To switch back to normal mode automatically after inaction

Tip 1540 Printable Monobook Previous Next

created December 9, 2007 · complexity basic · version 7.0

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Looking for a way to exit insert mode automatically when you haven't typed anything for a few seconds?

Try:

" automatically leave insert mode after 'updatetime' milliseconds of inaction
au CursorHoldI * stopinsert

If you find that this event fires too quickly, you can adjust 'updatetime' to suit your needs, but you might want to consider doing so only when you enter insert mode:

" set 'updatetime' to 15 seconds when in insert mode
au InsertEnter * let updaterestore=&updatetime | set updatetime=15000
au InsertLeave * let &updatetime=updaterestore

References

• :help :stopinsert
• :help CursorHoldI
• :help InsertEnter
• :help InsertLeave
• :help 'updatetime'

Comments

This is the greatest vim tip of all time. Setting the timeout to a couple of seconds forces you to use vim very efficiently.