InsertLeave

InsertLeave is an autocommand event in Vim and Neovim that fires when the editor switches from Insert mode back to Normal mode. It provides a hook for running commands or functions immediately after the user finishes inserting text.

The event is used in configuration and scripting to perform actions that should occur after editing pauses. Common uses include restoring options changed during insert, such as turning off paste mode, updating the status line, or triggering a formatting or cleanup routine. Because Insert mode is focused on input, InsertLeave offers a convenient point to apply post-edit behavior without affecting ongoing typing.

A typical practical use is to toggle settings that should be different while typing. For example, many users enable paste mode when entering Insert mode and disable it when leaving Insert mode to return to normal editing behavior. A common Vimscript pattern is to pair InsertEnter with InsertLeave in autocommands:

autocmd InsertEnter * set paste

autocmd InsertLeave * set nopaste

Related autocommand events include InsertEnter, which fires when entering Insert mode, and other editing-related events such as TextChangedI and TextChangedP. InsertLeave is supported in both Vim and Neovim and has remained a stable mechanism for scripting editor behavior related to mode transitions.