Vim 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 |msgpack-rpc|, Lua and VimL (|eval-api|).
Applications can also embed libnvim to work with the C API directly.
Type <M-]> to see the table of contents.
==============================================================================
API Types *api-types*
Nvim's C API uses custom types for all functions. Some are just typedefs
around C99 standard types, and some 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
Additionally, the following data structures are defined:
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 Current API level
version.api_compatible API is backwards-compatible with this level
version.api_prerelease Declares the current API level as unstable
(version.api_prerelease && fn.since == version.api_level)
functions API function signatures
ui_events UI event signatures |rpc-remote-ui|
{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 API is made of functions and events. Clients call functions like those
described at |api-global|, and may "attach" in order to receive rich events,
described at |rpc-remote-ui|.
As Nvim develops, its API may change only according the following "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
==============================================================================
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, see the
generated API documentation for details. If an external highlighter plugin is
adding a large number of 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. Here is an example using wrapper
functions in the 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). |nvim_buf_clear_highlight| can be used
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_highlight(0, src, 0, -1)
==============================================================================
Global Functions *api-global*
nvim_command({command}) *nvim_command()*
Executes an ex-command. On VimL error: Returns the VimL error;
v:errmsg is not updated.
Parameters:
{command} Ex-command string
nvim_feedkeys({keys}, {mode}, {escape_csi}) *nvim_feedkeys()*
Passes input keys to Nvim. On VimL error: Does not fail, but
updates v:errmsg.
Parameters:
{keys} to be typed
{mode} mapping options
{escape_csi} If true, escape K_SPECIAL/CSI bytes in
`keys`
nvim_input({keys}) *nvim_input()*
Passes keys to Nvim as raw user-input. On VimL error: Does not
fail, but updates v:errmsg.
Unlike `nvim_feedkeys`, this uses a lower-level input buffer
and the call is not deferred. This is the most reliable way to
emulate real user input.
Attributes:
{async}
Parameters:
{keys} to be typed
Return:
Number of bytes actually written (can be fewer than
requested if the buffer becomes full).
*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({str}) *nvim_command_output()*
TODO: Documentation
nvim_eval({expr}) *nvim_eval()*
Evaluates a VimL expression (:help expression). Dictionaries
and Lists are recursively expanded. On VimL error: Returns a
generic error; v:errmsg is not updated.
Parameters:
{expr} VimL expression string
Return:
Evaluation result or expanded object
nvim_call_function({fname}, {args}) *nvim_call_function()*
Calls a VimL function with the given arguments
On VimL error: Returns a generic error; v:errmsg is not
updated.
Parameters:
{fname} Function to call
{args} Function arguments packed in an Array
Return:
Result of the function call
nvim_execute_lua({code}, {args}) *nvim_execute_lua()*
Execute lua code. Parameters might be passed, they are
available inside the chunk as `...`. The chunk can return a
value.
To evaluate an expression, it must be prefixed with "return ".
For instance, to call a lua function with arguments sent in
and get its return value back, use the code "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_strwidth({str}) *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_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
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:
{id} 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:
{handle} Window handle
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:
{handle} Tabpage handle
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: Mode string. |mode()|
blocking: true if Nvim is waiting for input.
Attributes:
{async}
Return:
Dictionary { "mode": String, "blocking": Boolean }
nvim_get_keymap({mode}) *nvim_get_keymap()*
Get a list of dictionaries describing global (i.e. non-buffer)
mappings Note that the "buffer" key will be 0 to represent
false.
Parameters:
{mode} The abbreviation for the mode
Return:
An array of maparg() like dictionaries describing mappings
nvim_get_api_info() *nvim_get_api_info()*
TODO: Documentation
Attributes:
{async}
nvim_call_atomic({calls}) *nvim_call_atomic()*
Call many api methods atomically
This has two main usages: Firstly, to perform several requests
from an async context atomically, i.e. without processing
requests from other rpc clients or redrawing or allowing user
interaction in between. Note that api methods that could fire
autocommands or do event processing still might do so. For
instance invoking the :sleep command might call timer
callbacks. Secondly, it can be used to reduce rpc overhead
(roundtrips) when doing many requests in sequence.
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 ocurred, the values from all preceding calls will
still be returned.
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.
==============================================================================
Buffer Functions *api-buffer*
nvim_buf_line_count({buffer}) *nvim_buf_line_count()*
Gets the buffer line count
Parameters:
{buffer} Buffer handle
Return:
Line count
*nvim_buf_get_lines()*
nvim_buf_get_lines({buffer}, {start}, {end}, {strict_indexing})
Retrieves a line range from the buffer
Indexing is zero-based, end-exclusive. Negative indices are
interpreted as length+1+index, i e -1 refers to the index past
the end. So to get the last element set 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
*nvim_buf_set_lines()*
nvim_buf_set_lines({buffer}, {start}, {end}, {strict_indexing},
{replacement})
Replaces line range on the buffer
Indexing is zero-based, end-exclusive. Negative indices are
interpreted as length+1+index, i e -1 refers to the index past
the end. So to change or delete the last element set start=-2
and end=-1.
To insert lines at a given index, set both 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_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()*
Get a list of dictionaries describing buffer-local mappings
Note that the buffer key in the dictionary will represent the
buffer handle where the mapping is present
Parameters:
{mode} The abbreviation for the mode
{buffer_id} Buffer handle
Return:
An array of maparg() like dictionaries describing mappings
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_valid({buffer}) *nvim_buf_is_valid()*
Checks if a buffer is valid
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}, {src_id}, {hl_group}, {line},
{col_start}, {col_end})
Adds a highlight to buffer.
This can be used for plugins which 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.
"src_id" is useful for batch deletion/updating of a set of
highlights. When called with src_id = 0, an unique source id
is generated and returned. Succesive calls can pass in it as
"src_id" to add new highlights to the same source group. All
highlights in the same group can then be cleared with
nvim_buf_clear_highlight. If the highlight never will be
manually deleted pass in -1 for "src_id".
If "hl_group" is the empty string no highlight is added, but a
new src_id is still returned. This is useful for an external
plugin to synchrounously request an unique src_id at
initialization, and later asynchronously add and clear
highlights in response to buffer changes.
Parameters:
{buffer} Buffer handle
{src_id} Source group to use or 0 to use a new group,
or -1 for ungrouped highlight
{hl_group} Name of the highlight group to use
{line} Line to highlight
{col_start} Start of range of columns to highlight
{col_end} End of range of columns to highlight, or -1
to highlight to end of line
Return:
The src_id that was used
*nvim_buf_clear_highlight()*
nvim_buf_clear_highlight({buffer}, {src_id}, {line_start}, {line_end})
Clears highlights from a given source group and a range of
lines
To clear a source group in the entire buffer, pass in 1 and -1
to line_start and line_end respectively.
Parameters:
{buffer} Buffer handle
{src_id} Highlight source group to clear, or -1 to
clear all.
{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 file.
==============================================================================
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_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
==============================================================================
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*
remote_ui_disconnect() *remote_ui_disconnect()*
TODO: Documentation
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
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