
472 |cmdwin-char|
473 *CmdwinLeave*
474CmdwinLeave Before leaving the command-line window.
475 Useful to clean up any global setting done
476 with CmdwinEnter. This is triggered _instead_
477 of BufLeave and WinLeave.
478 <afile> is set to a single character,
479 indicating the type of command-line.
480 |cmdwin-char|
481 *ColorScheme*
482ColorScheme After loading a color scheme. |:colorscheme|
Bram Moolenaarb95186f2013-11-28 18:53:52 +0100483 The pattern is matched against the
484 colorscheme name. <afile> can be used for the
485 name of the actual file where this option was
486 set, and <amatch> for the new colorscheme
487 name.
488
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000489
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +0200490 *CompleteDone*
491CompleteDone After Insert mode completion is done. Either
492 when something was completed or abandoning
493 completion. |ins-completion|
494
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000495 *CursorHold*
496CursorHold When the user doesn't press a key for the time
497 specified with 'updatetime'. Not re-triggered
498 until the user has pressed a key (i.e. doesn't
499 fire every 'updatetime' ms if you leave Vim to
500 make some coffee. :) See |CursorHold-example|
501 for previewing tags.
502 This event is only triggered in Normal mode.
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000503 It is not triggered when waiting for a command
504 argument to be typed, or a movement after an
505 operator.
Bram Moolenaare3226be2005-12-18 22:10:00 +0000506 While recording the CursorHold event is not
507 triggered. |q|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000508 Note: Interactive commands cannot be used for
509 this event. There is no hit-enter prompt,
510 the screen is updated directly (when needed).
511 Note: In the future there will probably be
512 another option to set the time.
513 Hint: to force an update of the status lines
514 use: >
515 :let &ro = &ro
516< {only on Amiga, Unix, Win32, MSDOS and all GUI
517 versions}
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000518 *CursorHoldI*
519CursorHoldI Just like CursorHold, but in Insert mode.
520
521 *CursorMoved*
Bram Moolenaar52b91d82013-06-15 21:39:51 +0200522CursorMoved After the cursor was moved in Normal or Visual
523 mode. Also when the text of the cursor line
524 has been changed, e.g., with "x", "rx" or "p".
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000525 Not triggered when there is typeahead or when
526 an operator is pending.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000527 For an example see |match-parens|.
Bram Moolenaarbf884932013-04-05 22:26:15 +0200528 Careful: This is triggered very often, don't
529 do anything that the user does not expect or
530 that is slow.
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000531 *CursorMovedI*
532CursorMovedI After the cursor was moved in Insert mode.
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +0200533 Not triggered when the popup menu is visible.
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000534 Otherwise the same as CursorMoved.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000535 *EncodingChanged*
536EncodingChanged Fires off after the 'encoding' option has been
537 changed. Useful to set up fonts, for example.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000538 *FileAppendCmd*
539FileAppendCmd Before appending to a file. Should do the
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000540 appending to the file. Use the '[ and ']
541 marks for the range of lines.|Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000542 *FileAppendPost*
543FileAppendPost After appending to a file.
544 *FileAppendPre*
545FileAppendPre Before appending to a file. Use the '[ and ']
546 marks for the range of lines.
547 *FileChangedRO*
548FileChangedRO Before making the first change to a read-only
549 file. Can be used to check-out the file from
550 a source control system. Not triggered when
551 the change was caused by an autocommand.
552 This event is triggered when making the first
553 change in a buffer or the first change after
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000554 'readonly' was set, just before the change is
555 applied to the text.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000556 WARNING: If the autocommand moves the cursor
557 the effect of the change is undefined.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000558 *E788*
559 It is not allowed to change to another buffer
560 here. You can reload the buffer but not edit
561 another one.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000562 *FileChangedShell*
563FileChangedShell When Vim notices that the modification time of
564 a file has changed since editing started.
565 Also when the file attributes of the file
566 change. |timestamp|
567 Mostly triggered after executing a shell
568 command, but also with a |:checktime| command
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000569 or when Gvim regains input focus.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000570 This autocommand is triggered for each changed
571 file. It is not used when 'autoread' is set
572 and the buffer was not changed. If a
573 FileChangedShell autocommand is present the
574 warning message and prompt is not given.
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000575 The |v:fcs_reason| variable is set to indicate
576 what happened and |v:fcs_choice| can be used
577 to tell Vim what to do next.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000578 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
579 current buffer "%" may be different from the
580 buffer that was changed "<afile>".
581 NOTE: The commands must not change the current
582 buffer, jump to another buffer or delete a
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100583 buffer. *E246* *E811*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000584 NOTE: This event never nests, to avoid an
585 endless loop. This means that while executing
586 commands for the FileChangedShell event no
587 other FileChangedShell event will be
588 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000589 *FileChangedShellPost*
590FileChangedShellPost After handling a file that was changed outside
591 of Vim. Can be used to update the statusline.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000592 *FileEncoding*
593FileEncoding Obsolete. It still works and is equivalent
594 to |EncodingChanged|.
595 *FileReadCmd*
596FileReadCmd Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
597 Should do the reading of the file. |Cmd-event|
598 *FileReadPost*
599FileReadPost After reading a file with a ":read" command.
600 Note that Vim sets the '[ and '] marks to the
601 first and last line of the read. This can be
602 used to operate on the lines just read.
603 *FileReadPre*
604FileReadPre Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
605 *FileType*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000606FileType When the 'filetype' option has been set. The
607 pattern is matched against the filetype.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000608 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
609 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
610 the new value of 'filetype'.
611 See |filetypes|.
612 *FileWriteCmd*
613FileWriteCmd Before writing to a file, when not writing the
614 whole buffer. Should do the writing to the
615 file. Should not change the buffer. Use the
616 '[ and '] marks for the range of lines.
617 |Cmd-event|
618 *FileWritePost*
619FileWritePost After writing to a file, when not writing the
620 whole buffer.
621 *FileWritePre*
622FileWritePre Before writing to a file, when not writing the
623 whole buffer. Use the '[ and '] marks for the
624 range of lines.
625 *FilterReadPost*
626FilterReadPost After reading a file from a filter command.
627 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
628 the current buffer as with FilterReadPre.
629 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
630 *FilterReadPre* *E135*
631FilterReadPre Before reading a file from a filter command.
632 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
633 the current buffer, not the name of the
634 temporary file that is the output of the
635 filter command.
636 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
637 *FilterWritePost*
638FilterWritePost After writing a file for a filter command or
639 making a diff.
640 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
641 the current buffer as with FilterWritePre.
642 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
643 *FilterWritePre*
644FilterWritePre Before writing a file for a filter command or
645 making a diff.
646 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
647 the current buffer, not the name of the
648 temporary file that is the output of the
649 filter command.
650 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000651 *FocusGained*
652FocusGained When Vim got input focus. Only for the GUI
653 version and a few console versions where this
654 can be detected.
655 *FocusLost*
656FocusLost When Vim lost input focus. Only for the GUI
657 version and a few console versions where this
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +0000658 can be detected. May also happen when a
659 dialog pops up.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000660 *FuncUndefined*
661FuncUndefined When a user function is used but it isn't
662 defined. Useful for defining a function only
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000663 when it's used. The pattern is matched
664 against the function name. Both <amatch> and
665 <afile> are set to the name of the function.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000666 See |autoload-functions|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000667 *GUIEnter*
668GUIEnter After starting the GUI successfully, and after
669 opening the window. It is triggered before
670 VimEnter when using gvim. Can be used to
671 position the window from a .gvimrc file: >
672 :autocmd GUIEnter * winpos 100 50
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000673< *GUIFailed*
674GUIFailed After starting the GUI failed. Vim may
675 continue to run in the terminal, if possible
676 (only on Unix and alikes, when connecting the
677 X server fails). You may want to quit Vim: >
678 :autocmd GUIFailed * qall
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000679< *InsertChange*
680InsertChange When typing <Insert> while in Insert or
681 Replace mode. The |v:insertmode| variable
682 indicates the new mode.
683 Be careful not to move the cursor or do
684 anything else that the user does not expect.
Bram Moolenaare659c952011-05-19 17:25:41 +0200685 *InsertCharPre*
686InsertCharPre When a character is typed in Insert mode,
687 before inserting the char.
688 The |v:char| variable indicates the char typed
689 and can be changed during the event to insert
690 a different character. When |v:char| is set
691 to more than one character this text is
692 inserted literally.
693 It is not allowed to change the text |textlock|.
694 The event is not triggered when 'paste' is
695 set.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000696 *InsertEnter*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000697InsertEnter Just before starting Insert mode. Also for
698 Replace mode and Virtual Replace mode. The
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000699 |v:insertmode| variable indicates the mode.
Bram Moolenaar097c9922013-05-19 21:15:15 +0200700 Be careful not to do anything else that the
701 user does not expect.
702 The cursor is restored afterwards. If you do
703 not want that set |v:char| to a non-empty
704 string.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000705 *InsertLeave*
706InsertLeave When leaving Insert mode. Also when using
707 CTRL-O |i_CTRL-O|. But not for |i_CTRL-C|.
708 *MenuPopup*
709MenuPopup Just before showing the popup menu (under the
710 right mouse button). Useful for adjusting the
711 menu for what is under the cursor or mouse
712 pointer.
713 The pattern is matched against a single
714 character representing the mode:
715 n Normal
716 v Visual
717 o Operator-pending
718 i Insert
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +0000719 c Command line
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000720 *QuickFixCmdPre*
721QuickFixCmdPre Before a quickfix command is run (|:make|,
Bram Moolenaara6557602006-02-04 22:43:20 +0000722 |:lmake|, |:grep|, |:lgrep|, |:grepadd|,
723 |:lgrepadd|, |:vimgrep|, |:lvimgrep|,
Bram Moolenaar6be7f872012-01-20 21:08:56 +0100724 |:vimgrepadd|, |:lvimgrepadd|, |:cscope|,
Bram Moolenaar84f72352012-03-11 15:57:40 +0100725 |:cfile|, |:cgetfile|, |:caddfile|, |:lfile|,
726 |:lgetfile|, |:laddfile|, |:helpgrep|,
727 |:lhelpgrep|).
Bram Moolenaarf1eeae92010-05-14 23:14:42 +0200728 The pattern is matched against the command
729 being run. When |:grep| is used but 'grepprg'
730 is set to "internal" it still matches "grep".
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000731 This command cannot be used to set the
732 'makeprg' and 'grepprg' variables.
733 If this command causes an error, the quickfix
734 command is not executed.
735 *QuickFixCmdPost*
736QuickFixCmdPost Like QuickFixCmdPre, but after a quickfix
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000737 command is run, before jumping to the first
Bram Moolenaar8ec1f852012-03-07 20:13:49 +0100738 location. For |:cfile| and |:lfile| commands
739 it is run after error file is read and before
740 moving to the first error.
741 See |QuickFixCmdPost-example|.
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +0200742 *QuitPre*
Bram Moolenaarac7bd632013-03-19 11:35:58 +0100743QuitPre When using `:quit`, `:wq` or `:qall`, before
744 deciding whether it closes the current window
745 or quits Vim. Can be used to close any
746 non-essential window if the current window is
747 the last ordinary window.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000748 *RemoteReply*
749RemoteReply When a reply from a Vim that functions as
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000750 server was received |server2client()|. The
751 pattern is matched against the {serverid}.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000752 <amatch> is equal to the {serverid} from which
753 the reply was sent, and <afile> is the actual
754 reply string.
755 Note that even if an autocommand is defined,
756 the reply should be read with |remote_read()|
757 to consume it.
758 *SessionLoadPost*
759SessionLoadPost After loading the session file created using
760 the |:mksession| command.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +0000761 *ShellCmdPost*
762ShellCmdPost After executing a shell command with |:!cmd|,
763 |:shell|, |:make| and |:grep|. Can be used to
764 check for any changed files.
765 *ShellFilterPost*
766ShellFilterPost After executing a shell command with
767 ":{range}!cmd", ":w !cmd" or ":r !cmd".
768 Can be used to check for any changed files.
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +0000769 *SourcePre*
770SourcePre Before sourcing a Vim script. |:source|
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000771 <afile> is the name of the file being sourced.
772 *SourceCmd*
773SourceCmd When sourcing a Vim script. |:source|
774 <afile> is the name of the file being sourced.
775 The autocommand must source this file.
776 |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000777 *SpellFileMissing*
778SpellFileMissing When trying to load a spell checking file and
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000779 it can't be found. The pattern is matched
780 against the language. <amatch> is the
781 language, 'encoding' also matters. See
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000782 |spell-SpellFileMissing|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000783 *StdinReadPost*
784StdinReadPost After reading from the stdin into the buffer,
785 before executing the modelines. Only used
786 when the "-" argument was used when Vim was
787 started |--|.
788 *StdinReadPre*
789StdinReadPre Before reading from stdin into the buffer.
790 Only used when the "-" argument was used when
791 Vim was started |--|.
792 *SwapExists*
793SwapExists Detected an existing swap file when starting
794 to edit a file. Only when it is possible to
795 select a way to handle the situation, when Vim
796 would ask the user what to do.
797 The |v:swapname| variable holds the name of
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +0000798 the swap file found, <afile> the file being
799 edited. |v:swapcommand| may contain a command
800 to be executed in the opened file.
801 The commands should set the |v:swapchoice|
802 variable to a string with one character to
803 tell Vim what should be done next:
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000804 'o' open read-only
805 'e' edit the file anyway
806 'r' recover
807 'd' delete the swap file
808 'q' quit, don't edit the file
809 'a' abort, like hitting CTRL-C
810 When set to an empty string the user will be
811 asked, as if there was no SwapExists autocmd.
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000812 *E812*
813 It is not allowed to change to another buffer,
814 change a buffer name or change directory
815 here.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000816 *Syntax*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000817Syntax When the 'syntax' option has been set. The
818 pattern is matched against the syntax name.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000819 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
820 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
821 the new value of 'syntax'.
822 See |:syn-on|.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000823 *TabEnter*
824TabEnter Just after entering a tab page. |tab-page|
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +0000825 After triggering the WinEnter and before
826 triggering the BufEnter event.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000827 *TabLeave*
828TabLeave Just before leaving a tab page. |tab-page|
829 A WinLeave event will have been triggered
830 first.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000831 *TermChanged*
832TermChanged After the value of 'term' has changed. Useful
833 for re-loading the syntax file to update the
834 colors, fonts and other terminal-dependent
835 settings. Executed for all loaded buffers.
836 *TermResponse*
837TermResponse After the response to |t_RV| is received from
838 the terminal. The value of |v:termresponse|
839 can be used to do things depending on the
Bram Moolenaar8e5af3e2011-04-28 19:02:44 +0200840 terminal version. Note that this event may be
841 triggered halfway executing another event,
842 especially if file I/O, a shell command or
843 anything else that takes time is involved.
Bram Moolenaarbf884932013-04-05 22:26:15 +0200844 *TextChanged*
845TextChanged After a change was made to the text in the
846 current buffer in Normal mode. That is when
847 |b:changedtick| has changed.
848 Not triggered when there is typeahead or when
849 an operator is pending.
850 Careful: This is triggered very often, don't
851 do anything that the user does not expect or
852 that is slow.
853 *TextChangedI*
854TextChangedI After a change was made to the text in the
855 current buffer in Insert mode.
856 Not triggered when the popup menu is visible.
857 Otherwise the same as TextChanged.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000858 *User*
859User Never executed automatically. To be used for
860 autocommands that are only executed with
861 ":doautocmd".
862 *UserGettingBored*
Bram Moolenaarbf884932013-04-05 22:26:15 +0200863UserGettingBored When the user presses the same key 42 times.
864 Just kidding! :-)
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000865 *VimEnter*
866VimEnter After doing all the startup stuff, including
867 loading .vimrc files, executing the "-c cmd"
868 arguments, creating all windows and loading
869 the buffers in them.
870 *VimLeave*
871VimLeave Before exiting Vim, just after writing the
872 .viminfo file. Executed only once, like
873 VimLeavePre.
874 To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200875 When v:dying is 2 or more this event is not
876 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000877 *VimLeavePre*
878VimLeavePre Before exiting Vim, just before writing the
879 .viminfo file. This is executed only once,
880 if there is a match with the name of what
881 happens to be the current buffer when exiting.
882 Mostly useful with a "*" pattern. >
883 :autocmd VimLeavePre * call CleanupStuff()
884< To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200885 When v:dying is 2 or more this event is not
886 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000887 *VimResized*
888VimResized After the Vim window was resized, thus 'lines'
889 and/or 'columns' changed. Not when starting
890 up though.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000891 *WinEnter*
892WinEnter After entering another window. Not done for
893 the first window, when Vim has just started.
894 Useful for setting the window height.
895 If the window is for another buffer, Vim
896 executes the BufEnter autocommands after the
897 WinEnter autocommands.
898 Note: When using ":split fname" the WinEnter
899 event is triggered after the split but before
900 the file "fname" is loaded.
901 *WinLeave*
902WinLeave Before leaving a window. If the window to be
903 entered next is for a different buffer, Vim
904 executes the BufLeave autocommands before the
905 WinLeave autocommands (but not for ":new").
906 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000907
908==============================================================================
9096. Patterns *autocmd-patterns* *{pat}*
910
911The file pattern {pat} is tested for a match against the file name in one of
912two ways:
9131. When there is no '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against only
914 the tail part of the file name (without its leading directory path).
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01009152. When there is a '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against both the
916 short file name (as you typed it) and the full file name (after expanding
917 it to a full path and resolving symbolic links).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000918
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000919The special pattern <buffer> or <buffer=N> is used for buffer-local
920autocommands |autocmd-buflocal|. This pattern is not matched against the name
921of a buffer.
922
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000923Examples: >
924 :autocmd BufRead *.txt set et
925Set the 'et' option for all text files. >
926
927 :autocmd BufRead /vim/src/*.c set cindent
928Set the 'cindent' option for C files in the /vim/src directory. >
929
930 :autocmd BufRead /tmp/*.c set ts=5
931If you have a link from "/tmp/test.c" to "/home/nobody/vim/src/test.c", and
932you start editing "/tmp/test.c", this autocommand will match.
933
934Note: To match part of a path, but not from the root directory, use a '*' as
935the first character. Example: >
936 :autocmd BufRead */doc/*.txt set tw=78
937This autocommand will for example be executed for "/tmp/doc/xx.txt" and
938"/usr/home/piet/doc/yy.txt". The number of directories does not matter here.
939
940
941The file name that the pattern is matched against is after expanding
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000942wildcards. Thus if you issue this command: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000943 :e $ROOTDIR/main.$EXT
944The argument is first expanded to: >
945 /usr/root/main.py
946Before it's matched with the pattern of the autocommand. Careful with this
947when using events like FileReadCmd, the value of <amatch> may not be what you
948expect.
949
950
951Environment variables can be used in a pattern: >
952 :autocmd BufRead $VIMRUNTIME/doc/*.txt set expandtab
953And ~ can be used for the home directory (if $HOME is defined): >
954 :autocmd BufWritePost ~/.vimrc so ~/.vimrc
955 :autocmd BufRead ~archive/* set readonly
956The environment variable is expanded when the autocommand is defined, not when
957the autocommand is executed. This is different from the command!
958
959 *file-pattern*
960The pattern is interpreted like mostly used in file names:
Bram Moolenaar3b1db362013-08-10 15:00:24 +0200961 * matches any sequence of characters; Unusual: includes path
Bram Moolenaar9d98fe92013-08-03 18:35:36 +0200962 separators
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000963 ? matches any single character
964 \? matches a '?'
965 . matches a '.'
966 ~ matches a '~'
967 , separates patterns
968 \, matches a ','
969 { } like \( \) in a |pattern|
970 , inside { }: like \| in a |pattern|
Bram Moolenaara946afe2013-08-02 15:22:39 +0200971 \} literal }
972 \{ literal {
973 \\\{n,m\} like \{n,m} in a |pattern|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000974 \ special meaning like in a |pattern|
975 [ch] matches 'c' or 'h'
976 [^ch] match any character but 'c' and 'h'
977
978Note that for all systems the '/' character is used for path separator (even
979MS-DOS and OS/2). This was done because the backslash is difficult to use
980in a pattern and to make the autocommands portable across different systems.
981
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000982 *autocmd-changes*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000983Matching with the pattern is done when an event is triggered. Changing the
984buffer name in one of the autocommands, or even deleting the buffer, does not
985change which autocommands will be executed. Example: >
986
987 au BufEnter *.foo bdel
988 au BufEnter *.foo set modified
989
990This will delete the current buffer and then set 'modified' in what has become
991the current buffer instead. Vim doesn't take into account that "*.foo"
992doesn't match with that buffer name. It matches "*.foo" with the name of the
993buffer at the moment the event was triggered.
994
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000995However, buffer-local autocommands will not be executed for a buffer that has
996been wiped out with |:bwipe|. After deleting the buffer with |:bdel| the
997buffer actually still exists (it becomes unlisted), thus the autocommands are
998still executed.
999
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001000==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +000010017. Buffer-local autocommands *autocmd-buflocal* *autocmd-buffer-local*
1002 *<buffer=N>* *<buffer=abuf>* *E680*
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001003
1004Buffer-local autocommands are attached to a specific buffer. They are useful
1005if the buffer does not have a name and when the name does not match a specific
1006pattern. But it also means they must be explicitly added to each buffer.
1007
1008Instead of a pattern buffer-local autocommands use one of these forms:
1009 <buffer> current buffer
1010 <buffer=99> buffer number 99
1011 <buffer=abuf> using <abuf> (only when executing autocommands)
1012 |<abuf>|
1013
1014Examples: >
1015 :au CursorHold <buffer> echo 'hold'
1016 :au CursorHold <buffer=33> echo 'hold'
1017 :au CursorHold <buffer=abuf> echo 'hold'
1018
1019All the commands for autocommands also work with buffer-local autocommands,
1020simply use the special string instead of the pattern. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001021 :au! * <buffer> " remove buffer-local autocommands for
1022 " current buffer
1023 :au! * <buffer=33> " remove buffer-local autocommands for
1024 " buffer #33
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001025 :bufdo :au! CursorHold <buffer> " remove autocmd for given event for all
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001026 " buffers
1027 :au * <buffer> " list buffer-local autocommands for
1028 " current buffer
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001029
1030Note that when an autocommand is defined for the current buffer, it is stored
1031with the buffer number. Thus it uses the form "<buffer=12>", where 12 is the
1032number of the current buffer. You will see this when listing autocommands,
1033for example.
1034
1035To test for presence of buffer-local autocommands use the |exists()| function
1036as follows: >
1037 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer=12>") | ... | endif
1038 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer>") | ... | endif " for current buffer
1039
1040When a buffer is wiped out its buffer-local autocommands are also gone, of
1041course. Note that when deleting a buffer, e.g., with ":bdel", it is only
1042unlisted, the autocommands are still present. In order to see the removal of
1043buffer-local autocommands: >
1044 :set verbose=6
1045
1046It is not possible to define buffer-local autocommands for a non-existent
1047buffer.
1048
1049==============================================================================
10508. Groups *autocmd-groups*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001051
1052Autocommands can be put together in a group. This is useful for removing or
1053executing a group of autocommands. For example, all the autocommands for
1054syntax highlighting are put in the "highlight" group, to be able to execute
1055":doautoall highlight BufRead" when the GUI starts.
1056
1057When no specific group is selected, Vim uses the default group. The default
1058group does not have a name. You cannot execute the autocommands from the
1059default group separately; you can execute them only by executing autocommands
1060for all groups.
1061
1062Normally, when executing autocommands automatically, Vim uses the autocommands
1063for all groups. The group only matters when executing autocommands with
1064":doautocmd" or ":doautoall", or when defining or deleting autocommands.
1065
1066The group name can contain any characters except white space. The group name
1067"end" is reserved (also in uppercase).
1068
1069The group name is case sensitive. Note that this is different from the event
1070name!
1071
1072 *:aug* *:augroup*
1073:aug[roup] {name} Define the autocmd group name for the
1074 following ":autocmd" commands. The name "end"
1075 or "END" selects the default group.
1076
1077 *:augroup-delete* *E367*
1078:aug[roup]! {name} Delete the autocmd group {name}. Don't use
1079 this if there is still an autocommand using
1080 this group! This is not checked.
1081
1082To enter autocommands for a specific group, use this method:
10831. Select the group with ":augroup {name}".
10842. Delete any old autocommands with ":au!".
10853. Define the autocommands.
10864. Go back to the default group with "augroup END".
1087
1088Example: >
1089 :augroup uncompress
1090 : au!
1091 : au BufEnter *.gz %!gunzip
1092 :augroup END
1093
1094This prevents having the autocommands defined twice (e.g., after sourcing the
1095.vimrc file again).
1096
1097==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +000010989. Executing autocommands *autocmd-execute*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001099
1100Vim can also execute Autocommands non-automatically. This is useful if you
1101have changed autocommands, or when Vim has executed the wrong autocommands
1102(e.g., the file pattern match was wrong).
1103
1104Note that the 'eventignore' option applies here too. Events listed in this
1105option will not cause any commands to be executed.
1106
1107 *:do* *:doau* *:doautocmd* *E217*
Bram Moolenaar5dc62522012-02-13 00:05:22 +01001108:do[autocmd] [<nomodeline>] [group] {event} [fname]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001109 Apply the autocommands matching [fname] (default:
1110 current file name) for {event} to the current buffer.
1111 You can use this when the current file name does not
1112 match the right pattern, after changing settings, or
1113 to execute autocommands for a certain event.
1114 It's possible to use this inside an autocommand too,
1115 so you can base the autocommands for one extension on
1116 another extension. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +01001117 :au BufEnter *.cpp so ~/.vimrc_cpp
1118 :au BufEnter *.cpp doau BufEnter x.c
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001119< Be careful to avoid endless loops. See
1120 |autocmd-nested|.
1121
1122 When the [group] argument is not given, Vim executes
1123 the autocommands for all groups. When the [group]
1124 argument is included, Vim executes only the matching
1125 autocommands for that group. Note: if you use an
1126 undefined group name, Vim gives you an error message.
Bram Moolenaar60542ac2012-02-12 20:14:01 +01001127 *<nomodeline>*
1128 After applying the autocommands the modelines are
1129 processed, so that their settings overrule the
1130 settings from autocommands, like what happens when
1131 editing a file. This is skipped when the <nomodeline>
1132 argument is present. You probably want to use
1133 <nomodeline> for events that are not used when loading
1134 a buffer, such as |User|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001135
1136 *:doautoa* *:doautoall*
Bram Moolenaara61d5fb2012-02-12 00:18:58 +01001137:doautoa[ll] [<nomodeline>] [group] {event} [fname]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001138 Like ":doautocmd", but apply the autocommands to each
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001139 loaded buffer. Note that [fname] is used to select
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001140 the autocommands, not the buffers to which they are
1141 applied.
1142 Careful: Don't use this for autocommands that delete a
1143 buffer, change to another buffer or change the
1144 contents of a buffer; the result is unpredictable.
1145 This command is intended for autocommands that set
1146 options, change highlighting, and things like that.
1147
1148==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000114910. Using autocommands *autocmd-use*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001150
1151For WRITING FILES there are four possible sets of events. Vim uses only one
1152of these sets for a write command:
1153
1154BufWriteCmd BufWritePre BufWritePost writing the whole buffer
1155 FilterWritePre FilterWritePost writing to filter temp file
1156FileAppendCmd FileAppendPre FileAppendPost appending to a file
1157FileWriteCmd FileWritePre FileWritePost any other file write
1158
1159When there is a matching "*Cmd" autocommand, it is assumed it will do the
1160writing. No further writing is done and the other events are not triggered.
1161|Cmd-event|
1162
1163Note that the *WritePost commands should undo any changes to the buffer that
1164were caused by the *WritePre commands; otherwise, writing the file will have
1165the side effect of changing the buffer.
1166
1167Before executing the autocommands, the buffer from which the lines are to be
1168written temporarily becomes the current buffer. Unless the autocommands
1169change the current buffer or delete the previously current buffer, the
1170previously current buffer is made the current buffer again.
1171
1172The *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands must not delete the buffer from
1173which the lines are to be written.
1174
1175The '[ and '] marks have a special position:
1176- Before the *ReadPre event the '[ mark is set to the line just above where
1177 the new lines will be inserted.
1178- Before the *ReadPost event the '[ mark is set to the first line that was
1179 just read, the '] mark to the last line.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001180- Before executing the *WriteCmd, *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands the '[
1181 mark is set to the first line that will be written, the '] mark to the last
1182 line.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001183Careful: '[ and '] change when using commands that change the buffer.
1184
1185In commands which expect a file name, you can use "<afile>" for the file name
1186that is being read |:<afile>| (you can also use "%" for the current file
1187name). "<abuf>" can be used for the buffer number of the currently effective
1188buffer. This also works for buffers that doesn't have a name. But it doesn't
1189work for files without a buffer (e.g., with ":r file").
1190
1191 *gzip-example*
1192Examples for reading and writing compressed files: >
1193 :augroup gzip
1194 : autocmd!
1195 : autocmd BufReadPre,FileReadPre *.gz set bin
1196 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz '[,']!gunzip
1197 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz set nobin
1198 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz execute ":doautocmd BufReadPost " . expand("%:r")
1199 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1200 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1201
1202 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !gunzip <afile>
1203 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !mv <afile>:r <afile>
1204 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1205 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1206 :augroup END
1207
1208The "gzip" group is used to be able to delete any existing autocommands with
1209":autocmd!", for when the file is sourced twice.
1210
1211("<afile>:r" is the file name without the extension, see |:_%:|)
1212
1213The commands executed for the BufNewFile, BufRead/BufReadPost, BufWritePost,
1214FileAppendPost and VimLeave events do not set or reset the changed flag of the
1215buffer. When you decompress the buffer with the BufReadPost autocommands, you
1216can still exit with ":q". When you use ":undo" in BufWritePost to undo the
1217changes made by BufWritePre commands, you can still do ":q" (this also makes
1218"ZZ" work). If you do want the buffer to be marked as modified, set the
1219'modified' option.
1220
1221To execute Normal mode commands from an autocommand, use the ":normal"
1222command. Use with care! If the Normal mode command is not finished, the user
1223needs to type characters (e.g., after ":normal m" you need to type a mark
1224name).
1225
1226If you want the buffer to be unmodified after changing it, reset the
1227'modified' option. This makes it possible to exit the buffer with ":q"
1228instead of ":q!".
1229
1230 *autocmd-nested* *E218*
1231By default, autocommands do not nest. If you use ":e" or ":w" in an
1232autocommand, Vim does not execute the BufRead and BufWrite autocommands for
1233those commands. If you do want this, use the "nested" flag for those commands
1234in which you want nesting. For example: >
1235 :autocmd FileChangedShell *.c nested e!
1236The nesting is limited to 10 levels to get out of recursive loops.
1237
1238It's possible to use the ":au" command in an autocommand. This can be a
1239self-modifying command! This can be useful for an autocommand that should
1240execute only once.
1241
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001242If you want to skip autocommands for one command, use the |:noautocmd| command
1243modifier or the 'eventignore' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001244
1245Note: When reading a file (with ":read file" or with a filter command) and the
1246last line in the file does not have an <EOL>, Vim remembers this. At the next
1247write (with ":write file" or with a filter command), if the same line is
1248written again as the last line in a file AND 'binary' is set, Vim does not
1249supply an <EOL>. This makes a filter command on the just read lines write the
1250same file as was read, and makes a write command on just filtered lines write
1251the same file as was read from the filter. For example, another way to write
1252a compressed file: >
1253
1254 :autocmd FileWritePre *.gz set bin|'[,']!gzip
1255 :autocmd FileWritePost *.gz undo|set nobin
1256<
1257 *autocommand-pattern*
1258You can specify multiple patterns, separated by commas. Here are some
1259examples: >
1260
1261 :autocmd BufRead * set tw=79 nocin ic infercase fo=2croq
1262 :autocmd BufRead .letter set tw=72 fo=2tcrq
1263 :autocmd BufEnter .letter set dict=/usr/lib/dict/words
1264 :autocmd BufLeave .letter set dict=
1265 :autocmd BufRead,BufNewFile *.c,*.h set tw=0 cin noic
1266 :autocmd BufEnter *.c,*.h abbr FOR for (i = 0; i < 3; ++i)<CR>{<CR>}<Esc>O
1267 :autocmd BufLeave *.c,*.h unabbr FOR
1268
1269For makefiles (makefile, Makefile, imakefile, makefile.unix, etc.): >
1270
1271 :autocmd BufEnter ?akefile* set include=^s\=include
1272 :autocmd BufLeave ?akefile* set include&
1273
1274To always start editing C files at the first function: >
1275
1276 :autocmd BufRead *.c,*.h 1;/^{
1277
1278Without the "1;" above, the search would start from wherever the file was
1279entered, rather than from the start of the file.
1280
1281 *skeleton* *template*
1282To read a skeleton (template) file when opening a new file: >
1283
1284 :autocmd BufNewFile *.c 0r ~/vim/skeleton.c
1285 :autocmd BufNewFile *.h 0r ~/vim/skeleton.h
1286 :autocmd BufNewFile *.java 0r ~/vim/skeleton.java
1287
1288To insert the current date and time in a *.html file when writing it: >
1289
1290 :autocmd BufWritePre,FileWritePre *.html ks|call LastMod()|'s
1291 :fun LastMod()
1292 : if line("$") > 20
1293 : let l = 20
1294 : else
1295 : let l = line("$")
1296 : endif
1297 : exe "1," . l . "g/Last modified: /s/Last modified: .*/Last modified: " .
1298 : \ strftime("%Y %b %d")
1299 :endfun
1300
1301You need to have a line "Last modified: <date time>" in the first 20 lines
1302of the file for this to work. Vim replaces <date time> (and anything in the
1303same line after it) with the current date and time. Explanation:
1304 ks mark current position with mark 's'
1305 call LastMod() call the LastMod() function to do the work
1306 's return the cursor to the old position
1307The LastMod() function checks if the file is shorter than 20 lines, and then
1308uses the ":g" command to find lines that contain "Last modified: ". For those
1309lines the ":s" command is executed to replace the existing date with the
1310current one. The ":execute" command is used to be able to use an expression
1311for the ":g" and ":s" commands. The date is obtained with the strftime()
1312function. You can change its argument to get another date string.
1313
1314When entering :autocmd on the command-line, completion of events and command
1315names may be done (with <Tab>, CTRL-D, etc.) where appropriate.
1316
1317Vim executes all matching autocommands in the order that you specify them.
1318It is recommended that your first autocommand be used for all files by using
1319"*" as the file pattern. This means that you can define defaults you like
1320here for any settings, and if there is another matching autocommand it will
1321override these. But if there is no other matching autocommand, then at least
1322your default settings are recovered (if entering this file from another for
1323which autocommands did match). Note that "*" will also match files starting
1324with ".", unlike Unix shells.
1325
1326 *autocmd-searchpat*
1327Autocommands do not change the current search patterns. Vim saves the current
1328search patterns before executing autocommands then restores them after the
1329autocommands finish. This means that autocommands do not affect the strings
1330highlighted with the 'hlsearch' option. Within autocommands, you can still
1331use search patterns normally, e.g., with the "n" command.
1332If you want an autocommand to set the search pattern, such that it is used
1333after the autocommand finishes, use the ":let @/ =" command.
1334The search-highlighting cannot be switched off with ":nohlsearch" in an
1335autocommand. Use the 'h' flag in the 'viminfo' option to disable search-
1336highlighting when starting Vim.
1337
1338 *Cmd-event*
1339When using one of the "*Cmd" events, the matching autocommands are expected to
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +00001340do the file reading, writing or sourcing. This can be used when working with
1341a special kind of file, for example on a remote system.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001342CAREFUL: If you use these events in a wrong way, it may have the effect of
1343making it impossible to read or write the matching files! Make sure you test
1344your autocommands properly. Best is to use a pattern that will never match a
1345normal file name, for example "ftp://*".
1346
1347When defining a BufReadCmd it will be difficult for Vim to recover a crashed
1348editing session. When recovering from the original file, Vim reads only those
1349parts of a file that are not found in the swap file. Since that is not
1350possible with a BufReadCmd, use the |:preserve| command to make sure the
1351original file isn't needed for recovery. You might want to do this only when
1352you expect the file to be modified.
1353
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +00001354For file read and write commands the |v:cmdarg| variable holds the "++enc="
1355and "++ff=" argument that are effective. These should be used for the command
1356that reads/writes the file. The |v:cmdbang| variable is one when "!" was
1357used, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001358
Bram Moolenaarc88ebf72010-07-22 22:30:23 +02001359See the $VIMRUNTIME/plugin/netrwPlugin.vim for examples.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001360
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001361==============================================================================
136211. Disabling autocommands *autocmd-disable*
1363
1364To disable autocommands for some time use the 'eventignore' option. Note that
1365this may cause unexpected behavior, make sure you restore 'eventignore'
1366afterwards, using a |:try| block with |:finally|.
1367
1368 *:noautocmd* *:noa*
1369To disable autocommands for just one command use the ":noautocmd" command
1370modifier. This will set 'eventignore' to "all" for the duration of the
1371following command. Example: >
1372
1373 :noautocmd w fname.gz
1374
1375This will write the file without triggering the autocommands defined by the
1376gzip plugin.
1377
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001378
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001379 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: