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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
Bram Moolenaare659c952011-05-19 17:25:41 +0200302|InsertCharPre| when a character was typed in Insert mode, before
303 inserting it
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000304
305|ColorScheme| after loading a color scheme
306
307|RemoteReply| a reply from a server Vim was received
308
309|QuickFixCmdPre| before a quickfix command is run
310|QuickFixCmdPost| after a quickfix command is run
311
312|SessionLoadPost| after loading a session file
313
314|MenuPopup| just before showing the popup menu
315
316|User| to be used in combination with ":doautocmd"
317
318
319The alphabetical list of autocommand events: *autocmd-events-abc*
320
321 *BufCreate* *BufAdd*
322BufAdd or BufCreate Just after creating a new buffer which is
323 added to the buffer list, or adding a buffer
324 to the buffer list.
325 Also used just after a buffer in the buffer
326 list has been renamed.
327 The BufCreate event is for historic reasons.
328 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
329 current buffer "%" may be different from the
330 buffer being created "<afile>".
331 *BufDelete*
332BufDelete Before deleting a buffer from the buffer list.
333 The BufUnload may be called first (if the
334 buffer was loaded).
335 Also used just before a buffer in the buffer
336 list is renamed.
337 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
338 current buffer "%" may be different from the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000339 buffer being deleted "<afile>" and "<abuf>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000340 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
341 problems.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000342 *BufEnter*
343BufEnter After entering a buffer. Useful for setting
344 options for a file type. Also executed when
345 starting to edit a buffer, after the
346 BufReadPost autocommands.
347 *BufFilePost*
348BufFilePost After changing the name of the current buffer
349 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000350 *BufFilePre*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000351BufFilePre Before changing the name of the current buffer
352 with the ":file" or ":saveas" command.
353 *BufHidden*
354BufHidden Just after a buffer has become hidden. That
355 is, when there are no longer windows that show
356 the buffer, but the buffer is not unloaded or
357 deleted. Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when
358 exiting Vim.
359 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
360 current buffer "%" may be different from the
361 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
362 *BufLeave*
363BufLeave Before leaving to another buffer. Also when
364 leaving or closing the current window and the
365 new current window is not for the same buffer.
366 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
367 *BufNew*
368BufNew Just after creating a new buffer. Also used
369 just after a buffer has been renamed. When
370 the buffer is added to the buffer list BufAdd
371 will be triggered too.
372 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
373 current buffer "%" may be different from the
374 buffer being created "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000375 *BufNewFile*
376BufNewFile When starting to edit a file that doesn't
377 exist. Can be used to read in a skeleton
378 file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000379 *BufRead* *BufReadPost*
380BufRead or BufReadPost When starting to edit a new buffer, after
381 reading the file into the buffer, before
382 executing the modelines. See |BufWinEnter|
383 for when you need to do something after
384 processing the modelines.
385 This does NOT work for ":r file". Not used
386 when the file doesn't exist. Also used after
387 successfully recovering a file.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000388 *BufReadCmd*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000389BufReadCmd Before starting to edit a new buffer. Should
390 read the file into the buffer. |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000391 *BufReadPre* *E200* *E201*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000392BufReadPre When starting to edit a new buffer, before
393 reading the file into the buffer. Not used
394 if the file doesn't exist.
395 *BufUnload*
396BufUnload Before unloading a buffer. This is when the
397 text in the buffer is going to be freed. This
398 may be after a BufWritePost and before a
399 BufDelete. Also used for all buffers that are
400 loaded when Vim is going to exit.
401 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
402 current buffer "%" may be different from the
403 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000404 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
405 problems.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200406 When exiting and v:dying is 2 or more this
407 event is not triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000408 *BufWinEnter*
409BufWinEnter After a buffer is displayed in a window. This
410 can be when the buffer is loaded (after
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000411 processing the modelines) or when a hidden
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000412 buffer is displayed in a window (and is no
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000413 longer hidden).
414 Does not happen for |:split| without
415 arguments, since you keep editing the same
416 buffer, or ":split" with a file that's already
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +0000417 open in a window, because it re-uses an
418 existing buffer. But it does happen for a
419 ":split" with the name of the current buffer,
420 since it reloads that buffer.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000421 *BufWinLeave*
422BufWinLeave Before a buffer is removed from a window.
423 Not when it's still visible in another window.
424 Also triggered when exiting. It's triggered
425 before BufUnload or BufHidden.
426 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
427 current buffer "%" may be different from the
428 buffer being unloaded "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200429 When exiting and v:dying is 2 or more this
430 event is not triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000431 *BufWipeout*
432BufWipeout Before completely deleting a buffer. The
433 BufUnload and BufDelete events may be called
434 first (if the buffer was loaded and was in the
435 buffer list). Also used just before a buffer
436 is renamed (also when it's not in the buffer
437 list).
438 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
439 current buffer "%" may be different from the
440 buffer being deleted "<afile>".
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000441 Don't change to another buffer, it will cause
442 problems.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000443 *BufWrite* *BufWritePre*
444BufWrite or BufWritePre Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000445 *BufWriteCmd*
446BufWriteCmd Before writing the whole buffer to a file.
447 Should do the writing of the file and reset
Bram Moolenaar1cd871b2004-12-19 22:46:22 +0000448 'modified' if successful, unless '+' is in
449 'cpo' and writing to another file |cpo-+|.
450 The buffer contents should not be changed.
451 |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000452 *BufWritePost*
453BufWritePost After writing the whole buffer to a file
454 (should undo the commands for BufWritePre).
455 *CmdwinEnter*
456CmdwinEnter After entering the command-line window.
457 Useful for setting options specifically for
458 this special type of window. This is
459 triggered _instead_ of BufEnter and WinEnter.
460 <afile> is set to a single character,
461 indicating the type of command-line.
462 |cmdwin-char|
463 *CmdwinLeave*
464CmdwinLeave Before leaving the command-line window.
465 Useful to clean up any global setting done
466 with CmdwinEnter. This is triggered _instead_
467 of BufLeave and WinLeave.
468 <afile> is set to a single character,
469 indicating the type of command-line.
470 |cmdwin-char|
471 *ColorScheme*
472ColorScheme After loading a color scheme. |:colorscheme|
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000473
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000474 *CursorHold*
475CursorHold When the user doesn't press a key for the time
476 specified with 'updatetime'. Not re-triggered
477 until the user has pressed a key (i.e. doesn't
478 fire every 'updatetime' ms if you leave Vim to
479 make some coffee. :) See |CursorHold-example|
480 for previewing tags.
481 This event is only triggered in Normal mode.
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000482 It is not triggered when waiting for a command
483 argument to be typed, or a movement after an
484 operator.
Bram Moolenaare3226be2005-12-18 22:10:00 +0000485 While recording the CursorHold event is not
486 triggered. |q|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000487 Note: Interactive commands cannot be used for
488 this event. There is no hit-enter prompt,
489 the screen is updated directly (when needed).
490 Note: In the future there will probably be
491 another option to set the time.
492 Hint: to force an update of the status lines
493 use: >
494 :let &ro = &ro
495< {only on Amiga, Unix, Win32, MSDOS and all GUI
496 versions}
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000497 *CursorHoldI*
498CursorHoldI Just like CursorHold, but in Insert mode.
499
500 *CursorMoved*
501CursorMoved After the cursor was moved in Normal mode.
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +0000502 Also when the text of the cursor line has been
503 changed, e.g., with "x", "rx" or "p".
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000504 Not triggered when there is typeahead or when
505 an operator is pending.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000506 For an example see |match-parens|.
Bram Moolenaar754b5602006-02-09 23:53:20 +0000507 Careful: Don't do anything that the user does
508 not expect or that is slow.
509 *CursorMovedI*
510CursorMovedI After the cursor was moved in Insert mode.
511 Otherwise the same as CursorMoved.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000512 *EncodingChanged*
513EncodingChanged Fires off after the 'encoding' option has been
514 changed. Useful to set up fonts, for example.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000515 *FileAppendCmd*
516FileAppendCmd Before appending to a file. Should do the
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000517 appending to the file. Use the '[ and ']
518 marks for the range of lines.|Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000519 *FileAppendPost*
520FileAppendPost After appending to a file.
521 *FileAppendPre*
522FileAppendPre Before appending to a file. Use the '[ and ']
523 marks for the range of lines.
524 *FileChangedRO*
525FileChangedRO Before making the first change to a read-only
526 file. Can be used to check-out the file from
527 a source control system. Not triggered when
528 the change was caused by an autocommand.
529 This event is triggered when making the first
530 change in a buffer or the first change after
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000531 'readonly' was set, just before the change is
532 applied to the text.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000533 WARNING: If the autocommand moves the cursor
534 the effect of the change is undefined.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000535 *E788*
536 It is not allowed to change to another buffer
537 here. You can reload the buffer but not edit
538 another one.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000539 *FileChangedShell*
540FileChangedShell When Vim notices that the modification time of
541 a file has changed since editing started.
542 Also when the file attributes of the file
543 change. |timestamp|
544 Mostly triggered after executing a shell
545 command, but also with a |:checktime| command
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000546 or when Gvim regains input focus.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000547 This autocommand is triggered for each changed
548 file. It is not used when 'autoread' is set
549 and the buffer was not changed. If a
550 FileChangedShell autocommand is present the
551 warning message and prompt is not given.
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +0000552 The |v:fcs_reason| variable is set to indicate
553 what happened and |v:fcs_choice| can be used
554 to tell Vim what to do next.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000555 NOTE: When this autocommand is executed, the
556 current buffer "%" may be different from the
557 buffer that was changed "<afile>".
558 NOTE: The commands must not change the current
559 buffer, jump to another buffer or delete a
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100560 buffer. *E246* *E811*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000561 NOTE: This event never nests, to avoid an
562 endless loop. This means that while executing
563 commands for the FileChangedShell event no
564 other FileChangedShell event will be
565 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000566 *FileChangedShellPost*
567FileChangedShellPost After handling a file that was changed outside
568 of Vim. Can be used to update the statusline.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000569 *FileEncoding*
570FileEncoding Obsolete. It still works and is equivalent
571 to |EncodingChanged|.
572 *FileReadCmd*
573FileReadCmd Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
574 Should do the reading of the file. |Cmd-event|
575 *FileReadPost*
576FileReadPost After reading a file with a ":read" command.
577 Note that Vim sets the '[ and '] marks to the
578 first and last line of the read. This can be
579 used to operate on the lines just read.
580 *FileReadPre*
581FileReadPre Before reading a file with a ":read" command.
582 *FileType*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000583FileType When the 'filetype' option has been set. The
584 pattern is matched against the filetype.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000585 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
586 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
587 the new value of 'filetype'.
588 See |filetypes|.
589 *FileWriteCmd*
590FileWriteCmd Before writing to a file, when not writing the
591 whole buffer. Should do the writing to the
592 file. Should not change the buffer. Use the
593 '[ and '] marks for the range of lines.
594 |Cmd-event|
595 *FileWritePost*
596FileWritePost After writing to a file, when not writing the
597 whole buffer.
598 *FileWritePre*
599FileWritePre Before writing to a file, when not writing the
600 whole buffer. Use the '[ and '] marks for the
601 range of lines.
602 *FilterReadPost*
603FilterReadPost After reading a file from a filter command.
604 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
605 the current buffer as with FilterReadPre.
606 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
607 *FilterReadPre* *E135*
608FilterReadPre Before reading a file from a filter command.
609 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
610 the current buffer, not the name of the
611 temporary file that is the output of the
612 filter command.
613 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
614 *FilterWritePost*
615FilterWritePost After writing a file for a filter command or
616 making a diff.
617 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
618 the current buffer as with FilterWritePre.
619 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
620 *FilterWritePre*
621FilterWritePre Before writing a file for a filter command or
622 making a diff.
623 Vim checks the pattern against the name of
624 the current buffer, not the name of the
625 temporary file that is the output of the
626 filter command.
627 Not triggered when 'shelltemp' is off.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000628 *FocusGained*
629FocusGained When Vim got input focus. Only for the GUI
630 version and a few console versions where this
631 can be detected.
632 *FocusLost*
633FocusLost When Vim lost input focus. Only for the GUI
634 version and a few console versions where this
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +0000635 can be detected. May also happen when a
636 dialog pops up.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000637 *FuncUndefined*
638FuncUndefined When a user function is used but it isn't
639 defined. Useful for defining a function only
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000640 when it's used. The pattern is matched
641 against the function name. Both <amatch> and
642 <afile> are set to the name of the function.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000643 See |autoload-functions|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000644 *GUIEnter*
645GUIEnter After starting the GUI successfully, and after
646 opening the window. It is triggered before
647 VimEnter when using gvim. Can be used to
648 position the window from a .gvimrc file: >
649 :autocmd GUIEnter * winpos 100 50
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000650< *GUIFailed*
651GUIFailed After starting the GUI failed. Vim may
652 continue to run in the terminal, if possible
653 (only on Unix and alikes, when connecting the
654 X server fails). You may want to quit Vim: >
655 :autocmd GUIFailed * qall
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000656< *InsertChange*
657InsertChange When typing <Insert> while in Insert or
658 Replace mode. The |v:insertmode| variable
659 indicates the new mode.
660 Be careful not to move the cursor or do
661 anything else that the user does not expect.
Bram Moolenaare659c952011-05-19 17:25:41 +0200662 *InsertCharPre*
663InsertCharPre When a character is typed in Insert mode,
664 before inserting the char.
665 The |v:char| variable indicates the char typed
666 and can be changed during the event to insert
667 a different character. When |v:char| is set
668 to more than one character this text is
669 inserted literally.
670 It is not allowed to change the text |textlock|.
671 The event is not triggered when 'paste' is
672 set.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000673 *InsertEnter*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000674InsertEnter Just before starting Insert mode. Also for
675 Replace mode and Virtual Replace mode. The
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000676 |v:insertmode| variable indicates the mode.
677 Be careful not to move the cursor or do
678 anything else that the user does not expect.
679 *InsertLeave*
680InsertLeave When leaving Insert mode. Also when using
681 CTRL-O |i_CTRL-O|. But not for |i_CTRL-C|.
682 *MenuPopup*
683MenuPopup Just before showing the popup menu (under the
684 right mouse button). Useful for adjusting the
685 menu for what is under the cursor or mouse
686 pointer.
687 The pattern is matched against a single
688 character representing the mode:
689 n Normal
690 v Visual
691 o Operator-pending
692 i Insert
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +0000693 c Command line
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000694 *QuickFixCmdPre*
695QuickFixCmdPre Before a quickfix command is run (|:make|,
Bram Moolenaara6557602006-02-04 22:43:20 +0000696 |:lmake|, |:grep|, |:lgrep|, |:grepadd|,
697 |:lgrepadd|, |:vimgrep|, |:lvimgrep|,
Bram Moolenaarf1eeae92010-05-14 23:14:42 +0200698 |:vimgrepadd|, |:lvimgrepadd|, |:cscope|).
699 The pattern is matched against the command
700 being run. When |:grep| is used but 'grepprg'
701 is set to "internal" it still matches "grep".
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000702 This command cannot be used to set the
703 'makeprg' and 'grepprg' variables.
704 If this command causes an error, the quickfix
705 command is not executed.
706 *QuickFixCmdPost*
707QuickFixCmdPost Like QuickFixCmdPre, but after a quickfix
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000708 command is run, before jumping to the first
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000709 location. See |QuickFixCmdPost-example|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000710 *RemoteReply*
711RemoteReply When a reply from a Vim that functions as
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000712 server was received |server2client()|. The
713 pattern is matched against the {serverid}.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000714 <amatch> is equal to the {serverid} from which
715 the reply was sent, and <afile> is the actual
716 reply string.
717 Note that even if an autocommand is defined,
718 the reply should be read with |remote_read()|
719 to consume it.
720 *SessionLoadPost*
721SessionLoadPost After loading the session file created using
722 the |:mksession| command.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +0000723 *ShellCmdPost*
724ShellCmdPost After executing a shell command with |:!cmd|,
725 |:shell|, |:make| and |:grep|. Can be used to
726 check for any changed files.
727 *ShellFilterPost*
728ShellFilterPost After executing a shell command with
729 ":{range}!cmd", ":w !cmd" or ":r !cmd".
730 Can be used to check for any changed files.
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +0000731 *SourcePre*
732SourcePre Before sourcing a Vim script. |:source|
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000733 <afile> is the name of the file being sourced.
734 *SourceCmd*
735SourceCmd When sourcing a Vim script. |:source|
736 <afile> is the name of the file being sourced.
737 The autocommand must source this file.
738 |Cmd-event|
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000739 *SpellFileMissing*
740SpellFileMissing When trying to load a spell checking file and
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +0000741 it can't be found. The pattern is matched
742 against the language. <amatch> is the
743 language, 'encoding' also matters. See
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +0000744 |spell-SpellFileMissing|.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000745 *StdinReadPost*
746StdinReadPost After reading from the stdin into the buffer,
747 before executing the modelines. Only used
748 when the "-" argument was used when Vim was
749 started |--|.
750 *StdinReadPre*
751StdinReadPre Before reading from stdin into the buffer.
752 Only used when the "-" argument was used when
753 Vim was started |--|.
754 *SwapExists*
755SwapExists Detected an existing swap file when starting
756 to edit a file. Only when it is possible to
757 select a way to handle the situation, when Vim
758 would ask the user what to do.
759 The |v:swapname| variable holds the name of
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +0000760 the swap file found, <afile> the file being
761 edited. |v:swapcommand| may contain a command
762 to be executed in the opened file.
763 The commands should set the |v:swapchoice|
764 variable to a string with one character to
765 tell Vim what should be done next:
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000766 'o' open read-only
767 'e' edit the file anyway
768 'r' recover
769 'd' delete the swap file
770 'q' quit, don't edit the file
771 'a' abort, like hitting CTRL-C
772 When set to an empty string the user will be
773 asked, as if there was no SwapExists autocmd.
Bram Moolenaarb849e712009-06-24 15:51:37 +0000774 *E812*
775 It is not allowed to change to another buffer,
776 change a buffer name or change directory
777 here.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000778 *Syntax*
Bram Moolenaard7afed32007-05-06 13:26:41 +0000779Syntax When the 'syntax' option has been set. The
780 pattern is matched against the syntax name.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000781 <afile> can be used for the name of the file
782 where this option was set, and <amatch> for
783 the new value of 'syntax'.
784 See |:syn-on|.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000785 *TabEnter*
786TabEnter Just after entering a tab page. |tab-page|
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +0000787 After triggering the WinEnter and before
788 triggering the BufEnter event.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +0000789 *TabLeave*
790TabLeave Just before leaving a tab page. |tab-page|
791 A WinLeave event will have been triggered
792 first.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000793 *TermChanged*
794TermChanged After the value of 'term' has changed. Useful
795 for re-loading the syntax file to update the
796 colors, fonts and other terminal-dependent
797 settings. Executed for all loaded buffers.
798 *TermResponse*
799TermResponse After the response to |t_RV| is received from
800 the terminal. The value of |v:termresponse|
801 can be used to do things depending on the
Bram Moolenaar8e5af3e2011-04-28 19:02:44 +0200802 terminal version. Note that this event may be
803 triggered halfway executing another event,
804 especially if file I/O, a shell command or
805 anything else that takes time is involved.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000806 *User*
807User Never executed automatically. To be used for
808 autocommands that are only executed with
809 ":doautocmd".
810 *UserGettingBored*
811UserGettingBored When the user hits CTRL-C. Just kidding! :-)
812 *VimEnter*
813VimEnter After doing all the startup stuff, including
814 loading .vimrc files, executing the "-c cmd"
815 arguments, creating all windows and loading
816 the buffers in them.
817 *VimLeave*
818VimLeave Before exiting Vim, just after writing the
819 .viminfo file. Executed only once, like
820 VimLeavePre.
821 To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200822 When v:dying is 2 or more this event is not
823 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +0000824 *VimLeavePre*
825VimLeavePre Before exiting Vim, just before writing the
826 .viminfo file. This is executed only once,
827 if there is a match with the name of what
828 happens to be the current buffer when exiting.
829 Mostly useful with a "*" pattern. >
830 :autocmd VimLeavePre * call CleanupStuff()
831< To detect an abnormal exit use |v:dying|.
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +0200832 When v:dying is 2 or more this event is not
833 triggered.
Bram Moolenaar7d47b6e2006-03-15 22:59:18 +0000834 *VimResized*
835VimResized After the Vim window was resized, thus 'lines'
836 and/or 'columns' changed. Not when starting
837 up though.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000838 *WinEnter*
839WinEnter After entering another window. Not done for
840 the first window, when Vim has just started.
841 Useful for setting the window height.
842 If the window is for another buffer, Vim
843 executes the BufEnter autocommands after the
844 WinEnter autocommands.
845 Note: When using ":split fname" the WinEnter
846 event is triggered after the split but before
847 the file "fname" is loaded.
848 *WinLeave*
849WinLeave Before leaving a window. If the window to be
850 entered next is for a different buffer, Vim
851 executes the BufLeave autocommands before the
852 WinLeave autocommands (but not for ":new").
853 Not used for ":qa" or ":q" when exiting Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000854
855==============================================================================
8566. Patterns *autocmd-patterns* *{pat}*
857
858The file pattern {pat} is tested for a match against the file name in one of
859two ways:
8601. When there is no '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against only
861 the tail part of the file name (without its leading directory path).
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01008622. When there is a '/' in the pattern, Vim checks for a match against both the
863 short file name (as you typed it) and the full file name (after expanding
864 it to a full path and resolving symbolic links).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000865
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000866The special pattern <buffer> or <buffer=N> is used for buffer-local
867autocommands |autocmd-buflocal|. This pattern is not matched against the name
868of a buffer.
869
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000870Examples: >
871 :autocmd BufRead *.txt set et
872Set the 'et' option for all text files. >
873
874 :autocmd BufRead /vim/src/*.c set cindent
875Set the 'cindent' option for C files in the /vim/src directory. >
876
877 :autocmd BufRead /tmp/*.c set ts=5
878If you have a link from "/tmp/test.c" to "/home/nobody/vim/src/test.c", and
879you start editing "/tmp/test.c", this autocommand will match.
880
881Note: To match part of a path, but not from the root directory, use a '*' as
882the first character. Example: >
883 :autocmd BufRead */doc/*.txt set tw=78
884This autocommand will for example be executed for "/tmp/doc/xx.txt" and
885"/usr/home/piet/doc/yy.txt". The number of directories does not matter here.
886
887
888The file name that the pattern is matched against is after expanding
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000889wildcards. Thus if you issue this command: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000890 :e $ROOTDIR/main.$EXT
891The argument is first expanded to: >
892 /usr/root/main.py
893Before it's matched with the pattern of the autocommand. Careful with this
894when using events like FileReadCmd, the value of <amatch> may not be what you
895expect.
896
897
898Environment variables can be used in a pattern: >
899 :autocmd BufRead $VIMRUNTIME/doc/*.txt set expandtab
900And ~ can be used for the home directory (if $HOME is defined): >
901 :autocmd BufWritePost ~/.vimrc so ~/.vimrc
902 :autocmd BufRead ~archive/* set readonly
903The environment variable is expanded when the autocommand is defined, not when
904the autocommand is executed. This is different from the command!
905
906 *file-pattern*
907The pattern is interpreted like mostly used in file names:
908 * matches any sequence of characters
909 ? matches any single character
910 \? matches a '?'
911 . matches a '.'
912 ~ matches a '~'
913 , separates patterns
914 \, matches a ','
915 { } like \( \) in a |pattern|
916 , inside { }: like \| in a |pattern|
917 \ special meaning like in a |pattern|
918 [ch] matches 'c' or 'h'
919 [^ch] match any character but 'c' and 'h'
920
921Note that for all systems the '/' character is used for path separator (even
922MS-DOS and OS/2). This was done because the backslash is difficult to use
923in a pattern and to make the autocommands portable across different systems.
924
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000925 *autocmd-changes*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000926Matching with the pattern is done when an event is triggered. Changing the
927buffer name in one of the autocommands, or even deleting the buffer, does not
928change which autocommands will be executed. Example: >
929
930 au BufEnter *.foo bdel
931 au BufEnter *.foo set modified
932
933This will delete the current buffer and then set 'modified' in what has become
934the current buffer instead. Vim doesn't take into account that "*.foo"
935doesn't match with that buffer name. It matches "*.foo" with the name of the
936buffer at the moment the event was triggered.
937
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000938However, buffer-local autocommands will not be executed for a buffer that has
939been wiped out with |:bwipe|. After deleting the buffer with |:bdel| the
940buffer actually still exists (it becomes unlisted), thus the autocommands are
941still executed.
942
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000943==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00009447. Buffer-local autocommands *autocmd-buflocal* *autocmd-buffer-local*
945 *<buffer=N>* *<buffer=abuf>* *E680*
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000946
947Buffer-local autocommands are attached to a specific buffer. They are useful
948if the buffer does not have a name and when the name does not match a specific
949pattern. But it also means they must be explicitly added to each buffer.
950
951Instead of a pattern buffer-local autocommands use one of these forms:
952 <buffer> current buffer
953 <buffer=99> buffer number 99
954 <buffer=abuf> using <abuf> (only when executing autocommands)
955 |<abuf>|
956
957Examples: >
958 :au CursorHold <buffer> echo 'hold'
959 :au CursorHold <buffer=33> echo 'hold'
960 :au CursorHold <buffer=abuf> echo 'hold'
961
962All the commands for autocommands also work with buffer-local autocommands,
963simply use the special string instead of the pattern. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000964 :au! * <buffer> " remove buffer-local autocommands for
965 " current buffer
966 :au! * <buffer=33> " remove buffer-local autocommands for
967 " buffer #33
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000968 :bufdo :au! CursorHold <buffer> " remove autocmd for given event for all
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000969 " buffers
970 :au * <buffer> " list buffer-local autocommands for
971 " current buffer
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000972
973Note that when an autocommand is defined for the current buffer, it is stored
974with the buffer number. Thus it uses the form "<buffer=12>", where 12 is the
975number of the current buffer. You will see this when listing autocommands,
976for example.
977
978To test for presence of buffer-local autocommands use the |exists()| function
979as follows: >
980 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer=12>") | ... | endif
981 :if exists("#CursorHold#<buffer>") | ... | endif " for current buffer
982
983When a buffer is wiped out its buffer-local autocommands are also gone, of
984course. Note that when deleting a buffer, e.g., with ":bdel", it is only
985unlisted, the autocommands are still present. In order to see the removal of
986buffer-local autocommands: >
987 :set verbose=6
988
989It is not possible to define buffer-local autocommands for a non-existent
990buffer.
991
992==============================================================================
9938. Groups *autocmd-groups*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000994
995Autocommands can be put together in a group. This is useful for removing or
996executing a group of autocommands. For example, all the autocommands for
997syntax highlighting are put in the "highlight" group, to be able to execute
998":doautoall highlight BufRead" when the GUI starts.
999
1000When no specific group is selected, Vim uses the default group. The default
1001group does not have a name. You cannot execute the autocommands from the
1002default group separately; you can execute them only by executing autocommands
1003for all groups.
1004
1005Normally, when executing autocommands automatically, Vim uses the autocommands
1006for all groups. The group only matters when executing autocommands with
1007":doautocmd" or ":doautoall", or when defining or deleting autocommands.
1008
1009The group name can contain any characters except white space. The group name
1010"end" is reserved (also in uppercase).
1011
1012The group name is case sensitive. Note that this is different from the event
1013name!
1014
1015 *:aug* *:augroup*
1016:aug[roup] {name} Define the autocmd group name for the
1017 following ":autocmd" commands. The name "end"
1018 or "END" selects the default group.
1019
1020 *:augroup-delete* *E367*
1021:aug[roup]! {name} Delete the autocmd group {name}. Don't use
1022 this if there is still an autocommand using
1023 this group! This is not checked.
1024
1025To enter autocommands for a specific group, use this method:
10261. Select the group with ":augroup {name}".
10272. Delete any old autocommands with ":au!".
10283. Define the autocommands.
10294. Go back to the default group with "augroup END".
1030
1031Example: >
1032 :augroup uncompress
1033 : au!
1034 : au BufEnter *.gz %!gunzip
1035 :augroup END
1036
1037This prevents having the autocommands defined twice (e.g., after sourcing the
1038.vimrc file again).
1039
1040==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +000010419. Executing autocommands *autocmd-execute*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001042
1043Vim can also execute Autocommands non-automatically. This is useful if you
1044have changed autocommands, or when Vim has executed the wrong autocommands
1045(e.g., the file pattern match was wrong).
1046
1047Note that the 'eventignore' option applies here too. Events listed in this
1048option will not cause any commands to be executed.
1049
1050 *:do* *:doau* *:doautocmd* *E217*
1051:do[autocmd] [group] {event} [fname]
1052 Apply the autocommands matching [fname] (default:
1053 current file name) for {event} to the current buffer.
1054 You can use this when the current file name does not
1055 match the right pattern, after changing settings, or
1056 to execute autocommands for a certain event.
1057 It's possible to use this inside an autocommand too,
1058 so you can base the autocommands for one extension on
1059 another extension. Example: >
1060 :au Bufenter *.cpp so ~/.vimrc_cpp
1061 :au Bufenter *.cpp doau BufEnter x.c
1062< Be careful to avoid endless loops. See
1063 |autocmd-nested|.
1064
1065 When the [group] argument is not given, Vim executes
1066 the autocommands for all groups. When the [group]
1067 argument is included, Vim executes only the matching
1068 autocommands for that group. Note: if you use an
1069 undefined group name, Vim gives you an error message.
1070
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001071 After applying the autocommands the modelines are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001072 processed, so that their settings overrule the
1073 settings from autocommands, like what happens when
1074 editing a file.
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001075
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001076 *:doautoa* *:doautoall*
1077:doautoa[ll] [group] {event} [fname]
1078 Like ":doautocmd", but apply the autocommands to each
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001079 loaded buffer. Note that [fname] is used to select
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001080 the autocommands, not the buffers to which they are
1081 applied.
1082 Careful: Don't use this for autocommands that delete a
1083 buffer, change to another buffer or change the
1084 contents of a buffer; the result is unpredictable.
1085 This command is intended for autocommands that set
1086 options, change highlighting, and things like that.
1087
1088==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +0000108910. Using autocommands *autocmd-use*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001090
1091For WRITING FILES there are four possible sets of events. Vim uses only one
1092of these sets for a write command:
1093
1094BufWriteCmd BufWritePre BufWritePost writing the whole buffer
1095 FilterWritePre FilterWritePost writing to filter temp file
1096FileAppendCmd FileAppendPre FileAppendPost appending to a file
1097FileWriteCmd FileWritePre FileWritePost any other file write
1098
1099When there is a matching "*Cmd" autocommand, it is assumed it will do the
1100writing. No further writing is done and the other events are not triggered.
1101|Cmd-event|
1102
1103Note that the *WritePost commands should undo any changes to the buffer that
1104were caused by the *WritePre commands; otherwise, writing the file will have
1105the side effect of changing the buffer.
1106
1107Before executing the autocommands, the buffer from which the lines are to be
1108written temporarily becomes the current buffer. Unless the autocommands
1109change the current buffer or delete the previously current buffer, the
1110previously current buffer is made the current buffer again.
1111
1112The *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands must not delete the buffer from
1113which the lines are to be written.
1114
1115The '[ and '] marks have a special position:
1116- Before the *ReadPre event the '[ mark is set to the line just above where
1117 the new lines will be inserted.
1118- Before the *ReadPost event the '[ mark is set to the first line that was
1119 just read, the '] mark to the last line.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001120- Before executing the *WriteCmd, *WritePre and *AppendPre autocommands the '[
1121 mark is set to the first line that will be written, the '] mark to the last
1122 line.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001123Careful: '[ and '] change when using commands that change the buffer.
1124
1125In commands which expect a file name, you can use "<afile>" for the file name
1126that is being read |:<afile>| (you can also use "%" for the current file
1127name). "<abuf>" can be used for the buffer number of the currently effective
1128buffer. This also works for buffers that doesn't have a name. But it doesn't
1129work for files without a buffer (e.g., with ":r file").
1130
1131 *gzip-example*
1132Examples for reading and writing compressed files: >
1133 :augroup gzip
1134 : autocmd!
1135 : autocmd BufReadPre,FileReadPre *.gz set bin
1136 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz '[,']!gunzip
1137 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz set nobin
1138 : autocmd BufReadPost,FileReadPost *.gz execute ":doautocmd BufReadPost " . expand("%:r")
1139 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1140 : autocmd BufWritePost,FileWritePost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1141
1142 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !gunzip <afile>
1143 : autocmd FileAppendPre *.gz !mv <afile>:r <afile>
1144 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !mv <afile> <afile>:r
1145 : autocmd FileAppendPost *.gz !gzip <afile>:r
1146 :augroup END
1147
1148The "gzip" group is used to be able to delete any existing autocommands with
1149":autocmd!", for when the file is sourced twice.
1150
1151("<afile>:r" is the file name without the extension, see |:_%:|)
1152
1153The commands executed for the BufNewFile, BufRead/BufReadPost, BufWritePost,
1154FileAppendPost and VimLeave events do not set or reset the changed flag of the
1155buffer. When you decompress the buffer with the BufReadPost autocommands, you
1156can still exit with ":q". When you use ":undo" in BufWritePost to undo the
1157changes made by BufWritePre commands, you can still do ":q" (this also makes
1158"ZZ" work). If you do want the buffer to be marked as modified, set the
1159'modified' option.
1160
1161To execute Normal mode commands from an autocommand, use the ":normal"
1162command. Use with care! If the Normal mode command is not finished, the user
1163needs to type characters (e.g., after ":normal m" you need to type a mark
1164name).
1165
1166If you want the buffer to be unmodified after changing it, reset the
1167'modified' option. This makes it possible to exit the buffer with ":q"
1168instead of ":q!".
1169
1170 *autocmd-nested* *E218*
1171By default, autocommands do not nest. If you use ":e" or ":w" in an
1172autocommand, Vim does not execute the BufRead and BufWrite autocommands for
1173those commands. If you do want this, use the "nested" flag for those commands
1174in which you want nesting. For example: >
1175 :autocmd FileChangedShell *.c nested e!
1176The nesting is limited to 10 levels to get out of recursive loops.
1177
1178It's possible to use the ":au" command in an autocommand. This can be a
1179self-modifying command! This can be useful for an autocommand that should
1180execute only once.
1181
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001182If you want to skip autocommands for one command, use the |:noautocmd| command
1183modifier or the 'eventignore' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001184
1185Note: When reading a file (with ":read file" or with a filter command) and the
1186last line in the file does not have an <EOL>, Vim remembers this. At the next
1187write (with ":write file" or with a filter command), if the same line is
1188written again as the last line in a file AND 'binary' is set, Vim does not
1189supply an <EOL>. This makes a filter command on the just read lines write the
1190same file as was read, and makes a write command on just filtered lines write
1191the same file as was read from the filter. For example, another way to write
1192a compressed file: >
1193
1194 :autocmd FileWritePre *.gz set bin|'[,']!gzip
1195 :autocmd FileWritePost *.gz undo|set nobin
1196<
1197 *autocommand-pattern*
1198You can specify multiple patterns, separated by commas. Here are some
1199examples: >
1200
1201 :autocmd BufRead * set tw=79 nocin ic infercase fo=2croq
1202 :autocmd BufRead .letter set tw=72 fo=2tcrq
1203 :autocmd BufEnter .letter set dict=/usr/lib/dict/words
1204 :autocmd BufLeave .letter set dict=
1205 :autocmd BufRead,BufNewFile *.c,*.h set tw=0 cin noic
1206 :autocmd BufEnter *.c,*.h abbr FOR for (i = 0; i < 3; ++i)<CR>{<CR>}<Esc>O
1207 :autocmd BufLeave *.c,*.h unabbr FOR
1208
1209For makefiles (makefile, Makefile, imakefile, makefile.unix, etc.): >
1210
1211 :autocmd BufEnter ?akefile* set include=^s\=include
1212 :autocmd BufLeave ?akefile* set include&
1213
1214To always start editing C files at the first function: >
1215
1216 :autocmd BufRead *.c,*.h 1;/^{
1217
1218Without the "1;" above, the search would start from wherever the file was
1219entered, rather than from the start of the file.
1220
1221 *skeleton* *template*
1222To read a skeleton (template) file when opening a new file: >
1223
1224 :autocmd BufNewFile *.c 0r ~/vim/skeleton.c
1225 :autocmd BufNewFile *.h 0r ~/vim/skeleton.h
1226 :autocmd BufNewFile *.java 0r ~/vim/skeleton.java
1227
1228To insert the current date and time in a *.html file when writing it: >
1229
1230 :autocmd BufWritePre,FileWritePre *.html ks|call LastMod()|'s
1231 :fun LastMod()
1232 : if line("$") > 20
1233 : let l = 20
1234 : else
1235 : let l = line("$")
1236 : endif
1237 : exe "1," . l . "g/Last modified: /s/Last modified: .*/Last modified: " .
1238 : \ strftime("%Y %b %d")
1239 :endfun
1240
1241You need to have a line "Last modified: <date time>" in the first 20 lines
1242of the file for this to work. Vim replaces <date time> (and anything in the
1243same line after it) with the current date and time. Explanation:
1244 ks mark current position with mark 's'
1245 call LastMod() call the LastMod() function to do the work
1246 's return the cursor to the old position
1247The LastMod() function checks if the file is shorter than 20 lines, and then
1248uses the ":g" command to find lines that contain "Last modified: ". For those
1249lines the ":s" command is executed to replace the existing date with the
1250current one. The ":execute" command is used to be able to use an expression
1251for the ":g" and ":s" commands. The date is obtained with the strftime()
1252function. You can change its argument to get another date string.
1253
1254When entering :autocmd on the command-line, completion of events and command
1255names may be done (with <Tab>, CTRL-D, etc.) where appropriate.
1256
1257Vim executes all matching autocommands in the order that you specify them.
1258It is recommended that your first autocommand be used for all files by using
1259"*" as the file pattern. This means that you can define defaults you like
1260here for any settings, and if there is another matching autocommand it will
1261override these. But if there is no other matching autocommand, then at least
1262your default settings are recovered (if entering this file from another for
1263which autocommands did match). Note that "*" will also match files starting
1264with ".", unlike Unix shells.
1265
1266 *autocmd-searchpat*
1267Autocommands do not change the current search patterns. Vim saves the current
1268search patterns before executing autocommands then restores them after the
1269autocommands finish. This means that autocommands do not affect the strings
1270highlighted with the 'hlsearch' option. Within autocommands, you can still
1271use search patterns normally, e.g., with the "n" command.
1272If you want an autocommand to set the search pattern, such that it is used
1273after the autocommand finishes, use the ":let @/ =" command.
1274The search-highlighting cannot be switched off with ":nohlsearch" in an
1275autocommand. Use the 'h' flag in the 'viminfo' option to disable search-
1276highlighting when starting Vim.
1277
1278 *Cmd-event*
1279When using one of the "*Cmd" events, the matching autocommands are expected to
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +00001280do the file reading, writing or sourcing. This can be used when working with
1281a special kind of file, for example on a remote system.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001282CAREFUL: If you use these events in a wrong way, it may have the effect of
1283making it impossible to read or write the matching files! Make sure you test
1284your autocommands properly. Best is to use a pattern that will never match a
1285normal file name, for example "ftp://*".
1286
1287When defining a BufReadCmd it will be difficult for Vim to recover a crashed
1288editing session. When recovering from the original file, Vim reads only those
1289parts of a file that are not found in the swap file. Since that is not
1290possible with a BufReadCmd, use the |:preserve| command to make sure the
1291original file isn't needed for recovery. You might want to do this only when
1292you expect the file to be modified.
1293
Bram Moolenaar8dd1aa52007-01-16 20:33:19 +00001294For file read and write commands the |v:cmdarg| variable holds the "++enc="
1295and "++ff=" argument that are effective. These should be used for the command
1296that reads/writes the file. The |v:cmdbang| variable is one when "!" was
1297used, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001298
Bram Moolenaarc88ebf72010-07-22 22:30:23 +02001299See the $VIMRUNTIME/plugin/netrwPlugin.vim for examples.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001300
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001301==============================================================================
130211. Disabling autocommands *autocmd-disable*
1303
1304To disable autocommands for some time use the 'eventignore' option. Note that
1305this may cause unexpected behavior, make sure you restore 'eventignore'
1306afterwards, using a |:try| block with |:finally|.
1307
1308 *:noautocmd* *:noa*
1309To disable autocommands for just one command use the ":noautocmd" command
1310modifier. This will set 'eventignore' to "all" for the duration of the
1311following command. Example: >
1312
1313 :noautocmd w fname.gz
1314
1315This will write the file without triggering the autocommands defined by the
1316gzip plugin.
1317
Bram Moolenaarb5bf5b82004-12-24 14:35:23 +00001318
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001319 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: