Use IntelliSense suggestions
IntelliSense suggests syntax for the selected engine and cursor position. It works in the pattern and substitution editors.
- Free
- Included
- Pro
- Included
- Self-hosted
- Included
Open IntelliSense
Suggestions open after common prefixes such as \ and (?. You can also request suggestions manually:
- Put the cursor where you want to insert or change syntax.
- Press
Ctrl+Space. - Select a suggestion with the arrow keys.
- Press
Enterto accept it.
If no syntax applies at that position, the menu shows No suggestions are available here.
Search the suggestions
- Open IntelliSense.
- Press
Ctrl+Spaceagain. - Enter a term such as
grouporboundary. - Select a result.
You can search by syntax, name, explanation, category, or section.
Keyboard controls
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl+Space | Open suggestions, then open search if the menu is already open. |
Arrow Up / Arrow Down | Move between suggestions. |
Page Up / Page Down | Move through a page of suggestions. |
Enter | Accept an item or the current guided value. |
Escape | Close search or suggestions. Inserted text remains in the editor. |
Insert a named group
Use JavaScript and the g flag. The finished pattern is:
\bORD-(?<id>[0-9]{4})\b
Input:
ORD-0042 pending
ORD-0187 sent
ORD-42 invalid
XORD-0001 invalid
The matches are ORD-0042 and ORD-0187. The named group id contains 0042 and 0187.
- After
\bORD-, pressCtrl+Spacetwice and search fornamed. - Select Named Capturing Group. The name slot is selected. The incomplete pattern shows an error.
- Enter
id, complete the group with[0-9]{4}, and add\b. The finished pattern finds two identifiers.
Cursor context
Suggestions use the selected flavor, flags, editor mode, and surrounding syntax. In the substitution editor, suggestions include replacement syntax and references to the pattern's groups.
Inside comments, some suggestions do not apply. A token that cannot take a quantifier does not receive quantifier suggestions.
Available syntax
The menu includes compatible groups, quantifiers, anchors, escapes, character classes, and references. Engine-specific constructs appear only for compatible flavors.
Fill guided slots
Some constructs need a value, such as a group name or a repetition count. IntelliSense selects that value so you can replace it.
| Construct | Guided value |
|---|---|
| Named capture group | Group name |
| Repetition range | Minimum and optional maximum |
| Unicode property | Property name or a compatible key and value |
| Backreference | Compatible capture group |
| Inline modifiers | Enabled or disabled flags |
Press Enter to accept a value and move to the next slot. You can also enter your own value.
Escape closes the slot session without removing inserted text. An unfinished or unsupported value can leave a parser error.
Repair or change existing syntax
- Put the cursor inside an existing token.
- Press
Ctrl+Space. - Select the matching structure.
- Edit its guided value.
For example, a partial (?<name can reopen the named-group structure with name in its slot. A repetition such as a{10} can reopen its count.
Only the token at the cursor changes.
References and known values
Reference suggestions use groups from the current pattern. The substitution editor can suggest the corresponding numbered or named replacement references.
Unicode properties, flags, and other known values depend on the selected engine. Free text remains available, and the parser reports unsupported values.
Read a suggestion
Each suggestion includes a name and an explanation. These descriptions also appear in the explanation panel and Quick Reference.
Configuration and availability
IntelliSense is included in Free. It is inactive in read-only and embedded editors.
To disable IntelliSense, clear Show autocomplete suggestions in Settings > Editor > Assistance. This also disables the manual shortcut.
If a suggestion is missing, verify the engine, flags, and cursor position. For a shortcut conflict, use keyboard shortcut help.