Nvim documentation: api
main help file
*api.txt* Nvim
NVIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Thiago de Arruda
Nvim API *API* *api*
Nvim exposes a powerful API that can be used by plugins and external processes
via |RPC|, |Lua| and VimL (|eval-api|).
Applications can also embed libnvim to work with the C API directly.
Type |gO| to see the table of contents.
==============================================================================
API Types *api-types*
The Nvim C API defines custom types for all function parameters. Some are just
typedefs around C99 standard types, others are Nvim-defined data structures.
Boolean -> bool
Integer (signed 64-bit integer) -> int64_t
Float (IEEE 754 double precision) -> double
String -> {char* data, size_t size} struct
Array
Dictionary
Object
The following handle types are defined as integer typedefs, but are
discriminated as separate types in an Object:
Buffer -> enum value kObjectTypeBuffer
Window -> enum value kObjectTypeWindow
Tabpage -> enum value kObjectTypeTabpage
==============================================================================
API metadata *api-metadata*
Nvim exposes API metadata as a Dictionary. Some items are described below:
version Nvim version, API level/compatibility
version.api_level API version integer *api-level*
version.api_compatible API is backwards-compatible with this level
version.api_prerelease Declares the API as unstable/unreleased
(version.api_prerelease && fn.since == version.api_level)
functions API function signatures
ui_events UI event signatures |ui|
ui_options Supported |ui-options|
{fn}.since API level where function {fn} was introduced
{fn}.deprecated_since API level where function {fn} was deprecated
types Custom handle types defined by Nvim
error_types Possible error types returned by API functions
External programs ("clients") can use the metadata to discover the |rpc-api|.
==============================================================================
API contract *api-contract*
The Nvim API is composed of functions and events.
- Clients call functions like those described at |api-global|.
- Clients can subscribe to |ui-events|, |api-buffer-updates|, etc.
- API function names are prefixed with "nvim_".
- API event names are prefixed with "nvim_" and suffixed with "_event".
As Nvim evolves the API may change in compliance with this CONTRACT:
- New functions and events may be added.
- Any such extensions are OPTIONAL: old clients may ignore them.
- Function signatures will NOT CHANGE (after release).
- Functions introduced in the development (unreleased) version MAY CHANGE.
(Clients can dynamically check `api_prerelease`, etc. |api-metadata|)
- Event parameters will not be removed or reordered (after release).
- Events may be EXTENDED: new parameters may be added.
- New items may be ADDED to map/list parameters/results of functions and
events.
- Any such new items are OPTIONAL: old clients may ignore them.
- Existing items will not be removed (after release).
- Deprecated functions will not be removed until Nvim version 2.0
==============================================================================
Global events *api-global-events*
When a client invokes an API request as an async notification, it is not
possible for Nvim to send an error response. Instead, in case of error, the
following notification will be sent to the client:
*nvim_error_event*
nvim_error_event[{type}, {message}]
{type} is a numeric id as defined by `api_info().error_types`, and {message} is
a string with the error message.
==============================================================================
Buffer update events *api-buffer-updates*
API clients can "attach" to Nvim buffers to subscribe to buffer update events.
This is similar to |TextChanged| but more powerful and granular.
Call |nvim_buf_attach()| to receive these events on the channel:
*nvim_buf_lines_event*
nvim_buf_lines_event[{buf}, {changedtick}, {firstline}, {lastline}, {linedata}, {more}]
When the buffer text between {firstline} and {lastline} (end-exclusive,
zero-indexed) were changed to the new text in the {linedata} list. The
granularity is a line, i.e. if a single character is changed in the editor,
the entire line is sent.
When {changedtick} is |v:null| this means the screen lines (display) changed
but not the buffer contents. {linedata} contains the changed screen lines.
This happens when 'inccommand' shows a buffer preview.
Properties:
{buf} API buffer handle (buffer number)
{changedtick} value of |b:changedtick| for the buffer. If you send an API
command back to nvim you can check the value of |b:changedtick| as part of
your request to ensure that no other changes have been made.
{firstline} integer line number of the first line that was replaced.
Zero-indexed: if line 1 was replaced then {firstline} will be 0, not 1.
{firstline} is always less than or equal to the number of lines that were
in the buffer before the lines were replaced.
{lastline} integer line number of the first line that was not replaced
(i.e. the range {firstline}, {lastline} is end-exclusive).
Zero-indexed: if line numbers 2 to 5 were replaced, this will be 5 instead
of 6. {lastline} is always be less than or equal to the number of lines
that were in the buffer before the lines were replaced. {lastline} will be
-1 if the event is part of the initial update after attaching.
{linedata} list of strings containing the contents of the new buffer
lines. Newline characters are omitted; empty lines are sent as empty
strings.
{more} boolean, true for a "multipart" change notification: the current
change was chunked into multiple |nvim_buf_lines_event| notifications
(e.g. because it was too big).
nvim_buf_changedtick_event[{buf}, {changedtick}] *nvim_buf_changedtick_event*
When |b:changedtick| was incremented but no text was changed. Relevant for
undo/redo.
Properties:
{buf} API buffer handle (buffer number)
{changedtick} new value of |b:changedtick| for the buffer
nvim_buf_detach_event[{buf}] *nvim_buf_detach_event*
When buffer is detached (i.e. updates are disabled). Triggered explicitly by
|nvim_buf_detach()| or implicitly in these cases:
- Buffer was |abandon|ed and 'hidden' is not set.
- Buffer was reloaded, e.g. with |:edit| or an external change triggered
|:checktime| or 'autoread'.
- Generally: whenever the buffer contents are unloaded from memory.
Properties:
{buf} API buffer handle (buffer number)
EXAMPLE
Calling |nvim_buf_attach()| with send_buffer=true on an empty buffer, emits:
nvim_buf_lines_event[{buf}, {changedtick}, 0, -1, [""], v:false]
User adds two lines to the buffer, emits:
nvim_buf_lines_event[{buf}, {changedtick}, 0, 0, ["line1", "line2"], v:false]
User moves to a line containing the text "Hello world" and inserts "!", emits:
nvim_buf_lines_event[{buf}, {changedtick}, {linenr}, {linenr} + 1,
["Hello world!"], v:false]
User moves to line 3 and deletes 20 lines using "20dd", emits:
nvim_buf_lines_event[{buf}, {changedtick}, 2, 22, [], v:false]
User selects lines 3-5 using |linewise-visual| mode and then types "p" to
paste a block of 6 lines, emits:
nvim_buf_lines_event[{buf}, {changedtick}, 2, 5,
['pasted line 1', 'pasted line 2', 'pasted line 3', 'pasted line 4',
'pasted line 5', 'pasted line 6'],
v:false
]
User reloads the buffer with ":edit", emits:
nvim_buf_detach_event[{buf}]
==============================================================================
Buffer highlighting *api-highlights*
Nvim allows plugins to add position-based highlights to buffers. This is
similar to |matchaddpos()| but with some key differences. The added highlights
are associated with a buffer and adapts to line insertions and deletions,
similar to signs. It is also possible to manage a set of highlights as a group
and delete or replace all at once.
The intended use case are linter or semantic highlighter plugins that monitor
a buffer for changes, and in the background compute highlights to the buffer.
Another use case are plugins that show output in an append-only buffer, and
want to add highlights to the outputs. Highlight data cannot be preserved
on writing and loading a buffer to file, nor in undo/redo cycles.
Highlights are registered using the |nvim_buf_add_highlight()| function. If an
external highlighter plugin wants to add many highlights in a batch,
performance can be improved by calling |nvim_buf_add_highlight()| as an
asynchronous notification, after first (synchronously) reqesting a source id.
Example using the Nvim python-client:
src = vim.new_highlight_source()
buf = vim.current.buffer
for i in range(5):
buf.add_highlight("String",i,0,-1,src_id=src)
# some time later
buf.clear_highlight(src)
If the highlights don't need to be deleted or updated, just pass -1 as
src_id (this is the default in python). Use |nvim_buf_clear_namespace()| to
clear highlights from a specific source, in a specific line range or the
entire buffer by passing in the line range 0, -1 (the latter is the default in
python as used above).
An example of calling the api from vimscript:
call nvim_buf_set_lines(0, 0, 0, v:true, ["test text"])
let src = nvim_buf_add_highlight(0, 0, "String", 1, 0, 4)
call nvim_buf_add_highlight(0, src, "Identifier", 0, 5, -1)
" later
call nvim_buf_clear_namespace(0, src, 0, -1)
==============================================================================
Floating windows *api-floatwin*
Nvim supports floating windows, windows that are displayed on top of ordinary
windows. This is useful to implement simple widgets, such as tooltips
displaying information next to cursor text. Floating windows are fully
functional buffer windows and support user editing. They support the standard
|api-window| calls and almost all window options (with some exceptions such as
'statusline' is not supported currently).
Floating windows are created either by |nvim_open_win()| to open a new window,
or |nvim_win_set_config()| to reconfigure a normal window into a float.
Currently the position can either be grid coordinates relative the top-left of
some window, or a position relative to the current window cursor. The
parameters for positioning are described in detail at |nvim_open_win()|.
|nvim_open_win()| assumes an existing buffer to display in the window. To create
a scratch buffer for the float, |nvim_create_buffer()| can be used. The text in
the buffer can be highlighted using standard functionality, such as syntax
highlighting, or |api-highlights|.
By default, floats will use |hl-NormalFloat| as normal highlight, which
links to |hl-Pmenu| in the builtin color scheme. The 'winhighlight' option can
be used to override it. Currently, floating windows don't support any visual
decorations like a border or additional widgets like scrollbar.
Here is an example for creating a float with scratch buffer:
let buf = nvim_create_buf(v:false, v:true)
call nvim_buf_set_lines(buf, 0, -1, v:true, ["test", "text"])
let opts = {'relative': 'cursor', 'width': 10, 'height': 2, 'col': 0,
\ 'row': 1, 'anchor': 'NW'}
let win = nvim_open_win(buf, 0, opts)
" optional: change highlight, otherwise Pmenu is used
call nvim_win_set_option(win, 'winhl', 'Normal:MyHighlight')
To close the float, |nvim_win_close()| can be used.
==============================================================================
Global Functions *api-global*
nvim_command({command}) *nvim_command()*
Executes an ex-command.
On execution error: fails with VimL error, does not update
v:errmsg.
Parameters:
{command} Ex-command string
nvim_get_hl_by_name({name}, {rgb}) *nvim_get_hl_by_name()*
Gets a highlight definition by name.
Parameters:
{name} Highlight group name
{rgb} Export RGB colors
Return:
Highlight definition map
nvim_get_hl_by_id({hl_id}, {rgb}) *nvim_get_hl_by_id()*
Gets a highlight definition by id. |hlID()|
Parameters:
{hl_id} Highlight id as returned by |hlID()|
{rgb} Export RGB colors
Return:
Highlight definition map
nvim_feedkeys({keys}, {mode}, {escape_csi}) *nvim_feedkeys()*
Sends input-keys to Nvim, subject to various quirks controlled
by `mode` flags. This is a blocking call, unlike
|nvim_input()|.
On execution error: does not fail, but updates v:errmsg.
Parameters:
{keys} to be typed
{mode} behavior flags, see |feedkeys()|
{escape_csi} If true, escape K_SPECIAL/CSI bytes in
`keys`
nvim_input({keys}) *nvim_input()*
Queues raw user-input. Unlike |nvim_feedkeys()|, this uses a
low-level input buffer and the call is non-blocking (input is
processed asynchronously by the eventloop).
On execution error: does not fail, but updates v:errmsg.
Note:
|keycodes| like <CR> are translated, so "<" is special. To
input a literal "<", send <LT>.
Note:
For mouse events use |nvim_input_mouse()|. The pseudokey
form "<LeftMouse><col,row>" is deprecated since
|api-level| 6.
Attributes:
{async}
Parameters:
{keys} to be typed
Return:
Number of bytes actually written (can be fewer than
requested if the buffer becomes full).
*nvim_input_mouse()*
nvim_input_mouse({button}, {action}, {modifier}, {grid}, {row}, {col})
Send mouse event from GUI.
The call is non-blocking. It doesn't wait on any resulting
action, but queues the event to be processed soon by the event
loop.
Note:
Currently this doesn't support "scripting" multiple mouse
events by calling it multiple times in a loop: the
intermediate mouse positions will be ignored. It should be
used to implement real-time mouse input in a GUI. The
deprecated pseudokey form ("<LeftMouse><col,row>") of
|nvim_input()| has the same limitiation.
Attributes:
{async}
Parameters:
{button} Mouse button: one of "left", "right",
"middle", "wheel".
{action} For ordinary buttons, one of "press", "drag",
"release". For the wheel, one of "up", "down",
"left", "right".
{modifier} String of modifiers each represented by a
single char. The same specifiers are used as
for a key press, except that the "-" separator
is optional, so "C-A-", "c-a" and "CA" can all
be used to specify Ctrl+Alt+click.
{grid} Grid number if the client uses |ui-multigrid|,
else 0.
{row} Mouse row-position (zero-based, like redraw
events)
{col} Mouse column-position (zero-based, like redraw
events)
*nvim_replace_termcodes()*
nvim_replace_termcodes({str}, {from_part}, {do_lt}, {special})
Replaces terminal codes and |keycodes| (<CR>, <Esc>, ...) in a
string with the internal representation.
Parameters:
{str} String to be converted.
{from_part} Legacy Vim parameter. Usually true.
{do_lt} Also translate <lt>. Ignored if `special` is
false.
{special} Replace |keycodes|, e.g. <CR> becomes a "\n"
char.
nvim_command_output({command}) *nvim_command_output()*
Executes an ex-command and returns its (non-error) output.
Shell |:!| output is not captured.
On execution error: fails with VimL error, does not update
v:errmsg.
Parameters:
{command} Ex-command string
nvim_eval({expr}) *nvim_eval()*
Evaluates a VimL expression (:help expression). Dictionaries
and Lists are recursively expanded.
On execution error: fails with VimL error, does not update
v:errmsg.
Parameters:
{expr} VimL expression string
Return:
Evaluation result or expanded object
nvim_execute_lua({code}, {args}) *nvim_execute_lua()*
Execute lua code. Parameters (if any) are available as `...`
inside the chunk. The chunk can return a value.
Only statements are executed. To evaluate an expression,
prefix it with `return`: return my_function(...)
Parameters:
{code} lua code to execute
{args} Arguments to the code
Return:
Return value of lua code if present or NIL.
nvim_call_function({fn}, {args}) *nvim_call_function()*
Calls a VimL function with the given arguments.
On execution error: fails with VimL error, does not update
v:errmsg.
Parameters:
{fn} Function to call
{args} Function arguments packed in an Array
Return:
Result of the function call
nvim_call_dict_function({dict}, {fn}, {args}) *nvim_call_dict_function()*
Calls a VimL |Dictionary-function| with the given arguments.
On execution error: fails with VimL error, does not update
v:errmsg.
Parameters:
{dict} Dictionary, or String evaluating to a VimL |self|
dict
{fn} Name of the function defined on the VimL dict
{args} Function arguments packed in an Array
Return:
Result of the function call
nvim_strwidth({text}) *nvim_strwidth()*
Calculates the number of display cells occupied by `text`.
<Tab> counts as one cell.
Parameters:
{text} Some text
Return:
Number of cells
nvim_list_runtime_paths() *nvim_list_runtime_paths()*
Gets the paths contained in 'runtimepath'.
Return:
List of paths
nvim_set_current_dir({dir}) *nvim_set_current_dir()*
Changes the global working directory.
Parameters:
{dir} Directory path
nvim_get_current_line() *nvim_get_current_line()*
Gets the current line.
Parameters:
Return:
Current line string
nvim_set_current_line({line}) *nvim_set_current_line()*
Sets the current line.
Parameters:
{line} Line contents
nvim_del_current_line() *nvim_del_current_line()*
Deletes the current line.
Parameters:
nvim_get_var({name}) *nvim_get_var()*
Gets a global (g:) variable.
Parameters:
{name} Variable name
Return:
Variable value
nvim_set_var({name}, {value}) *nvim_set_var()*
Sets a global (g:) variable.
Parameters:
{name} Variable name
{value} Variable value
nvim_del_var({name}) *nvim_del_var()*
Removes a global (g:) variable.
Parameters:
{name} Variable name
nvim_get_vvar({name}) *nvim_get_vvar()*
Gets a v: variable.
Parameters:
{name} Variable name
Return:
Variable value
nvim_set_vvar({name}, {value}) *nvim_set_vvar()*
Sets a v: variable, if it is not readonly.
Parameters:
{name} Variable name
{value} Variable value
nvim_get_option({name}) *nvim_get_option()*
Gets an option value string.
Parameters:
{name} Option name
Return:
Option value (global)
nvim_set_option({name}, {value}) *nvim_set_option()*
Sets an option value.
Parameters:
{name} Option name
{value} New option value
nvim_out_write({str}) *nvim_out_write()*
Writes a message to the Vim output buffer. Does not append
"\n", the message is buffered (won't display) until a linefeed
is written.
Parameters:
{str} Message
nvim_err_write({str}) *nvim_err_write()*
Writes a message to the Vim error buffer. Does not append
"\n", the message is buffered (won't display) until a linefeed
is written.
Parameters:
{str} Message
nvim_err_writeln({str}) *nvim_err_writeln()*
Writes a message to the Vim error buffer. Appends "\n", so the
buffer is flushed (and displayed).
Parameters:
{str} Message
nvim_list_bufs() *nvim_list_bufs()*
Gets the current list of buffer handles
Includes unlisted (unloaded/deleted) buffers, like `:ls!`. Use
|nvim_buf_is_loaded()| to check if a buffer is loaded.
Return:
List of buffer handles
nvim_get_current_buf() *nvim_get_current_buf()*
Gets the current buffer.
Return:
Buffer handle
nvim_set_current_buf({buffer}) *nvim_set_current_buf()*
Sets the current buffer.
Parameters:
{buffer} Buffer handle
nvim_list_wins() *nvim_list_wins()*
Gets the current list of window handles.
Return:
List of window handles
nvim_get_current_win() *nvim_get_current_win()*
Gets the current window.
Return:
Window handle
nvim_set_current_win({window}) *nvim_set_current_win()*
Sets the current window.
Parameters:
{window} Window handle
nvim_create_buf({listed}, {scratch}) *nvim_create_buf()*
Creates a new, empty, unnamed buffer.
Parameters:
{listed} Controls 'buflisted'
{scratch} Creates a "throwaway" |scratch-buffer| for
temporary work (always 'nomodified')
Return:
Buffer handle, or 0 on error
nvim_open_win({buffer}, {enter}, {config}) *nvim_open_win()*
Open a new window.
Currently this is used to open floating and external windows.
Floats are windows that are drawn above the split layout, at
some anchor position in some other window. Floats can be draw
internally or by external GUI with the |ui-multigrid|
extension. External windows are only supported with multigrid
GUIs, and are displayed as separate top-level windows.
For a general overview of floats, see |api-floatwin|.
Exactly one of `external` and `relative` must be specified.
Parameters:
{buffer} handle of buffer to be displayed in the window
{enter} whether the window should be entered (made the
current window)
{config} dictionary for the window configuration accepts
these keys:
`relative`: If set, the window becomes a
floating window. The window will be placed with
row,col coordinates relative one of the
following:
"editor" the global editor grid
"win" a window. Use `win` to specify window id,
or current window will be used by default.
"cursor" the cursor position in current window.
`win`: when using `relative='win'`, window id of the window
where the position is defined.
`anchor`: the corner of the float that the row,col
position defines
"NW" north-west (default)
"NE" north-east
"SW" south-west
"SE" south-east
`focusable`: Whether window can be focused by wincmds and
mouse events. Defaults to true. Even if set to false,
the window can still be entered using
|nvim_set_current_win()| API call.
`height`: Window height in character cells. Minimum of 1.
`width`: Window width in character cells. Minimum of 2.
`row`: row position. Screen cell height are used as unit.
Can be floating point.
`col`: column position. Screen cell width is used as
unit. Can be floating point.
`external`: GUI should display the window as an external
top-level window. Currently accepts no other
positioning configuration together with this.
With editor positioning row=0, col=0 refers to the top-left
corner of the screen-grid and row=Lines-1, Columns-1 refers to
the bottom-right corner. Floating point values are allowed,
but the builtin implementation (used by TUI and GUIs without
multigrid support) will always round down to nearest integer.
Out-of-bounds values, and configurations that make the float
not fit inside the main editor, are allowed. The builtin
implementation will truncate values so floats are completely
within the main screen grid. External GUIs could let floats
hover outside of the main window like a tooltip, but this
should not be used to specify arbitrary WM screen positions.
Parameters:
Return:
the window handle or 0 when error
nvim_list_tabpages() *nvim_list_tabpages()*
Gets the current list of tabpage handles.
Return:
List of tabpage handles
nvim_get_current_tabpage() *nvim_get_current_tabpage()*
Gets the current tabpage.
Return:
Tabpage handle
nvim_set_current_tabpage({tabpage}) *nvim_set_current_tabpage()*
Sets the current tabpage.
Parameters:
{tabpage} Tabpage handle
nvim_create_namespace({name}) *nvim_create_namespace()*
Creates a new namespace, or gets an existing one.
Namespaces are used for buffer highlights and virtual text,
see |nvim_buf_add_highlight()| and
|nvim_buf_set_virtual_text()|.
Namespaces can be named or anonymous. If `name` matches an
existing namespace, the associated id is returned. If `name`
is an empty string a new, anonymous namespace is created.
Parameters:
{name} Namespace name or empty string
Return:
Namespace id
nvim_get_namespaces() *nvim_get_namespaces()*
Gets existing, non-anonymous namespaces.
Return:
dict that maps from names to namespace ids.
nvim_subscribe({event}) *nvim_subscribe()*
Subscribes to event broadcasts.
Parameters:
{event} Event type string
nvim_unsubscribe({event}) *nvim_unsubscribe()*
Unsubscribes to event broadcasts.
Parameters:
{event} Event type string
nvim_get_color_by_name({name}) *nvim_get_color_by_name()*
TODO: Documentation
nvim_get_color_map() *nvim_get_color_map()*
TODO: Documentation
nvim_get_mode() *nvim_get_mode()*
Gets the current mode. |mode()| "blocking" is true if Nvim is
waiting for input.
Return:
Dictionary { "mode": String, "blocking": Boolean }
Attributes:
{async}
nvim_get_keymap({mode}) *nvim_get_keymap()*
Gets a list of global (non-buffer-local) |mapping|
definitions.
Parameters:
{mode} Mode short-name ("n", "i", "v", ...)
Return:
Array of maparg()-like dictionaries describing mappings.
The "buffer" key is always zero.
nvim_get_commands({opts}) *nvim_get_commands()*
Gets a map of global (non-buffer-local) Ex commands.
Currently only |user-commands| are supported, not builtin Ex
commands.
Parameters:
{opts} Optional parameters. Currently only supports
{"builtin":false}
Return:
Map of maps describing commands.
nvim_get_api_info() *nvim_get_api_info()*
Returns a 2-tuple (Array), where item 0 is the current channel
id and item 1 is the |api-metadata| map (Dictionary).
Return:
2-tuple [{channel-id}, {api-metadata}]
Attributes:
{async}
*nvim_set_client_info()*
nvim_set_client_info({name}, {version}, {type}, {methods},
{attributes})
Identify the client for nvim. Can be called more than once,
but subsequent calls will remove earlier info, which should be
resent if it is still valid. (This could happen if a library
first identifies the channel, and a plugin using that library
later overrides that info)
Parameters:
{name} short name for the connected client
{version} Dictionary describing the version, with the
following possible keys (all optional)
"major" major version (defaults to 0 if not
set, for no release yet) "minor" minor
version "patch" patch number "prerelease"
string describing a prerelease, like "dev"
or "beta1" "commit" hash or similar
identifier of commit
{type} Must be one of the following values. A
client library should use "remote" if the
library user hasn't specified other value.
"remote" remote client that connected to
nvim. "ui" gui frontend "embedder"
application using nvim as a component, for
instance IDE/editor implementing a vim mode.
"host" plugin host, typically started by
nvim "plugin" single plugin, started by
nvim
{methods} Builtin methods in the client. For a host,
this does not include plugin methods which
will be discovered later. The key should be
the method name, the values are dicts with
the following (optional) keys: "async" if
true, send as a notification. If false or
unspecified, use a blocking request "nargs"
Number of arguments. Could be a single
integer or an array two integers, minimum
and maximum inclusive. Further keys might be
added in later versions of nvim and unknown
keys are thus ignored. Clients must only use
keys defined in this or later versions of
nvim!
{attributes} Informal attributes describing the client.
Clients might define their own keys, but the
following are suggested: "website" Website
of client (for instance github repository)
"license" Informal description of the
license, such as "Apache 2", "GPLv3" or
"MIT" "logo" URI or path to image,
preferably small logo or icon. .png or .svg
format is preferred.
nvim_get_chan_info({chan}) *nvim_get_chan_info()*
Get information about a channel.
Return:
a Dictionary, describing a channel with the following
keys: "stream" the stream underlying the channel
"stdio" stdin and stdout of this Nvim instance "stderr"
stderr of this Nvim instance "socket" TCP/IP socket or
named pipe "job" job with communication over its stdio
"mode" how data received on the channel is interpreted "bytes" send and recieve raw bytes "terminal" a |terminal| instance interprets ASCII sequences "rpc" |RPC| communication on the channel is active "pty" Name of pseudoterminal, if one is used (optional). On a POSIX system, this will be a device path like /dev/pts/1. Even if the name is unknown, the key will still be present to indicate a pty is used. This is currently the case when using winpty on windows. "buffer" buffer with connected |terminal| instance (optional) "client" information about the client on the other end of the RPC channel, if it has added it using |nvim_set_client_info()|. (optional)
nvim_list_chans() *nvim_list_chans()*
Get information about all open channels.
Return:
Array of Dictionaries, each describing a channel with the
format specified at |nvim_get_chan_info()|.
nvim_call_atomic({calls}) *nvim_call_atomic()*
Calls many API methods atomically.
This has two main usages:
To perform several requests from an async context atomically, i.e. without interleaving redraws, RPC requests from other clients, or user interactions (however API methods may trigger autocommands or event processing which have such side-effects, e.g. |:sleep| may wake timers). To minimize RPC overhead (roundtrips) of a sequence of many requests.
Parameters:
{calls} an array of calls, where each call is described
by an array with two elements: the request name,
and an array of arguments.
Return:
an array with two elements. The first is an array of
return values. The second is NIL if all calls succeeded.
If a call resulted in an error, it is a three-element
array with the zero-based index of the call which resulted
in an error, the error type and the error message. If an
error occurred, the values from all preceding calls will
still be returned.
*nvim_parse_expression()*
nvim_parse_expression({expr}, {flags}, {highlight})
Parse a VimL expression.
Attributes:
{async}
Parameters:
{expr} Expression to parse. Is always treated as a
single line.
{flags} Flags: - "m" if multiple expressions in a
row are allowed (only the first one will be
parsed), - "E" if EOC tokens are not allowed
(determines whether they will stop parsing
process or be recognized as an
operator/space, though also yielding an
error). - "l" when needing to start parsing
with lvalues for ":let" or ":for". Common
flag sets: - "m" to parse like for ":echo". -
"E" to parse like for "<C-r>=". - empty
string for ":call". - "lm" to parse for
":let".
{highlight} If true, return value will also include
"highlight" key containing array of 4-tuples
(arrays) (Integer, Integer, Integer, String),
where first three numbers define the
highlighted region and represent line,
starting column and ending column (latter
exclusive: one should highlight region
[start_col, end_col)).
Return:
AST: top-level dictionary with these keys: "error":
Dictionary with error, present only if parser saw some
error. Contains the following keys: "message": String,
error message in printf format, translated. Must contain
exactly one "%.*s". "arg": String, error message argument.
"len": Amount of bytes successfully parsed. With flags
equal to "" that should be equal to the length of expr
string. @note: “Sucessfully parsed” here means
“participated in AST creation”, not “till the first
error”. "ast": AST, either nil or a dictionary with these
keys: "type": node type, one of the value names from
ExprASTNodeType stringified without "kExprNode" prefix.
"start": a pair [line, column] describing where node is
“started” where "line" is always 0 (will not be 0 if you
will be using nvim_parse_viml() on e.g. ":let", but that
is not present yet). Both elements are Integers. "len":
“length” of the node. This and "start" are there for
debugging purposes primary (debugging parser and providing
debug information). "children": a list of nodes described
in top/"ast". There always is zero, one or two children,
key will not be present if node has no children. Maximum
number of children may be found in node_maxchildren array.
Local values (present only for certain nodes): "scope": a
single Integer, specifies scope for "Option" and
"PlainIdentifier" nodes. For "Option" it is one of
ExprOptScope values, for "PlainIdentifier" it is one of
ExprVarScope values. "ident": identifier (without scope,
if any), present for "Option", "PlainIdentifier",
"PlainKey" and "Environment" nodes. "name": Integer,
register name (one character) or -1. Only present for
"Register" nodes. "cmp_type": String, comparison type, one
of the value names from ExprComparisonType, stringified
without "kExprCmp" prefix. Only present for "Comparison"
nodes. "ccs_strategy": String, case comparison strategy,
one of the value names from ExprCaseCompareStrategy,
stringified without "kCCStrategy" prefix. Only present for
"Comparison" nodes. "augmentation": String, augmentation
type for "Assignment" nodes. Is either an empty string,
"Add", "Subtract" or "Concat" for "=", "+=", "-=" or ".="
respectively. "invert": Boolean, true if result of
comparison needs to be inverted. Only present for
"Comparison" nodes. "ivalue": Integer, integer value for
"Integer" nodes. "fvalue": Float, floating-point value for
"Float" nodes. "svalue": String, value for
"SingleQuotedString" and "DoubleQuotedString" nodes.
nvim__id({obj}) *nvim__id()*
Returns object given as argument.
This API function is used for testing. One should not rely on
its presence in plugins.
Parameters:
{obj} Object to return.
Return:
its argument.
nvim__id_array({arr}) *nvim__id_array()*
Returns array given as argument.
This API function is used for testing. One should not rely on
its presence in plugins.
Parameters:
{arr} Array to return.
Return:
its argument.
nvim__id_dictionary({dct}) *nvim__id_dictionary()*
Returns dictionary given as argument.
This API function is used for testing. One should not rely on
its presence in plugins.
Parameters:
{dct} Dictionary to return.
Return:
its argument.
nvim__id_float({flt}) *nvim__id_float()*
Returns floating-point value given as argument.
This API function is used for testing. One should not rely on
its presence in plugins.
Parameters:
{flt} Value to return.
Return:
its argument.
nvim__stats() *nvim__stats()*
Gets internal stats.
Return:
Map of various internal stats.
nvim_list_uis() *nvim_list_uis()*
Gets a list of dictionaries representing attached UIs.
Return:
Array of UI dictionaries
Each dictionary has the following keys:
"height" requested height of the UI "width" requested width of the UI "rgb" whether the UI uses rgb colors (false implies cterm colors) "ext_..." Requested UI extensions, see |ui-options| "chan" Channel id of remote UI (not present for TUI)
nvim_get_proc_children({pid}) *nvim_get_proc_children()*
Gets the immediate children of process `pid`.
Return:
Array of child process ids, empty if process not found.
nvim_get_proc({pid}) *nvim_get_proc()*
Gets info describing process `pid`.
Return:
Map of process properties, or NIL if process not found.
*nvim_select_popupmenu_item()*
nvim_select_popupmenu_item({item}, {insert}, {finish}, {opts})
Selects an item in the completion popupmenu.
If |ins-completion| is not active this API call is silently
ignored. Useful for an external UI using |ui-popupmenu| to
control the popupmenu with the mouse. Can also be used in a
mapping; use <cmd> |:map-cmd| to ensure the mapping doesn't
end completion mode.
Parameters:
{item} Index (zero-based) of the item to select. Value
of -1 selects nothing and restores the original
text.
{insert} Whether the selection should be inserted in the
buffer.
{finish} Finish the completion and dismiss the popupmenu.
Implies `insert`.
{opts} Optional parameters. Reserved for future use.
nvim__inspect_cell({row}, {col}) *nvim__inspect_cell()*
TODO: Documentation
==============================================================================
Buffer Functions *api-buffer*
Unloaded Buffers:
Buffers may be unloaded by the |:bunload| command or the
buffer's |'bufhidden'| option. When a buffer is unloaded its
file contents are freed from memory and vim cannot operate on
the buffer lines until it is reloaded (usually by opening the
buffer again in a new window). API methods such as
|nvim_buf_get_lines()| and |nvim_buf_line_count()| will be
affected.
You can use |nvim_buf_is_loaded()| or |nvim_buf_line_count()|
to check whether a buffer is loaded.
nvim_buf_line_count({buffer}) *nvim_buf_line_count()*
Gets the buffer line count
Parameters:
{buffer} Buffer handle
Return:
Line count, or 0 for unloaded buffer. |api-buffer|
nvim_buf_attach({buffer}, {send_buffer}, {opts}) *nvim_buf_attach()*
Activate updates from this buffer to the current channel.
Parameters:
{buffer} The buffer handle
{send_buffer} Set to true if the initial notification
should contain the whole buffer. If so, the
first notification will be a
`nvim_buf_lines_event`. Otherwise, the
first notification will be a
`nvim_buf_changedtick_event`
{opts} Optional parameters. Reserved for future
use.
Return:
False when updates couldn't be enabled because the buffer
isn't loaded or optscontained an invalid key; otherwise
True.
nvim_buf_detach({buffer}) *nvim_buf_detach()*
Deactivate updates from this buffer to the current channel.
Parameters:
{buffer} The buffer handle
Return:
False when updates couldn't be disabled because the buffer
isn't loaded; otherwise True.
*nvim_buf_get_lines()*
nvim_buf_get_lines({buffer}, {start}, {end}, {strict_indexing})
Gets a line-range from the buffer.
Indexing is zero-based, end-exclusive. Negative indices are
interpreted as length+1+index: -1 refers to the index past the
end. So to get the last element use start=-2 and end=-1.
Out-of-bounds indices are clamped to the nearest valid value,
unless `strict_indexing` is set.
Parameters:
{buffer} Buffer handle
{start} First line index
{end} Last line index (exclusive)
{strict_indexing} Whether out-of-bounds should be an
error.
Return:
Array of lines, or empty array for unloaded buffer.
*nvim_buf_set_lines()*
nvim_buf_set_lines({buffer}, {start}, {end}, {strict_indexing},
{replacement})
Sets (replaces) a line-range in the buffer.
Indexing is zero-based, end-exclusive. Negative indices are
interpreted as length+1+index: -1 refers to the index past the
end. So to change or delete the last element use start=-2 and
end=-1.
To insert lines at a given index, set `start` and `end` to the
same index. To delete a range of lines, set `replacement` to
an empty array.
Out-of-bounds indices are clamped to the nearest valid value,
unless `strict_indexing` is set.
Parameters:
{buffer} Buffer handle
{start} First line index
{end} Last line index (exclusive)
{strict_indexing} Whether out-of-bounds should be an
error.
{replacement} Array of lines to use as replacement
nvim_buf_get_offset({buffer}, {index}) *nvim_buf_get_offset()*
Returns the byte offset for a line.
Line 1 (index=0) has offset 0. UTF-8 bytes are counted. EOL is
one byte. 'fileformat' and 'fileencoding' are ignored. The
line index just after the last line gives the total byte-count
of the buffer. A final EOL byte is counted if it would be
written, see 'eol'.
Unlike |line2byte()|, throws error for out-of-bounds indexing.
Returns -1 for unloaded buffer.
Parameters:
{buffer} Buffer handle
{index} Line index
Return:
Integer byte offset, or -1 for unloaded buffer.
nvim_buf_get_var({buffer}, {name}) *nvim_buf_get_var()*
Gets a buffer-scoped (b:) variable.
Parameters:
{buffer} Buffer handle
{name} Variable name
Return:
Variable value
nvim_buf_get_changedtick({buffer}) *nvim_buf_get_changedtick()*
Gets a changed tick of a buffer
Parameters:
{buffer} Buffer handle.
Return:
b:changedtickvalue.
nvim_buf_get_keymap({buffer}, {mode}) *nvim_buf_get_keymap()*
Gets a list of buffer-local |mapping| definitions.
Parameters:
{mode} Mode short-name ("n", "i", "v", ...)
{buffer} Buffer handle
Return:
Array of maparg()-like dictionaries describing mappings.
The "buffer" key holds the associated buffer handle.
nvim_buf_get_commands({buffer}, {opts}) *nvim_buf_get_commands()*
Gets a map of buffer-local |user-commands|.
Parameters:
{buffer} Buffer handle.
{opts} Optional parameters. Currently not used.
Return:
Map of maps describing commands.
nvim_buf_set_var({buffer}, {name}, {value}) *nvim_buf_set_var()*
Sets a buffer-scoped (b:) variable
Parameters:
{buffer} Buffer handle
{name} Variable name
{value} Variable value
nvim_buf_del_var({buffer}, {name}) *nvim_buf_del_var()*
Removes a buffer-scoped (b:) variable
Parameters:
{buffer} Buffer handle
{name} Variable name
nvim_buf_get_option({buffer}, {name}) *nvim_buf_get_option()*
Gets a buffer option value
Parameters:
{buffer} Buffer handle
{name} Option name
Return:
Option value
nvim_buf_set_option({buffer}, {name}, {value}) *nvim_buf_set_option()*
Sets a buffer option value. Passing 'nil' as value deletes the
option (only works if there's a global fallback)
Parameters:
{buffer} Buffer handle
{name} Option name
{value} Option value
nvim_buf_get_name({buffer}) *nvim_buf_get_name()*
Gets the full file name for the buffer
Parameters:
{buffer} Buffer handle
Return:
Buffer name
nvim_buf_set_name({buffer}, {name}) *nvim_buf_set_name()*
Sets the full file name for a buffer
Parameters:
{buffer} Buffer handle
{name} Buffer name
nvim_buf_is_loaded({buffer}) *nvim_buf_is_loaded()*
Checks if a buffer is valid and loaded. See |api-buffer| for
more info about unloaded buffers.
Parameters:
{buffer} Buffer handle
Return:
true if the buffer is valid and loaded, false otherwise.
nvim_buf_is_valid({buffer}) *nvim_buf_is_valid()*
Checks if a buffer is valid.
Note:
Even if a buffer is valid it may have been unloaded. See
|api-buffer| for more info about unloaded buffers.
Parameters:
{buffer} Buffer handle
Return:
true if the buffer is valid, false otherwise.
nvim_buf_get_mark({buffer}, {name}) *nvim_buf_get_mark()*
Return a tuple (row,col) representing the position of the
named mark
Parameters:
{buffer} Buffer handle
{name} Mark name
Return:
(row, col) tuple
*nvim_buf_add_highlight()*
nvim_buf_add_highlight({buffer}, {ns_id}, {hl_group}, {line},
{col_start}, {col_end})
Adds a highlight to buffer.
Useful for plugins that dynamically generate highlights to a
buffer (like a semantic highlighter or linter). The function
adds a single highlight to a buffer. Unlike |matchaddpos()|
highlights follow changes to line numbering (as lines are
inserted/removed above the highlighted line), like signs and
marks do.
Namespaces are used for batch deletion/updating of a set of
highlights. To create a namespace, use |nvim_create_namespace|
which returns a namespace id. Pass it in to this function as
`ns_id` to add highlights to the namespace. All highlights in
the same namespace can then be cleared with single call to
|nvim_buf_clear_namespace|. If the highlight never will be
deleted by an API call, pass `ns_id = -1`.
As a shorthand, `ns_id = 0` can be used to create a new
namespace for the highlight, the allocated id is then
returned. If `hl_group` is the empty string no highlight is
added, but a new `ns_id` is still returned. This is supported
for backwards compatibility, new code should use
|nvim_create_namespace| to create a new empty namespace.
Parameters:
{buffer} Buffer handle
{ns_id} namespace to use or -1 for ungrouped
highlight
{hl_group} Name of the highlight group to use
{line} Line to highlight (zero-indexed)
{col_start} Start of (byte-indexed) column range to
highlight
{col_end} End of (byte-indexed) column range to
highlight, or -1 to highlight to end of line
Return:
The ns_id that was used
*nvim_buf_clear_namespace()*
nvim_buf_clear_namespace({buffer}, {ns_id}, {line_start}, {line_end})
Clears namespaced objects, highlights and virtual text, from a
line range
To clear the namespace in the entire buffer, pass in 0 and -1
to line_start and line_end respectively.
Parameters:
{buffer} Buffer handle
{ns_id} Namespace to clear, or -1 to clear all
namespaces.
{line_start} Start of range of lines to clear
{line_end} End of range of lines to clear (exclusive)
or -1 to clear to end of buffer.
*nvim_buf_set_virtual_text()*
nvim_buf_set_virtual_text({buffer}, {ns_id}, {line}, {chunks}, {opts})
Set the virtual text (annotation) for a buffer line.
By default (and currently the only option) the text will be
placed after the buffer text. Virtual text will never cause
reflow, rather virtual text will be truncated at the end of
the screen line. The virtual text will begin one cell
(|lcs-eol| or space) after the ordinary text.
Namespaces are used to support batch deletion/updating of
virtual text. To create a namespace, use
|nvim_create_namespace|. Virtual text is cleared using
|nvim_buf_clear_namespace|. The same `ns_id` can be used for
both virtual text and highlights added by
|nvim_buf_add_highlight|, both can then be cleared with a
single call to |nvim_buf_clear_namespace|. If the virtual text
never will be cleared by an API call, pass `ns_id = -1`.
As a shorthand, `ns_id = 0` can be used to create a new
namespace for the virtual text, the allocated id is then
returned.
Parameters:
{buffer} Buffer handle
{ns_id} Namespace to use or 0 to create a namespace, or
-1 for a ungrouped annotation
{line} Line to annotate with virtual text
(zero-indexed)
{chunks} A list of [text, hl_group] arrays, each
representing a text chunk with specified
highlight. `hl_group` element can be omitted for
no highlight.
{opts} Optional parameters. Currently not used.
Return:
The ns_id that was used
==============================================================================
Window Functions *api-window*
nvim_win_get_buf({window}) *nvim_win_get_buf()*
Gets the current buffer in a window
Parameters:
{window} Window handle
Return:
Buffer handle
nvim_win_set_buf({window}, {buffer}) *nvim_win_set_buf()*
Sets the current buffer in a window, without side-effects
Parameters:
{window} Window handle
{buffer} Buffer handle
nvim_win_get_cursor({window}) *nvim_win_get_cursor()*
Gets the cursor position in the window
Parameters:
{window} Window handle
Return:
(row, col) tuple
nvim_win_set_cursor({window}, {pos}) *nvim_win_set_cursor()*
Sets the cursor position in the window
Parameters:
{window} Window handle
{pos} (row, col) tuple representing the new position
nvim_win_get_height({window}) *nvim_win_get_height()*
Gets the window height
Parameters:
{window} Window handle
Return:
Height as a count of rows
nvim_win_set_height({window}, {height}) *nvim_win_set_height()*
Sets the window height. This will only succeed if the screen
is split horizontally.
Parameters:
{window} Window handle
{height} Height as a count of rows
nvim_win_get_width({window}) *nvim_win_get_width()*
Gets the window width
Parameters:
{window} Window handle
Return:
Width as a count of columns
nvim_win_set_width({window}, {width}) *nvim_win_set_width()*
Sets the window width. This will only succeed if the screen is
split vertically.
Parameters:
{window} Window handle
{width} Width as a count of columns
nvim_win_get_var({window}, {name}) *nvim_win_get_var()*
Gets a window-scoped (w:) variable
Parameters:
{window} Window handle
{name} Variable name
Return:
Variable value
nvim_win_set_var({window}, {name}, {value}) *nvim_win_set_var()*
Sets a window-scoped (w:) variable
Parameters:
{window} Window handle
{name} Variable name
{value} Variable value
nvim_win_del_var({window}, {name}) *nvim_win_del_var()*
Removes a window-scoped (w:) variable
Parameters:
{window} Window handle
{name} Variable name
nvim_win_get_option({window}, {name}) *nvim_win_get_option()*
Gets a window option value
Parameters:
{window} Window handle
{name} Option name
Return:
Option value
nvim_win_set_option({window}, {name}, {value}) *nvim_win_set_option()*
Sets a window option value. Passing 'nil' as value deletes the
option(only works if there's a global fallback)
Parameters:
{window} Window handle
{name} Option name
{value} Option value
nvim_win_get_position({window}) *nvim_win_get_position()*
Gets the window position in display cells. First position is
zero.
Parameters:
{window} Window handle
Return:
(row, col) tuple with the window position
nvim_win_get_tabpage({window}) *nvim_win_get_tabpage()*
Gets the window tabpage
Parameters:
{window} Window handle
Return:
Tabpage that contains the window
nvim_win_get_number({window}) *nvim_win_get_number()*
Gets the window number
Parameters:
{window} Window handle
Return:
Window number
nvim_win_is_valid({window}) *nvim_win_is_valid()*
Checks if a window is valid
Parameters:
{window} Window handle
Return:
true if the window is valid, false otherwise
nvim_win_set_config({window}, {config}) *nvim_win_set_config()*
Configure window position. Currently this is only used to
configure floating and external windows (including changing a
split window to these types).
See documentation at |nvim_open_win()|, for the meaning of
parameters.
When reconfiguring a floating window, absent option keys will
not be changed. The following restriction apply: `row`, `col`
and `relative` must be reconfigured together. Only changing a
subset of these is an error.
Parameters:
{window} Window handle
{config} Dictionary of window configuration
nvim_win_get_config({window}) *nvim_win_get_config()*
Return window configuration.
Return a dictionary containing the same config that can be
given to |nvim_open_win()|.
`relative` will be an empty string for normal windows.
Parameters:
{window} Window handle
Return:
Window configuration
nvim_win_close({window}, {force}) *nvim_win_close()*
Close a window.
This is equivalent to |:close| with count except that it takes
a window id.
Parameters:
{window} Window handle
{force} Behave like `:close!` The last window of a
buffer with unwritten changes can be closed. The
buffer will become hidden, even if 'hidden' is
not set.
Return:
Window number
==============================================================================
Tabpage Functions *api-tabpage*
nvim_tabpage_list_wins({tabpage}) *nvim_tabpage_list_wins()*
Gets the windows in a tabpage
Parameters:
{tabpage} Tabpage
Return:
List of windows in tabpage
nvim_tabpage_get_var({tabpage}, {name}) *nvim_tabpage_get_var()*
Gets a tab-scoped (t:) variable
Parameters:
{tabpage} Tabpage handle
{name} Variable name
Return:
Variable value
nvim_tabpage_set_var({tabpage}, {name}, {value}) *nvim_tabpage_set_var()*
Sets a tab-scoped (t:) variable
Parameters:
{tabpage} Tabpage handle
{name} Variable name
{value} Variable value
nvim_tabpage_del_var({tabpage}, {name}) *nvim_tabpage_del_var()*
Removes a tab-scoped (t:) variable
Parameters:
{tabpage} Tabpage handle
{name} Variable name
nvim_tabpage_get_win({tabpage}) *nvim_tabpage_get_win()*
Gets the current window in a tabpage
Parameters:
{tabpage} Tabpage handle
Return:
Window handle
nvim_tabpage_get_number({tabpage}) *nvim_tabpage_get_number()*
Gets the tabpage number
Parameters:
{tabpage} Tabpage handle
Return:
Tabpage number
nvim_tabpage_is_valid({tabpage}) *nvim_tabpage_is_valid()*
Checks if a tabpage is valid
Parameters:
{tabpage} Tabpage handle
Return:
true if the tabpage is valid, false otherwise
==============================================================================
UI Functions *api-ui*
nvim_ui_attach({width}, {height}, {options}) *nvim_ui_attach()*
TODO: Documentation
nvim_ui_detach() *nvim_ui_detach()*
TODO: Documentation
nvim_ui_try_resize({width}, {height}) *nvim_ui_try_resize()*
TODO: Documentation
nvim_ui_set_option({name}, {value}) *nvim_ui_set_option()*
TODO: Documentation
*nvim_ui_try_resize_grid()*
nvim_ui_try_resize_grid({grid}, {width}, {height})
Tell Nvim to resize a grid. Triggers a grid_resize event with
the requested grid size or the maximum size if it exceeds size
limits.
On invalid grid handle, fails with error.
Parameters:
{grid} The handle of the grid to be changed.
{width} The new requested width.
{height} The new requested height.
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