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The glide.excmds API allows you to create custom commands that can be invoked from the commandline or via glide.excmds.execute().

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glide.excmds.execute()

Execute an ex command programmatically. 
glide.excmds.execute(cmd: glide.ExcmdString): Promise<void>

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Parameters

​
cmd
string
required
The command to execute, same format as typing in the commandlineExamples:
  • "tab_new"
  • "tab_new https://example.com"
  • "set yank_highlight #ff0000"

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Returns

A Promise that resolves when the command completes.

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Example

// Execute builtin command
await glide.excmds.execute("tab_new");

// Execute with arguments
await glide.excmds.execute("tab_new https://glide-browser.app");

// Execute custom command
await glide.excmds.execute("my_custom_command arg1 arg2");

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glide.excmds.create()

Create a new custom ex command. 
glide.excmds.create<Excmd>(
  info: Excmd,
  fn: glide.ExcmdCallback | glide.ExcmdContentCallback
): Excmd

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Parameters

​
info
object
required
Command metadata
​
fn
function
required
Command callback function, executed in main process or content processMain process signature:
(props: { tab_id: number; args_arr: string[] }) => void | Promise<void>
Content process signature:
glide.content.fn((props: { args_arr: string[] }) => void)

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Returns

The info object passed in (for type declaration).

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Callback Properties

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ExcmdCallbackProps (Main Process)

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tab_id
number
The ID of the currently active tab
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args_arr
string[]
Array of arguments passed to the commandExamples:
  • "foo" → []
  • "foo -r" → ["-r"]
  • "foo -r 'string with spaces'" → ["-r", "string with spaces"]

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ExcmdContentCallbackProps (Content Process)

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args_arr
string[]
Array of arguments passed to the command (same format as main process)

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Usage Examples

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Basic Command

Create a simple command that logs a message: 
const cmd = glide.excmds.create(
  { 
    name: "hello",
    description: "Print a greeting" 
  },
  () => {
    console.log("Hello, Glide!");
  }
);

// Register type
declare global {
  interface ExcmdRegistry {
    hello: typeof cmd;
  }
}

// Execute: :hello

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Command with Arguments

Process arguments passed to your command: 
const cmd = glide.excmds.create(
  { 
    name: "greet",
    description: "Greet someone by name" 
  },
  ({ args_arr }) => {
    const name = args_arr[0] || "World";
    console.log(`Hello, ${name}!`);
  }
);

declare global {
  interface ExcmdRegistry {
    greet: typeof cmd;
  }
}

// Execute: :greet Alice
// Output: "Hello, Alice!"

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Content Process Command

Create a command that operates in the content process: 
const cmd = glide.excmds.create(
  { 
    name: "focus_page",
    description: "Focus the page body" 
  },
  glide.content.fn(() => {
    document.body?.focus();
  })
);

declare global {
  interface ExcmdRegistry {
    focus_page: typeof cmd;
  }
}

// Execute: :focus_page

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Tab-Aware Command

Use the tab_id to work with specific tabs: 
const cmd = glide.excmds.create(
  { 
    name: "log_url",
    description: "Log the current tab URL" 
  },
  async ({ tab_id }) => {
    const tab = await browser.tabs.get(tab_id);
    console.log(`Current URL: ${tab.url}`);
  }
);

declare global {
  interface ExcmdRegistry {
    log_url: typeof cmd;
  }
}

​
Command with Complex Arguments

Parse and validate command arguments: 
const cmd = glide.excmds.create(
  { 
    name: "open_in_split",
    description: "Open URL in split view" 
  },
  async ({ tab_id, args_arr }) => {
    if (args_arr.length === 0) {
      console.error("Usage: open_in_split <url>");
      return;
    }
    
    const url = args_arr[0];
    const newTab = await browser.tabs.create({ url });
    
    // Create split view
    glide.unstable.split_views.create([tab_id, newTab.id!]);
  }
);

declare global {
  interface ExcmdRegistry {
    open_in_split: typeof cmd;
  }
}

// Execute: :open_in_split https://example.com

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Notification Command

Create a command that shows browser notifications: 
const cmd = glide.excmds.create(
  { 
    name: "notify",
    description: "Show a notification" 
  },
  ({ args_arr }) => {
    const message = args_arr.join(" ") || "No message";
    
    browser.notifications.create({
      type: "basic",
      title: "Glide Notification",
      message: message
    });
  }
);

declare global {
  interface ExcmdRegistry {
    notify: typeof cmd;
  }
}

// Execute: :notify Hello World

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Content Manipulation Command

Modify page content from the content process: 
const cmd = glide.excmds.create(
  { 
    name: "highlight_all",
    description: "Highlight all text on the page" 
  },
  glide.content.fn(({ args_arr }) => {
    const color = args_arr[0] || "yellow";
    const elements = document.querySelectorAll("p, span, div");
    
    elements.forEach((el) => {
      if (el instanceof HTMLElement) {
        el.style.backgroundColor = color;
      }
    });
  })
);

declare global {
  interface ExcmdRegistry {
    highlight_all: typeof cmd;
  }
}

// Execute: :highlight_all #ffff00

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Type Declaration

After creating a command, you must register it in the global type registry: 
const cmd = glide.excmds.create(
  { name: "my_excmd", description: "..." },
  () => { /* ... */ }
);

// Required for TypeScript autocomplete
declare global {
  interface ExcmdRegistry {
    my_excmd: typeof cmd;
  }
}
This enables:
  • Autocomplete in glide.excmds.execute()
  • Type checking for command names
  • IntelliSense in your editor

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Built-in Commands

Glide includes many built-in commands. See the Command Line feature page for a complete list. Common examples:
  • :tab_new [url] - Create a new tab
  • :tab_close - Close current tab
  • :reload - Reload the page
  • :set <option> <value> - Set an option
  • :clear - Clear notifications

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Invocation Methods

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Via Commandline

Press : to open the commandline and type your command: 
:my_command arg1 arg2

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Programmatically

Call glide.excmds.execute() from anywhere: 
await glide.excmds.execute("my_command arg1 arg2");

​
From Keymaps

Bind commands to keyboard shortcuts: 
glide.keymaps.set("normal", "<leader>mc", "my_command arg1 arg2");

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Argument Parsing

Arguments are split by whitespace and quotes: 
glide.excmds.create({ name: "test" }, ({ args_arr }) => {
  console.log(args_arr);
});

// :test Hello world
// Output: ["Hello", "world"]

// :test "Hello world"
// Output: ["Hello world"]

// :test "Hello world" foo
// Output: ["Hello world", "foo"]

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Best Practices

  1. Always provide descriptions - Helps users discover commands in the commandline
  2. Validate arguments - Check args_arr length and content before use
  3. Use meaningful names - Command names should be clear and memorable
  4. Handle errors gracefully - Log errors or show notifications for invalid input
  5. Register types - Always add commands to ExcmdRegistry for type safety

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See Also