diff --git a/rc/base/clojure.kak b/rc/base/clojure.kak
index cde4fc95..ae618470 100644
--- a/rc/base/clojure.kak
+++ b/rc/base/clojure.kak
@@ -187,15 +187,14 @@ define-command -hidden clojure-indent-on-new-line %{
 
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
-hook -group clojure-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=clojure %{ add-highlighter window/clojure ref clojure }
+hook -group clojure-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=clojure %{
+    add-highlighter window/clojure ref clojure
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/clojure }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=clojure %[
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group clojure-hooks  clojure-filter-around-selections
     hook window InsertChar \n -group clojure-indent clojure-indent-on-new-line
+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window clojure-.+ }
 ]
-
-hook -group clojure-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!clojure).* %{ remove-highlighter window/clojure }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!clojure).* %{
-    remove-hooks window clojure-.+
-}
diff --git a/rc/base/css.kak b/rc/base/css.kak
index d557d2cd..a56aef5b 100644
--- a/rc/base/css.kak
+++ b/rc/base/css.kak
@@ -61,17 +61,16 @@ define-command -hidden css-indent-on-closing-curly-brace %[
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group css-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=css %{ add-highlighter window/css ref css }
+hook -group css-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=css %{
+    add-highlighter window/css ref css
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/css }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=css %[
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group css-hooks  css-filter-around-selections
     hook window InsertChar \n -group css-indent css-indent-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \} -group css-indent css-indent-on-closing-curly-brace
     set-option buffer extra_word_chars '_' '-'
+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window css-.+ }
 ]
-
-hook -group css-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!css).* %{ remove-highlighter window/css }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!css).* %{
-    remove-hooks window css-.+
-}
diff --git a/rc/base/d.kak b/rc/base/d.kak
index 6c8d9a10..b0b709f0 100644
--- a/rc/base/d.kak
+++ b/rc/base/d.kak
@@ -116,7 +116,10 @@ define-command -hidden d-indent-on-closing-curly-brace %[
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group d-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=d %{ add-highlighter window/d ref d }
+hook -group d-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=d %{
+    add-highlighter window/d ref d
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/d }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=d %{
     # cleanup trailing whitespaces when exiting insert mode
@@ -124,10 +127,6 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=d %{
     hook window InsertChar \n -group d-indent d-indent-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \{ -group d-indent d-indent-on-opening-curly-brace
     hook window InsertChar \} -group d-indent d-indent-on-closing-curly-brace
-}
 
-hook -group d-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!d).* %{ remove-highlighter window/d }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!d).* %{
-    remove-hooks window d-.+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window d-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/base/etc.kak b/rc/base/etc.kak
index 9087382f..1e2067fe 100644
--- a/rc/base/etc.kak
+++ b/rc/base/etc.kak
@@ -17,49 +17,63 @@ add-highlighter shared/etc-resolv-conf group
 add-highlighter shared/etc-resolv-conf/ regex ^#.*?$ 0:comment
 add-highlighter shared/etc-resolv-conf/ regex ^(nameserver|server|domain|sortlist|options)[\s\t]+(.*?)$ 1:type 2:attribute
 
-hook -group etc-resolv-conf-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=etc-resolv-conf %{ add-highlighter window/etc-resolv-conf ref etc-resolv-conf }
-hook -group etc-resolv-conf-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!etc-resolv-conf).* %{ remove-highlighter window/etc-resolv-conf }
+hook -group etc-resolv-conf-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=etc-resolv-conf %{
+    add-highlighter window/etc-resolv-conf ref etc-resolv-conf
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/etc-resolv-conf }
+}
 
 ## /etc/hosts
 add-highlighter shared/etc-hosts group
 add-highlighter shared/etc-hosts/ regex ^(.+?)[\s\t]+?(.*?)$ 1:type 2:attribute
 add-highlighter shared/etc-hosts/ regex '#.*?$' 0:comment
 
-hook -group etc-hosts-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=etc-hosts %{ add-highlighter window/etc-hosts ref etc-hosts }
-hook -group etc-hosts-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!etc-hosts).* %{ remove-highlighter window/etc-hosts }
+hook -group etc-hosts-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=etc-hosts %{
+    add-highlighter window/etc-hosts ref etc-hosts
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/etc-hosts }
+}
 
 ## /etc/fstab
 add-highlighter shared/etc-fstab group
 add-highlighter shared/etc-fstab/ regex ^(\S{1,})\s+?(\S{1,})\s+?(\S{1,})\s+?(\S{1,})\s+?(\S{1,})\s+?(\S{1,})(?:\s+)?$ 1:keyword 2:value 3:type 4:string 5:attribute 6:attribute
 add-highlighter shared/etc-fstab/ regex '#.*?$' 0:comment
 
-hook -group etc-fstab-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=etc-fstab %{ add-highlighter window/etc-fstab ref etc-fstab }
-hook -group etc-fstab-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!etc-fstab).* %{ remove-highlighter window/etc-fstab }
+hook -group etc-fstab-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=etc-fstab %{
+    add-highlighter window/etc-fstab ref etc-fstab
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/etc-fstab }
+}
 
 ## /etc/group
 add-highlighter shared/etc-group group
 add-highlighter shared/etc-group/ regex ^(\S+?):(\S+?)?:(\S+?)?:(\S+?)?$ 1:keyword 2:type 3:value 4:string
 
-hook -group etc-group-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=etc-group %{ add-highlighter window/etc-group ref etc-group }
-hook -group etc-group-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!etc-group).* %{ remove-highlighter window/etc-group }
+hook -group etc-group-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=etc-group %{
+    add-highlighter window/etc-group ref etc-group
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/etc-group }
+}
 
 ## /etc/gshadow
 add-highlighter shared/etc-gshadow group
 add-highlighter shared/etc-gshadow/ regex ^(\S+?):(\S+?)?:(\S+?)?:(\S+?)?$ 1:keyword 2:type 3:value 4:string
 
-hook -group etc-gshadow-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=etc-gshadow %{ add-highlighter window/etc-gshadow ref etc-gshadow }
-hook -group etc-gshadow-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!etc-gshadow).* %{ remove-highlighter window/etc-gshadow }
+hook -group etc-gshadow-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=etc-gshadow %{
+    add-highlighter window/etc-gshadow ref etc-gshadow
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/etc-gshadow }
+}
 
 ## /etc/shadow
 add-highlighter shared/etc-shadow group
 add-highlighter shared/etc-shadow/ regex ^(\S+?):(\S+?):([0-9]+?):([0-9]+?)?:([0-9]+?)?:([0-9]+?)?:([0-9]+?)?:([0-9]+?)?:(.*?)?$ 1:keyword 2:type 3:value 4:value 5:value 6:value 7:value 8:value
 
-hook -group etc-shadow-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=etc-shadow %{ add-highlighter window/etc-shadow ref etc-shadow }
-hook -group etc-shadow-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!etc-shadow).* %{ remove-highlighter window/etc-shadow }
+hook -group etc-shadow-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=etc-shadow %{
+    add-highlighter window/etc-shadow ref etc-shadow
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/etc-shadow }
+}
 
 ## /etc/passwd
 add-highlighter shared/etc-passwd group
 add-highlighter shared/etc-passwd/ regex ^(\S+?):(\S+?):([0-9]+?):([0-9]+?):(.*?)?:(.+?):(.+?)$ 1:keyword 2:type 3:value 4:value 5:string 6:attribute 7:attribute
 
-hook -group etc-passwd-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=etc-passwd %{ add-highlighter window/etc-passwd ref etc-passwd }
-hook -group etc-passwd-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!etc-passwd).* %{ remove-highlighter window/etc-passwd }
+hook -group etc-passwd-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=etc-passwd %{
+    add-highlighter window/etc-passwd ref etc-passwd
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/etc-passwd }
+}
diff --git a/rc/base/fish.kak b/rc/base/fish.kak
index 06b55efc..3cc02652 100644
--- a/rc/base/fish.kak
+++ b/rc/base/fish.kak
@@ -70,16 +70,15 @@ define-command -hidden fish-insert-on-new-line %{
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group fish-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=fish %{ add-highlighter window/fish ref fish }
+hook -group fish-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=fish %{
+    add-highlighter window/fish ref fish
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/fish }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=fish %{
     hook window InsertChar .* -group fish-indent fish-indent-on-char
     hook window InsertChar \n -group fish-insert fish-insert-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \n -group fish-indent fish-indent-on-new-line
-}
 
-hook -group fish-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!fish).* %{ remove-highlighter window/fish }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!fish).* %{
-    remove-hooks window fish-.+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window fish-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/base/gas.kak b/rc/base/gas.kak
index ae71c95a..8c332872 100644
--- a/rc/base/gas.kak
+++ b/rc/base/gas.kak
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ hook global BufCreate .*\.(s|S|asm)$ %{
     set-option buffer filetype gas
 }
 
-
 add-highlighter shared/gas regions
 add-highlighter shared/gas/code default-region group
 add-highlighter shared/gas/string         region '"' (?<!\\)(\\\\)*"        fill string
@@ -81,14 +80,12 @@ define-command -hidden gas-indent-on-new-line %~
     >
 ~
 
-hook -group gas-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=gas %{ add-highlighter window/gas ref gas }
+hook -group gas-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=gas %{
+    add-highlighter window/gas ref gas
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/gas }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=gas %{
     hook window InsertChar \n -group gas-indent gas-indent-on-new-line
-}
-
-hook -group gas-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!gas).* %{ remove-highlighter window/gas }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!gas).* %{
-    remove-hooks window gas-indent
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window gas-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/base/git.kak b/rc/base/git.kak
index 129c15a7..aba69509 100644
--- a/rc/base/git.kak
+++ b/rc/base/git.kak
@@ -9,12 +9,12 @@ hook global BufCreate .*(\.gitconfig|git/config) %{
 hook -group git-commit-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=git-commit %{
     add-highlighter window/git-commit-highlight regions
     add-highlighter window/git-commit-highlight/diff region '^diff --git' '^(?=diff --git)' ref diff # highlight potential diffs from the -v option
-    add-highlighter window/git-commit-highlight/comments region '^\h*#' '$' group 
+    add-highlighter window/git-commit-highlight/comments region '^\h*#' '$' group
     add-highlighter window/git-commit-highlight/comments/ fill cyan,default
     add-highlighter window/git-commit-highlight/comments/ regex "\b(?:(modified)|(deleted)|(new file)|(renamed|copied)):([^\n]*)$" 1:yellow 2:red 3:green 4:blue 5:magenta
-}
 
-hook -group git-commit-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!git-commit).* %{ remove-highlighter window/git-commit-highlight }
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/git-commit-highlight }
+}
 
 hook global BufCreate .*git-rebase-todo %{
     set-option buffer filetype git-rebase
@@ -24,6 +24,6 @@ hook -group git-rebase-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=git-rebase %{
     add-highlighter window/git-rebase-highlight group
     add-highlighter window/git-rebase-highlight/ regex "#[^\n]*\n" 0:cyan,default
     add-highlighter window/git-rebase-highlight/ regex "^(pick|edit|reword|squash|fixup|exec|break|drop|label|reset|merge|[persfxbdltm]) (\w+)" 1:green 2:magenta
-}
 
-hook -group git-rebase-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!git-rebase).* %{ remove-highlighter window/git-rebase-highlight }
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/git-rebase-highlight }
+}
diff --git a/rc/base/go.kak b/rc/base/go.kak
index d03aa80c..17cc9cf0 100644
--- a/rc/base/go.kak
+++ b/rc/base/go.kak
@@ -81,7 +81,10 @@ define-command -hidden go-indent-on-closing-curly-brace %[
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group go-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=go %{ add-highlighter window/go ref go }
+hook -group go-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=go %{
+    add-highlighter window/go ref go
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/go }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=go %{
     # cleanup trailing whitespaces when exiting insert mode
@@ -89,10 +92,6 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=go %{
     hook window InsertChar \n -group go-indent go-indent-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \{ -group go-indent go-indent-on-opening-curly-brace
     hook window InsertChar \} -group go-indent go-indent-on-closing-curly-brace
-}
 
-hook -group go-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!go).* %{ remove-highlighter window/go }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!go).* %{
-    remove-hooks window go-.+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window go-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/base/haskell.kak b/rc/base/haskell.kak
index d3ad2215..f97b6261 100644
--- a/rc/base/haskell.kak
+++ b/rc/base/haskell.kak
@@ -91,16 +91,15 @@ define-command -hidden haskell-indent-on-new-line %{
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group haskell-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=haskell %{ add-highlighter window/haskell ref haskell }
+hook -group haskell-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=haskell %{
+    add-highlighter window/haskell ref haskell
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/haskell }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=haskell %{
     set-option window extra_word_chars '_' "'"
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group haskell-hooks  haskell-filter-around-selections
     hook window InsertChar \n -group haskell-indent haskell-indent-on-new-line
-}
 
-hook -group haskell-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!haskell).* %{ remove-highlighter window/haskell }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!haskell).* %{
-    remove-hooks window haskell-.+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window haskell-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/base/html.kak b/rc/base/html.kak
index ecf330f1..e1a2a6d9 100644
--- a/rc/base/html.kak
+++ b/rc/base/html.kak
@@ -57,16 +57,19 @@ define-command -hidden html-indent-on-new-line %{
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group html-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?:html|xml) %{ add-highlighter window/html ref html }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?:html|xml) %{
-    hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group html-hooks  html-filter-around-selections
-    hook window InsertChar '>' -group html-indent html-indent-on-greater-than
-    hook window InsertChar \n -group html-indent html-indent-on-new-line
+hook -group html-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(html|xml) %{
+    add-highlighter "window/%val{hook_param_capture_1}" ref html
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption "filetype=.*" "
+        remove-highlighter ""window/%val{hook_param_capture_1}""
+    "
 }
 
-hook -group html-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!html)(?!xml).* %{ remove-highlighter window/html }
+hook global WinSetOption filetype=(html|xml) %{
+    hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group "%val{hook_param_capture_1}-hooks"  html-filter-around-selections
+    hook window InsertChar '>' -group "%val{hook_param_capture_1}-indent" html-indent-on-greater-than
+    hook window InsertChar \n -group "%val{hook_param_capture_1}-indent" html-indent-on-new-line
 
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!html)(?!xml).* %{
-    remove-hooks window html-.+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption "filetype=.*" "
+        remove-hooks window ""%val{hook_param_capture_1}-.+""
+    "
 }
diff --git a/rc/base/ini.kak b/rc/base/ini.kak
index 383bf70e..c03cae4e 100644
--- a/rc/base/ini.kak
+++ b/rc/base/ini.kak
@@ -9,5 +9,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/ini/comment region '(^|\h)\K[#;]' $ fill comment
 add-highlighter shared/ini/code/ regex "^\h*\[[^\]]*\]" 0:title
 add-highlighter shared/ini/code/ regex "^\h*([^\[][^=\n]*)=([^\n]*)" 1:variable 2:value
 
-hook -group ini-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=ini %{ add-highlighter window/ini ref ini }
-hook -group ini-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!ini).* %{ remove-highlighter window/ini }
+hook -group ini-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=ini %{
+    add-highlighter window/ini ref ini
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/ini }
+}
diff --git a/rc/base/java.kak b/rc/base/java.kak
index b71f57cd..75d73c96 100644
--- a/rc/base/java.kak
+++ b/rc/base/java.kak
@@ -48,16 +48,18 @@ define-command -hidden java-indent-on-closing-curly-brace %[
 
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
+
+hook -group java-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=java %{
+    add-highlighter window/java ref java
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/java }
+}
+
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=java %{
     # cleanup trailing whitespaces when exiting insert mode
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group java-hooks %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x>s^\h+$<ret>d } }
     hook window InsertChar \n -group java-indent java-indent-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \{ -group java-indent java-indent-on-opening-curly-brace
     hook window InsertChar \} -group java-indent java-indent-on-closing-curly-brace
-}
 
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!java).* %{
-    remove-hooks window java-.+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window java-.+ }
 }
-hook -group java-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=java %{ add-highlighter window/java ref java }
-hook -group java-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!java).* %{ remove-highlighter window/java }
diff --git a/rc/base/javascript.kak b/rc/base/javascript.kak
index 4b700a5d..25eef44f 100644
--- a/rc/base/javascript.kak
+++ b/rc/base/javascript.kak
@@ -72,7 +72,6 @@ define-command -hidden init-javascript-filetype -params 1 %~
 
     add-highlighter "shared/%arg{1}/jsx/tag"  region -recurse <  <(?=[/a-zA-Z]) (?<!=)> regions
     add-highlighter "shared/%arg{1}/jsx/expr" region -recurse \{ \{             \}      ref %arg{1}
-        
 
     add-highlighter "shared/%arg{1}/jsx/tag/base" default-region group
     add-highlighter "shared/%arg{1}/jsx/tag/double_string" region =\K" (?<!\\)(\\\\)*" fill string
@@ -93,19 +92,18 @@ define-command -hidden init-javascript-filetype -params 1 %~
     # Initialization
     # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-    hook -group "%arg{1}-highlight" global WinSetOption "filetype=%arg{1}" "add-highlighter window/%arg{1} ref %arg{1}"
+    hook -group "%arg{1}-highlight" global WinSetOption "filetype=%arg{1}" "
+        add-highlighter window/%arg{1} ref %arg{1}
 
-    hook global WinSetOption "filetype=%arg{1}" "
-        hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group %arg{1}-hooks  javascript-filter-around-selections
-        hook window InsertChar .* -group %arg{1}-indent javascript-indent-on-char
-        hook window InsertChar \n -group %arg{1}-indent javascript-indent-on-new-line
+        hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %%{ remove-highlighter window/%arg{1} }
     "
 
-    hook -group "%arg{1}-highlight" global WinSetOption "filetype=(?!%arg{1}).*" "remove-highlighter window/%arg{1}"
+    hook global WinSetOption "filetype=%arg{1}" "
+        hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group %arg{1}-hooks javascript-filter-around-selections
+        hook window InsertChar .* -group %arg{1}-indent javascript-indent-on-char
+        hook window InsertChar \n -group %arg{1}-indent javascript-indent-on-new-line
 
-    hook global WinSetOption "filetype=(?!%arg{1}).*" "
-        remove-hooks window %arg{1}-indent
-        remove-hooks window %arg{1}-hooks
+        hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %%{ remove-hooks window %arg{1}-.+ }
     "
 ~
 
diff --git a/rc/base/json.kak b/rc/base/json.kak
index d1fbad90..8acfc01c 100644
--- a/rc/base/json.kak
+++ b/rc/base/json.kak
@@ -46,16 +46,15 @@ define-command -hidden json-indent-on-new-line %<
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group json-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=json %{ add-highlighter window/json ref json }
+hook -group json-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=json %{
+    add-highlighter window/json ref json
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/json }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=json %{
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group json-hooks  json-filter-around-selections
     hook window InsertChar .* -group json-indent json-indent-on-char
     hook window InsertChar \n -group json-indent json-indent-on-new-line
-}
 
-hook -group json-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!json).* %{ remove-highlighter window/json }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!json).* %{
-    remove-hooks window json-.+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window json-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/base/julia.kak b/rc/base/julia.kak
index 2c50aade..abdf547a 100644
--- a/rc/base/julia.kak
+++ b/rc/base/julia.kak
@@ -24,5 +24,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/julia/code/ regex \b(Number|Real|BigInt|Integer|UInt|UInt
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group julia-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=julia %{ add-highlighter window/julia ref julia }
-hook -group julia-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!julia).* %{ remove-highlighter window/julia }
+hook -group julia-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=julia %{
+    add-highlighter window/julia ref julia
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/julia }
+}
diff --git a/rc/base/lisp.kak b/rc/base/lisp.kak
index c8bd9ba9..f5ece4fb 100644
--- a/rc/base/lisp.kak
+++ b/rc/base/lisp.kak
@@ -57,15 +57,14 @@ define-command -hidden lisp-indent-on-new-line %{
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group lisp-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=lisp %{ add-highlighter window/lisp ref lisp }
+hook -group lisp-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=lisp %{
+    add-highlighter window/lisp ref lisp
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/lisp }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=lisp %{
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group lisp-hooks  lisp-filter-around-selections
     hook window InsertChar \n -group lisp-indent lisp-indent-on-new-line
-}
 
-hook -group lisp-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!lisp).* %{ remove-highlighter window/lisp }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!lisp).* %{
-    remove-hooks window lisp-.+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window lisp-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/base/lua.kak b/rc/base/lua.kak
index 8b69009f..605148e0 100644
--- a/rc/base/lua.kak
+++ b/rc/base/lua.kak
@@ -84,7 +84,10 @@ define-command -hidden lua-insert-on-new-line %[
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group lua-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=lua %{ add-highlighter window/lua ref lua }
+hook -group lua-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=lua %{
+    add-highlighter window/lua ref lua
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/lua }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=lua %{
     hook window InsertChar .* -group lua-indent lua-indent-on-char
@@ -92,12 +95,9 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=lua %{
     hook window InsertChar \n -group lua-insert lua-insert-on-new-line
 
     alias window alt lua-alternative-file
-}
-
-hook -group lua-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!lua).* %{ remove-highlighter window/lua }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!lua).* %{
-    remove-hooks window lua-.+
-
-    unalias window alt lua-alternative-file
+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{
+        remove-hooks window lua-.+
+        unalias window alt lua-alternative-file
+    }
 }
diff --git a/rc/base/mail.kak b/rc/base/mail.kak
index b09df797..4323d28c 100644
--- a/rc/base/mail.kak
+++ b/rc/base/mail.kak
@@ -7,5 +7,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/mail/ regex ^(From|To|Cc|Bcc|Subject|Reply-To|In-Reply-To
 add-highlighter shared/mail/ regex <[^@>]+@.*?> 0:string
 add-highlighter shared/mail/ regex ^>.*?$ 0:comment
 
-hook -group mail-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=mail %{ add-highlighter window/mail ref mail }
-hook -group mail-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!mail).* %{ remove-highlighter window/mail }
+hook -group mail-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=mail %{
+    add-highlighter window/mail ref mail
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/mail }
+}
diff --git a/rc/base/markdown.kak b/rc/base/markdown.kak
index 9ffca281..1b8e1acd 100644
--- a/rc/base/markdown.kak
+++ b/rc/base/markdown.kak
@@ -75,14 +75,12 @@ define-command -hidden markdown-indent-on-new-line %{
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group markdown-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=markdown %{ add-highlighter window/markdown ref markdown }
+hook -group markdown-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=markdown %{
+    add-highlighter window/markdown ref markdown
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/markdown }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=markdown %{
     hook window InsertChar \n -group markdown-indent markdown-indent-on-new-line
-}
-
-hook -group markdown-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!markdown).* %{ remove-highlighter window/markdown }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!markdown).* %{
-    remove-hooks window markdown-indent
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window markdown-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/base/mercurial.kak b/rc/base/mercurial.kak
index 3480428a..b1f8a806 100644
--- a/rc/base/mercurial.kak
+++ b/rc/base/mercurial.kak
@@ -13,14 +13,11 @@ hook global BufCreate .*hg-editor-\w+\.txt$ %{
     set-option buffer filetype hg-commit
 }
 
-hook -group hg-commit-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!hg-commit).* %{
-    remove-highlighter window/hg-commit-highlight
-}
-
 # Highlighters
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
 hook -group hg-commit-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=hg-commit %{
     add-highlighter window/ group hg-commit-highlight
     add-highlighter window/hg-commit-highlight regex '^HG:[^\n]*' 0:MercurialCommitComment
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/hg-commit-highlight }
 }
diff --git a/rc/base/ocaml.kak b/rc/base/ocaml.kak
index 026bac7b..0a3d49bf 100644
--- a/rc/base/ocaml.kak
+++ b/rc/base/ocaml.kak
@@ -19,9 +19,10 @@ add-highlighter shared/ocaml/comment region \Q(* \Q*) fill comment
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group ocaml-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=ocaml %{ add-highlighter window/ocaml ref ocaml }
-
-hook -group ocaml-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!ocaml).* %{ remove-highlighter window/ocaml }
+hook -group ocaml-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=ocaml %{
+    add-highlighter window/ocaml ref ocaml
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/ocaml }
+}
 
 # Macro
 # ‾‾‾‾‾
diff --git a/rc/base/perl.kak b/rc/base/perl.kak
index 54f147aa..ff242827 100644
--- a/rc/base/perl.kak
+++ b/rc/base/perl.kak
@@ -98,7 +98,10 @@ define-command -hidden perl-indent-on-closing-curly-brace %[
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group perl-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=perl %{ add-highlighter window/perl ref perl }
+hook -group perl-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=perl %{
+    add-highlighter window/perl ref perl
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/perl }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=perl %{
     # cleanup trailing whitespaces when exiting insert mode
@@ -106,10 +109,6 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=perl %{
     hook window InsertChar \n -group perl-indent perl-indent-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \{ -group perl-indent perl-indent-on-opening-curly-brace
     hook window InsertChar \} -group perl-indent perl-indent-on-closing-curly-brace
-}
 
-hook -group perl-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!perl).* %{ remove-highlighter window/perl }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!perl).* %{
-    remove-hooks window perl-.+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window perl-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/base/restructuredtext.kak b/rc/base/restructuredtext.kak
index 4c072c7f..1eaf4bfc 100644
--- a/rc/base/restructuredtext.kak
+++ b/rc/base/restructuredtext.kak
@@ -67,6 +67,8 @@ add-highlighter shared/restructuredtext/content/ regex [^`](``([^\s`]|([^\s`][^`
 
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
-#
-hook -group restructuredtext-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=restructuredtext %{ add-highlighter window/restructuredtext ref restructuredtext }
-hook -group restructuredtext-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!restructuredtext).* %{ remove-highlighter window/restructuredtext }
+
+hook -group restructuredtext-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=restructuredtext %{
+    add-highlighter window/restructuredtext ref restructuredtext
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/restructuredtext }
+}
diff --git a/rc/base/ruby.kak b/rc/base/ruby.kak
index 6c9c653a..1d3cd3e4 100644
--- a/rc/base/ruby.kak
+++ b/rc/base/ruby.kak
@@ -144,7 +144,10 @@ define-command -hidden ruby-insert-on-new-line %[
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group ruby-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=ruby %{ add-highlighter window/ruby ref ruby }
+hook -group ruby-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=ruby %{
+    add-highlighter window/ruby ref ruby
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/ruby }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=ruby %{
     hook window InsertChar .* -group ruby-indent ruby-indent-on-char
@@ -152,12 +155,9 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=ruby %{
     hook window InsertChar \n -group ruby-indent ruby-indent-on-new-line
 
     alias window alt ruby-alternative-file
-}
-
-hook -group ruby-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!ruby).* %{ remove-highlighter window/ruby }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!ruby).* %{
-    remove-hooks window ruby-.+
-
-    unalias window alt ruby-alternative-file
+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{
+        remove-hooks window ruby-.+
+        unalias window alt ruby-alternative-file
+    }
 }
diff --git a/rc/base/rust.kak b/rc/base/rust.kak
index cf9eb83e..1b0bc3ed 100644
--- a/rc/base/rust.kak
+++ b/rc/base/rust.kak
@@ -74,17 +74,15 @@ define-command -hidden rust-indent-on-closing-curly-brace %[
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group rust-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=rust %{ add-highlighter window/rust ref rust }
+hook -group rust-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=rust %{
+    add-highlighter window/rust ref rust
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/rust }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=rust %[
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group rust-hooks  rust-filter-around-selections
     hook window InsertChar \n -group rust-indent rust-indent-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \{ -group rust-indent rust-indent-on-opening-curly-brace
     hook window InsertChar \} -group rust-indent rust-indent-on-closing-curly-brace
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window rust-.+ }
 ]
-
-hook -group rust-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!rust).* %{ remove-highlighter window/rust }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!rust).* %{
-    remove-hooks window rust-.+
-}
diff --git a/rc/base/scala.kak b/rc/base/scala.kak
index 1b853879..bdda2498 100644
--- a/rc/base/scala.kak
+++ b/rc/base/scala.kak
@@ -61,16 +61,15 @@ define-command -hidden scala-indent-on-closing-curly-brace %[
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group scala-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=scala %{ add-highlighter window/scala ref scala }
+hook -group scala-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=scala %{
+    add-highlighter window/scala ref scala
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/scala }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=scala %[
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group scala-hooks  scala-filter-around-selections
     hook window InsertChar \n -group scala-indent scala-indent-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \} -group scala-indent scala-indent-on-closing-curly-brace
+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window scala-.+ }
 ]
-
-hook -group scala-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!scala).* %{ remove-highlighter window/scala }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!scala).* %{
-    remove-hooks window scala-.+
-}
diff --git a/rc/base/screen.kak b/rc/base/screen.kak
index 9df694ba..66a8db5d 100644
--- a/rc/base/screen.kak
+++ b/rc/base/screen.kak
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # http://gnu.org/software/screen/
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
- 
+
 hook -group GNUscreen global KakBegin .* %sh{
     [ -z "${STY}" ] && exit
     echo "
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ hook -group GNUscreen global KakBegin .* %sh{
     "
 }
 
-
 define-command screen-new-vertical -params .. -command-completion -docstring "Split the current pane into two, left and right" %{
      nop %sh{
         tty="$(ps -o tty ${kak_client_pid} | tail -n 1)"
diff --git a/rc/base/sql.kak b/rc/base/sql.kak
index b5069225..dbecea9c 100644
--- a/rc/base/sql.kak
+++ b/rc/base/sql.kak
@@ -103,8 +103,5 @@ add-highlighter shared/sql/code/ regex \b\d+(?:\.\d+)?\b 0:value
 
 hook -group sql-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=sql %{
     add-highlighter window/sql ref sql
-}
-
-hook -group sql-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!sql).* %{
-    remove-highlighter window/sql
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/sql }
 }
diff --git a/rc/base/swift.kak b/rc/base/swift.kak
index bbd8d34d..1526cadb 100644
--- a/rc/base/swift.kak
+++ b/rc/base/swift.kak
@@ -22,5 +22,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/swift/code/ regex "\b(Bool|String|UInt|UInt16|UInt32|UInt
 add-highlighter shared/swift/code/ regex "\b(IBAction|IBOutlet)\b" 0:attribute
 add-highlighter shared/swift/code/ regex "@\w+\b" 0:attribute
 
-hook -group swift-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=swift %{ add-highlighter window/swift ref swift }
-hook -group swift-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!swift).* %{ remove-highlighter window/swift }
+hook -group swift-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=swift %{
+    add-highlighter window/swift ref swift
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/swift }
+}
diff --git a/rc/base/yaml.kak b/rc/base/yaml.kak
index 18192533..cff9ab74 100644
--- a/rc/base/yaml.kak
+++ b/rc/base/yaml.kak
@@ -46,15 +46,13 @@ define-command -hidden yaml-indent-on-new-line %{
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group yaml-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=yaml %{ add-highlighter window/yaml ref yaml }
+hook -group yaml-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=yaml %{
+    add-highlighter window/yaml ref yaml
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/yaml }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=yaml %{
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group yaml-hooks  yaml-filter-around-selections
     hook window InsertChar \n -group yaml-indent yaml-indent-on-new-line
-}
-
-hook -group yaml-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!yaml).* %{ remove-highlighter window/yaml }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!yaml).* %{
-    remove-hooks window yaml-.+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window yaml-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/core/asciidoc.kak b/rc/core/asciidoc.kak
index ffc7471c..8bdcce07 100644
--- a/rc/core/asciidoc.kak
+++ b/rc/core/asciidoc.kak
@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ add-highlighter shared/asciidoc/ regex ^:[-\w]+: 0:meta
 
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
-#
-hook -group asciidoc-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=asciidoc %{ add-highlighter window/asciidoc ref asciidoc }
-hook -group asciidoc-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!asciidoc).* %{ remove-highlighter window/asciidoc }
+
+hook -group asciidoc-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=asciidoc %{
+    add-highlighter window/asciidoc ref asciidoc
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/asciidoc }
+}
diff --git a/rc/core/c-family.kak b/rc/core/c-family.kak
index e485568e..fe592f19 100644
--- a/rc/core/c-family.kak
+++ b/rc/core/c-family.kak
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ hook global BufCreate .*\.(cc|cpp|cxx|C|hh|hpp|hxx|H)$ %{
 }
 
 hook global BufSetOption filetype=c\+\+ %{
-    set-option buffer filetype cpp
+    hook -once buffer NormalIdle '' "set-option buffer filetype cpp"
 }
 
 hook global BufCreate .*\.c$ %{
@@ -318,34 +318,35 @@ evaluate-commands %sh{
 }
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=(c|cpp|objc) %[
-    try %{ # we might be switching from one c-family language to another
-        remove-hooks window c-family-.+
-    }
+    hook -group "%val{hook_param_capture_1}-family-indent" window ModeChange insert:.* c-family-trim-autoindent
+    hook -group "%val{hook_param_capture_1}-family-insert" window InsertChar \n c-family-insert-on-newline
+    hook -group "%val{hook_param_capture_1}-family-indent" window InsertChar \n c-family-indent-on-newline
+    hook -group "%val{hook_param_capture_1}-family-indent" window InsertChar \{ c-family-indent-on-opening-curly-brace
+    hook -group "%val{hook_param_capture_1}-family-indent" window InsertChar \} c-family-indent-on-closing-curly-brace
+    hook -group "%val{hook_param_capture_1}-family-insert" window InsertChar \} c-family-insert-on-closing-curly-brace
 
-    hook -group c-family-indent window ModeChange insert:.* c-family-trim-autoindent
-    hook -group c-family-insert window InsertChar \n c-family-insert-on-newline
-    hook -group c-family-indent window InsertChar \n c-family-indent-on-newline
-    hook -group c-family-indent window InsertChar \{ c-family-indent-on-opening-curly-brace
-    hook -group c-family-indent window InsertChar \} c-family-indent-on-closing-curly-brace
-    hook -group c-family-insert window InsertChar \} c-family-insert-on-closing-curly-brace
+    alias window alt "%val{hook_param_capture_1}-alternative-file"
 
-    alias window alt c-family-alternative-file
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* "
+        remove-hooks window %val{hook_param_capture_1}-family-.+
+        unalias window alt %val{hook_param_capture_1}-alternative-file
+    "
 ]
 
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!c)(?!cpp)(?!objc).* %[
-    remove-hooks window c-family-.+
+hook -group c-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=c %{
+    add-highlighter window/c ref c
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/c }
+}
 
-    unalias window alt c-family-alternative-file
-]
+hook -group cpp-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=cpp %{
+    add-highlighter window/cpp ref cpp
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/cpp }
+}
 
-hook -group c-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=c %[ add-highlighter window/c ref c ]
-hook -group c-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!c).* %[ remove-highlighter window/c ]
-
-hook -group cpp-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=cpp %[ add-highlighter window/cpp ref cpp ]
-hook -group cpp-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!cpp).* %[ remove-highlighter window/cpp ]
-
-hook -group objc-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=objc %[ add-highlighter window/objc ref objc ]
-hook -group objc-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!objc).* %[ remove-highlighter window/objc ]
+hook -group objc-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=objc %{
+    add-highlighter window/objc ref objc
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/objc }
+}
 
 declare-option -docstring %{control the type of include guard to be inserted in empty headers
 Can be one of the following:
@@ -372,41 +373,53 @@ hook -group c-family-insert global BufNewFile .*\.(h|hh|hpp|hxx|H) c-family-inse
 declare-option -docstring "colon separated list of path in which header files will be looked for" \
     str-list alt_dirs '.' '..'
 
-define-command c-family-alternative-file -docstring "Jump to the alternate file (header/implementation)" %{ evaluate-commands %sh{
-    file="${kak_buffile##*/}"
-    file_noext="${file%.*}"
-    dir=$(dirname "${kak_buffile}")
+define-command -hidden c-family-alternative-file %{
+    evaluate-commands %sh{
+        file="${kak_buffile##*/}"
+        file_noext="${file%.*}"
+        dir=$(dirname "${kak_buffile}")
 
-    # Set $@ to alt_dirs
-    eval "set -- ${kak_opt_alt_dirs}"
+        # Set $@ to alt_dirs
+        eval "set -- ${kak_opt_alt_dirs}"
 
-    case ${file} in
-        *.c|*.cc|*.cpp|*.cxx|*.C|*.inl|*.m)
-            for alt_dir in "$@"; do
-                for ext in h hh hpp hxx H; do
-                    altname="${dir}/${alt_dir}/${file_noext}.${ext}"
-                    if [ -f ${altname} ]; then
-                        printf 'edit %%{%s}\n' "${altname}"
-                        exit
-                    fi
+        case ${file} in
+            *.c|*.cc|*.cpp|*.cxx|*.C|*.inl|*.m)
+                for alt_dir in "$@"; do
+                    for ext in h hh hpp hxx H; do
+                        altname="${dir}/${alt_dir}/${file_noext}.${ext}"
+                        if [ -f ${altname} ]; then
+                            printf 'edit %%{%s}\n' "${altname}"
+                            exit
+                        fi
+                    done
                 done
-            done
-        ;;
-        *.h|*.hh|*.hpp|*.hxx|*.H)
-            for alt_dir in "$@"; do
-                for ext in c cc cpp cxx C m; do
-                    altname="${dir}/${alt_dir}/${file_noext}.${ext}"
-                    if [ -f ${altname} ]; then
-                        printf 'edit %%{%s}\n' "${altname}"
-                        exit
-                    fi
+            ;;
+            *.h|*.hh|*.hpp|*.hxx|*.H)
+                for alt_dir in "$@"; do
+                    for ext in c cc cpp cxx C m; do
+                        altname="${dir}/${alt_dir}/${file_noext}.${ext}"
+                        if [ -f ${altname} ]; then
+                            printf 'edit %%{%s}\n' "${altname}"
+                            exit
+                        fi
+                    done
                 done
-            done
-        ;;
-        *)
-            echo "echo -markup '{Error}extension not recognized'"
-            exit
-        ;;
-    esac
-    echo "echo -markup '{Error}alternative file not found'"
-}}
+            ;;
+            *)
+                echo "echo -markup '{Error}extension not recognized'"
+                exit
+            ;;
+        esac
+        echo "echo -markup '{Error}alternative file not found'"
+    }
+}
+
+define-command c-alternative-file -docstring "Jump to the alternate c file (header/implementation)" %{
+    c-family-alternative-file
+}
+define-command cpp-alternative-file -docstring "Jump to the alternate cpp file (header/implementation)" %{
+    c-family-alternative-file
+}
+define-command objc-alternative-file -docstring "Jump to the alternate objc file (header/implementation)" %{
+    c-family-alternative-file
+}
diff --git a/rc/core/diff.kak b/rc/core/diff.kak
index e8b7c25a..5b4e065b 100644
--- a/rc/core/diff.kak
+++ b/rc/core/diff.kak
@@ -7,5 +7,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/diff/ regex "^\+[^\n]*\n" 0:green,default
 add-highlighter shared/diff/ regex "^-[^\n]*\n" 0:red,default
 add-highlighter shared/diff/ regex "^@@[^\n]*@@" 0:cyan,default
 
-hook -group diff-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=diff %{ add-highlighter window/diff ref diff }
-hook -group diff-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!diff).* %{ remove-highlighter window/diff }
+hook -group diff-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=diff %{
+    add-highlighter window/diff ref diff
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/diff }
+}
diff --git a/rc/core/grep.kak b/rc/core/grep.kak
index b36ca618..9e6ed5ab 100644
--- a/rc/core/grep.kak
+++ b/rc/core/grep.kak
@@ -28,16 +28,12 @@ hook -group grep-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=grep %{
     add-highlighter window/grep group
     add-highlighter window/grep/ regex "^((?:\w:)?[^:\n]+):(\d+):(\d+)?" 1:cyan 2:green 3:green
     add-highlighter window/grep/ line %{%opt{grep_current_line}} default+b
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/grep }
 }
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=grep %{
     hook buffer -group grep-hooks NormalKey <ret> grep-jump
-}
-
-hook -group grep-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!grep).* %{ remove-highlighter window/grep }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!grep).* %{
-    remove-hooks buffer grep-hooks
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks buffer grep-hooks }
 }
 
 declare-option -docstring "name of the client in which all source code jumps will be executed" \
diff --git a/rc/core/kakrc.kak b/rc/core/kakrc.kak
index 5115a9e9..b487d74d 100644
--- a/rc/core/kakrc.kak
+++ b/rc/core/kakrc.kak
@@ -92,7 +92,10 @@ define-command -hidden kak-indent-on-closing-char %{
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group kak-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=kak %{ add-highlighter window/kakrc ref kakrc }
+hook -group kak-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=kak %{
+    add-highlighter window/kakrc ref kakrc
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/kakrc }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=kak %~
     hook window InsertChar \n -group kak-indent kak-indent-on-new-line
@@ -101,7 +104,6 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=kak %~
     # cleanup trailing whitespaces on current line insert end
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group kak-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft \; <a-x> s ^\h+$ <ret> d } }
     set-option buffer extra_word_chars '_' '-'
-~
 
-hook -group kak-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!kak).* %{ remove-highlighter window/kakrc }
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!kak).* %{ remove-hooks window kak-indent }
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window kak-.+ }
+~
diff --git a/rc/core/make.kak b/rc/core/make.kak
index d47083bb..89533a59 100644
--- a/rc/core/make.kak
+++ b/rc/core/make.kak
@@ -28,16 +28,14 @@ add-highlighter shared/make/ regex "^((?:\w:)?[^:\n]+):(\d+):(?:(\d+):)?\h+(?:((
 add-highlighter shared/make/ regex "^\h*(~*(?:(\^)~*)?)$" 1:green 2:cyan+b
 add-highlighter shared/make/ line '%opt{make_current_error_line}' default+b
 
-hook -group make-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=make %{ add-highlighter window/make ref make }
+hook -group make-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=make %{
+    add-highlighter window/make ref make
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/make }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=make %{
     hook buffer -group make-hooks NormalKey <ret> make-jump
-}
-
-hook -group make-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!make).* %{ remove-highlighter window/make }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!make).* %{
-    remove-hooks buffer make-hooks
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks buffer make-hooks }
 }
 
 declare-option -docstring "name of the client in which all source code jumps will be executed" \
diff --git a/rc/core/makefile.kak b/rc/core/makefile.kak
index 564231ff..0e1b85b3 100644
--- a/rc/core/makefile.kak
+++ b/rc/core/makefile.kak
@@ -49,14 +49,12 @@ define-command -hidden makefile-indent-on-new-line %{
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group makefile-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=makefile %{ add-highlighter window/makefile ref makefile }
+hook -group makefile-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=makefile %{
+    add-highlighter window/makefile ref makefile
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/makefile }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=makefile %{
     hook window InsertChar \n -group makefile-indent makefile-indent-on-new-line
-}
-
-hook -group makefile-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!makefile).* %{ remove-highlighter window/makefile }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!makefile).* %{
-    remove-hooks window makefile-indent
+	hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window makefile-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/core/man.kak b/rc/core/man.kak
index 660f184c..b1eca7e3 100644
--- a/rc/core/man.kak
+++ b/rc/core/man.kak
@@ -13,18 +13,13 @@ hook -group man-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=man %{
     add-highlighter window/man-highlight/ regex '^ {7}-[^\s,]+(,\s+-[^\s,]+)*' 0:yellow
     # References to other manpages
     add-highlighter window/man-highlight/ regex [-a-zA-Z0-9_.]+\([a-z0-9]+\) 0:green
+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/man-highlight }
 }
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=man %{
-    hook -group man-hooks window WinResize .* %{
-        man-impl %val{bufname} %opt{manpage}
-    }
-}
-
-hook -group man-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!man).* %{ remove-highlighter window/man-highlight }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!man).* %{
-    remove-hooks window man-hooks
+    hook -group man-hooks window WinResize .* %{ man-impl %val{bufname} %opt{manpage} }
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window man-hooks }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden -params 2..3 man-impl %{ evaluate-commands %sh{
diff --git a/rc/core/python.kak b/rc/core/python.kak
index a91f0364..fac94ae1 100644
--- a/rc/core/python.kak
+++ b/rc/core/python.kak
@@ -135,16 +135,14 @@ define-command -hidden python-indent-on-new-line %{
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group python-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=python %{ add-highlighter window/python ref python }
+hook -group python-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=python %{
+    add-highlighter window/python ref python
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/python }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=python %{
     hook window InsertChar \n -group python-indent python-indent-on-new-line
     # cleanup trailing whitespaces on current line insert end
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group python-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft \; <a-x> s ^\h+$ <ret> d } }
-}
-
-hook -group python-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!python).* %{ remove-highlighter window/python }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!python).* %{
-    remove-hooks window python-indent
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window python-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/core/sh.kak b/rc/core/sh.kak
index 0840c4f0..1c38393c 100644
--- a/rc/core/sh.kak
+++ b/rc/core/sh.kak
@@ -37,5 +37,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/sh/code/function regex ^\h*(\w+)\h*\(\) 1:function
 add-highlighter shared/sh/code/expansion regex \$(\w+|\{.+?\}|#|@|\?|\$|!|-|\*) 0:value
 add-highlighter shared/sh/double_string/expansion regex \$(\w+|\{.+?\}) 0:value
 
-hook -group sh-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=sh %{ add-highlighter window/sh ref sh }
-hook -group sh-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!sh).* %{ remove-highlighter window/sh }
+hook -group sh-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=sh %{
+    add-highlighter window/sh ref sh
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/sh }
+}
diff --git a/rc/extra/cabal.kak b/rc/extra/cabal.kak
index 058f9d17..ea15bcc0 100644
--- a/rc/extra/cabal.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/cabal.kak
@@ -58,17 +58,17 @@ define-command -hidden cabal-indent-on-closing-curly-brace %[
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group cabal-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=cabal %{ add-highlighter window/cabal ref cabal }
+hook -group cabal-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=cabal %{
+    add-highlighter window/cabal ref cabal
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/cabal }
+
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=cabal %[
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group cabal-hooks  cabal-filter-around-selections
     hook window InsertChar \n -group cabal-indent cabal-indent-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \{ -group cabal-indent cabal-indent-on-opening-curly-brace
     hook window InsertChar \} -group cabal-indent cabal-indent-on-closing-curly-brace
+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window cabal-.+ }
 ]
-
-hook -group cabal-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!cabal).* %{ remove-highlighter window/cabal }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!cabal).* %{
-    remove-hooks window cabal-.+
-}
diff --git a/rc/extra/cmake.kak b/rc/extra/cmake.kak
index 7c43cbdc..77ec18c5 100644
--- a/rc/extra/cmake.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/cmake.kak
@@ -21,5 +21,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/cmake/argument/quoted/ fill string
 add-highlighter shared/cmake/argument/quoted/ regex '\$\{\w+\}' 0:variable
 add-highlighter shared/cmake/argument/quoted/ regex '\w+\h*(?=\()' 0:function
 
-hook -group cmake-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=cmake %{ add-highlighter window/cmake ref cmake }
-hook -group cmake-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!cmake).* %{ remove-highlighter window/cmake }
+hook -group cmake-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=cmake %{
+    add-highlighter window/cmake ref cmake
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/cmake }
+}
diff --git a/rc/extra/coffee.kak b/rc/extra/coffee.kak
index 351f91f1..f3447f3d 100644
--- a/rc/extra/coffee.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/coffee.kak
@@ -66,15 +66,14 @@ define-command -hidden coffee-indent-on-new-line %{
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group coffee-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=coffee %{ add-highlighter window/coffee ref coffee }
+hook -group coffee-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=coffee %{
+    add-highlighter window/coffee ref coffee
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/coffee }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=coffee %{
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group coffee-hooks  coffee-filter-around-selections
     hook window InsertChar \n -group coffee-indent coffee-indent-on-new-line
-}
 
-hook -group coffee-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!coffee).* %{ remove-highlighter window/coffee }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!coffee).* %{
-    remove-hooks window coffee-.+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window coffee-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/extra/cucumber.kak b/rc/extra/cucumber.kak
index aa2081c3..563b3590 100644
--- a/rc/extra/cucumber.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/cucumber.kak
@@ -76,15 +76,14 @@ define-command -hidden cucumber-indent-on-new-line %{
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group cucumber-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=cucumber %{ add-highlighter window/cucumber ref cucumber }
+hook -group cucumber-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=cucumber %{
+    add-highlighter window/cucumber ref cucumber
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/cucumber }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=cucumber %{
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group cucumber-hooks  cucumber-filter-around-selections
     hook window InsertChar \n -group cucumber-indent cucumber-indent-on-new-line
-}
 
-hook -group cucumber-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!cucumber).* %{ remove-highlighter window/cucumber }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!cucumber).* %{
-    remove-hooks window cucumber-.+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window cucumber-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/extra/dart.kak b/rc/extra/dart.kak
index 0dba128c..7618bff4 100644
--- a/rc/extra/dart.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/dart.kak
@@ -90,7 +90,10 @@ define-command -hidden dart-indent-on-closing-curly-brace %[
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group dart-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=dart %{ add-highlighter window/dart ref dart }
+hook -group dart-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=dart %{
+    add-highlighter window/dart ref dart
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/dart }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=dart %{
     # cleanup trailing whitespaces when exiting insert mode
@@ -98,10 +101,6 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=dart %{
     hook window InsertChar \n -group dart-indent dart-indent-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \{ -group dart-indent dart-indent-on-opening-curly-brace
     hook window InsertChar \} -group dart-indent dart-indent-on-closing-curly-brace
-}
 
-hook -group dart-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!dart).* %{ remove-highlighter window/dart }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!dart).* %{
-    remove-hooks window dart-.+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window dart-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/extra/dockerfile.kak b/rc/extra/dockerfile.kak
index fcc4c5c3..07da2347 100644
--- a/rc/extra/dockerfile.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/dockerfile.kak
@@ -42,5 +42,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/dockerfile/code/ regex '\$[\w_]+' 0:value
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group dockerfile-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=dockerfile %{ add-highlighter window/dockerfile ref dockerfile }
-hook -group dockerfile-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!dockerfile).* %{ remove-highlighter window/dockerfile }
+hook -group dockerfile-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=dockerfile %{
+    add-highlighter window/dockerfile ref dockerfile
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/dockerfile }
+}
diff --git a/rc/extra/elixir.kak b/rc/extra/elixir.kak
index 86799213..33290194 100644
--- a/rc/extra/elixir.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/elixir.kak
@@ -64,12 +64,14 @@ define-command -hidden elixir-indent-on-new-line %{
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group elixir-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=elixir %{ add-highlighter window/elixir ref elixir }
+hook -group elixir-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=elixir %{
+    add-highlighter window/elixir ref elixir
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/elixir }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=elixir %{
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group elixir-hooks  elixir-filter-around-selections
     hook window InsertChar \n -group elixir-indent elixir-indent-on-new-line
+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window elixir-.+ }
 }
-
-hook -group elixir-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!elixir).* %{ remove-highlighter window/elixir }
-
diff --git a/rc/extra/elm.kak b/rc/extra/elm.kak
index 0817fb5a..8b904d6f 100644
--- a/rc/extra/elm.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/elm.kak
@@ -54,15 +54,14 @@ define-command -hidden elm-indent-on-new-line %{
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group elm-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=elm %{ add-highlighter window/elm ref elm }
+hook -group elm-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=elm %{
+    add-highlighter window/elm ref elm
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/elm }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=elm %{
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group elm-hooks  elm-filter-around-selections
     hook window InsertChar \n -group elm-indent elm-indent-on-new-line
-}
 
-hook -group elm-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!elm).* %{ remove-highlighter window/elm }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!elm).* %{
-    remove-hooks window elm-.+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window elm-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/extra/exherbo.kak b/rc/extra/exherbo.kak
index a383c426..42cc618c 100644
--- a/rc/extra/exherbo.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/exherbo.kak
@@ -34,8 +34,10 @@ add-highlighter shared/exheres-0-metadata/ regex ^(?:[\s\t]+)?[\S]+[\s\t]+=[\s\t
 add-highlighter shared/exheres-0-metadata/ regex ^(?:[\s\t]+)?(\S+)\s\[\[$ 0:type
 add-highlighter shared/exheres-0-metadata/ regex ^(?:[\s\t]+)?\]\]$ 0:type
 
-hook -group exheres-0-metadata-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=exheres-0-metadata %{ add-highlighter window/exheres-0-metadata ref exheres-0-metadata }
-hook -group exheres-0-metadata-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!exheres-0-metadata).* %{ remove-highlighter window/exheres-0-metadata }
+hook -group exheres-0-metadata-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=exheres-0-metadata %{
+    add-highlighter window/exheres-0-metadata ref exheres-0-metadata
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/exheres-0-metadata }
+}
 
 ## exheres-0 options descriptions
 add-highlighter shared/exheres-0-options-descriptions group
@@ -44,8 +46,10 @@ add-highlighter shared/exheres-0-options-descriptions/ regex ^(?:[\s\t]+)?[\S]+[
 add-highlighter shared/exheres-0-options-descriptions/ regex ^(?:[\s\t]+)?(\S+)\s\[\[$ 0:type
 add-highlighter shared/exheres-0-options-descriptions/ regex ^(?:[\s\t]+)?\]\]$ 0:type
 
-hook -group exheres-0-options-descriptions-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=exheres-0-options-descriptions %{ add-highlighter window/exheres-0-options-descriptions ref exheres-0-options-descriptions }
-hook -group exheres-0-options-descriptions-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!exheres-0-options-descriptions).* %{ remove-highlighter window/exheres-0-options-descriptions }
+hook -group exheres-0-options-descriptions-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=exheres-0-options-descriptions %{
+    add-highlighter window/exheres-0-options-descriptions ref exheres-0-options-descriptions
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/exheres-0-options-descriptions }
+}
 
 ## metadata/licence_groups.conf
 add-highlighter shared/exheres-0-licence-groups group
@@ -53,8 +57,10 @@ add-highlighter shared/exheres-0-licence-groups/ regex [\s\t]+(\S+(?:[\s\t]+))*$
 add-highlighter shared/exheres-0-licence-groups/ regex ^(\S+) 0:type
 add-highlighter shared/exheres-0-licence-groups/ regex ^#.*?$ 0:comment
 
-hook -group exheres-0-licence-groups-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=exheres-0-licence-groups %{ add-highlighter window/exheres-0-licence-groups ref exheres-0-licence-groups }
-hook -group exheres-0-licence-groups-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!exheres-0-licence-groups).* %{ remove-highlighter window/exheres-0-licence-groups }
+hook -group exheres-0-licence-groups-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=exheres-0-licence-groups %{
+    add-highlighter window/exheres-0-licence-groups ref exheres-0-licence-groups
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/exheres-0-licence-groups }
+}
 
 ## Paludis configurations
 ### options.conf
@@ -67,24 +73,30 @@ add-highlighter shared/paludis-options-conf/ regex [\s\t](-\S+)(.*?) 1:red
 add-highlighter shared/paludis-options-conf/ regex ^(\S+/\S+) 0:type
 add-highlighter shared/paludis-options-conf/ regex ^#.*?$ 0:comment
 
-hook -group paludis-options-conf-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=paludis-options-conf %{ add-highlighter window/paludis-options-conf ref paludis-options-conf }
-hook -group paludis-options-conf-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!paludis-options-conf).* %{ remove-highlighter window/paludis-options-conf }
+hook -group paludis-options-conf-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=paludis-options-conf %{
+    add-highlighter window/paludis-options-conf ref paludis-options-conf
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/paludis-options-conf }
+}
 
 ## general.conf, repository.template
 add-highlighter shared/paludis-key-value-conf group
 add-highlighter shared/paludis-key-value-conf/ regex ^[\s\t]?(\S+)[\s\t+]=[\s\t+](.*?)$ 1:attribute 2:value
 add-highlighter shared/paludis-key-value-conf/ regex ^#.*?$ 0:comment
 
-hook -group paludis-key-value-conf-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=paludis-key-value-conf %{ add-highlighter window/paludis-key-value-conf ref paludis-key-value-conf }
-hook -group paludis-key-value-conf-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!paludis-key-value-conf).* %{ remove-highlighter window/paludis-key-value-conf }
+hook -group paludis-key-value-conf-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=paludis-key-value-conf %{
+    add-highlighter window/paludis-key-value-conf ref paludis-key-value-conf
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/paludis-key-value-conf }
+}
 
 ## mirrors.conf
 add-highlighter shared/paludis-mirrors-conf group
 add-highlighter shared/paludis-mirrors-conf/ regex ^[\s\t+]?(\S+)[\s\t+](.*?)$ 1:type 2:value
 add-highlighter shared/paludis-mirrors-conf/ regex ^#.*?$ 0:comment
 
-hook -group paludis-mirrors-conf-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=paludis-mirrors-conf %{ add-highlighter window/paludis-mirrors-conf ref paludis-mirrors-conf }
-hook -group paludis-mirrors-conf-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!paludis-mirrors-conf).* %{ remove-highlighter window/paludis-mirrors-conf }
+hook -group paludis-mirrors-conf-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=paludis-mirrors-conf %{
+    add-highlighter window/paludis-mirrors-conf ref paludis-mirrors-conf
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/paludis-mirrors-conf }
+}
 
 ## package_(unmask|mask).conf, platforms.conf
 add-highlighter shared/paludis-specs-conf group
@@ -92,8 +104,10 @@ add-highlighter shared/paludis-specs-conf/ regex [\s\t]+(\S+(?:[\s\t]+))*$ 0:att
 add-highlighter shared/paludis-specs-conf/ regex ^(\S+/\S+) 0:type
 add-highlighter shared/paludis-specs-conf/ regex ^#.*?$ 0:comment
 
-hook -group paludis-specs-conf-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=paludis-specs-conf %{ add-highlighter window/paludis-specs-conf ref paludis-specs-conf }
-hook -group paludis-specs-conf-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!paludis-specs-conf).* %{ remove-highlighter window/paludis-specs-conf }
+hook -group paludis-specs-conf-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=paludis-specs-conf %{
+    add-highlighter window/paludis-specs-conf ref paludis-specs-conf
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/paludis-specs-conf }
+}
 
 ## News items (GLEP42)
 add-highlighter shared/glep42 group
@@ -101,5 +115,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/glep42/ regex ^(Title|Author|Translator|Content-Type|Post
 add-highlighter shared/glep42/ regex <[^@>]+@.*?> 0:string
 add-highlighter shared/glep42/ regex ^>.*?$ 0:comment
 
-hook -group glep42-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=glep42 %{ add-highlighter window/glep42 ref glep42 }
-hook -group glep42-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!glep42).* %{ remove-highlighter window/glep42 }
+hook -group glep42-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=glep42 %{
+    add-highlighter window/glep42 ref glep42
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/glep42 }
+}
diff --git a/rc/extra/git-tools.kak b/rc/extra/git-tools.kak
index 55d5cf53..8fbda7f1 100644
--- a/rc/extra/git-tools.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/git-tools.kak
@@ -6,16 +6,18 @@ hook -group git-log-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=git-log %{
     add-highlighter window/git-log/ regex '^(commit) ([0-9a-f]+)$' 1:yellow 2:red
     add-highlighter window/git-log/ regex '^([a-zA-Z_-]+:) (.*?)$' 1:green 2:magenta
     add-highlighter window/git-log/ ref diff # highlight potential diffs from the -p option
+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/git-log }
 }
 
-hook -group git-log-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!git-log).* %{ remove-highlighter window/git-log }
 
 hook -group git-status-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=git-status %{
     add-highlighter window/git-status group
     add-highlighter window/git-status/ regex '^\h+(?:((?:both )?modified:)|(added:|new file:)|(deleted(?: by \w+)?:)|(renamed:)|(copied:))(?:.*?)$' 1:yellow 2:green 3:red 4:cyan 5:blue 6:magenta
+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/git-status }
 }
 
-hook -group git-status-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!git-status).* %{ remove-highlighter window/git-status }
 
 declare-option -hidden line-specs git_blame_flags
 declare-option -hidden line-specs git_diff_flags
diff --git a/rc/extra/haml.kak b/rc/extra/haml.kak
index 7bf309f6..33889505 100644
--- a/rc/extra/haml.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/haml.kak
@@ -49,15 +49,14 @@ define-command -hidden haml-indent-on-new-line %{
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group haml-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=haml %{ add-highlighter window/haml ref haml }
+hook -group haml-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=haml %{
+    add-highlighter window/haml ref haml
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/haml }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=haml %{
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group haml-hooks  haml-filter-around-selections
     hook window InsertChar \n -group haml-indent haml-indent-on-new-line
-}
 
-hook -group haml-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!haml).* %{ remove-highlighter window/haml }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!haml).* %{
-    remove-hooks window haml-.+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window haml-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/extra/hbs.kak b/rc/extra/hbs.kak
index 6f02ca32..22b219bb 100644
--- a/rc/extra/hbs.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/hbs.kak
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ define-command -hidden maybe-add-hbs-to-html %{ evaluate-commands %sh{
 hook -group hbs-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=hbs %{
     maybe-add-hbs-to-html
     add-highlighter window/hbs-file ref hbs-file
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/hbs-file }
 }
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=hbs %{
@@ -92,12 +93,6 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=hbs %{
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group hbs-hooks  html-filter-around-selections
     hook window InsertChar '>' -group hbs-indent html-indent-on-greater-than
     hook window InsertChar \n -group hbs-indent html-indent-on-new-line
-}
 
-hook -group hbs-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!hbs).* %{
-    remove-highlighter window/hbs-file
-}
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!hbs).* %{
-    remove-hooks window hbs-.+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window hbs-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/extra/i3.kak b/rc/extra/i3.kak
index 7e35ace3..4ec1c565 100644
--- a/rc/extra/i3.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/i3.kak
@@ -66,17 +66,16 @@ define-command -hidden i3-indent-on-closing-curly-brace %[
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group i3-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=i3 %{ add-highlighter window/i3 ref i3 }
+hook -group i3-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=i3 %{
+    add-highlighter window/i3 ref i3
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/i3 }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=i3 %[
     # cleanup trailing whitespaces when exiting insert mode
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group i3-hooks %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x>s^\h+$<ret>d } }
     hook window InsertChar \n -group i3-indent i3-indent-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \} -group i3-indent i3-indent-on-closing-curly-brace
+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window i3-.+ }
 ]
-
-hook -group i3-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!i3).* %{ remove-highlighter window/i3 }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!i3).* %{
-    remove-hooks window i3-.+
-}
diff --git a/rc/extra/just.kak b/rc/extra/just.kak
index e8dc19b6..201bfc3d 100644
--- a/rc/extra/just.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/just.kak
@@ -28,25 +28,21 @@ add-highlighter shared/justfile/comment  region '#' '$'  fill comment
 add-highlighter shared/justfile/double_string region '"' (?<!\\)(\\\\)*" fill string
 add-highlighter shared/justfile/single_string region "'" (?<!\\)(\\\\)*' fill string
 add-highlighter shared/justfile/inline   region '`' '`' ref sh
-add-highlighter shared/justfile/shell    region '^\h+' '^[^\h]' group
 
+add-highlighter shared/justfile/shell  region '^\h+' '^[^\h]' group
 add-highlighter shared/justfile/shell/ ref sh
+add-highlighter shared/justfile/shell/ regex '(\{{2})([\w-]+)(\}{2})' 1:operator 2:variable 3:operator
 
 add-highlighter shared/justfile/content/ regex '^(@)?([\w-]+)(?:\s(.+))?\s?(:)(.+)?$' 1:operator 2:function 3:value 4:operator 5:type
 add-highlighter shared/justfile/content/ regex '([=+])' 1:operator
 add-highlighter shared/justfile/content/ regex '^([\w-]+)\s=' 1:value
 
+hook -group justfile-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=justfile %{
+    add-highlighter window/justfile ref justfile
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/justfile }
+}
+
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=justfile %{
     hook window InsertChar \n -group justfile-indent just-indent-on-new-line
-    add-highlighter window/justfile ref justfile
-
-    # variable substititution highlighting
-    add-highlighter shared/justfile/shell regex '(\{{2})([\w-]+)(\}{2})' 1:operator 2:variable 3:operator
-
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window justfile-.+ }
 }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!justfile).* %{
-    remove-highlighter window/justfile
-    remove-hooks window justfile-indent
-}
-
diff --git a/rc/extra/kickstart.kak b/rc/extra/kickstart.kak
index b53448b2..6f30b4b8 100644
--- a/rc/extra/kickstart.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/kickstart.kak
@@ -24,5 +24,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/kickstart/shell/ regex '^\h*%end\b' 0:type
 add-highlighter shared/kickstart/shell/ ref sh
 
 
-hook -group kickstart-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=kickstart %{ add-highlighter window/kickstart ref kickstart }
-hook -group kickstart-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!kickstart).* %{ remove-highlighter window/kickstart }
+hook -group kickstart-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=kickstart %{
+    add-highlighter window/kickstart ref kickstart
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/kickstart }
+}
diff --git a/rc/extra/latex.kak b/rc/extra/latex.kak
index 4f0a7f15..e93b2a73 100644
--- a/rc/extra/latex.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/latex.kak
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/latex/content/ regex '\\textbf\{([^}]+)\}' 1:default+b
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group latex-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=latex %{ add-highlighter window/latex ref latex }
-
-hook -group latex-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!latex).* %{ remove-highlighter window/latex }
+hook -group latex-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=latex %{
+    add-highlighter window/latex ref latex
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/latex }
+}
diff --git a/rc/extra/moon.kak b/rc/extra/moon.kak
index d4801814..6ef83ec7 100644
--- a/rc/extra/moon.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/moon.kak
@@ -88,7 +88,10 @@ define-command -hidden moon-indent-on-new-line %{
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group moon-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=moon %{ add-highlighter window/moon ref moon }
+hook -group moon-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=moon %{
+    add-highlighter window/moon ref moon
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/moon }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=moon %{
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group moon-hooks  moon-filter-around-selections
@@ -96,12 +99,9 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=moon %{
     hook window InsertChar \n -group moon-indent moon-indent-on-new-line
 
     alias window alt moon-alternative-file
-}
-
-hook -group moon-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!moon).* %{ remove-highlighter window/moon }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!moon).* %{
-    remove-hooks window moon-.+
-
-    unalias window alt moon-alternative-file
+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{
+        remove-hooks window moon-.+
+        unalias window alt moon-alternative-file
+    }
 }
diff --git a/rc/extra/nim.kak b/rc/extra/nim.kak
index 4f22db5e..5b154c66 100644
--- a/rc/extra/nim.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/nim.kak
@@ -71,16 +71,15 @@ def -hidden nim-indent-on-new-line %{
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group nim-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=nim %{ add-highlighter window/nim ref nim }
+hook -group nim-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=nim %{
+    add-highlighter window/nim ref nim
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/nim }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=nim %{
     hook window InsertChar \n -group nim-indent nim-indent-on-new-line
     # cleanup trailing whitespaces on current line insert end
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group nim-indent %{ try %{ exec -draft \; <a-x> s ^\h+$ <ret> d } }
-}
 
-hook -group nim-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!nim).* %{ remove-highlighter window/nim }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!nim).* %{
-    remove-hooks window nim-indent
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window nim-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/extra/php.kak b/rc/extra/php.kak
index 1a2b4228..0186b7bb 100644
--- a/rc/extra/php.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/php.kak
@@ -76,16 +76,15 @@ define-command -hidden php-indent-on-new-line %<
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group php-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=php %{ add-highlighter window/php-file ref php-file }
+hook -group php-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=php %{
+    add-highlighter window/php-file ref php-file
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/php-file }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=php %{
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group php-hooks  php-filter-around-selections
     hook window InsertChar .* -group php-indent php-indent-on-char
     hook window InsertChar \n -group php-indent php-indent-on-new-line
-}
 
-hook -group php-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!php).* %{ remove-highlighter window/php-file }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!php).* %{
-    remove-hooks window php-.+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window php-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/extra/pony.kak b/rc/extra/pony.kak
index 3c8d105d..0266b194 100644
--- a/rc/extra/pony.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/pony.kak
@@ -78,16 +78,15 @@ define-command -hidden pony-indent-on-new-line %{
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group pony-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=pony %{ add-highlighter window/pony ref pony }
+hook -group pony-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=pony %{
+    add-highlighter window/pony ref pony
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter pony }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=pony %{
     hook window InsertChar \n -group pony-indent pony-indent-on-new-line
     # cleanup trailing whitespaces on current line insert end
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group pony-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft \; <a-x> s ^\h+$ <ret> d } }
-}
 
-hook -group pony-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!pony).* %{ remove-highlighter pony }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!pony).* %{
-    remove-hooks window pony-indent
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window pony-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/extra/protobuf.kak b/rc/extra/protobuf.kak
index c18e6dc7..2ef10480 100644
--- a/rc/extra/protobuf.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/protobuf.kak
@@ -71,16 +71,15 @@ define-command -hidden protobuf-indent-on-closing-curly-brace %[
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group protobuf-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=protobuf %{ add-highlighter window/protobuf ref protobuf }
+hook -group protobuf-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=protobuf %{
+    add-highlighter window/protobuf ref protobuf
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/protobuf }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=protobuf %[
     hook -group protobuf-indent window InsertChar \n protobuf-indent-on-newline
     hook -group protobuf-indent window InsertChar \{ protobuf-indent-on-opening-curly-brace
     hook -group protobuf-indent window InsertChar \} protobuf-indent-on-closing-curly-brace
+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window protobuf-.+ }
 ]
-
-hook -group protobuf-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!protobuf).* %{ remove-highlighter window/protobuf }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!protobuf).* %{
-    remove-hooks window protobuf-.+
-}
diff --git a/rc/extra/pug.kak b/rc/extra/pug.kak
index e279d96b..a5921a62 100644
--- a/rc/extra/pug.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/pug.kak
@@ -61,15 +61,14 @@ define-command -hidden pug-indent-on-new-line %{
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group pug-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=pug %{ add-highlighter window/pug ref pug }
+hook -group pug-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=pug %{
+    add-highlighter window/pug ref pug
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/pug }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=pug %{
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group pug-hooks  pug-filter-around-selections
     hook window InsertChar \n -group pug-indent pug-indent-on-new-line
-}
 
-hook -group pug-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!pug).* %{ remove-highlighter window/pug }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!pug).* %{
-    remove-hooks window pug-.+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window pug-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/extra/ragel.kak b/rc/extra/ragel.kak
index b6f1fd68..0768d878 100644
--- a/rc/extra/ragel.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/ragel.kak
@@ -56,16 +56,15 @@ define-command -hidden ragel-indent-on-new-line %<
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group ragel-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=ragel %{ add-highlighter window/ragel ref ragel }
+hook -group ragel-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=ragel %{
+    add-highlighter window/ragel ref ragel
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/ragel }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=ragel %{
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group ragel-hooks  ragel-filter-around-selections
     hook window InsertChar .* -group ragel-indent ragel-indent-on-char
     hook window InsertChar \n -group ragel-indent ragel-indent-on-new-line
-}
 
-hook -group ragel-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!ragel).* %{ remove-highlighter window/ragel }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!ragel).* %{
-    remove-hooks window ragel-.+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window ragel-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/extra/sass.kak b/rc/extra/sass.kak
index df4929fa..5490078f 100644
--- a/rc/extra/sass.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/sass.kak
@@ -48,16 +48,15 @@ define-command -hidden sass-indent-on-new-line %{
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group sass-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=sass %{ add-highlighter window/sass ref sass }
+hook -group sass-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=sass %{
+    add-highlighter window/sass ref sass
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/sass }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=sass %{
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group sass-hooks  sass-filter-around-selections
     hook window InsertChar \n -group sass-indent sass-indent-on-new-line
     set-option buffer extra_word_chars '_' '-'
-}
 
-hook -group sass-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!sass).* %{ remove-highlighter window/sass }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!sass).* %{
-    remove-hooks window sass-.+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window sass-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/extra/scheme.kak b/rc/extra/scheme.kak
index 4c38f8a5..b0debf93 100644
--- a/rc/extra/scheme.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/scheme.kak
@@ -114,18 +114,14 @@ evaluate-commands %sh{
 
 hook -group scheme-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=scheme %{
     add-highlighter window/scheme ref scheme
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/scheme }
 }
 
-hook -group scheme-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!scheme).* %{
-    remove-highlighter window/scheme
-}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=scheme %{
     set-option buffer extra_word_chars '_' '-' '!' '%' '?' '<' '>' '='
     hook window InsertEnd  .* -group scheme-hooks  lisp-filter-around-selections
     hook window InsertChar \n -group scheme-indent lisp-indent-on-new-line
-}
 
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!scheme).* %{
-    remove-hooks window scheme-.+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window scheme-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/extra/scss.kak b/rc/extra/scss.kak
index 9dbd1fe3..7fc34abb 100644
--- a/rc/extra/scss.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/scss.kak
@@ -30,17 +30,16 @@ define-command -hidden scss-indent-on-closing-curly-brace css-indent-on-closing-
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group scss-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=scss %{ add-highlighter window/scss ref scss }
+hook -group scss-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=scss %{
+    add-highlighter window/scss ref scss
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/scss }
+}
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=scss %[
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group scss-hooks  scss-filter-around-selections
     hook window InsertChar \n -group scss-indent scss-indent-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \} -group scss-indent scss-indent-on-closing-curly-brace
     set-option buffer extra_word_chars '_' '-'
+
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window scss-.+ }
 ]
-
-hook -group scss-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!scss).* %{ remove-highlighter window/scss }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!scss).* %{
-    remove-hooks window scss-.+
-}
diff --git a/rc/extra/taskpaper.kak b/rc/extra/taskpaper.kak
index 4b3c860e..dca5de1e 100644
--- a/rc/extra/taskpaper.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/taskpaper.kak
@@ -38,9 +38,10 @@ define-command -hidden taskpaper-indent-on-new-line %{
 
 hook -group taskpaper-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=taskpaper %{
     add-highlighter window/taskpaper ref taskpaper
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/taskpaper }
+}
+
+hook global WinSetOption filetype=taskpaper %{
     hook window InsertChar \n -group taskpaper-indent taskpaper-indent-on-new-line
-}
-hook -group taskpaper-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!taskpaper).* %{
-    remove-highlighter window/taskpaper
-    remove-hooks window taskpaper-indent
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window taskpaper-.+ }
 }
diff --git a/rc/extra/toml.kak b/rc/extra/toml.kak
index 5f5a217a..e68b1f4d 100644
--- a/rc/extra/toml.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/toml.kak
@@ -52,18 +52,12 @@ define-command -hidden toml-indent-on-new-line %{
 
 hook -group toml-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=toml %{
     add-highlighter window/toml ref toml
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/toml }
 }
 
 hook global WinSetOption filetype=toml %{
     hook window ModeChange insert:.* -group toml-hooks toml-filter-around-selections
     hook window InsertChar \n -group toml-indent toml-indent-on-new-line
-}
 
-hook -group toml-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!toml).* %{
-    remove-highlighter window/toml
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window toml-.+ }
 }
-
-hook global WinSetOption filetype=(?!toml).* %{
-    remove-hooks window toml-.+
-}
-
diff --git a/rc/extra/troff.kak b/rc/extra/troff.kak
index 91755643..072cc3d1 100644
--- a/rc/extra/troff.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/troff.kak
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/troff/ regex '^\.B\s+([^\n]+)' 1:+b
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group troff-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=troff %{ add-highlighter window/troff ref troff }
-
-hook -group troff-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!troff).* %{ remove-highlighter window/troff }
+hook -group troff-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=troff %{
+    add-highlighter window/troff ref troff
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/troff }
+}
diff --git a/rc/extra/tupfile.kak b/rc/extra/tupfile.kak
index 0f38180a..e7ba0d52 100644
--- a/rc/extra/tupfile.kak
+++ b/rc/extra/tupfile.kak
@@ -27,5 +27,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/tupfile/code/ regex '`[^`\n]+`' 0:meta
 # Initialization
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 
-hook -group tupfile-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=tupfile %{ add-highlighter window/tupfile ref tupfile }
-hook -group tupfile-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=(?!tupfile).* %{ remove-highlighter window/tupfile }
+hook -group tupfile-highlight global WinSetOption filetype=tupfile %{
+    add-highlighter window/tupfile ref tupfile
+    hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-highlighter window/tupfile }
+}