Oolite JavaScript Reference: World script event handlers

This page provides an exhaustive list of event handlers which can be implemented by JavaScript scripts for Oolite.

Most event handlers can be used both in world scripts as well in ship scripts. Generally spoken we can say that handlers starting with "ship" can be used for both scripts and those starting with "player" are mend for player only (= can only be used in a world script). Exceptions on this rule are mentioned with the individual handlers below.

World scripts are linked to Oolite over the worldScript.plist and stay always active, while ship scripts are linked to Oolite over the shipData.plist and are only active when the ship is present. When more ships use the same ship script, every ship uses its own individual copy of the sript.

Game State

startUp

The startUp handler is called after all OXPs have been loaded. It can be used to do one-off initialisation such as registering to listen for certain keystrokes etc. (world script only)

this.startUp = function()
{
     // Your code here
}

reset

The reset handler is called whenever the player is respawned, such as after dying or when loading a saved game. It should be used to reset any local state in the script. (world script only)

this.reset = function()
{
     // Your code here
}

Docking

shipWillDockWithStation

The shipWillDockWithStation handler is called at the beginning of the docking tunnel effect.

this.shipWillDockWithStation = function(station)
{
     // Your code here
}

At this moment "ship.dockedStation == nil", "ship.status == STATUS_DOCKING"

shipDockedWithStation

The shipDockedWithStation handler is called at the end of the docking tunnel effect.

this.shipDockedWithStation = function(station)
{
     // Your code here
}

At this moment "ship.dockedStation == the station", "ship.status == STATUS_DOCKED" and "gui_screen" is either GUI_SCREEN_STATUS or GUI_SCREEN_REPORT. However, any identical handler from an other oxp could have changed those values. Never count on it but double check when important.

shipWillLaunchFromStation

The shipWillLaunchFromStation handler is called at the beginning of the launch tunnel effect.

this.shipWillLaunchFromStation = function(station)
{
     // Your code here
}

shipLaunchedFromStation

The shipLaunchedFromStation handler is called at the end of the launch tunnel effect.

this.shipLaunchedFromStation = function()
{
     // Your code here
}

playerStartedAutoPilot

The playerStartedAutoPilot handler is called when the player starts autopilot docking. It is not called for the instantaneous dock command.

this.playerStartedAutoPilot = function()
{
     // Your code here
}

playerCancelledAutoPilot

The playerCancelledAutoPilot handler is called when the player cancels autopilot docking.

this.playerCancelledAutoPilot = function()
{
     // Your code here
}

playerDockingRefused

The playerDockingRefused handler is called when a station refuses to provide autopilot docking instructions.

this.playerDockingRefused = function()
{
     // Your code here
}

playerRequestedDockingClearance

The playerRequestedDockingClearance handler is called when a station answers on a docking request of the player by targeting the station and pressing L (shift-l).

this.playerRequestedDockingClearance = function(message)
{
     // Your code here
}

Message is a string and can take the values: "DOCKING_CLEARANCE_GRANTED", "DOCKING_CLEARANCE_DENIED_TRAFFIC_OUTBOUND", "DOCKING_CLEARANCE_DENIED_TRAFFIC_INBOUND", "DOCKING_CLEARANCE_DENIED_SHIP_FUGITIVE", "DOCKING_CLEARANCE_NOT_REQUIRED", "DOCKING_CLEARANCE_EXTENDED" or "DOCKING_CLEARANCE_CANCELLED". (Feature is added with Oolite 1.72)

Witchspace Jumps

playerStartedJumpCountdown

The playerStartedJumpCountdown handler is called when the user starts a witchspace or galactic witchspace jump countdown. The type parameter is a string specifying which type of jump is occuring; currently, the possible values are “standard” and “galactic”. Other values may be added in future.

this.playerStartedJumpCountdown = function(type)
{
     // Your code here
}

playerCancelledJumpCountdown

The playerCancelledJumpCountdown handler is called when the user cancels a witchspace or galactic witchspace jump countdown.

this.playerCancelledJumpCountdown = function()
{
     // Your code here
}

playerJumpFailed

The playerJumpFailed handler is called at the end of a witchspace or galactic witchspace countdown, if the jump is not possible. The reason parameter is a string specifying why the jump failed; currently, the possible values are “blocked”, “too far” and “insufficient fuel”. Other values may be added in future.

this.playerJumpFailed = function(reason)
{
     // Your code here
}

shipWillEnterWitchspace

The shipWillEnterWitchspace handler is called immediately before a witchspace jump, while the player is still in the starting system. The cause parameter is a string specifying what sort of jump is occuring; currently, the possible values are “standard jump”, “galactic jump” and “wormhole”. Other values may be added in future.

this.shipWillEnterWitchspace = function(cause)
{
     // Your code here
}

shipWillExitWitchspace

The shipWillExitWitchspace handler is called as a witchspace jump concludes. When it is called, the player is (from a program perspective) in the destination system, but the tunnel effect has not yet been shown. This is the reccomended time to set up elements which, so to speak, were already there when the player arrived.

this.shipWillExitWitchspace = function()
{
     // Your code here
}

shipExitedWitchspace

The shipExitedWitchspace handler is called after a witchspace jump has concluded and the tunnel effect has been shown.

this.shipExitedWitchspace = function()
{
     // Your code here
}

playerEnteredNewGalaxy

The playerEnteredNewGalaxy handler is called just before a witchspace jump starts.

this.playerEnteredNewGalaxy = function(galaxyNumber)
{
     // Your code here
}

Enter/Exit Aegis

shipEnteredStationAegis

The shipEnteredStationAegis handler is called when the player enters the aegis of the main-station (2x scanner range from main-station). Other stations than the main-station don't give aegis messages.

this.shipEnteredStationAegis = function(station)
{
     // Your code here
}

shipExitedStationAegis

The shipExitedStationAegis handler is called when the player leaves the aegis of the main-station (2x scanner range from main-station).

this.shipExitedStationAegis = function(station)
{
     // Your code here
}

shipEnteredPlanetaryVicinity

The shipEnteredPlanetaryVicinity handler is called when the player enters the planet aegis (3x planet radius).

this.shipEnteredPlanetaryVicinity = function(planet)
{
     // Your code here
}

shipExitedPlanetaryVicinity

The shipExitedPlanetaryVicinity handler is called when the player leaves the planet aegis (3x planet radius).

this.shipExitedPlanetaryVicinity = function(planet)
{
     // Your code here
}

shipApproachingPlanetSurface

The shipApproachingPlanetSurface handler is called when the player is very close to the planet (crosses a border ± 500 meter above the surface).

this.shipApproachingPlanetSurface = function(planet)
{
     // Your code here
}

shipLeavingPlanetSurface

The shipLeavingPlanetSurface handler is called when the player leaves the planet (crosses a border ± 500 meter above the surface).

this.shipLeavingPlanetSurface = function(planet)
{
     // Your code here
}

Combat

alertConditionChanged

The alertConditionChanged handler is called when the player’s alert status (player.alertCondition) changes. (world script and ship scripts)

this.alertConditionChanged = function(newCondition, oldCondition)
{
     // Your code here
}

escortAttack

The escortAttack handler is send to all escorts of a mothership that are deployed. The mother first changes the escorts AI to interceptAI.plist and also sets the escort target to his own target before sending this handler to the escorts. (ship scripts only)

this.escortAttack = function(target)
{
     // Your code here
}

playerTargetedMissile

The playerTargetedMissile handler is called when the player targets the nearest missile by pressing T (shift-t) on the keybord.

this.playerTargetedMissile = function(missile)
{
     // Your code here
}

shipAttackedWithMissile

The shipAttackedWithMissile handler is called when a missile is fired. missile contains the missile entity and whom the identity of the ship that launched the missile.

this.shipAttackedWithMissile = function(missile, whom)
{
     // Your code here
}

shipBeingAttacked

The shipBeingAttacked handler is called when a laser shot hits. whom the identity of the ship that attacked.

this.shipBeingAttacked = function( whom)
{
     // Your code here
}

shipBeingAttackedByCloaked

The shipBeingAttackedByCloaked handler is called when a laser shot from a cloaked ship hits. Guess what, there is no parameter because he is cloaked!

this.shipBeingAttackedByCloaked = function()
{
     // Your code here
}

shipDestroyedTarget

The shipDestroyedTarget handler is called when the target gets destroyed. target contains the destroyed target entity. This command is always preceded by the shipLostTarget handler.

this.shipDestroyedTarget = function(target)
{
     // Your code here
}

shipDied

The shipDied handler is called when the ship or player dies. Expect a reset() shortly when it is the player ship.

this.shipDied = function(whom, why)
{
     // Your code here
}

whom contains the entity that caused the kill. why is the cause written as string and is one of: "removed", "hit a planet", "energy damage", "scrape damage", "heat damage".

shipEnergyBecameFull

The shipEnergyBecameFull handler is called when the energy level reaches it's maximum value again. (Is only send to NPC ships, not to the player) Seems not yet to be working with oolite 1.71

this.shipEnergyBecameFull = function()
{
     // Your code here
}

shipEnergyIsLow

The shipEnergyIsLow handler is called every time when a ship gets energy damage while the energy level lies below 25% of it's maximum value. (Is only send to NPC ships, not to the player)

this.shipEnergyIsLow = function()
{
     // Your code here
}

shipLostTarget

The shipLostTarget handler is called when the target gets lost. target contains the lost target entity.
(As with Oolite 1.71 this is not yet working properly. It returns not the right target but just "unknown". It does nothing when target lost because of "out of range")

this.shipLostTarget = function(target)
{
     // Your code here
}

shipTargetCloaked

The shipTargetCloaked handler is called when the target cloakes.

this.shipTargetCloaked = function()
{
     // Your code here
}

Equipment

equipmentDestroyed

The equipmentDestroyed handler is called when equipment gets destroyed completely beyond repair. (in strict mode) (world script only)

this.equipmentDestroyed = function(equipment)
{
     // Your code here
}

equipmentDamaged

The equipmentDamaged handler is called when equipment get damaged. (world script only)

this.equipmentDamaged = function(equipment)
{
     // Your code here
}

playerBoughtEquipment

The playerBoughtEquipment handler is called when equipment is bought at the outfit screen.

this.playerBoughtEquipment = function(equipment)
{
     // Your code here
}

playerBoughtNewShip

The playerBoughtNewShip handler is called when a new ship is bought. May be needed to re-evaluate the old equipment as buying a new ship does not trigger equipment removal.

this.playerBoughtNewShip = function(ship)
{
     // Your code here
}

NPC only

escortAccepted

The escortAccepted handler is called for mother ships that have accepted an escort. The escort simultaneously gets a shipAcceptedEscort event. (ship scripts only)

this.escortAccepted = function(escortship)
{
     // Your code here
}

escortDock

The escortDock handler is called by a mother ships that uses the AI command: dockEscorts. Escorts are instructed to change AI into dockingAI.plist and enter the ABORT state of this AI after a certain delay. Than this event is send to all his escorts, each with a different delay with 3 seconds spacing. (ship scripts only)

this.escortDock = function(delay)
{
     // Your code here
}

offenceCommittedNearby

The offenceCommittedNearby handler is only send to police ships in scanner range of a hostile action. It transfers the attacker and the victim to the police vessel. (ship scripts only)

this.offenceCommittedNearby = function(attacker, victim)
{
     // Your code here
}

playerWillEnterWitchspace

The playerWillEnterWitchspace handler is called just before a witchspace jump starts and after the shipWillEnterWitchspace handler fires. It is send to all ships in the system to signal that the player is about to leave the system. (By jump or by wormhole) (*** This handler is intended for use in shipscripts only. ***)

this.playerWillEnterWitchspace = function()
{
     // Your code here
}

shipAcceptedEscort

The shipAcceptedEscort handler is called for ships that are accepted as escort. The mother simultaneously gets a escortAccepted event. (ship scripts only)

this.shipAcceptedEscort = function(mother)
{
     // Your code here
}

shipExitedWormhole

The shipExitedWormhole handler is called when a ship exits a wormhole. (ship scripts only)

this.shipExitedWormhole = function()
{
     // Your code here
}

shipSpawned

The shipSpawned handler is called for newly added ships. It does not trigger on adding but on the first update after adding. On a witchspace jump it means that first all ships are added and than the shipSpawned() handlers are activated. (ship scripts only)

this.shipSpawned = function()
{
     // Your code here
}

shipWillEnterWormhole

The shipWillEnterWormhole handler is called when a ship enters a wormhole. (ship scripts only)

this.shipWillEnterWormhole = function()
{
     // Your code here
}

spawnedAsEscort

The spawnedAsEscort handler is called for newly added escort ships. It does trigger on adding the ship and before the shipSpawned() handlers is activated. It has the mothership as argument. (ship scripts only)

this.spawnedAsEscort = function(mother)
{
     // Your code here
}

Station only

otherShipDocked

The otherShipDocked handler is called with a station script only, when an ship docks. It has the docking ship as argument. (ship scripts only)

this.otherShipDocked = function(whom)
{
     // Your code here
}

stationLaunchedShip

The stationLaunchedShip handler is called with a station script only, when a ship launches. It has the docking ship as argument. (ship scripts only)

this.stationLaunchedShip = function(whom)
{
     // Your code here
}

Other

guiScreenChanged

The guiScreenChanged handler is called when the guiScreen changes. 1.71 only transfers the "to" screen. 1.72 will also transfer the "from" screen. Note that the screen can have changed again in the meantime. (world script only)

this.guiScreenChanged = function(to, from)
{
     // Your code here
}

missionScreenEnded

The missionScreenEnded handler is called when the missionscreen ends. Note that an other script may have put up a new missionscreen in the meantime. (world script only)

this.missionScreenEnded = function()
{
     // Your code here
}

reportScreenEnded

The reportScreenEnded handler is called when the last arrival-report screen ends. This is a screen that should not be written by a missionscreen. The code should wait until this eventhandler fires. Note that an other script may have put up a new missionscreen in the meantime. (Feature added with Oolite 1.73) (world script only)

this.reportScreenEnded = function()
{
     // Your code here
}

shipCollided

The shipCollided handler is send after a collision with otherShip.

this.shipCollided = function(otherShip)
{
     // Your code here
}

shipScoopedOther

The shipScoopedOther handler is called when a ship scoops scripted_cargo. ("cargo_type" = CARGO_SCRIPTED_ITEM) Other cargo, even scooping escapepods, doesn't trigger a handler.
The scooped item is transferred as argument. The scooped cargo itselfs gets the handler: shipWasScooped with the scooper as argument.

this.shipScoopedOther = function(whom)
{
     // Your code here
}

shipLaunchedEscapePod

The shipLaunchedEscapePod handler is called when the player bails out. This will be followed by a shipWillDockWithStation()/shipDockedWithStation() pair after a few seconds.

this.shipLaunchedEscapePod = function(escapepod)
{
     // Your code here
}

shipWasScooped

The shipWasScooped handler is send to the cargopod when a ship scoops scripted_cargo. ("cargo_type" = CARGO_SCRIPTED_ITEM) The scooper is transferred as argument. The scooper itself gets a trigger on the handler shipScoopedOther. (ship script only)

this.shipWasScooped = function(scooper)
{
     // Your code here
}

tickle

The tickle handler is called periodically-ish, whenever the old plist scripts are updated. For performance reasons, it is reccomended that you avoid using this if possible, but it may be needed until the planned timer mechanism is implemented. (world script and ship scripts)

The status parameter is a string containing the player’s current status - “STATUS_IN_FLIGHT” and “STATUS_DOCKED” being commonly-seen examples.

this.tickle = function(status)
{
     // Your code here
}

Not Yet Implemented

Handlers do not yet exist for the following events:

• Target changed.
• Advanced space compass mode changed.
• Cloaking device events.

If there are other events you would like to be able to respond to, please write a request on the forum.