To record a macro in Sublime Text, go to Tools > Record Macro or use Ctrl Q (Windows/Linux) or Cmd Q (macOS) to start recording, perform desired actions, then stop recording via the same menu option. 2. To play back a macro, go to Tools > Playback Macro or use the shortcut Ctrl Shift Q (Windows/Linux) or Cmd Shift Q (macOS) to replay the recorded actions exactly as recorded. 3. To save a macro for future use, go to Tools > Save Macro after recording, give it a meaningful name, and it will be stored in the Packages/User/ folder. 4. To edit a macro, go to Tools > Developer > Edit Macros, select the macro, and modify its JSON structure containing commands and arguments. 5. To assign a keyboard shortcut, open Preferences > Key Bindings, add a new entry in the user key bindings with "command": "run_macro_file" and specify the path to the macro file. 6. Macros can be used on multiple selections by holding Ctrl or Cmd to make selections and running the macro, which applies the actions to each selection independently. 7. Common use cases include wrapping text in HTML tags, formatting logs, inserting snippets, and cleaning up code, though macros lack conditional logic and are best for simple, repetitive tasks. 8. Always save macros before closing Sublime Text to avoid losing unsaved recordings, and leverage them as efficient automation tools for boosting editing speed.
Macros in Sublime Text are a powerful way to record and replay a series of keyboard actions, saving you time on repetitive tasks. They’re especially useful for formatting, inserting boilerplate code, or performing multi-step edits quickly. Here’s how to use them effectively.
Recording a Macro
To create a macro, you first need to record your actions:
-
Go to Tools > Record Macro
(or use the shortcut:Ctrl Qon Windows/Linux,Cmd Qon macOS — note: this toggles recording).
Perform the actions you want to save — typing, deleting, selecting text, using shortcuts, etc.
-
Stop the recording by going to Tools > Record Macro again (same menu option toggles it off).
? Tip: Nothing is saved permanently until you explicitly save the macro. If you close Sublime without saving, the recorded macro is lost.
Playing Back a Macro
Once you’ve recorded a macro:
- Go to Tools > Playback Macro
(shortcut:Ctrl Shift Qon Windows/Linux,Cmd Shift Qon macOS).
This will replay exactly what you recorded — keystrokes, selections, deletions, etc.
You can run it multiple times manually, or use it as a base for automation.
Saving a Macro
To keep your macro for future use:
- After recording, go to Tools > Save Macro.
- Give it a meaningful name (e.g.,
Wrap in div.sublime-macro). - Choose a location — usually, it saves to your
Packages/User/folder.
Now it’s available every time you open Sublime Text.
Editing a Macro
Macros are saved as JSON files, so you can edit them:
- Open Tools > Developer > Edit Macros.
- Select the macro you want to modify.
- You’ll see a JSON structure with
"commands"and"args".
Example macro:
{
"commands": [
["insert", {"characters": "<div>"}],
["move", {"by": "characters", "forward": false}],
["insert", {"characters": "\n\n"}],
["move", {"by": "lines", "forward": true}]
]
}You can tweak or clean up the commands manually — for example, removing unnecessary cursor moves or adjusting text insertion.
Assigning a Keyboard Shortcut
To make your macro even more useful, bind it to a key combo:
- Go to Preferences > Key Bindings.
- In your user key bindings (right pane), add a new entry:
{
"keys": ["ctrl alt d"],
"command": "run_macro_file",
"args": {
"file": "Packages/User/YourMacroName.sublime-macro"
}
}Replace the filename with your actual macro file name.
Now pressing Ctrl Alt D (or your chosen keys) will run the macro instantly.
Using Macros in Practice
Common use cases:
- Wrap selected text in HTML tags
- Format log statements or debug prints
- Insert custom snippets faster than via snippet files
- Clean up whitespace or restructure code patterns
?? Note: Macros don’t support logic (like conditionals or loops), so they’re best for simple, predictable sequences.
Bonus: Run Macro on Multiple Selections
Sublime Text applies macros across multiple selections:
- Make several selections (hold
CtrlorCmdwhile selecting). - Run your macro.
- It will execute on each selection independently.
This is great for batch editing — e.g., adding prefixes, wrapping elements, or transforming data.
Basically, macros are quick automation tools that work well when you don’t need full scripting. Record, save, assign a shortcut, and boost your editing speed.
The above is the detailed content of How to use macros in Sublime Text. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!
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