diff --git a/book/src/commands.md b/book/src/commands.md
index e4647535e..6cdcfce2a 100644
--- a/book/src/commands.md
+++ b/book/src/commands.md
@@ -7,15 +7,18 @@ # Commands
 ## Using variables in typed commands and mapped shortcuts
 Helix provides several variables that can be used when typing commands or creating custom shortcuts. These variables are listed below:
 
-| Variable        | Description |
-| ---             | ---                      |
-| `%{basename}`   | The name and extension of the currently focused file. |
-| `%{filename}`   | The absolute path of the currently focused file. |
-| `%{dirname}`    | The absolute path of the parent directory of the currently focused file. |
-| `%{cwd}`        | The absolute path of the current working directory of Helix. |
-| `%{linenumber}` | The line number where the primary cursor is positioned. |
-| `%{selection}`  | The text selected by the primary cursor. |
-| `%sh{cmd}`      | Executes `cmd` with the default shell and returns the command output, if any. |
+| Variable         | Description |
+| ---              | ---                      |
+| `%{basename}`    | The name and extension of the currently focused file. |
+| `%{filename}`    | The absolute path of the currently focused file. |
+| `%{ext}`         | The extension of the current file |
+| `%{lang}`        | The language of the current file   |
+| `%{dirname}`     | The absolute path of the parent directory of the currently focused file. |
+| `%{cwd}`         | The absolute path of the current working directory of Helix. |
+| `%{linenumber}`  | The line number where the primary cursor is positioned. |
+| `%{cursorcolumn}`| The position of the primary cursor inside the current line. |
+| `%{selection}`   | The text selected by the primary cursor. |
+| `%sh{cmd}`       | Executes `cmd` with the default shell and returns the command output, if any. |
 
 ### Example
 ```toml
diff --git a/helix-view/src/editor/variable_expansion.rs b/helix-view/src/editor/variable_expansion.rs
index 675c9a5a0..fbed254fc 100644
--- a/helix-view/src/editor/variable_expansion.rs
+++ b/helix-view/src/editor/variable_expansion.rs
@@ -67,6 +67,22 @@ pub fn expand_variable_in_string<'a>(&self, input: &'a str) -> anyhow::Result<Co
                                             .cursor_line(doc.text().slice(..))
                                             + 1)
                                         .to_string(),
+                                        "cursorcolumn" => (doc
+                                            .selection(view.id)
+                                            .primary()
+                                            .cursor(doc.text().slice(..))
+                                            + 1)
+                                        .to_string(),
+                                        "lang" => doc.language_name().unwrap_or("text").to_string(),
+                                        "ext" => match doc.relative_path() {
+                                            Some(path) => path
+                                                .to_string_lossy()
+                                                .split(".")
+                                                .last()
+                                                .unwrap_or("")
+                                                .to_string(),
+                                            _ => "".to_string(),
+                                        },
                                         "selection" => doc
                                             .selection(view.id)
                                             .primary()