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Bram Moolenaardfb18412013-12-11 18:53:29 +01001*autocmd.txt* For Vim version 7.4. Last change: 2013 Dec 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
Bram Moolenaardfb18412013-12-11 18:53:29 +0100307|TextChanged| after a change was made to the text in Normal mode
308|TextChangedI| after a change was made to the text in Insert mode
309
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000310|ColorScheme| after loading a color scheme
311
312|RemoteReply| a reply from a server Vim was received
313
314|QuickFixCmdPre| before a quickfix command is run
315|QuickFixCmdPost| after a quickfix command is run
316
317|SessionLoadPost| after loading a session file
318
319|MenuPopup| just before showing the popup menu
Bram Moolenaard09acef2012-09-21 14:54:30 +0200320|CompleteDone| after Insert mode completion is done
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000321
322|User| to be used in combination with ":doautocmd"
323
324
325The alphabetical list of autocommand events: *autocmd-events-abc*
326
327 *BufCreate* *BufAdd*
328BufAdd or BufCreate Just after creating a new buffer which is
329 added to the buffer list, or adding a buffer
330 to the buffer list.
331 Also used just after a buffer in the buffer
332 list has been renamed.
333 The BufCreate event is for historic reasons.
334 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
335 current buffer "%" may be different from the
336 buffer being created "<afile>".
337 *BufDelete*
338BufDelete Before deleting a buffer from the buffer list.
339 The BufUnload may be called first (if the
340 buffer was loaded).
341 Also used just before a buffer in the buffer
342 list is renamed.
343 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
344 current buffer "%" may be different from the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000345 buffer being deleted "<afile>" and "<abuf>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000346 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
347 problems.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000348 *BufEnter*
349BufEnter After entering a buffer. Useful for setting
350 options for a file type. Also executed when
351 starting to edit a buffer, after the
352 BufReadPost autocommands.
353 *BufFilePost*
354BufFilePost After changing the name of the current buffer
355 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000356 *BufFilePre*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000357BufFilePre Before changing the name of the current buffer
358 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
359 *BufHidden*
360BufHidden Just after a buffer has become hidden. That
361 is, when there are no longer windows that show
362 the buffer, but the buffer is not unloaded or
363 deleted. Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when
364 exiting Vim.
365 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
366 current buffer "%" may be different from the
367 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
368 *BufLeave*
369BufLeave Before leaving to another buffer. Also when
370 leaving or closing the current window and the
371 new current window is not for the same buffer.
372 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
373 *BufNew*
374BufNew Just after creating a new buffer. Also used
375 just after a buffer has been renamed. When
376 the buffer is added to the buffer list BufAdd
377 will be triggered too.
378 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
379 current buffer "%" may be different from the
380 buffer being created "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000381 *BufNewFile*
382BufNewFile When starting to edit a file that doesn't
383 exist. Can be used to read in a skeleton
384 file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000385 *BufRead* *BufReadPost*
386BufRead or BufReadPost When starting to edit a new buffer, after
387 reading the file into the buffer, before
388 executing the modelines. See |BufWinEnter|
389 for when you need to do something after
390 processing the modelines.
391 This does NOT work for ":r file". Not used
392 when the file doesn't exist. Also used after
393 successfully recovering a file.
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +0200394 Also triggered for the filetypedetect group
395 when executing ":filetype detect" and when
396 writing an unnamed buffer in a way that the
397 buffer gets a name.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000398 *BufReadCmd*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000399BufReadCmd Before starting to edit a new buffer. Should
400 read the file into the buffer. |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000401 *BufReadPre* *E200* *E201*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000402BufReadPre When starting to edit a new buffer, before
403 reading the file into the buffer. Not used
404 if the file doesn't exist.
405 *BufUnload*
406BufUnload Before unloading a buffer. This is when the
407 text in the buffer is going to be freed. This
408 may be after a BufWritePost and before a
409 BufDelete. Also used for all buffers that are
410 loaded when Vim is going to exit.
411 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
412 current buffer "%" may be different from the
413 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000414 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
415 problems.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200416 When exiting and v:dying is 2 or more this
417 event is not triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000418 *BufWinEnter*
419BufWinEnter After a buffer is displayed in a window. This
420 can be when the buffer is loaded (after
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000421 processing the modelines) or when a hidden
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000422 buffer is displayed in a window (and is no
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000423 longer hidden).
424 Does not happen for |:split| without
425 arguments, since you keep editing the same
426 buffer, or ":split" with a file that's already
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +0000427 open in a window, because it re-uses an
428 existing buffer. But it does happen for a
429 ":split" with the name of the current buffer,
430 since it reloads that buffer.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000431 *BufWinLeave*
432BufWinLeave Before a buffer is removed from a window.
433 Not when it's still visible in another window.
434 Also triggered when exiting. It's triggered
435 before BufUnload or BufHidden.
436 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
437 current buffer "%" may be different from the
438 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200439 When exiting and v:dying is 2 or more this
440 event is not triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000441 *BufWipeout*
442BufWipeout Before completely deleting a buffer. The
443 BufUnload and BufDelete events may be called
444 first (if the buffer was loaded and was in the
445 buffer list). Also used just before a buffer
446 is renamed (also when it's not in the buffer
447 list).
448 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
449 current buffer "%" may be different from the
450 buffer being deleted "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000451 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
452 problems.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000453 *BufWrite* *BufWritePre*
454BufWrite or BufWritePre Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000455 *BufWriteCmd*
456BufWriteCmd Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
457 Should do the writing of the file and reset
Bram Moolenaar1cd871b2004-12-19 22:46:22 +0000458 'modified' if successful, unless '+' is in
459 'cpo' and writing to another file |cpo-+|.
460 The buffer contents should not be changed.
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +0200461 When the command resets 'modified' the undo
462 information is adjusted to mark older undo
463 states as 'modified', like |:write| does.
Bram Moolenaar1cd871b2004-12-19 22:46:22 +0000464 |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000465 *BufWritePost*
466BufWritePost After writing the whole buffer to a file
467 (should undo the commands for BufWritePre).
468 *CmdwinEnter*
469CmdwinEnter After entering the command-line window.
470 Useful for setting options specifically for
471 this special type of window. This is
472 triggered _instead_ of BufEnter and WinEnter.
473 <afile> is set to a single character,
474 indicating the type of command-line.
475 |cmdwin-char|
476 *CmdwinLeave*
477CmdwinLeave Before leaving the command-line window.
478 Useful to clean up any global setting done
479 with CmdwinEnter. This is triggered _instead_
480 of BufLeave and WinLeave.
481 <afile> is set to a single character,
482 indicating the type of command-line.
483 |cmdwin-char|
484 *ColorScheme*
485ColorScheme After loading a color scheme. |:colorscheme|
Bram Moolenaarb95186f2013-11-28 18:53:52 +0100486 The pattern is matched against the
487 colorscheme name. <afile> can be used for the
488 name of the actual file where this option was
489 set, and <amatch> for the new colorscheme
490 name.
491
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000492
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +0200493 *CompleteDone*
494CompleteDone After Insert mode completion is done. Either
495 when something was completed or abandoning
496 completion. |ins-completion|
497
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000498 *CursorHold*
499CursorHold When the user doesn't press a key for the time
500 specified with 'updatetime'. Not re-triggered
501 until the user has pressed a key (i.e. doesn't
502 fire every 'updatetime' ms if you leave Vim to
503 make some coffee. :) See |CursorHold-example|
504 for previewing tags.
505 This event is only triggered in Normal mode.
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000506 It is not triggered when waiting for a command
507 argument to be typed, or a movement after an
508 operator.
Bram Moolenaare3226be2005-12-18 22:10:00 +0000509 While recording the CursorHold event is not
510 triggered. |q|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000511 Note: Interactive commands cannot be used for
512 this event. There is no hit-enter prompt,
513 the screen is updated directly (when needed).
514 Note: In the future there will probably be
515 another option to set the time.
516 Hint: to force an update of the status lines
517 use: >
518 :let &ro = &ro
519< {only on Amiga, Unix, Win32, MSDOS and all GUI
520 versions}
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000521 *CursorHoldI*
522CursorHoldI Just like CursorHold, but in Insert mode.
523
524 *CursorMoved*
Bram Moolenaar52b91d82013-06-15 21:39:51 +0200525CursorMoved After the cursor was moved in Normal or Visual
526 mode. Also when the text of the cursor line
527 has been changed, e.g., with "x", "rx" or "p".
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000528 Not triggered when there is typeahead or when
529 an operator is pending.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000530 For an example see |match-parens|.
Bram Moolenaarbf884932013-04-05 22:26:15 +0200531 Careful: This is triggered very often, don't
532 do anything that the user does not expect or
533 that is slow.
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000534 *CursorMovedI*
535CursorMovedI After the cursor was moved in Insert mode.
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +0200536 Not triggered when the popup menu is visible.
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000537 Otherwise the same as CursorMoved.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000538 *EncodingChanged*
539EncodingChanged Fires off after the 'encoding' option has been
540 changed. Useful to set up fonts, for example.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000541 *FileAppendCmd*
542FileAppendCmd Before appending to a file. Should do the
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000543 appending to the file. Use the '[ and ']
544 marks for the range of lines.|Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000545 *FileAppendPost*
546FileAppendPost After appending to a file.
547 *FileAppendPre*
548FileAppendPre Before appending to a file. Use the '[ and ']
549 marks for the range of lines.
550 *FileChangedRO*
551FileChangedRO Before making the first change to a read-only
552 file. Can be used to check-out the file from
553 a source control system. Not triggered when
554 the change was caused by an autocommand.
555 This event is triggered when making the first
556 change in a buffer or the first change after
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000557 'readonly' was set, just before the change is
558 applied to the text.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000559 WARNING: If the autocommand moves the cursor
560 the effect of the change is undefined.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000561 *E788*
562 It is not allowed to change to another buffer
563 here. You can reload the buffer but not edit
564 another one.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000565 *FileChangedShell*
566FileChangedShell When Vim notices that the modification time of
567 a file has changed since editing started.
568 Also when the file attributes of the file
569 change. |timestamp|
570 Mostly triggered after executing a shell
571 command, but also with a |:checktime| command
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000572 or when Gvim regains input focus.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000573 This autocommand is triggered for each changed
574 file. It is not used when 'autoread' is set
575 and the buffer was not changed. If a
576 FileChangedShell autocommand is present the
577 warning message and prompt is not given.
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000578 The |v:fcs_reason| variable is set to indicate
579 what happened and |v:fcs_choice| can be used
580 to tell Vim what to do next.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000581 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
582 current buffer "%" may be different from the
583 buffer that was changed "<afile>".
584 NOTE: The commands must not change the current
585 buffer, jump to another buffer or delete a
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100586 buffer. *E246* *E811*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000587 NOTE: This event never nests, to avoid an
588 endless loop. This means that while executing
589 commands for the FileChangedShell event no
590 other FileChangedShell event will be
591 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000592 *FileChangedShellPost*
593FileChangedShellPost After handling a file that was changed outside
594 of Vim. Can be used to update the statusline.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000595 *FileEncoding*
596FileEncoding Obsolete. It still works and is equivalent
597 to |EncodingChanged|.
598 *FileReadCmd*
599FileReadCmd Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
600 Should do the reading of the file. |Cmd-event|
601 *FileReadPost*
602FileReadPost After reading a file with a ":read" command.
603 Note that Vim sets the '[ and '] marks to the
604 first and last line of the read. This can be
605 used to operate on the lines just read.
606 *FileReadPre*
607FileReadPre Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
608 *FileType*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000609FileType When the 'filetype' option has been set. The
610 pattern is matched against the filetype.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000611 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
612 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
613 the new value of 'filetype'.
614 See |filetypes|.
615 *FileWriteCmd*
616FileWriteCmd Before writing to a file, when not writing the
617 whole buffer. Should do the writing to the
618 file. Should not change the buffer. Use the
619 '[ and '] marks for the range of lines.
620 |Cmd-event|
621 *FileWritePost*
622FileWritePost After writing to a file, when not writing the
623 whole buffer.
624 *FileWritePre*
625FileWritePre Before writing to a file, when not writing the
626 whole buffer. Use the '[ and '] marks for the
627 range of lines.
628 *FilterReadPost*
629FilterReadPost After reading a file from a filter command.
630 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
631 the current buffer as with FilterReadPre.
632 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
633 *FilterReadPre* *E135*
634FilterReadPre Before reading a file from a filter command.
635 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
636 the current buffer, not the name of the
637 temporary file that is the output of the
638 filter command.
639 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
640 *FilterWritePost*
641FilterWritePost After writing a file for a filter command or
642 making a diff.
643 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
644 the current buffer as with FilterWritePre.
645 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
646 *FilterWritePre*
647FilterWritePre Before writing a file for a filter command or
648 making a diff.
649 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
650 the current buffer, not the name of the
651 temporary file that is the output of the
652 filter command.
653 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000654 *FocusGained*
655FocusGained When Vim got input focus. Only for the GUI
656 version and a few console versions where this
657 can be detected.
658 *FocusLost*
659FocusLost When Vim lost input focus. Only for the GUI
660 version and a few console versions where this
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +0000661 can be detected. May also happen when a
662 dialog pops up.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000663 *FuncUndefined*
664FuncUndefined When a user function is used but it isn't
665 defined. Useful for defining a function only
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000666 when it's used. The pattern is matched
667 against the function name. Both <amatch> and
668 <afile> are set to the name of the function.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000669 See |autoload-functions|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000670 *GUIEnter*
671GUIEnter After starting the GUI successfully, and after
672 opening the window. It is triggered before
673 VimEnter when using gvim. Can be used to
674 position the window from a .gvimrc file: >
675 :autocmd GUIEnter * winpos 100 50
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000676< *GUIFailed*
677GUIFailed After starting the GUI failed. Vim may
678 continue to run in the terminal, if possible
679 (only on Unix and alikes, when connecting the
680 X server fails). You may want to quit Vim: >
681 :autocmd GUIFailed * qall
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000682< *InsertChange*
683InsertChange When typing <Insert> while in Insert or
684 Replace mode. The |v:insertmode| variable
685 indicates the new mode.
686 Be careful not to move the cursor or do
687 anything else that the user does not expect.
Bram Moolenaare659c952011-05-19 17:25:41 +0200688 *InsertCharPre*
689InsertCharPre When a character is typed in Insert mode,
690 before inserting the char.
691 The |v:char| variable indicates the char typed
692 and can be changed during the event to insert
693 a different character. When |v:char| is set
694 to more than one character this text is
695 inserted literally.
696 It is not allowed to change the text |textlock|.
697 The event is not triggered when 'paste' is
698 set.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000699 *InsertEnter*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000700InsertEnter Just before starting Insert mode. Also for
701 Replace mode and Virtual Replace mode. The
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000702 |v:insertmode| variable indicates the mode.
Bram Moolenaar097c9922013-05-19 21:15:15 +0200703 Be careful not to do anything else that the
704 user does not expect.
705 The cursor is restored afterwards. If you do
706 not want that set |v:char| to a non-empty
707 string.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000708 *InsertLeave*
709InsertLeave When leaving Insert mode. Also when using
710 CTRL-O |i_CTRL-O|. But not for |i_CTRL-C|.
711 *MenuPopup*
712MenuPopup Just before showing the popup menu (under the
713 right mouse button). Useful for adjusting the
714 menu for what is under the cursor or mouse
715 pointer.
716 The pattern is matched against a single
717 character representing the mode:
718 n Normal
719 v Visual
720 o Operator-pending
721 i Insert
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +0000722 c Command line
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000723 *QuickFixCmdPre*
724QuickFixCmdPre Before a quickfix command is run (|:make|,
Bram Moolenaara6557602006-02-04 22:43:20 +0000725 |:lmake|, |:grep|, |:lgrep|, |:grepadd|,
726 |:lgrepadd|, |:vimgrep|, |:lvimgrep|,
Bram Moolenaar6be7f872012-01-20 21:08:56 +0100727 |:vimgrepadd|, |:lvimgrepadd|, |:cscope|,
Bram Moolenaar84f72352012-03-11 15:57:40 +0100728 |:cfile|, |:cgetfile|, |:caddfile|, |:lfile|,
729 |:lgetfile|, |:laddfile|, |:helpgrep|,
730 |:lhelpgrep|).
Bram Moolenaarf1eeae92010-05-14 23:14:42 +0200731 The pattern is matched against the command
732 being run. When |:grep| is used but 'grepprg'
733 is set to "internal" it still matches "grep".
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000734 This command cannot be used to set the
735 'makeprg' and 'grepprg' variables.
736 If this command causes an error, the quickfix
737 command is not executed.
738 *QuickFixCmdPost*
739QuickFixCmdPost Like QuickFixCmdPre, but after a quickfix
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000740 command is run, before jumping to the first
Bram Moolenaar8ec1f852012-03-07 20:13:49 +0100741 location. For |:cfile| and |:lfile| commands
742 it is run after error file is read and before
743 moving to the first error.
744 See |QuickFixCmdPost-example|.
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +0200745 *QuitPre*
Bram Moolenaarac7bd632013-03-19 11:35:58 +0100746QuitPre When using `:quit`, `:wq` or `:qall`, before
747 deciding whether it closes the current window
748 or quits Vim. Can be used to close any
749 non-essential window if the current window is
750 the last ordinary window.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000751 *RemoteReply*
752RemoteReply When a reply from a Vim that functions as
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000753 server was received |server2client()|. The
754 pattern is matched against the {serverid}.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000755 <amatch> is equal to the {serverid} from which
756 the reply was sent, and <afile> is the actual
757 reply string.
758 Note that even if an autocommand is defined,
759 the reply should be read with |remote_read()|
760 to consume it.
761 *SessionLoadPost*
762SessionLoadPost After loading the session file created using
763 the |:mksession| command.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +0000764 *ShellCmdPost*
765ShellCmdPost After executing a shell command with |:!cmd|,
766 |:shell|, |:make| and |:grep|. Can be used to
767 check for any changed files.
768 *ShellFilterPost*
769ShellFilterPost After executing a shell command with
770 ":{range}!cmd", ":w !cmd" or ":r !cmd".
771 Can be used to check for any changed files.
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +0000772 *SourcePre*
773SourcePre Before sourcing a Vim script. |:source|
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000774 <afile> is the name of the file being sourced.
775 *SourceCmd*
776SourceCmd When sourcing a Vim script. |:source|
777 <afile> is the name of the file being sourced.
778 The autocommand must source this file.
779 |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000780 *SpellFileMissing*
781SpellFileMissing When trying to load a spell checking file and
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000782 it can't be found. The pattern is matched
783 against the language. <amatch> is the
784 language, 'encoding' also matters. See
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000785 |spell-SpellFileMissing|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000786 *StdinReadPost*
787StdinReadPost After reading from the stdin into the buffer,
788 before executing the modelines. Only used
789 when the "-" argument was used when Vim was
790 started |--|.
791 *StdinReadPre*
792StdinReadPre Before reading from stdin into the buffer.
793 Only used when the "-" argument was used when
794 Vim was started |--|.
795 *SwapExists*
796SwapExists Detected an existing swap file when starting
797 to edit a file. Only when it is possible to
798 select a way to handle the situation, when Vim
799 would ask the user what to do.
800 The |v:swapname| variable holds the name of
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +0000801 the swap file found, <afile> the file being
802 edited. |v:swapcommand| may contain a command
803 to be executed in the opened file.
804 The commands should set the |v:swapchoice|
805 variable to a string with one character to
806 tell Vim what should be done next:
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000807 'o' open read-only
808 'e' edit the file anyway
809 'r' recover
810 'd' delete the swap file
811 'q' quit, don't edit the file
812 'a' abort, like hitting CTRL-C
813 When set to an empty string the user will be
814 asked, as if there was no SwapExists autocmd.
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000815 *E812*
816 It is not allowed to change to another buffer,
817 change a buffer name or change directory
818 here.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000819 *Syntax*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000820Syntax When the 'syntax' option has been set. The
821 pattern is matched against the syntax name.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000822 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
823 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
824 the new value of 'syntax'.
825 See |:syn-on|.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000826 *TabEnter*
827TabEnter Just after entering a tab page. |tab-page|
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +0000828 After triggering the WinEnter and before
829 triggering the BufEnter event.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000830 *TabLeave*
831TabLeave Just before leaving a tab page. |tab-page|
832 A WinLeave event will have been triggered
833 first.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000834 *TermChanged*
835TermChanged After the value of 'term' has changed. Useful
836 for re-loading the syntax file to update the
837 colors, fonts and other terminal-dependent
838 settings. Executed for all loaded buffers.
839 *TermResponse*
840TermResponse After the response to |t_RV| is received from
841 the terminal. The value of |v:termresponse|
842 can be used to do things depending on the
Bram Moolenaar8e5af3e2011-04-28 19:02:44 +0200843 terminal version. Note that this event may be
844 triggered halfway executing another event,
845 especially if file I/O, a shell command or
846 anything else that takes time is involved.
Bram Moolenaarbf884932013-04-05 22:26:15 +0200847 *TextChanged*
848TextChanged After a change was made to the text in the
849 current buffer in Normal mode. That is when
850 |b:changedtick| has changed.
851 Not triggered when there is typeahead or when
852 an operator is pending.
853 Careful: This is triggered very often, don't
854 do anything that the user does not expect or
855 that is slow.
856 *TextChangedI*
857TextChangedI After a change was made to the text in the
858 current buffer in Insert mode.
859 Not triggered when the popup menu is visible.
860 Otherwise the same as TextChanged.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000861 *User*
862User Never executed automatically. To be used for
863 autocommands that are only executed with
864 ":doautocmd".
865 *UserGettingBored*
Bram Moolenaarbf884932013-04-05 22:26:15 +0200866UserGettingBored When the user presses the same key 42 times.
867 Just kidding! :-)
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000868 *VimEnter*
869VimEnter After doing all the startup stuff, including
870 loading .vimrc files, executing the "-c cmd"
871 arguments, creating all windows and loading
872 the buffers in them.
873 *VimLeave*
874VimLeave Before exiting Vim, just after writing the
875 .viminfo file. Executed only once, like
876 VimLeavePre.
877 To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200878 When v:dying is 2 or more this event is not
879 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000880 *VimLeavePre*
881VimLeavePre Before exiting Vim, just before writing the
882 .viminfo file. This is executed only once,
883 if there is a match with the name of what
884 happens to be the current buffer when exiting.
885 Mostly useful with a "*" pattern. >
886 :autocmd VimLeavePre * call CleanupStuff()
887< To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200888 When v:dying is 2 or more this event is not
889 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000890 *VimResized*
891VimResized After the Vim window was resized, thus 'lines'
892 and/or 'columns' changed. Not when starting
893 up though.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000894 *WinEnter*
895WinEnter After entering another window. Not done for
896 the first window, when Vim has just started.
897 Useful for setting the window height.
898 If the window is for another buffer, Vim
899 executes the BufEnter autocommands after the
900 WinEnter autocommands.
901 Note: When using ":split fname" the WinEnter
902 event is triggered after the split but before
903 the file "fname" is loaded.
904 *WinLeave*
905WinLeave Before leaving a window. If the window to be
906 entered next is for a different buffer, Vim
907 executes the BufLeave autocommands before the
908 WinLeave autocommands (but not for ":new").
909 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000910
911==============================================================================
9126. Patterns *autocmd-patterns* *{pat}*
913
914The file pattern {pat} is tested for a match against the file name in one of
915two ways:
9161. When there is no '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against only
917 the tail part of the file name (without its leading directory path).
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01009182. When there is a '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against both the
919 short file name (as you typed it) and the full file name (after expanding
920 it to a full path and resolving symbolic links).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000921
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000922The special pattern <buffer> or <buffer=N> is used for buffer-local
923autocommands |autocmd-buflocal|. This pattern is not matched against the name
924of a buffer.
925
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000926Examples: >
927 :autocmd BufRead *.txt set et
928Set the 'et' option for all text files. >
929
930 :autocmd BufRead /vim/src/*.c set cindent
931Set the 'cindent' option for C files in the /vim/src directory. >
932
933 :autocmd BufRead /tmp/*.c set ts=5
934If you have a link from "/tmp/test.c" to "/home/nobody/vim/src/test.c", and
935you start editing "/tmp/test.c", this autocommand will match.
936
937Note: To match part of a path, but not from the root directory, use a '*' as
938the first character. Example: >
939 :autocmd BufRead */doc/*.txt set tw=78
940This autocommand will for example be executed for "/tmp/doc/xx.txt" and
941"/usr/home/piet/doc/yy.txt". The number of directories does not matter here.
942
943
944The file name that the pattern is matched against is after expanding
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000945wildcards. Thus if you issue this command: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000946 :e $ROOTDIR/main.$EXT
947The argument is first expanded to: >
948 /usr/root/main.py
949Before it's matched with the pattern of the autocommand. Careful with this
950when using events like FileReadCmd, the value of <amatch> may not be what you
951expect.
952
953
954Environment variables can be used in a pattern: >
955 :autocmd BufRead $VIMRUNTIME/doc/*.txt set expandtab
956And ~ can be used for the home directory (if $HOME is defined): >
957 :autocmd BufWritePost ~/.vimrc so ~/.vimrc
958 :autocmd BufRead ~archive/* set readonly
959The environment variable is expanded when the autocommand is defined, not when
960the autocommand is executed. This is different from the command!
961
962 *file-pattern*
963The pattern is interpreted like mostly used in file names:
Bram Moolenaar3b1db362013-08-10 15:00:24 +0200964 * matches any sequence of characters; Unusual: includes path
Bram Moolenaar9d98fe92013-08-03 18:35:36 +0200965 separators
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000966 ? matches any single character
967 \? matches a '?'
968 . matches a '.'
969 ~ matches a '~'
970 , separates patterns
971 \, matches a ','
972 { } like \( \) in a |pattern|
973 , inside { }: like \| in a |pattern|
Bram Moolenaara946afe2013-08-02 15:22:39 +0200974 \} literal }
975 \{ literal {
976 \\\{n,m\} like \{n,m} in a |pattern|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000977 \ special meaning like in a |pattern|
978 [ch] matches 'c' or 'h'
979 [^ch] match any character but 'c' and 'h'
980
981Note that for all systems the '/' character is used for path separator (even
982MS-DOS and OS/2). This was done because the backslash is difficult to use
983in a pattern and to make the autocommands portable across different systems.
984
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000985 *autocmd-changes*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000986Matching with the pattern is done when an event is triggered. Changing the
987buffer name in one of the autocommands, or even deleting the buffer, does not
988change which autocommands will be executed. Example: >
989
990 au BufEnter *.foo bdel
991 au BufEnter *.foo set modified
992
993This will delete the current buffer and then set 'modified' in what has become
994the current buffer instead. Vim doesn't take into account that "*.foo"
995doesn't match with that buffer name. It matches "*.foo" with the name of the
996buffer at the moment the event was triggered.
997
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000998However, buffer-local autocommands will not be executed for a buffer that has
999been wiped out with |:bwipe|. After deleting the buffer with |:bdel| the
1000buffer actually still exists (it becomes unlisted), thus the autocommands are
1001still executed.
1002
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001003==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +000010047. Buffer-local autocommands *autocmd-buflocal* *autocmd-buffer-local*
1005 *<buffer=N>* *<buffer=abuf>* *E680*
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001006
1007Buffer-local autocommands are attached to a specific buffer. They are useful
1008if the buffer does not have a name and when the name does not match a specific
1009pattern. But it also means they must be explicitly added to each buffer.
1010
1011Instead of a pattern buffer-local autocommands use one of these forms:
1012 <buffer> current buffer
1013 <buffer=99> buffer number 99
1014 <buffer=abuf> using <abuf> (only when executing autocommands)
1015 |<abuf>|
1016
1017Examples: >
1018 :au CursorHold <buffer> echo 'hold'
1019 :au CursorHold <buffer=33> echo 'hold'
1020 :au CursorHold <buffer=abuf> echo 'hold'
1021
1022All the commands for autocommands also work with buffer-local autocommands,
1023simply use the special string instead of the pattern. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001024 :au! * <buffer> " remove buffer-local autocommands for
1025 " current buffer
1026 :au! * <buffer=33> " remove buffer-local autocommands for
1027 " buffer #33
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001028 :bufdo :au! CursorHold <buffer> " remove autocmd for given event for all
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001029 " buffers
1030 :au * <buffer> " list buffer-local autocommands for
1031 " current buffer
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001032
1033Note that when an autocommand is defined for the current buffer, it is stored
1034with the buffer number. Thus it uses the form "<buffer=12>", where 12 is the
1035number of the current buffer. You will see this when listing autocommands,
1036for example.
1037
1038To test for presence of buffer-local autocommands use the |exists()| function
1039as follows: >
1040 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer=12>") | ... | endif
1041 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer>") | ... | endif " for current buffer
1042
1043When a buffer is wiped out its buffer-local autocommands are also gone, of
1044course. Note that when deleting a buffer, e.g., with ":bdel", it is only
1045unlisted, the autocommands are still present. In order to see the removal of
1046buffer-local autocommands: >
1047 :set verbose=6
1048
1049It is not possible to define buffer-local autocommands for a non-existent
1050buffer.
1051
1052==============================================================================
10538. Groups *autocmd-groups*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001054
1055Autocommands can be put together in a group. This is useful for removing or
1056executing a group of autocommands. For example, all the autocommands for
1057syntax highlighting are put in the "highlight" group, to be able to execute
1058":doautoall highlight BufRead" when the GUI starts.
1059
1060When no specific group is selected, Vim uses the default group. The default
1061group does not have a name. You cannot execute the autocommands from the
1062default group separately; you can execute them only by executing autocommands
1063for all groups.
1064
1065Normally, when executing autocommands automatically, Vim uses the autocommands
1066for all groups. The group only matters when executing autocommands with
1067":doautocmd" or ":doautoall", or when defining or deleting autocommands.
1068
1069The group name can contain any characters except white space. The group name
1070"end" is reserved (also in uppercase).
1071
1072The group name is case sensitive. Note that this is different from the event
1073name!
1074
1075 *:aug* *:augroup*
1076:aug[roup] {name} Define the autocmd group name for the
1077 following ":autocmd" commands. The name "end"
1078 or "END" selects the default group.
1079
1080 *:augroup-delete* *E367*
1081:aug[roup]! {name} Delete the autocmd group {name}. Don't use
1082 this if there is still an autocommand using
1083 this group! This is not checked.
1084
1085To enter autocommands for a specific group, use this method:
10861. Select the group with ":augroup {name}".
10872. Delete any old autocommands with ":au!".
10883. Define the autocommands.
10894. Go back to the default group with "augroup END".
1090
1091Example: >
1092 :augroup uncompress
1093 : au!
1094 : au BufEnter *.gz %!gunzip
1095 :augroup END
1096
1097This prevents having the autocommands defined twice (e.g., after sourcing the
1098.vimrc file again).
1099
1100==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +000011019. Executing autocommands *autocmd-execute*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001102
1103Vim can also execute Autocommands non-automatically. This is useful if you
1104have changed autocommands, or when Vim has executed the wrong autocommands
1105(e.g., the file pattern match was wrong).
1106
1107Note that the 'eventignore' option applies here too. Events listed in this
1108option will not cause any commands to be executed.
1109
1110 *:do* *:doau* *:doautocmd* *E217*
Bram Moolenaar5dc62522012-02-13 00:05:22 +01001111:do[autocmd] [<nomodeline>] [group] {event} [fname]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001112 Apply the autocommands matching [fname] (default:
1113 current file name) for {event} to the current buffer.
1114 You can use this when the current file name does not
1115 match the right pattern, after changing settings, or
1116 to execute autocommands for a certain event.
1117 It's possible to use this inside an autocommand too,
1118 so you can base the autocommands for one extension on
1119 another extension. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +01001120 :au BufEnter *.cpp so ~/.vimrc_cpp
1121 :au BufEnter *.cpp doau BufEnter x.c
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001122< Be careful to avoid endless loops. See
1123 |autocmd-nested|.
1124
1125 When the [group] argument is not given, Vim executes
1126 the autocommands for all groups. When the [group]
1127 argument is included, Vim executes only the matching
1128 autocommands for that group. Note: if you use an
1129 undefined group name, Vim gives you an error message.
Bram Moolenaar60542ac2012-02-12 20:14:01 +01001130 *<nomodeline>*
1131 After applying the autocommands the modelines are
1132 processed, so that their settings overrule the
1133 settings from autocommands, like what happens when
1134 editing a file. This is skipped when the <nomodeline>
1135 argument is present. You probably want to use
1136 <nomodeline> for events that are not used when loading
1137 a buffer, such as |User|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001138
1139 *:doautoa* *:doautoall*
Bram Moolenaara61d5fb2012-02-12 00:18:58 +01001140:doautoa[ll] [<nomodeline>] [group] {event} [fname]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001141 Like ":doautocmd", but apply the autocommands to each
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001142 loaded buffer. Note that [fname] is used to select
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001143 the autocommands, not the buffers to which they are
1144 applied.
1145 Careful: Don't use this for autocommands that delete a
1146 buffer, change to another buffer or change the
1147 contents of a buffer; the result is unpredictable.
1148 This command is intended for autocommands that set
1149 options, change highlighting, and things like that.
1150
1151==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000115210. Using autocommands *autocmd-use*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001153
1154For WRITING FILES there are four possible sets of events. Vim uses only one
1155of these sets for a write command:
1156
1157BufWriteCmd BufWritePre BufWritePost writing the whole buffer
1158 FilterWritePre FilterWritePost writing to filter temp file
1159FileAppendCmd FileAppendPre FileAppendPost appending to a file
1160FileWriteCmd FileWritePre FileWritePost any other file write
1161
1162When there is a matching "*Cmd" autocommand, it is assumed it will do the
1163writing. No further writing is done and the other events are not triggered.
1164|Cmd-event|
1165
1166Note that the *WritePost commands should undo any changes to the buffer that
1167were caused by the *WritePre commands; otherwise, writing the file will have
1168the side effect of changing the buffer.
1169
1170Before executing the autocommands, the buffer from which the lines are to be
1171written temporarily becomes the current buffer. Unless the autocommands
1172change the current buffer or delete the previously current buffer, the
1173previously current buffer is made the current buffer again.
1174
1175The *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands must not delete the buffer from
1176which the lines are to be written.
1177
1178The '[ and '] marks have a special position:
1179- Before the *ReadPre event the '[ mark is set to the line just above where
1180 the new lines will be inserted.
1181- Before the *ReadPost event the '[ mark is set to the first line that was
1182 just read, the '] mark to the last line.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001183- Before executing the *WriteCmd, *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands the '[
1184 mark is set to the first line that will be written, the '] mark to the last
1185 line.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001186Careful: '[ and '] change when using commands that change the buffer.
1187
1188In commands which expect a file name, you can use "<afile>" for the file name
1189that is being read |:<afile>| (you can also use "%" for the current file
1190name). "<abuf>" can be used for the buffer number of the currently effective
1191buffer. This also works for buffers that doesn't have a name. But it doesn't
1192work for files without a buffer (e.g., with ":r file").
1193
1194 *gzip-example*
1195Examples for reading and writing compressed files: >
1196 :augroup gzip
1197 : autocmd!
1198 : autocmd BufReadPre,FileReadPre *.gz set bin
1199 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz '[,']!gunzip
1200 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz set nobin
1201 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz execute ":doautocmd BufReadPost " . expand("%:r")
1202 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1203 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1204
1205 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !gunzip <afile>
1206 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !mv <afile>:r <afile>
1207 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1208 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1209 :augroup END
1210
1211The "gzip" group is used to be able to delete any existing autocommands with
1212":autocmd!", for when the file is sourced twice.
1213
1214("<afile>:r" is the file name without the extension, see |:_%:|)
1215
1216The commands executed for the BufNewFile, BufRead/BufReadPost, BufWritePost,
1217FileAppendPost and VimLeave events do not set or reset the changed flag of the
1218buffer. When you decompress the buffer with the BufReadPost autocommands, you
1219can still exit with ":q". When you use ":undo" in BufWritePost to undo the
1220changes made by BufWritePre commands, you can still do ":q" (this also makes
1221"ZZ" work). If you do want the buffer to be marked as modified, set the
1222'modified' option.
1223
1224To execute Normal mode commands from an autocommand, use the ":normal"
1225command. Use with care! If the Normal mode command is not finished, the user
1226needs to type characters (e.g., after ":normal m" you need to type a mark
1227name).
1228
1229If you want the buffer to be unmodified after changing it, reset the
1230'modified' option. This makes it possible to exit the buffer with ":q"
1231instead of ":q!".
1232
1233 *autocmd-nested* *E218*
1234By default, autocommands do not nest. If you use ":e" or ":w" in an
1235autocommand, Vim does not execute the BufRead and BufWrite autocommands for
1236those commands. If you do want this, use the "nested" flag for those commands
1237in which you want nesting. For example: >
1238 :autocmd FileChangedShell *.c nested e!
1239The nesting is limited to 10 levels to get out of recursive loops.
1240
1241It's possible to use the ":au" command in an autocommand. This can be a
1242self-modifying command! This can be useful for an autocommand that should
1243execute only once.
1244
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001245If you want to skip autocommands for one command, use the |:noautocmd| command
1246modifier or the 'eventignore' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001247
1248Note: When reading a file (with ":read file" or with a filter command) and the
1249last line in the file does not have an <EOL>, Vim remembers this. At the next
1250write (with ":write file" or with a filter command), if the same line is
1251written again as the last line in a file AND 'binary' is set, Vim does not
1252supply an <EOL>. This makes a filter command on the just read lines write the
1253same file as was read, and makes a write command on just filtered lines write
1254the same file as was read from the filter. For example, another way to write
1255a compressed file: >
1256
1257 :autocmd FileWritePre *.gz set bin|'[,']!gzip
1258 :autocmd FileWritePost *.gz undo|set nobin
1259<
1260 *autocommand-pattern*
1261You can specify multiple patterns, separated by commas. Here are some
1262examples: >
1263
1264 :autocmd BufRead * set tw=79 nocin ic infercase fo=2croq
1265 :autocmd BufRead .letter set tw=72 fo=2tcrq
1266 :autocmd BufEnter .letter set dict=/usr/lib/dict/words
1267 :autocmd BufLeave .letter set dict=
1268 :autocmd BufRead,BufNewFile *.c,*.h set tw=0 cin noic
1269 :autocmd BufEnter *.c,*.h abbr FOR for (i = 0; i < 3; ++i)<CR>{<CR>}<Esc>O
1270 :autocmd BufLeave *.c,*.h unabbr FOR
1271
1272For makefiles (makefile, Makefile, imakefile, makefile.unix, etc.): >
1273
1274 :autocmd BufEnter ?akefile* set include=^s\=include
1275 :autocmd BufLeave ?akefile* set include&
1276
1277To always start editing C files at the first function: >
1278
1279 :autocmd BufRead *.c,*.h 1;/^{
1280
1281Without the "1;" above, the search would start from wherever the file was
1282entered, rather than from the start of the file.
1283
1284 *skeleton* *template*
1285To read a skeleton (template) file when opening a new file: >
1286
1287 :autocmd BufNewFile *.c 0r ~/vim/skeleton.c
1288 :autocmd BufNewFile *.h 0r ~/vim/skeleton.h
1289 :autocmd BufNewFile *.java 0r ~/vim/skeleton.java
1290
1291To insert the current date and time in a *.html file when writing it: >
1292
1293 :autocmd BufWritePre,FileWritePre *.html ks|call LastMod()|'s
1294 :fun LastMod()
1295 : if line("$") > 20
1296 : let l = 20
1297 : else
1298 : let l = line("$")
1299 : endif
1300 : exe "1," . l . "g/Last modified: /s/Last modified: .*/Last modified: " .
1301 : \ strftime("%Y %b %d")
1302 :endfun
1303
1304You need to have a line "Last modified: <date time>" in the first 20 lines
1305of the file for this to work. Vim replaces <date time> (and anything in the
1306same line after it) with the current date and time. Explanation:
1307 ks mark current position with mark 's'
1308 call LastMod() call the LastMod() function to do the work
1309 's return the cursor to the old position
1310The LastMod() function checks if the file is shorter than 20 lines, and then
1311uses the ":g" command to find lines that contain "Last modified: ". For those
1312lines the ":s" command is executed to replace the existing date with the
1313current one. The ":execute" command is used to be able to use an expression
1314for the ":g" and ":s" commands. The date is obtained with the strftime()
1315function. You can change its argument to get another date string.
1316
1317When entering :autocmd on the command-line, completion of events and command
1318names may be done (with <Tab>, CTRL-D, etc.) where appropriate.
1319
1320Vim executes all matching autocommands in the order that you specify them.
1321It is recommended that your first autocommand be used for all files by using
1322"*" as the file pattern. This means that you can define defaults you like
1323here for any settings, and if there is another matching autocommand it will
1324override these. But if there is no other matching autocommand, then at least
1325your default settings are recovered (if entering this file from another for
1326which autocommands did match). Note that "*" will also match files starting
1327with ".", unlike Unix shells.
1328
1329 *autocmd-searchpat*
1330Autocommands do not change the current search patterns. Vim saves the current
1331search patterns before executing autocommands then restores them after the
1332autocommands finish. This means that autocommands do not affect the strings
1333highlighted with the 'hlsearch' option. Within autocommands, you can still
1334use search patterns normally, e.g., with the "n" command.
1335If you want an autocommand to set the search pattern, such that it is used
1336after the autocommand finishes, use the ":let @/ =" command.
1337The search-highlighting cannot be switched off with ":nohlsearch" in an
1338autocommand. Use the 'h' flag in the 'viminfo' option to disable search-
1339highlighting when starting Vim.
1340
1341 *Cmd-event*
1342When using one of the "*Cmd" events, the matching autocommands are expected to
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +00001343do the file reading, writing or sourcing. This can be used when working with
1344a special kind of file, for example on a remote system.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001345CAREFUL: If you use these events in a wrong way, it may have the effect of
1346making it impossible to read or write the matching files! Make sure you test
1347your autocommands properly. Best is to use a pattern that will never match a
1348normal file name, for example "ftp://*".
1349
1350When defining a BufReadCmd it will be difficult for Vim to recover a crashed
1351editing session. When recovering from the original file, Vim reads only those
1352parts of a file that are not found in the swap file. Since that is not
1353possible with a BufReadCmd, use the |:preserve| command to make sure the
1354original file isn't needed for recovery. You might want to do this only when
1355you expect the file to be modified.
1356
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +00001357For file read and write commands the |v:cmdarg| variable holds the "++enc="
1358and "++ff=" argument that are effective. These should be used for the command
1359that reads/writes the file. The |v:cmdbang| variable is one when "!" was
1360used, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001361
Bram Moolenaarc88ebf72010-07-22 22:30:23 +02001362See the $VIMRUNTIME/plugin/netrwPlugin.vim for examples.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001363
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001364==============================================================================
136511. Disabling autocommands *autocmd-disable*
1366
1367To disable autocommands for some time use the 'eventignore' option. Note that
1368this may cause unexpected behavior, make sure you restore 'eventignore'
1369afterwards, using a |:try| block with |:finally|.
1370
1371 *:noautocmd* *:noa*
1372To disable autocommands for just one command use the ":noautocmd" command
1373modifier. This will set 'eventignore' to "all" for the duration of the
1374following command. Example: >
1375
1376 :noautocmd w fname.gz
1377
1378This will write the file without triggering the autocommands defined by the
1379gzip plugin.
1380
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001381
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001382 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: