How to Use Date/Time Input with /引导 Commands in RIME Wanxiang

Use slash commands like /rq, /sj, and /dt followed by optional backslash placeholders such as \Y, \m, and \A to insert formatted dates, times, or custom templates directly into your text.

The amzxyz/rime_wanxiang repository implements a powerful /引导 (slash-guided) mode that allows users to input dates and times using intuitive slash commands. This feature leverages Lua processors to parse commands, calculate temporal values, and expand customizable placeholders in real-time.

Understanding the /引导 Command Architecture

The date/time input system relies on a coordinated pipeline across three core components that handle detection, calculation, and formatting.

Core Implementation Files

The functionality is distributed across these specific source files:

• wanxiang/lua/shijian.lua – Implements the primary slash commands (/rq, /sj, /dt, /nl, /xq), parses N-date shortcuts, and manages the sequence_adjustment_code property (line 2584)
• wanxiang/lua/super_filter.lua – Handles dynamic placeholder expansion through the process_datetime_internal function (lines 135-180), mapping escape sequences like \Y and \T to actual values
• wanxiang/wanxiang.schema.yaml – Defines the default date_formats, time_formats, and datetime_formats used when no custom template is specified

Command Processing Pipeline

When you type a slash command, the system executes this sequence:

1. Input detection – The recognizer pattern matches the leading "/" and wanxiang.lua tags the segment with shijian or Ndate
2. Processor dispatch – The super_processor chain routes the tagged segment to the date-time handler in shijian.lua
3. Date calculation – The script obtains os.date("*t") and selects a format from the configured lists
4. Placeholder expansion – If backslash escapes exist, super_filter.lua substitutes them using an internal time map
5. Result emission – The formatted string is emitted as a candidate for selection

Available Slash Commands and Placeholders

The /引导 mode supports multiple built-in commands for different temporal outputs.

Standard Commands

Command	Output Type	Description
/rq	Date	Current date using the first entry in date_formats
/sj	Time	Current time using time_formats configuration
/dt	DateTime	Combined date and time output
/nl	Lunar	Traditional Chinese lunar calendar date
/xq	Weekday	Current day of the week

Backslash Placeholder Reference

When you append placeholders to a command, process_datetime_internal expands them using this mapping:

• \Y – Four-digit year (e.g., 2025)
• \m – Month with leading zero (e.g., 09)
• \d – Day with leading zero (e.g., 26)
• \T – Chinese shichen (时辰, e.g., 辰时)
• \K – Chinese ke (刻, quarter-hour, e.g., 初三)
• \A – Period of day (e.g., 上午, 下午, 晚上)

Practical Usage Examples

The following examples assume the current time is 2025-09-26 14:37.

Basic Command Usage

Type the slash command directly to get default formatting:

/rq      → 2025-09-26
/sj      → 14:37
/dt      → 2025-09-26 14:37:00

Custom Template Expansion

Append placeholders immediately after the command to customize the output format:

/rq\Y年\m月\d日 \A    → 2025年09月26日 下午
/rq\T                → 2025-09-26 辰时
/sj\K                → 14:37 初三

N-Date Shortcuts

The shijian.lua processor also recognizes numeric shortcuts without slashes:

N20250926   → 2025-09-26
N0926       → 09-26 (current year implied)

Customizing Date and Time Formats

You can extend the default behavior by modifying the custom_dt_formats configuration in wanxiang/lua/shijian.lua (line 2847).

Adding Custom Templates

Open shijian.lua and locate the configuration section:

config:set_list("custom_dt_formats", {
    "\\Y/\\m/\\d \\A",
    "\\Y年\\m月\\d日 \\T"
})

After reloading the schema or restarting the input method, these custom patterns will appear as additional candidates when typing /rq or other date commands.

Safety Mechanisms

The super_filter.lua implementation protects literal backslashes within [[...]] blocks from accidental expansion. This ensures you can embed literal text containing backslashes without triggering the placeholder replacement system.

Summary

• Slash commands (/rq, /sj, /dt) in amzxyz/rime_wanxiang provide instant date/time insertion via the /引导 mode
• Placeholders (\Y, \m, \d, \T, \K, \A) enable custom formatting through process_datetime_internal in super_filter.lua
• Configuration occurs in wanxiang.schema.yaml for default formats and shijian.lua (line 2847) for custom templates via custom_dt_formats
• N-date shortcuts allow quick numeric entry (e.g., N20250926) without slash prefixes
• Protection for literal backslashes is handled automatically by the filter system

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enable the /引导 date/time commands in my RIME configuration?

Ensure your schema includes the recognizer patterns for shijian and that the super_processor is active in your engine processors list. The patterns are defined in wanxiang/wanxiang.schema.yaml, and the wanxiang.lua glue script automatically tags segments with shijian when it detects the leading slash.

Why are my backslash placeholders not expanding?

Placeholder expansion requires the super_filter.lua component to be active in your filter chain. Verify that the candidate text contains valid placeholders (e.g., \Y, \m) and that you have not enclosed them in double brackets [[...]], which explicitly prevents expansion according to the protection logic in super_filter.lua.

Can I create my own date format patterns?

Yes. Modify the custom_dt_formats list in wanxiang/lua/shijian.lua at line 2847. Add your desired pattern string using backslash escapes (e.g., "\\Y.\\m.\\d \\A"), then reload your RIME configuration. Your custom format will appear as an additional candidate alongside the defaults.

What is the difference between /rq and N20250926?

/rq is a command that inserts the current date using system time, while N20250926 is a literal input shortcut parsed by the same shijian.lua processor to format a specific date. The N-date format allows you to input arbitrary dates by typing N followed by 8 digits (YYYYMMDD) or 4 digits (MMDD) to imply the current year.

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