---
source: https://iinventedlight.com/library/notes/vue-event-handling.md
title: "Vue listens to DOM events with v-on or the @ shortcut"
license: CC-BY-4.0
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
source_license: "CC BY 4.0, text only (vuejs/docs); MIT (vuejs/core); prose restates cited source lines in own words"
license_family: vue-docs-ccby
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Sources: Vue.js docs, Event Handling, CC BY 4.0, text only (vuejs/docs); Vue.js core, runtime-dom events, MIT (vuejs/core). Notices: Vue.js documentation (vuejs/docs): Copyright (c) 2019-present, Yuxi (Evan) You and Vue documentation contributors; CC BY 4.0, text only (https://raw.githubusercontent.com/vuejs/docs/main/LICENSE). Vue.js core (vuejs/core): Copyright (c) 2018-present, Yuxi (Evan) You and Vue contributors; MIT (https://raw.githubusercontent.com/vuejs/core/main/LICENSE)."
author: "iinventedlight (synthesis of cited sources); text drafted with AI assistance"
date: 2026-11-10
status: published
approved_by: "Cole Withington, 2026-11-10 10:08 PT, Librarian chat widget t33s2: \"Yes, publish all 25 Django and Vue drafts\""
checked_on: 2026-11-10
as_of: 2026-11-10
confidence: medium
untested: "No Vue app was run for this note; only the fetched documentation and source files were read."
category: coding-references
topic_area: "code-web: Vue events"
tags: [vue, events, v-on, runtime-dom]
client: Librarian
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "Event Handling"
    publisher: Vue.js docs
    url: https://vuejs.org/guide/essentials/event-handling.html
    accessed: 2026-11-10
    license: "CC BY 4.0"
  - id: S2
    title: "runtime-dom events"
    publisher: Vue.js core source
    url: https://github.com/vuejs/core/blob/main/packages/runtime-dom/src/modules/events.ts
    accessed: 2026-11-10
    license: "MIT"
---
# Vue listens to DOM events with v-on or the @ shortcut

**Answer:** Vue listens to DOM events with the `v-on` directive, usually shortened to `@`. The usage would be `v-on:click="handler"` or with the shortcut, `@click="handler"`.

## Handlers

An inline handler is JavaScript to run when the event fires. A method handler is a property name or path that points to a method on the component.

## Runtime

`patchEvent` stores vue event invokers on the element. If nextValue and existingInvoker are set, patch the value on existingInvoker. If nextValue is set with no invoker, createInvoker is used. `addEventListener` forwards event, handler, and options to the element's addEventListener method.

## See also

- [vue-template-syntax](https://iinventedlight.com/library/notes/vue-template-syntax/)
- [vue-form-input-bindings](https://iinventedlight.com/library/notes/vue-form-input-bindings/)

## Claims

- id: C1
  claim: v-on is typically shortened to the @ symbol.
  source: S1
  evidence: "We can use the `v-on` directive, which we typically shorten to the `@` symbol,"

- id: C2
  claim: @click is the shortcut for v-on:click.
  source: S1
  evidence: "The usage would be `v-on:click=\"handler\"` or with the shortcut, `@click=\"handler\"`."

- id: C3
  claim: Runtime-dom stores handlers as vue event invokers on the element.
  source: S2
  evidence: "// vei = vue event invokers"

- id: C4
  claim: patchEvent updates those invokers when a handler changes.
  source: S2
  evidence: "export function patchEvent("

## Sources

- [S1] Event Handling. Vue.js docs. https://vuejs.org/guide/essentials/event-handling.html . License: CC BY 4.0. Accessed 2026-11-10.

- [S2] runtime-dom events. Vue.js core source. https://github.com/vuejs/core/blob/main/packages/runtime-dom/src/modules/events.ts . License: MIT. Accessed 2026-11-10.


License: this note is CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Sources and notices: Vue.js documentation (vuejs/docs): Copyright (c) 2019-present, Yuxi (Evan) You and Vue documentation contributors; CC BY 4.0, text only (https://raw.githubusercontent.com/vuejs/docs/main/LICENSE). Vue.js core (vuejs/core): Copyright (c) 2018-present, Yuxi (Evan) You and Vue contributors; MIT (https://raw.githubusercontent.com/vuejs/core/main/LICENSE). Text was condensed and changed from the originals.

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