Input Rules

inputRules run synchronously in the editor while the user types. Use them for bracket pairs and typographic replacements. They are declarative: there is no code in the keystroke path.

"contributes": {
  "inputRules": [
    { "pair": ["（", "）"] },
    { "pair": ["「", "」"] },
    { "pair": ["《", "》"] },
    { "match": "...", "replace": "…" },
    { "match": "->", "replace": "→" }
  ]
}

Pairs

{ "pair": ["open", "close"] } — typing the opening character inserts the closing one after the caret; with a selection, it wraps the selection; Backspace in an empty pair removes both. Both must be single characters.

Replacements

{ "match": "text", "replace": "text" } — when the user finishes typing match, it is replaced with replace. match is plain text, not a regular expression.

Notes

• Extension rules apply on their own, whether or not the user has turned on Auto Pair Brackets and Quotes or Text Replacement. The user's own replacement rules are applied first.
• For changes that need logic or the whole document — spacing, linting, reformatting — register a formatter from main instead. Formatters run on demand from the command palette and apply as one undo step.

Chinese bracket pairing and Chinese–Latin spacing are built into Settings ▸ Writing ▸ Chinese Typography. Extensions can use the same input-rule contribution mechanism for other pairs.