---
layout: default
title: Inline Parsing
description: Parsing inline elements with a custom parser
---

# Inline Parsing

There are two ways to implement custom inline syntax:

- Inline Parsers (covered here)
- [Delimiter Processors](/1.5/customization/delimiter-processing/)

The difference between normal inlines and delimiter-run-based inlines is subtle but important to understand.  In a nutshell, delimiter-run-based inlines:

- Are denoted by "wrapping" text with one or more characters before **and** after those inner contents
- Can contain other delimiter runs or inlines inside of them

An example of this would be emphasis:

```markdown
This is an example of **emphasis**. Note how the text is *wrapped* with the same character(s) before and after.
```

If your syntax looks like that, consider using a [delimiter processor](/1.5/customization/delimiter-processing/) instead.  Otherwise, an inline parser is your best bet.

## Implementing Inline Parsers

Inline parsers should implement `InlineParserInterface` and the following two methods:

### getCharacters()

This method should return an array of single characters which the inline parser engine should stop on.  When it does find a match in the current line the `parse()` method below may be called.

### parse()

This method will be called if both conditions are met:

1. The engine has stopped at a matching character; and,
2. No other inline parsers have successfully parsed the character

#### Parameters

- `InlineParserContext $inlineContext` - Encapsulates the current state of the inline parser, including the [`Cursor`](/1.5/customization/cursor/) used to parse the current line.

#### Return value

`parse()` should return `false` if it's unable to handle the current line/character for any reason.  (The [`Cursor`](/1.5/customization/cursor/) state should be restored before returning false if modified). Other parsers will then have a chance to try parsing the line.  If all registered parsers return false, the character will be added as plain text.

Returning `true` tells the engine that you've successfully parsed the character (and related ones after it).  It is your responsibility to:

1. Advance the cursor to the end of the parsed text
2. Add the parsed inline to the container (`$inlineContext->getContainer()->appendChild(...)`)

## Inline Parser Examples

### Example 1 - Twitter Handles

Let's say you wanted to autolink Twitter handles without using the link syntax.  This could be accomplished by registering a new inline parser to handle the `@` character:

```php
use League\CommonMark\Environment;
use League\CommonMark\Inline\Element\Link;
use League\CommonMark\Inline\Parser\InlineParserInterface;
use League\CommonMark\InlineParserContext;

class TwitterHandleParser implements InlineParserInterface
{
    public function getCharacters(): array
    {
        return ['@'];
    }

    public function parse(InlineParserContext $inlineContext): bool
    {
        $cursor = $inlineContext->getCursor();
        // The @ symbol must not have any other characters immediately prior
        $previousChar = $cursor->peek(-1);
        if ($previousChar !== null && $previousChar !== ' ') {
            // peek() doesn't modify the cursor, so no need to restore state first
            return false;
        }
        // Save the cursor state in case we need to rewind and bail
        $previousState = $cursor->saveState();
        // Advance past the @ symbol to keep parsing simpler
        $cursor->advance();
        // Parse the handle
        $handle = $cursor->match('/^[A-Za-z0-9_]{1,15}(?!\w)/');
        if (empty($handle)) {
            // Regex failed to match; this isn't a valid Twitter handle
            $cursor->restoreState($previousState);
            return false;
        }
        $profileUrl = 'https://twitter.com/' . $handle;
        $inlineContext->getContainer()->appendChild(new Link($profileUrl, '@' . $handle));
        return true;
    }
}

$environment = Environment::createCommonMarkEnvironment();
$environment->addInlineParser(new TwitterHandleParser());
```

### Example 2 - Emoticons

Let's say you want to automatically convert smilies (or "frownies") to emoticon images.  This is incredibly easy with an inline parser:

```php
use League\CommonMark\Environment;
use League\CommonMark\Inline\Element\Image;
use League\CommonMark\Inline\Parser\InlineParserInterface;
use League\CommonMark\InlineParserContext;

class SmilieParser implements InlineParserInterface
{
    public function getCharacters(): array
    {
        return [':'];
    }

    public function parse(InlineParserContext $inlineContext): bool
    {
        $cursor = $inlineContext->getCursor();

        // The next character must be a paren; if not, then bail
        // We use peek() to quickly check without affecting the cursor
        $nextChar = $cursor->peek();
        if ($nextChar !== '(' && $nextChar !== ')') {
            return false;
        }

        // Advance the cursor past the 2 matched chars since we're able to parse them successfully
        $cursor->advanceBy(2);

        // Add the corresponding image
        if ($nextChar === ')') {
            $inlineContext->getContainer()->appendChild(new Image('/img/happy.png'));
        } elseif ($nextChar === '(') {
            $inlineContext->getContainer()->appendChild(new Image('/img/sad.png'));
        }

        return true;
    }
}

$environment = Environment::createCommonMarkEnvironment();
$environment->addInlineParser(new SmilieParserParser());
```

## Tips

- For best performance, `return false` **as soon as possible**.
- You can `peek()` without modifying the cursor state. This makes it useful for validating nearby characters as it's quick and you can bail without needed to restore state.
- You can look at (and modify) any part of the AST if needed (via `$inlineContext->getContainer()`).
