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Bram Moolenaar8e5af3e2011-04-28 19:02:44 +02001*autocmd.txt* For Vim version 7.3. Last change: 2011 Apr 26
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Automatic commands *autocommand*
8
9For a basic explanation, see section |40.3| in the user manual.
10
111. Introduction |autocmd-intro|
122. Defining autocommands |autocmd-define|
133. Removing autocommands |autocmd-remove|
144. Listing autocommands |autocmd-list|
155. Events |autocmd-events|
166. Patterns |autocmd-patterns|
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000177. Buffer-local autocommands |autocmd-buflocal|
188. Groups |autocmd-groups|
199. Executing autocommands |autocmd-execute|
2010. Using autocommands |autocmd-use|
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00002111. Disabling autocommands |autocmd-disable|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000022
23{Vi does not have any of these commands}
24{only when the |+autocmd| feature has not been disabled at compile time}
25
26==============================================================================
271. Introduction *autocmd-intro*
28
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +000029You can specify commands to be executed automatically when reading or writing
30a file, when entering or leaving a buffer or window, and when exiting Vim.
31For example, you can create an autocommand to set the 'cindent' option for
32files matching *.c. You can also use autocommands to implement advanced
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000033features, such as editing compressed files (see |gzip-example|). The usual
34place to put autocommands is in your .vimrc or .exrc file.
35
36 *E203* *E204* *E143*
37WARNING: Using autocommands is very powerful, and may lead to unexpected side
38effects. Be careful not to destroy your text.
39- It's a good idea to do some testing on an expendable copy of a file first.
40 For example: If you use autocommands to decompress a file when starting to
41 edit it, make sure that the autocommands for compressing when writing work
42 correctly.
43- Be prepared for an error halfway through (e.g., disk full). Vim will mostly
44 be able to undo the changes to the buffer, but you may have to clean up the
45 changes to other files by hand (e.g., compress a file that has been
46 decompressed).
47- If the BufRead* events allow you to edit a compressed file, the FileRead*
48 events should do the same (this makes recovery possible in some rare cases).
49 It's a good idea to use the same autocommands for the File* and Buf* events
50 when possible.
51
52==============================================================================
532. Defining autocommands *autocmd-define*
54
55Note: The ":autocmd" command cannot be followed by another command, since any
56'|' is considered part of the command.
57
58 *:au* *:autocmd*
59:au[tocmd] [group] {event} {pat} [nested] {cmd}
60 Add {cmd} to the list of commands that Vim will
61 execute automatically on {event} for a file matching
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 Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000266|TermResponse| after the terminal response to |t_RV| is received
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000267
268|VimLeavePre| before exiting Vim, before writing the viminfo file
269|VimLeave| before exiting Vim, after writing the viminfo file
270
271 Various
272|FileChangedShell| Vim notices that a file changed since editing started
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000273|FileChangedShellPost| After handling a file changed since editing started
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000274|FileChangedRO| before making the first change to a read-only file
275
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +0000276|ShellCmdPost| after executing a shell command
277|ShellFilterPost| after filtering with a shell command
278
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000279|FuncUndefined| a user function is used but it isn't defined
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000280|SpellFileMissing| a spell file is used but it can't be found
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +0000281|SourcePre| before sourcing a Vim script
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000282|SourceCmd| before sourcing a Vim script |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000283
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000284|VimResized| after the Vim window size changed
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000285|FocusGained| Vim got input focus
286|FocusLost| Vim lost input focus
287|CursorHold| the user doesn't press a key for a while
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000288|CursorHoldI| the user doesn't press a key for a while in Insert mode
289|CursorMoved| the cursor was moved in Normal mode
290|CursorMovedI| the cursor was moved in Insert mode
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000291
292|WinEnter| after entering another window
293|WinLeave| before leaving a window
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000294|TabEnter| after entering another tab page
295|TabLeave| before leaving a tab page
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000296|CmdwinEnter| after entering the command-line window
297|CmdwinLeave| before leaving the command-line window
298
299|InsertEnter| starting Insert mode
300|InsertChange| when typing <Insert> while in Insert or Replace mode
301|InsertLeave| when leaving Insert mode
302
303|ColorScheme| after loading a color scheme
304
305|RemoteReply| a reply from a server Vim was received
306
307|QuickFixCmdPre| before a quickfix command is run
308|QuickFixCmdPost| after a quickfix command is run
309
310|SessionLoadPost| after loading a session file
311
312|MenuPopup| just before showing the popup menu
313
314|User| to be used in combination with ":doautocmd"
315
316
317The alphabetical list of autocommand events: *autocmd-events-abc*
318
319 *BufCreate* *BufAdd*
320BufAdd or BufCreate Just after creating a new buffer which is
321 added to the buffer list, or adding a buffer
322 to the buffer list.
323 Also used just after a buffer in the buffer
324 list has been renamed.
325 The BufCreate event is for historic reasons.
326 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
327 current buffer "%" may be different from the
328 buffer being created "<afile>".
329 *BufDelete*
330BufDelete Before deleting a buffer from the buffer list.
331 The BufUnload may be called first (if the
332 buffer was loaded).
333 Also used just before a buffer in the buffer
334 list is renamed.
335 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
336 current buffer "%" may be different from the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000337 buffer being deleted "<afile>" and "<abuf>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000338 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
339 problems.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000340 *BufEnter*
341BufEnter After entering a buffer. Useful for setting
342 options for a file type. Also executed when
343 starting to edit a buffer, after the
344 BufReadPost autocommands.
345 *BufFilePost*
346BufFilePost After changing the name of the current buffer
347 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000348 *BufFilePre*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000349BufFilePre Before changing the name of the current buffer
350 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
351 *BufHidden*
352BufHidden Just after a buffer has become hidden. That
353 is, when there are no longer windows that show
354 the buffer, but the buffer is not unloaded or
355 deleted. Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when
356 exiting Vim.
357 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
358 current buffer "%" may be different from the
359 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
360 *BufLeave*
361BufLeave Before leaving to another buffer. Also when
362 leaving or closing the current window and the
363 new current window is not for the same buffer.
364 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
365 *BufNew*
366BufNew Just after creating a new buffer. Also used
367 just after a buffer has been renamed. When
368 the buffer is added to the buffer list BufAdd
369 will be triggered too.
370 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
371 current buffer "%" may be different from the
372 buffer being created "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000373 *BufNewFile*
374BufNewFile When starting to edit a file that doesn't
375 exist. Can be used to read in a skeleton
376 file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000377 *BufRead* *BufReadPost*
378BufRead or BufReadPost When starting to edit a new buffer, after
379 reading the file into the buffer, before
380 executing the modelines. See |BufWinEnter|
381 for when you need to do something after
382 processing the modelines.
383 This does NOT work for ":r file". Not used
384 when the file doesn't exist. Also used after
385 successfully recovering a file.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000386 *BufReadCmd*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000387BufReadCmd Before starting to edit a new buffer. Should
388 read the file into the buffer. |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000389 *BufReadPre* *E200* *E201*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000390BufReadPre When starting to edit a new buffer, before
391 reading the file into the buffer. Not used
392 if the file doesn't exist.
393 *BufUnload*
394BufUnload Before unloading a buffer. This is when the
395 text in the buffer is going to be freed. This
396 may be after a BufWritePost and before a
397 BufDelete. Also used for all buffers that are
398 loaded when Vim is going to exit.
399 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
400 current buffer "%" may be different from the
401 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000402 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
403 problems.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200404 When exiting and v:dying is 2 or more this
405 event is not triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000406 *BufWinEnter*
407BufWinEnter After a buffer is displayed in a window. This
408 can be when the buffer is loaded (after
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000409 processing the modelines) or when a hidden
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000410 buffer is displayed in a window (and is no
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000411 longer hidden).
412 Does not happen for |:split| without
413 arguments, since you keep editing the same
414 buffer, or ":split" with a file that's already
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +0000415 open in a window, because it re-uses an
416 existing buffer. But it does happen for a
417 ":split" with the name of the current buffer,
418 since it reloads that buffer.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000419 *BufWinLeave*
420BufWinLeave Before a buffer is removed from a window.
421 Not when it's still visible in another window.
422 Also triggered when exiting. It's triggered
423 before BufUnload or BufHidden.
424 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
425 current buffer "%" may be different from the
426 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200427 When exiting and v:dying is 2 or more this
428 event is not triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000429 *BufWipeout*
430BufWipeout Before completely deleting a buffer. The
431 BufUnload and BufDelete events may be called
432 first (if the buffer was loaded and was in the
433 buffer list). Also used just before a buffer
434 is renamed (also when it's not in the buffer
435 list).
436 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
437 current buffer "%" may be different from the
438 buffer being deleted "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000439 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
440 problems.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000441 *BufWrite* *BufWritePre*
442BufWrite or BufWritePre Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000443 *BufWriteCmd*
444BufWriteCmd Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
445 Should do the writing of the file and reset
Bram Moolenaar1cd871b2004-12-19 22:46:22 +0000446 'modified' if successful, unless '+' is in
447 'cpo' and writing to another file |cpo-+|.
448 The buffer contents should not be changed.
449 |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000450 *BufWritePost*
451BufWritePost After writing the whole buffer to a file
452 (should undo the commands for BufWritePre).
453 *CmdwinEnter*
454CmdwinEnter After entering the command-line window.
455 Useful for setting options specifically for
456 this special type of window. This is
457 triggered _instead_ of BufEnter and WinEnter.
458 <afile> is set to a single character,
459 indicating the type of command-line.
460 |cmdwin-char|
461 *CmdwinLeave*
462CmdwinLeave Before leaving the command-line window.
463 Useful to clean up any global setting done
464 with CmdwinEnter. This is triggered _instead_
465 of BufLeave and WinLeave.
466 <afile> is set to a single character,
467 indicating the type of command-line.
468 |cmdwin-char|
469 *ColorScheme*
470ColorScheme After loading a color scheme. |:colorscheme|
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000471
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000472 *CursorHold*
473CursorHold When the user doesn't press a key for the time
474 specified with 'updatetime'. Not re-triggered
475 until the user has pressed a key (i.e. doesn't
476 fire every 'updatetime' ms if you leave Vim to
477 make some coffee. :) See |CursorHold-example|
478 for previewing tags.
479 This event is only triggered in Normal mode.
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000480 It is not triggered when waiting for a command
481 argument to be typed, or a movement after an
482 operator.
Bram Moolenaare3226be2005-12-18 22:10:00 +0000483 While recording the CursorHold event is not
484 triggered. |q|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000485 Note: Interactive commands cannot be used for
486 this event. There is no hit-enter prompt,
487 the screen is updated directly (when needed).
488 Note: In the future there will probably be
489 another option to set the time.
490 Hint: to force an update of the status lines
491 use: >
492 :let &ro = &ro
493< {only on Amiga, Unix, Win32, MSDOS and all GUI
494 versions}
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000495 *CursorHoldI*
496CursorHoldI Just like CursorHold, but in Insert mode.
497
498 *CursorMoved*
499CursorMoved After the cursor was moved in Normal mode.
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +0000500 Also when the text of the cursor line has been
501 changed, e.g., with "x", "rx" or "p".
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000502 Not triggered when there is typeahead or when
503 an operator is pending.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000504 For an example see |match-parens|.
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000505 Careful: Don't do anything that the user does
506 not expect or that is slow.
507 *CursorMovedI*
508CursorMovedI After the cursor was moved in Insert mode.
509 Otherwise the same as CursorMoved.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000510 *EncodingChanged*
511EncodingChanged Fires off after the 'encoding' option has been
512 changed. Useful to set up fonts, for example.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000513 *FileAppendCmd*
514FileAppendCmd Before appending to a file. Should do the
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000515 appending to the file. Use the '[ and ']
516 marks for the range of lines.|Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000517 *FileAppendPost*
518FileAppendPost After appending to a file.
519 *FileAppendPre*
520FileAppendPre Before appending to a file. Use the '[ and ']
521 marks for the range of lines.
522 *FileChangedRO*
523FileChangedRO Before making the first change to a read-only
524 file. Can be used to check-out the file from
525 a source control system. Not triggered when
526 the change was caused by an autocommand.
527 This event is triggered when making the first
528 change in a buffer or the first change after
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000529 'readonly' was set, just before the change is
530 applied to the text.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000531 WARNING: If the autocommand moves the cursor
532 the effect of the change is undefined.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000533 *E788*
534 It is not allowed to change to another buffer
535 here. You can reload the buffer but not edit
536 another one.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000537 *FileChangedShell*
538FileChangedShell When Vim notices that the modification time of
539 a file has changed since editing started.
540 Also when the file attributes of the file
541 change. |timestamp|
542 Mostly triggered after executing a shell
543 command, but also with a |:checktime| command
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000544 or when Gvim regains input focus.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000545 This autocommand is triggered for each changed
546 file. It is not used when 'autoread' is set
547 and the buffer was not changed. If a
548 FileChangedShell autocommand is present the
549 warning message and prompt is not given.
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000550 The |v:fcs_reason| variable is set to indicate
551 what happened and |v:fcs_choice| can be used
552 to tell Vim what to do next.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000553 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
554 current buffer "%" may be different from the
555 buffer that was changed "<afile>".
556 NOTE: The commands must not change the current
557 buffer, jump to another buffer or delete a
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100558 buffer. *E246* *E811*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000559 NOTE: This event never nests, to avoid an
560 endless loop. This means that while executing
561 commands for the FileChangedShell event no
562 other FileChangedShell event will be
563 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000564 *FileChangedShellPost*
565FileChangedShellPost After handling a file that was changed outside
566 of Vim. Can be used to update the statusline.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000567 *FileEncoding*
568FileEncoding Obsolete. It still works and is equivalent
569 to |EncodingChanged|.
570 *FileReadCmd*
571FileReadCmd Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
572 Should do the reading of the file. |Cmd-event|
573 *FileReadPost*
574FileReadPost After reading a file with a ":read" command.
575 Note that Vim sets the '[ and '] marks to the
576 first and last line of the read. This can be
577 used to operate on the lines just read.
578 *FileReadPre*
579FileReadPre Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
580 *FileType*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000581FileType When the 'filetype' option has been set. The
582 pattern is matched against the filetype.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000583 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
584 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
585 the new value of 'filetype'.
586 See |filetypes|.
587 *FileWriteCmd*
588FileWriteCmd Before writing to a file, when not writing the
589 whole buffer. Should do the writing to the
590 file. Should not change the buffer. Use the
591 '[ and '] marks for the range of lines.
592 |Cmd-event|
593 *FileWritePost*
594FileWritePost After writing to a file, when not writing the
595 whole buffer.
596 *FileWritePre*
597FileWritePre Before writing to a file, when not writing the
598 whole buffer. Use the '[ and '] marks for the
599 range of lines.
600 *FilterReadPost*
601FilterReadPost After reading a file from a filter command.
602 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
603 the current buffer as with FilterReadPre.
604 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
605 *FilterReadPre* *E135*
606FilterReadPre Before reading a file from a filter command.
607 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
608 the current buffer, not the name of the
609 temporary file that is the output of the
610 filter command.
611 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
612 *FilterWritePost*
613FilterWritePost After writing a file for a filter command or
614 making a diff.
615 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
616 the current buffer as with FilterWritePre.
617 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
618 *FilterWritePre*
619FilterWritePre Before writing a file for a filter command or
620 making a diff.
621 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
622 the current buffer, not the name of the
623 temporary file that is the output of the
624 filter command.
625 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000626 *FocusGained*
627FocusGained When Vim got input focus. Only for the GUI
628 version and a few console versions where this
629 can be detected.
630 *FocusLost*
631FocusLost When Vim lost input focus. Only for the GUI
632 version and a few console versions where this
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +0000633 can be detected. May also happen when a
634 dialog pops up.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000635 *FuncUndefined*
636FuncUndefined When a user function is used but it isn't
637 defined. Useful for defining a function only
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000638 when it's used. The pattern is matched
639 against the function name. Both <amatch> and
640 <afile> are set to the name of the function.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000641 See |autoload-functions|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000642 *GUIEnter*
643GUIEnter After starting the GUI successfully, and after
644 opening the window. It is triggered before
645 VimEnter when using gvim. Can be used to
646 position the window from a .gvimrc file: >
647 :autocmd GUIEnter * winpos 100 50
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000648< *GUIFailed*
649GUIFailed After starting the GUI failed. Vim may
650 continue to run in the terminal, if possible
651 (only on Unix and alikes, when connecting the
652 X server fails). You may want to quit Vim: >
653 :autocmd GUIFailed * qall
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000654< *InsertChange*
655InsertChange When typing <Insert> while in Insert or
656 Replace mode. The |v:insertmode| variable
657 indicates the new mode.
658 Be careful not to move the cursor or do
659 anything else that the user does not expect.
660 *InsertEnter*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000661InsertEnter Just before starting Insert mode. Also for
662 Replace mode and Virtual Replace mode. The
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000663 |v:insertmode| variable indicates the mode.
664 Be careful not to move the cursor or do
665 anything else that the user does not expect.
666 *InsertLeave*
667InsertLeave When leaving Insert mode. Also when using
668 CTRL-O |i_CTRL-O|. But not for |i_CTRL-C|.
669 *MenuPopup*
670MenuPopup Just before showing the popup menu (under the
671 right mouse button). Useful for adjusting the
672 menu for what is under the cursor or mouse
673 pointer.
674 The pattern is matched against a single
675 character representing the mode:
676 n Normal
677 v Visual
678 o Operator-pending
679 i Insert
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +0000680 c Command line
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000681 *QuickFixCmdPre*
682QuickFixCmdPre Before a quickfix command is run (|:make|,
Bram Moolenaara6557602006-02-04 22:43:20 +0000683 |:lmake|, |:grep|, |:lgrep|, |:grepadd|,
684 |:lgrepadd|, |:vimgrep|, |:lvimgrep|,
Bram Moolenaarf1eeae92010-05-14 23:14:42 +0200685 |:vimgrepadd|, |:lvimgrepadd|, |:cscope|).
686 The pattern is matched against the command
687 being run. When |:grep| is used but 'grepprg'
688 is set to "internal" it still matches "grep".
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000689 This command cannot be used to set the
690 'makeprg' and 'grepprg' variables.
691 If this command causes an error, the quickfix
692 command is not executed.
693 *QuickFixCmdPost*
694QuickFixCmdPost Like QuickFixCmdPre, but after a quickfix
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000695 command is run, before jumping to the first
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000696 location. See |QuickFixCmdPost-example|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000697 *RemoteReply*
698RemoteReply When a reply from a Vim that functions as
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000699 server was received |server2client()|. The
700 pattern is matched against the {serverid}.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000701 <amatch> is equal to the {serverid} from which
702 the reply was sent, and <afile> is the actual
703 reply string.
704 Note that even if an autocommand is defined,
705 the reply should be read with |remote_read()|
706 to consume it.
707 *SessionLoadPost*
708SessionLoadPost After loading the session file created using
709 the |:mksession| command.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +0000710 *ShellCmdPost*
711ShellCmdPost After executing a shell command with |:!cmd|,
712 |:shell|, |:make| and |:grep|. Can be used to
713 check for any changed files.
714 *ShellFilterPost*
715ShellFilterPost After executing a shell command with
716 ":{range}!cmd", ":w !cmd" or ":r !cmd".
717 Can be used to check for any changed files.
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +0000718 *SourcePre*
719SourcePre Before sourcing a Vim script. |:source|
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000720 <afile> is the name of the file being sourced.
721 *SourceCmd*
722SourceCmd When sourcing a Vim script. |:source|
723 <afile> is the name of the file being sourced.
724 The autocommand must source this file.
725 |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000726 *SpellFileMissing*
727SpellFileMissing When trying to load a spell checking file and
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000728 it can't be found. The pattern is matched
729 against the language. <amatch> is the
730 language, 'encoding' also matters. See
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000731 |spell-SpellFileMissing|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000732 *StdinReadPost*
733StdinReadPost After reading from the stdin into the buffer,
734 before executing the modelines. Only used
735 when the "-" argument was used when Vim was
736 started |--|.
737 *StdinReadPre*
738StdinReadPre Before reading from stdin into the buffer.
739 Only used when the "-" argument was used when
740 Vim was started |--|.
741 *SwapExists*
742SwapExists Detected an existing swap file when starting
743 to edit a file. Only when it is possible to
744 select a way to handle the situation, when Vim
745 would ask the user what to do.
746 The |v:swapname| variable holds the name of
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +0000747 the swap file found, <afile> the file being
748 edited. |v:swapcommand| may contain a command
749 to be executed in the opened file.
750 The commands should set the |v:swapchoice|
751 variable to a string with one character to
752 tell Vim what should be done next:
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000753 'o' open read-only
754 'e' edit the file anyway
755 'r' recover
756 'd' delete the swap file
757 'q' quit, don't edit the file
758 'a' abort, like hitting CTRL-C
759 When set to an empty string the user will be
760 asked, as if there was no SwapExists autocmd.
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000761 *E812*
762 It is not allowed to change to another buffer,
763 change a buffer name or change directory
764 here.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000765 *Syntax*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000766Syntax When the 'syntax' option has been set. The
767 pattern is matched against the syntax name.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000768 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
769 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
770 the new value of 'syntax'.
771 See |:syn-on|.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000772 *TabEnter*
773TabEnter Just after entering a tab page. |tab-page|
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +0000774 After triggering the WinEnter and before
775 triggering the BufEnter event.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000776 *TabLeave*
777TabLeave Just before leaving a tab page. |tab-page|
778 A WinLeave event will have been triggered
779 first.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000780 *TermChanged*
781TermChanged After the value of 'term' has changed. Useful
782 for re-loading the syntax file to update the
783 colors, fonts and other terminal-dependent
784 settings. Executed for all loaded buffers.
785 *TermResponse*
786TermResponse After the response to |t_RV| is received from
787 the terminal. The value of |v:termresponse|
788 can be used to do things depending on the
Bram Moolenaar8e5af3e2011-04-28 19:02:44 +0200789 terminal version. Note that this event may be
790 triggered halfway executing another event,
791 especially if file I/O, a shell command or
792 anything else that takes time is involved.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000793 *User*
794User Never executed automatically. To be used for
795 autocommands that are only executed with
796 ":doautocmd".
797 *UserGettingBored*
798UserGettingBored When the user hits CTRL-C. Just kidding! :-)
799 *VimEnter*
800VimEnter After doing all the startup stuff, including
801 loading .vimrc files, executing the "-c cmd"
802 arguments, creating all windows and loading
803 the buffers in them.
804 *VimLeave*
805VimLeave Before exiting Vim, just after writing the
806 .viminfo file. Executed only once, like
807 VimLeavePre.
808 To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200809 When v:dying is 2 or more this event is not
810 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000811 *VimLeavePre*
812VimLeavePre Before exiting Vim, just before writing the
813 .viminfo file. This is executed only once,
814 if there is a match with the name of what
815 happens to be the current buffer when exiting.
816 Mostly useful with a "*" pattern. >
817 :autocmd VimLeavePre * call CleanupStuff()
818< To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200819 When v:dying is 2 or more this event is not
820 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000821 *VimResized*
822VimResized After the Vim window was resized, thus 'lines'
823 and/or 'columns' changed. Not when starting
824 up though.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000825 *WinEnter*
826WinEnter After entering another window. Not done for
827 the first window, when Vim has just started.
828 Useful for setting the window height.
829 If the window is for another buffer, Vim
830 executes the BufEnter autocommands after the
831 WinEnter autocommands.
832 Note: When using ":split fname" the WinEnter
833 event is triggered after the split but before
834 the file "fname" is loaded.
835 *WinLeave*
836WinLeave Before leaving a window. If the window to be
837 entered next is for a different buffer, Vim
838 executes the BufLeave autocommands before the
839 WinLeave autocommands (but not for ":new").
840 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000841
842==============================================================================
8436. Patterns *autocmd-patterns* *{pat}*
844
845The file pattern {pat} is tested for a match against the file name in one of
846two ways:
8471. When there is no '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against only
848 the tail part of the file name (without its leading directory path).
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01008492. When there is a '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against both the
850 short file name (as you typed it) and the full file name (after expanding
851 it to a full path and resolving symbolic links).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000852
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000853The special pattern <buffer> or <buffer=N> is used for buffer-local
854autocommands |autocmd-buflocal|. This pattern is not matched against the name
855of a buffer.
856
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000857Examples: >
858 :autocmd BufRead *.txt set et
859Set the 'et' option for all text files. >
860
861 :autocmd BufRead /vim/src/*.c set cindent
862Set the 'cindent' option for C files in the /vim/src directory. >
863
864 :autocmd BufRead /tmp/*.c set ts=5
865If you have a link from "/tmp/test.c" to "/home/nobody/vim/src/test.c", and
866you start editing "/tmp/test.c", this autocommand will match.
867
868Note: To match part of a path, but not from the root directory, use a '*' as
869the first character. Example: >
870 :autocmd BufRead */doc/*.txt set tw=78
871This autocommand will for example be executed for "/tmp/doc/xx.txt" and
872"/usr/home/piet/doc/yy.txt". The number of directories does not matter here.
873
874
875The file name that the pattern is matched against is after expanding
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000876wildcards. Thus if you issue this command: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000877 :e $ROOTDIR/main.$EXT
878The argument is first expanded to: >
879 /usr/root/main.py
880Before it's matched with the pattern of the autocommand. Careful with this
881when using events like FileReadCmd, the value of <amatch> may not be what you
882expect.
883
884
885Environment variables can be used in a pattern: >
886 :autocmd BufRead $VIMRUNTIME/doc/*.txt set expandtab
887And ~ can be used for the home directory (if $HOME is defined): >
888 :autocmd BufWritePost ~/.vimrc so ~/.vimrc
889 :autocmd BufRead ~archive/* set readonly
890The environment variable is expanded when the autocommand is defined, not when
891the autocommand is executed. This is different from the command!
892
893 *file-pattern*
894The pattern is interpreted like mostly used in file names:
895 * matches any sequence of characters
896 ? matches any single character
897 \? matches a '?'
898 . matches a '.'
899 ~ matches a '~'
900 , separates patterns
901 \, matches a ','
902 { } like \( \) in a |pattern|
903 , inside { }: like \| in a |pattern|
904 \ special meaning like in a |pattern|
905 [ch] matches 'c' or 'h'
906 [^ch] match any character but 'c' and 'h'
907
908Note that for all systems the '/' character is used for path separator (even
909MS-DOS and OS/2). This was done because the backslash is difficult to use
910in a pattern and to make the autocommands portable across different systems.
911
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000912 *autocmd-changes*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000913Matching with the pattern is done when an event is triggered. Changing the
914buffer name in one of the autocommands, or even deleting the buffer, does not
915change which autocommands will be executed. Example: >
916
917 au BufEnter *.foo bdel
918 au BufEnter *.foo set modified
919
920This will delete the current buffer and then set 'modified' in what has become
921the current buffer instead. Vim doesn't take into account that "*.foo"
922doesn't match with that buffer name. It matches "*.foo" with the name of the
923buffer at the moment the event was triggered.
924
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000925However, buffer-local autocommands will not be executed for a buffer that has
926been wiped out with |:bwipe|. After deleting the buffer with |:bdel| the
927buffer actually still exists (it becomes unlisted), thus the autocommands are
928still executed.
929
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000930==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00009317. Buffer-local autocommands *autocmd-buflocal* *autocmd-buffer-local*
932 *<buffer=N>* *<buffer=abuf>* *E680*
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000933
934Buffer-local autocommands are attached to a specific buffer. They are useful
935if the buffer does not have a name and when the name does not match a specific
936pattern. But it also means they must be explicitly added to each buffer.
937
938Instead of a pattern buffer-local autocommands use one of these forms:
939 <buffer> current buffer
940 <buffer=99> buffer number 99
941 <buffer=abuf> using <abuf> (only when executing autocommands)
942 |<abuf>|
943
944Examples: >
945 :au CursorHold <buffer> echo 'hold'
946 :au CursorHold <buffer=33> echo 'hold'
947 :au CursorHold <buffer=abuf> echo 'hold'
948
949All the commands for autocommands also work with buffer-local autocommands,
950simply use the special string instead of the pattern. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000951 :au! * <buffer> " remove buffer-local autocommands for
952 " current buffer
953 :au! * <buffer=33> " remove buffer-local autocommands for
954 " buffer #33
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000955 :bufdo :au! CursorHold <buffer> " remove autocmd for given event for all
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000956 " buffers
957 :au * <buffer> " list buffer-local autocommands for
958 " current buffer
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000959
960Note that when an autocommand is defined for the current buffer, it is stored
961with the buffer number. Thus it uses the form "<buffer=12>", where 12 is the
962number of the current buffer. You will see this when listing autocommands,
963for example.
964
965To test for presence of buffer-local autocommands use the |exists()| function
966as follows: >
967 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer=12>") | ... | endif
968 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer>") | ... | endif " for current buffer
969
970When a buffer is wiped out its buffer-local autocommands are also gone, of
971course. Note that when deleting a buffer, e.g., with ":bdel", it is only
972unlisted, the autocommands are still present. In order to see the removal of
973buffer-local autocommands: >
974 :set verbose=6
975
976It is not possible to define buffer-local autocommands for a non-existent
977buffer.
978
979==============================================================================
9808. Groups *autocmd-groups*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000981
982Autocommands can be put together in a group. This is useful for removing or
983executing a group of autocommands. For example, all the autocommands for
984syntax highlighting are put in the "highlight" group, to be able to execute
985":doautoall highlight BufRead" when the GUI starts.
986
987When no specific group is selected, Vim uses the default group. The default
988group does not have a name. You cannot execute the autocommands from the
989default group separately; you can execute them only by executing autocommands
990for all groups.
991
992Normally, when executing autocommands automatically, Vim uses the autocommands
993for all groups. The group only matters when executing autocommands with
994":doautocmd" or ":doautoall", or when defining or deleting autocommands.
995
996The group name can contain any characters except white space. The group name
997"end" is reserved (also in uppercase).
998
999The group name is case sensitive. Note that this is different from the event
1000name!
1001
1002 *:aug* *:augroup*
1003:aug[roup] {name} Define the autocmd group name for the
1004 following ":autocmd" commands. The name "end"
1005 or "END" selects the default group.
1006
1007 *:augroup-delete* *E367*
1008:aug[roup]! {name} Delete the autocmd group {name}. Don't use
1009 this if there is still an autocommand using
1010 this group! This is not checked.
1011
1012To enter autocommands for a specific group, use this method:
10131. Select the group with ":augroup {name}".
10142. Delete any old autocommands with ":au!".
10153. Define the autocommands.
10164. Go back to the default group with "augroup END".
1017
1018Example: >
1019 :augroup uncompress
1020 : au!
1021 : au BufEnter *.gz %!gunzip
1022 :augroup END
1023
1024This prevents having the autocommands defined twice (e.g., after sourcing the
1025.vimrc file again).
1026
1027==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +000010289. Executing autocommands *autocmd-execute*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001029
1030Vim can also execute Autocommands non-automatically. This is useful if you
1031have changed autocommands, or when Vim has executed the wrong autocommands
1032(e.g., the file pattern match was wrong).
1033
1034Note that the 'eventignore' option applies here too. Events listed in this
1035option will not cause any commands to be executed.
1036
1037 *:do* *:doau* *:doautocmd* *E217*
1038:do[autocmd] [group] {event} [fname]
1039 Apply the autocommands matching [fname] (default:
1040 current file name) for {event} to the current buffer.
1041 You can use this when the current file name does not
1042 match the right pattern, after changing settings, or
1043 to execute autocommands for a certain event.
1044 It's possible to use this inside an autocommand too,
1045 so you can base the autocommands for one extension on
1046 another extension. Example: >
1047 :au Bufenter *.cpp so ~/.vimrc_cpp
1048 :au Bufenter *.cpp doau BufEnter x.c
1049< Be careful to avoid endless loops. See
1050 |autocmd-nested|.
1051
1052 When the [group] argument is not given, Vim executes
1053 the autocommands for all groups. When the [group]
1054 argument is included, Vim executes only the matching
1055 autocommands for that group. Note: if you use an
1056 undefined group name, Vim gives you an error message.
1057
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001058 After applying the autocommands the modelines are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001059 processed, so that their settings overrule the
1060 settings from autocommands, like what happens when
1061 editing a file.
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001062
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001063 *:doautoa* *:doautoall*
1064:doautoa[ll] [group] {event} [fname]
1065 Like ":doautocmd", but apply the autocommands to each
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001066 loaded buffer. Note that [fname] is used to select
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001067 the autocommands, not the buffers to which they are
1068 applied.
1069 Careful: Don't use this for autocommands that delete a
1070 buffer, change to another buffer or change the
1071 contents of a buffer; the result is unpredictable.
1072 This command is intended for autocommands that set
1073 options, change highlighting, and things like that.
1074
1075==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000107610. Using autocommands *autocmd-use*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001077
1078For WRITING FILES there are four possible sets of events. Vim uses only one
1079of these sets for a write command:
1080
1081BufWriteCmd BufWritePre BufWritePost writing the whole buffer
1082 FilterWritePre FilterWritePost writing to filter temp file
1083FileAppendCmd FileAppendPre FileAppendPost appending to a file
1084FileWriteCmd FileWritePre FileWritePost any other file write
1085
1086When there is a matching "*Cmd" autocommand, it is assumed it will do the
1087writing. No further writing is done and the other events are not triggered.
1088|Cmd-event|
1089
1090Note that the *WritePost commands should undo any changes to the buffer that
1091were caused by the *WritePre commands; otherwise, writing the file will have
1092the side effect of changing the buffer.
1093
1094Before executing the autocommands, the buffer from which the lines are to be
1095written temporarily becomes the current buffer. Unless the autocommands
1096change the current buffer or delete the previously current buffer, the
1097previously current buffer is made the current buffer again.
1098
1099The *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands must not delete the buffer from
1100which the lines are to be written.
1101
1102The '[ and '] marks have a special position:
1103- Before the *ReadPre event the '[ mark is set to the line just above where
1104 the new lines will be inserted.
1105- Before the *ReadPost event the '[ mark is set to the first line that was
1106 just read, the '] mark to the last line.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001107- Before executing the *WriteCmd, *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands the '[
1108 mark is set to the first line that will be written, the '] mark to the last
1109 line.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001110Careful: '[ and '] change when using commands that change the buffer.
1111
1112In commands which expect a file name, you can use "<afile>" for the file name
1113that is being read |:<afile>| (you can also use "%" for the current file
1114name). "<abuf>" can be used for the buffer number of the currently effective
1115buffer. This also works for buffers that doesn't have a name. But it doesn't
1116work for files without a buffer (e.g., with ":r file").
1117
1118 *gzip-example*
1119Examples for reading and writing compressed files: >
1120 :augroup gzip
1121 : autocmd!
1122 : autocmd BufReadPre,FileReadPre *.gz set bin
1123 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz '[,']!gunzip
1124 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz set nobin
1125 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz execute ":doautocmd BufReadPost " . expand("%:r")
1126 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1127 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1128
1129 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !gunzip <afile>
1130 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !mv <afile>:r <afile>
1131 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1132 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1133 :augroup END
1134
1135The "gzip" group is used to be able to delete any existing autocommands with
1136":autocmd!", for when the file is sourced twice.
1137
1138("<afile>:r" is the file name without the extension, see |:_%:|)
1139
1140The commands executed for the BufNewFile, BufRead/BufReadPost, BufWritePost,
1141FileAppendPost and VimLeave events do not set or reset the changed flag of the
1142buffer. When you decompress the buffer with the BufReadPost autocommands, you
1143can still exit with ":q". When you use ":undo" in BufWritePost to undo the
1144changes made by BufWritePre commands, you can still do ":q" (this also makes
1145"ZZ" work). If you do want the buffer to be marked as modified, set the
1146'modified' option.
1147
1148To execute Normal mode commands from an autocommand, use the ":normal"
1149command. Use with care! If the Normal mode command is not finished, the user
1150needs to type characters (e.g., after ":normal m" you need to type a mark
1151name).
1152
1153If you want the buffer to be unmodified after changing it, reset the
1154'modified' option. This makes it possible to exit the buffer with ":q"
1155instead of ":q!".
1156
1157 *autocmd-nested* *E218*
1158By default, autocommands do not nest. If you use ":e" or ":w" in an
1159autocommand, Vim does not execute the BufRead and BufWrite autocommands for
1160those commands. If you do want this, use the "nested" flag for those commands
1161in which you want nesting. For example: >
1162 :autocmd FileChangedShell *.c nested e!
1163The nesting is limited to 10 levels to get out of recursive loops.
1164
1165It's possible to use the ":au" command in an autocommand. This can be a
1166self-modifying command! This can be useful for an autocommand that should
1167execute only once.
1168
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001169If you want to skip autocommands for one command, use the |:noautocmd| command
1170modifier or the 'eventignore' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001171
1172Note: When reading a file (with ":read file" or with a filter command) and the
1173last line in the file does not have an <EOL>, Vim remembers this. At the next
1174write (with ":write file" or with a filter command), if the same line is
1175written again as the last line in a file AND 'binary' is set, Vim does not
1176supply an <EOL>. This makes a filter command on the just read lines write the
1177same file as was read, and makes a write command on just filtered lines write
1178the same file as was read from the filter. For example, another way to write
1179a compressed file: >
1180
1181 :autocmd FileWritePre *.gz set bin|'[,']!gzip
1182 :autocmd FileWritePost *.gz undo|set nobin
1183<
1184 *autocommand-pattern*
1185You can specify multiple patterns, separated by commas. Here are some
1186examples: >
1187
1188 :autocmd BufRead * set tw=79 nocin ic infercase fo=2croq
1189 :autocmd BufRead .letter set tw=72 fo=2tcrq
1190 :autocmd BufEnter .letter set dict=/usr/lib/dict/words
1191 :autocmd BufLeave .letter set dict=
1192 :autocmd BufRead,BufNewFile *.c,*.h set tw=0 cin noic
1193 :autocmd BufEnter *.c,*.h abbr FOR for (i = 0; i < 3; ++i)<CR>{<CR>}<Esc>O
1194 :autocmd BufLeave *.c,*.h unabbr FOR
1195
1196For makefiles (makefile, Makefile, imakefile, makefile.unix, etc.): >
1197
1198 :autocmd BufEnter ?akefile* set include=^s\=include
1199 :autocmd BufLeave ?akefile* set include&
1200
1201To always start editing C files at the first function: >
1202
1203 :autocmd BufRead *.c,*.h 1;/^{
1204
1205Without the "1;" above, the search would start from wherever the file was
1206entered, rather than from the start of the file.
1207
1208 *skeleton* *template*
1209To read a skeleton (template) file when opening a new file: >
1210
1211 :autocmd BufNewFile *.c 0r ~/vim/skeleton.c
1212 :autocmd BufNewFile *.h 0r ~/vim/skeleton.h
1213 :autocmd BufNewFile *.java 0r ~/vim/skeleton.java
1214
1215To insert the current date and time in a *.html file when writing it: >
1216
1217 :autocmd BufWritePre,FileWritePre *.html ks|call LastMod()|'s
1218 :fun LastMod()
1219 : if line("$") > 20
1220 : let l = 20
1221 : else
1222 : let l = line("$")
1223 : endif
1224 : exe "1," . l . "g/Last modified: /s/Last modified: .*/Last modified: " .
1225 : \ strftime("%Y %b %d")
1226 :endfun
1227
1228You need to have a line "Last modified: <date time>" in the first 20 lines
1229of the file for this to work. Vim replaces <date time> (and anything in the
1230same line after it) with the current date and time. Explanation:
1231 ks mark current position with mark 's'
1232 call LastMod() call the LastMod() function to do the work
1233 's return the cursor to the old position
1234The LastMod() function checks if the file is shorter than 20 lines, and then
1235uses the ":g" command to find lines that contain "Last modified: ". For those
1236lines the ":s" command is executed to replace the existing date with the
1237current one. The ":execute" command is used to be able to use an expression
1238for the ":g" and ":s" commands. The date is obtained with the strftime()
1239function. You can change its argument to get another date string.
1240
1241When entering :autocmd on the command-line, completion of events and command
1242names may be done (with <Tab>, CTRL-D, etc.) where appropriate.
1243
1244Vim executes all matching autocommands in the order that you specify them.
1245It is recommended that your first autocommand be used for all files by using
1246"*" as the file pattern. This means that you can define defaults you like
1247here for any settings, and if there is another matching autocommand it will
1248override these. But if there is no other matching autocommand, then at least
1249your default settings are recovered (if entering this file from another for
1250which autocommands did match). Note that "*" will also match files starting
1251with ".", unlike Unix shells.
1252
1253 *autocmd-searchpat*
1254Autocommands do not change the current search patterns. Vim saves the current
1255search patterns before executing autocommands then restores them after the
1256autocommands finish. This means that autocommands do not affect the strings
1257highlighted with the 'hlsearch' option. Within autocommands, you can still
1258use search patterns normally, e.g., with the "n" command.
1259If you want an autocommand to set the search pattern, such that it is used
1260after the autocommand finishes, use the ":let @/ =" command.
1261The search-highlighting cannot be switched off with ":nohlsearch" in an
1262autocommand. Use the 'h' flag in the 'viminfo' option to disable search-
1263highlighting when starting Vim.
1264
1265 *Cmd-event*
1266When using one of the "*Cmd" events, the matching autocommands are expected to
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +00001267do the file reading, writing or sourcing. This can be used when working with
1268a special kind of file, for example on a remote system.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001269CAREFUL: If you use these events in a wrong way, it may have the effect of
1270making it impossible to read or write the matching files! Make sure you test
1271your autocommands properly. Best is to use a pattern that will never match a
1272normal file name, for example "ftp://*".
1273
1274When defining a BufReadCmd it will be difficult for Vim to recover a crashed
1275editing session. When recovering from the original file, Vim reads only those
1276parts of a file that are not found in the swap file. Since that is not
1277possible with a BufReadCmd, use the |:preserve| command to make sure the
1278original file isn't needed for recovery. You might want to do this only when
1279you expect the file to be modified.
1280
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +00001281For file read and write commands the |v:cmdarg| variable holds the "++enc="
1282and "++ff=" argument that are effective. These should be used for the command
1283that reads/writes the file. The |v:cmdbang| variable is one when "!" was
1284used, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001285
Bram Moolenaarc88ebf72010-07-22 22:30:23 +02001286See the $VIMRUNTIME/plugin/netrwPlugin.vim for examples.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001287
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001288==============================================================================
128911. Disabling autocommands *autocmd-disable*
1290
1291To disable autocommands for some time use the 'eventignore' option. Note that
1292this may cause unexpected behavior, make sure you restore 'eventignore'
1293afterwards, using a |:try| block with |:finally|.
1294
1295 *:noautocmd* *:noa*
1296To disable autocommands for just one command use the ":noautocmd" command
1297modifier. This will set 'eventignore' to "all" for the duration of the
1298following command. Example: >
1299
1300 :noautocmd w fname.gz
1301
1302This will write the file without triggering the autocommands defined by the
1303gzip plugin.
1304
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001305
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001306 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: