*: Provide list length when allocating lists

19 files changed, 221 insertions, 200 deletions

diff --git a/src/nvim/api/private/helpers.c b/src/nvim/api/private/helpers.c
index 26ad7ac1a6..9baa996560 100644
--- a/src/nvim/api/private/helpers.c
+++ b/src/nvim/api/private/helpers.c
@@ -783,7 +783,7 @@ bool object_to_vim(Object obj, typval_T *tv, Error *err)
       break;
 
     case kObjectTypeArray: {
-      list_T *const list = tv_list_alloc();
+      list_T *const list = tv_list_alloc((ptrdiff_t)obj.data.array.size);
 
       for (uint32_t i = 0; i < obj.data.array.size; i++) {
         Object item = obj.data.array.items[i];
diff --git a/src/nvim/channel.c b/src/nvim/channel.c
index efef95de01..9d0a7d3c21 100644
--- a/src/nvim/channel.c
+++ b/src/nvim/channel.c
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 #include "nvim/api/ui.h"
 #include "nvim/channel.h"
 #include "nvim/eval.h"
+#include "nvim/eval/encode.h"
 #include "nvim/event/socket.h"
 #include "nvim/msgpack_rpc/channel.h"
 #include "nvim/msgpack_rpc/server.h"
@@ -522,32 +523,18 @@ err:
   return 0;
 }
 
-/// NB: mutates buf in place!
-static list_T *buffer_to_tv_list(char *buf, size_t count)
+/// Convert binary byte array to a readfile()-style list
+///
+/// @param[in]  buf  Array to convert.
+/// @param[in]  len  Array length.
+///
+/// @return [allocated] Converted list.
+static inline list_T *buffer_to_tv_list(const char *const buf, const size_t len)
+  FUNC_ATTR_NONNULL_ALL FUNC_ATTR_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT FUNC_ATTR_ALWAYS_INLINE
 {
-  list_T *ret = tv_list_alloc();
-  char *ptr = buf;
-  size_t remaining = count;
-  size_t off = 0;
-
-  while (off < remaining) {
-    // append the line
-    if (ptr[off] == NL) {
-      tv_list_append_string(ret, ptr, (ssize_t)off);
-      size_t skip = off + 1;
-      ptr += skip;
-      remaining -= skip;
-      off = 0;
-      continue;
-    }
-    if (ptr[off] == NUL) {
-      // Translate NUL to NL
-      ptr[off] = NL;
-    }
-    off++;
-  }
-  tv_list_append_string(ret, ptr, (ssize_t)off);
-  return ret;
+  list_T *const l = tv_list_alloc(kListLenMayKnow);
+  encode_list_write(l, buf, len);
+  return l;
 }
 
 // vimscript job callbacks must be executed on Nvim main loop
diff --git a/src/nvim/eval.c b/src/nvim/eval.c
index 2e8bf18f2d..ec32f1821d 100644
--- a/src/nvim/eval.c
+++ b/src/nvim/eval.c
@@ -568,7 +568,7 @@ void eval_init(void)
 
   dict_T *const msgpack_types_dict = tv_dict_alloc();
   for (size_t i = 0; i < ARRAY_SIZE(msgpack_type_names); i++) {
-    list_T *const type_list = tv_list_alloc();
+    list_T *const type_list = tv_list_alloc(0);
     tv_list_set_lock(type_list, VAR_FIXED);
     tv_list_ref(type_list);
     dictitem_T *const di = tv_dict_item_alloc(msgpack_type_names[i]);
@@ -591,7 +591,7 @@ void eval_init(void)
   dict_T *v_event = tv_dict_alloc();
   v_event->dv_lock = VAR_FIXED;
   set_vim_var_dict(VV_EVENT, v_event);
-  set_vim_var_list(VV_ERRORS, tv_list_alloc());
+  set_vim_var_list(VV_ERRORS, tv_list_alloc(kListLenUnknown));
   set_vim_var_nr(VV_STDERR,   CHAN_STDERR);
   set_vim_var_nr(VV_SEARCHFORWARD, 1L);
   set_vim_var_nr(VV_HLSEARCH, 1L);
@@ -1546,6 +1546,7 @@ ex_let_vars (
   assert(l != NULL);
 
   listitem_T *item = tv_list_first(l);
+  size_t rest_len = tv_list_len(l);
   while (*arg != ']') {
     arg = skipwhite(arg + 1);
     arg = ex_let_one(arg, TV_LIST_ITEM_TV(item), true, (const char_u *)",;]",
@@ -1553,13 +1554,14 @@ ex_let_vars (
     if (arg == NULL) {
       return FAIL;
     }
+    rest_len--;
 
     item = TV_LIST_ITEM_NEXT(l, item);
     arg = skipwhite(arg);
     if (*arg == ';') {
       /* Put the rest of the list (may be empty) in the var after ';'.
        * Create a new list for this. */
-      list_T *const rest_list = tv_list_alloc();
+      list_T *const rest_list = tv_list_alloc(rest_len);
       while (item != NULL) {
         tv_list_append_tv(rest_list, TV_LIST_ITEM_TV(item));
         item = TV_LIST_ITEM_NEXT(l, item);
@@ -4512,7 +4514,7 @@ eval_index (
           if (!empty2 && (n2 < 0 || n2 + 1 < n1)) {
             n2 = -1;
           }
-          l = tv_list_alloc();
+          l = tv_list_alloc(n2 - n1 + 1);
           item = tv_list_find(rettv->vval.v_list, n1);
           while (n1++ <= n2) {
             tv_list_append_tv(l, TV_LIST_ITEM_TV(item));
@@ -4870,7 +4872,7 @@ static int get_list_tv(char_u **arg, typval_T *rettv, int evaluate)
   list_T      *l = NULL;
 
   if (evaluate) {
-    l = tv_list_alloc();
+    l = tv_list_alloc(kListLenShouldKnow);
   }
 
   *arg = skipwhite(*arg + 1);
@@ -6666,7 +6668,7 @@ static void f_argv(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
     }
     rettv->v_type = VAR_STRING;
   } else {
-    tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+    tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, ARGCOUNT);
     for (idx = 0; idx < ARGCOUNT; idx++) {
       tv_list_append_string(rettv->vval.v_list,
                             (const char *)alist_name(&ARGLIST[idx]), -1);
@@ -6776,7 +6778,7 @@ static void assert_error(garray_T *gap)
 
   if (vp->vv_type != VAR_LIST || vimvars[VV_ERRORS].vv_list == NULL) {
     // Make sure v:errors is a list.
-    set_vim_var_list(VV_ERRORS, tv_list_alloc());
+    set_vim_var_list(VV_ERRORS, tv_list_alloc(1));
   }
   tv_list_append_string(vimvars[VV_ERRORS].vv_list,
                         (const char *)gap->ga_data, (ptrdiff_t)gap->ga_len);
@@ -8225,7 +8227,7 @@ static void f_expand(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
     result = eval_vars((char_u *)s, (char_u *)s, &len, NULL, &errormsg, NULL);
     emsg_off--;
     if (rettv->v_type == VAR_LIST) {
-      tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+      tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, (result != NULL));
       if (result != NULL) {
         tv_list_append_string(rettv->vval.v_list, (const char *)result, -1);
       }
@@ -8248,8 +8250,8 @@ static void f_expand(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
         rettv->vval.v_string = ExpandOne(&xpc, (char_u *)s, NULL, options,
                                          WILD_ALL);
       } else {
-        tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
         ExpandOne(&xpc, (char_u *)s, NULL, options, WILD_ALL_KEEP);
+        tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, xpc.xp_numfiles);
         for (int i = 0; i < xpc.xp_numfiles; i++) {
           tv_list_append_string(rettv->vval.v_list,
                                 (const char *)xpc.xp_files[i], -1);
@@ -8266,7 +8268,7 @@ static void f_expand(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
 /// "menu_get(path [, modes])" function
 static void f_menu_get(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
 {
-  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, kListLenMayKnow);
   int modes = MENU_ALL_MODES;
   if (argvars[1].v_type == VAR_STRING) {
     const char_u *const strmodes = (char_u *)tv_get_string(&argvars[1]);
@@ -8427,7 +8429,7 @@ static void findfilendir(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, int find_what)
   }
 
   if (count < 0) {
-    tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+    tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, kListLenUnknown);
   }
 
   if (*fname != NUL && !error) {
@@ -9108,7 +9110,7 @@ static void f_get(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
         }
       } else if (strcmp(what, "args") == 0) {
         rettv->v_type = VAR_LIST;
-        if (tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv) != NULL) {
+        if (tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, pt->pt_argc) != NULL) {
           for (int i = 0; i < pt->pt_argc; i++) {
             tv_list_append_tv(rettv->vval.v_list, &pt->pt_argv[i]);
           }
@@ -9132,8 +9134,10 @@ static void f_get(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
 }
 
 /// Returns information about signs placed in a buffer as list of dicts.
-static void get_buffer_signs(buf_T *buf, list_T *l)
+static list_T *get_buffer_signs(buf_T *buf)
+  FUNC_ATTR_NONNULL_RET FUNC_ATTR_NONNULL_ALL FUNC_ATTR_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT
 {
+  list_T *const l = tv_list_alloc(kListLenMayKnow);
   for (signlist_T *sign = buf->b_signlist; sign; sign = sign->next) {
     dict_T *const d = tv_dict_alloc();
 
@@ -9144,6 +9148,7 @@ static void get_buffer_signs(buf_T *buf, list_T *l)
 
     tv_list_append_dict(l, d);
   }
+  return l;
 }
 
 /// Returns buffer options, variables and other attributes in a dictionary.
@@ -9167,7 +9172,7 @@ static dict_T *get_buffer_info(buf_T *buf)
   tv_dict_add_dict(dict, S_LEN("variables"), buf->b_vars);
 
   // List of windows displaying this buffer
-  list_T *const windows = tv_list_alloc();
+  list_T *const windows = tv_list_alloc(kListLenMayKnow);
   FOR_ALL_TAB_WINDOWS(tp, wp) {
     if (wp->w_buffer == buf) {
       tv_list_append_number(windows, (varnumber_T)wp->handle);
@@ -9177,9 +9182,7 @@ static dict_T *get_buffer_info(buf_T *buf)
 
   if (buf->b_signlist != NULL) {
     // List of signs placed in this buffer
-    list_T *const signs = tv_list_alloc();
-    get_buffer_signs(buf, signs);
-    tv_dict_add_list(dict, S_LEN("signs"), signs);
+    tv_dict_add_list(dict, S_LEN("signs"), get_buffer_signs(buf));
   }
 
   return dict;
@@ -9193,7 +9196,7 @@ static void f_getbufinfo(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
   bool sel_buflisted = false;
   bool sel_bufloaded = false;
 
-  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, kListLenMayKnow);
 
   // List of all the buffers or selected buffers
   if (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_DICT) {
@@ -9252,35 +9255,31 @@ static void f_getbufinfo(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
  */
 static void get_buffer_lines(buf_T *buf, linenr_T start, linenr_T end, int retlist, typval_T *rettv)
 {
-  char_u      *p;
-
-  rettv->v_type = VAR_STRING;
+  rettv->v_type = (retlist ? VAR_LIST : VAR_STRING);
   rettv->vval.v_string = NULL;
-  if (retlist) {
-    tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
-  }
 
-  if (buf == NULL || buf->b_ml.ml_mfp == NULL || start < 0)
+  if (buf == NULL || buf->b_ml.ml_mfp == NULL || start < 0 || end < start) {
+    tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, 0);
     return;
+  }
 
-  if (!retlist) {
-    if (start >= 1 && start <= buf->b_ml.ml_line_count)
-      p = ml_get_buf(buf, start, FALSE);
-    else
-      p = (char_u *)"";
-    rettv->vval.v_string = vim_strsave(p);
-  } else {
-    if (end < start)
-      return;
-
-    if (start < 1)
+  if (retlist) {
+    if (start < 1) {
       start = 1;
-    if (end > buf->b_ml.ml_line_count)
+    }
+    if (end > buf->b_ml.ml_line_count) {
       end = buf->b_ml.ml_line_count;
+    }
+    tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, end - start + 1);
     while (start <= end) {
       tv_list_append_string(rettv->vval.v_list,
                             (const char *)ml_get_buf(buf, start++, false), -1);
     }
+  } else {
+    rettv->v_type = VAR_STRING;
+    rettv->vval.v_string = ((start >= 1 && start <= buf->b_ml.ml_line_count)
+                            ? vim_strsave(ml_get_buf(buf, start, false))
+                            : NULL);
   }
 }
 
@@ -9605,8 +9604,8 @@ static void f_getcompletion(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
 
 theend:
   pat = addstar(xpc.xp_pattern, xpc.xp_pattern_len, xpc.xp_context);
-  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
   ExpandOne(&xpc, pat, NULL, options, WILD_ALL_KEEP);
+  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, xpc.xp_numfiles);
 
   for (int i = 0; i < xpc.xp_numfiles; i++) {
     tv_list_append_string(rettv->vval.v_list, (const char *)xpc.xp_files[i],
@@ -9900,7 +9899,7 @@ static void f_getline(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
 
   const linenr_T lnum = tv_get_lnum(argvars);
   if (argvars[1].v_type == VAR_UNKNOWN) {
-    end = 0;
+    end = lnum;
     retlist = false;
   } else {
     end = tv_get_lnum(&argvars[1]);
@@ -9914,7 +9913,7 @@ static void get_qf_loc_list(int is_qf, win_T *wp, typval_T *what_arg,
                             typval_T *rettv)
 {
   if (what_arg->v_type == VAR_UNKNOWN) {
-    tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+    tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, kListLenMayKnow);
     if (is_qf || wp != NULL) {
       (void)get_errorlist(wp, -1, rettv->vval.v_list);
     }
@@ -9949,7 +9948,7 @@ static void f_getmatches(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
   matchitem_T *cur = curwin->w_match_head;
   int i;
 
-  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, kListLenMayKnow);
   while (cur != NULL) {
     dict_T *dict = tv_dict_alloc();
     if (cur->match.regprog == NULL) {
@@ -9962,7 +9961,7 @@ static void f_getmatches(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
         if (llpos->lnum == 0) {
           break;
         }
-        list_T *l = tv_list_alloc();
+        list_T *const l = tv_list_alloc(1 + (llpos->col > 0 ? 2 : 0));
         tv_list_append_number(l, (varnumber_T)llpos->lnum);
         if (llpos->col > 0) {
           tv_list_append_number(l, (varnumber_T)llpos->col);
@@ -10011,7 +10010,7 @@ static void getpos_both(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, bool getcurpos)
     fp = var2fpos(&argvars[0], true, &fnum);
   }
 
-  list_T *l = tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+  list_T *const l = tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, 4 + (!!getcurpos));
   tv_list_append_number(l, (fnum != -1) ? (varnumber_T)fnum : (varnumber_T)0);
   tv_list_append_number(l, ((fp != NULL)
                             ? (varnumber_T)fp->lnum
@@ -10084,10 +10083,10 @@ static void f_getreg(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
 
   if (return_list) {
     rettv->v_type = VAR_LIST;
-    rettv->vval.v_list = 
+    rettv->vval.v_list =
       get_reg_contents(regname, (arg2 ? kGRegExprSrc : 0) | kGRegList);
     if (rettv->vval.v_list == NULL) {
-      rettv->vval.v_list = tv_list_alloc();
+      rettv->vval.v_list = tv_list_alloc(0);
     }
     tv_list_ref(rettv->vval.v_list);
   } else {
@@ -10137,7 +10136,7 @@ static dict_T *get_tabpage_info(tabpage_T *tp, int tp_idx)
 
   tv_dict_add_nr(dict, S_LEN("tabnr"), tp_idx);
 
-  list_T *const l = tv_list_alloc();
+  list_T *const l = tv_list_alloc(kListLenMayKnow);
   FOR_ALL_WINDOWS_IN_TAB(wp, tp) {
     tv_list_append_number(l, (varnumber_T)wp->handle);
   }
@@ -10154,7 +10153,9 @@ static void f_gettabinfo(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
 {
   tabpage_T *tparg = NULL;
 
-  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_UNKNOWN
+                            ? 1
+                            : kListLenMayKnow));
 
   if (argvars[0].v_type != VAR_UNKNOWN) {
     // Information about one tab page
@@ -10253,7 +10254,7 @@ static void f_getwininfo(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
 {
   win_T *wparg = NULL;
 
-  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, kListLenMayKnow);
 
   if (argvars[0].v_type != VAR_UNKNOWN) {
     wparg = win_id2wp(argvars);
@@ -10478,9 +10479,9 @@ static void f_glob(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
       rettv->vval.v_string = ExpandOne(
           &xpc, (char_u *)tv_get_string(&argvars[0]), NULL, options, WILD_ALL);
     } else {
-      tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
       ExpandOne(&xpc, (char_u *)tv_get_string(&argvars[0]), NULL, options,
                 WILD_ALL_KEEP);
+      tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, xpc.xp_numfiles);
       for (int i = 0; i < xpc.xp_numfiles; i++) {
         tv_list_append_string(rettv->vval.v_list, (const char *)xpc.xp_files[i],
                               -1);
@@ -10529,7 +10530,7 @@ static void f_globpath(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
     if (rettv->v_type == VAR_STRING) {
       rettv->vval.v_string = ga_concat_strings_sep(&ga, "\n");
     } else {
-      tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+      tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, ga.ga_len);
       for (int i = 0; i < ga.ga_len; i++) {
         tv_list_append_string(rettv->vval.v_list,
                               ((const char **)(ga.ga_data))[i], -1);
@@ -11429,7 +11430,7 @@ static void dict_list(typval_T *const tv, typval_T *const rettv,
     return;
   }
 
-  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, tv_dict_len(tv->vval.v_dict));
 
   TV_DICT_ITER(tv->vval.v_dict, di, {
     typval_T tv = { .v_lock = VAR_UNLOCKED };
@@ -11446,7 +11447,7 @@ static void dict_list(typval_T *const tv, typval_T *const rettv,
       }
       case kDictListItems: {
         // items()
-        list_T *const sub_l = tv_list_alloc();
+        list_T *const sub_l = tv_list_alloc(2);
         tv.v_type = VAR_LIST;
         tv.vval.v_list = sub_l;
         tv_list_ref(sub_l);
@@ -11776,7 +11777,7 @@ static void f_jobwait(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
     }
   }
 
-  list_T *rv = tv_list_alloc();
+  list_T *const rv = tv_list_alloc(tv_list_len(args));
 
   // restore the parent queue for any jobs still alive
   for (i = 0; i < tv_list_len(args); i++) {
@@ -12204,12 +12205,12 @@ static void find_some_match(typval_T *const argvars, typval_T *const rettv,
   switch (type) {
     // matchlist(): return empty list when there are no matches.
     case kSomeMatchList: {
-      tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+      tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, kListLenMayKnow);
       break;
     }
     // matchstrpos(): return ["", -1, -1, -1]
     case kSomeMatchStrPos: {
-      tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+      tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, 4);
       tv_list_append_string(rettv->vval.v_list, "", 0);
       tv_list_append_number(rettv->vval.v_list, -1);
       tv_list_append_number(rettv->vval.v_list, -1);
@@ -12516,10 +12517,12 @@ static void f_matchaddpos(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
  */
 static void f_matcharg(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
 {
-  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
-
   const int id = tv_get_number(&argvars[0]);
 
+  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, (id >= 1 && id <= 3
+                            ? 2
+                            : 0));
+
   if (id >= 1 && id <= 3) {
     matchitem_T *const m = (matchitem_T *)get_match(curwin, id);
 
@@ -12705,8 +12708,8 @@ static void f_msgpackdump(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
     EMSG2(_(e_listarg), "msgpackdump()");
     return;
   }
-  list_T *ret_list = tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
-  list_T *list = argvars[0].vval.v_list;
+  list_T *const ret_list = tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, kListLenMayKnow);
+  list_T *const list = argvars[0].vval.v_list;
   msgpack_packer *lpacker = msgpack_packer_new(ret_list, &encode_list_write);
   const char *const msg = _("msgpackdump() argument, index %i");
   // Assume that translation will not take more then 4 times more space
@@ -12730,8 +12733,8 @@ static void f_msgpackparse(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
     EMSG2(_(e_listarg), "msgpackparse()");
     return;
   }
-  list_T *ret_list = tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
-  const list_T *list = argvars[0].vval.v_list;
+  list_T *const ret_list = tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, kListLenMayKnow);
+  const list_T *const list = argvars[0].vval.v_list;
   if (tv_list_len(list) == 0) {
     return;
   }
@@ -12986,7 +12989,7 @@ static void f_range(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
   } else if (stride > 0 ? end + 1 < start : end - 1 > start) {
     emsgf(_("E727: Start past end"));
   } else {
-    tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+    tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, (end - start) / stride);
     for (i = start; stride > 0 ? i <= end : i >= end; i += stride) {
       tv_list_append_number(rettv->vval.v_list, (varnumber_T)i);
     }
@@ -13017,8 +13020,7 @@ static void f_readfile(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
     }
   }
 
-  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
-  list_T *const l = rettv->vval.v_list;
+  list_T *const l = tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, kListLenUnknown);
 
   // Always open the file in binary mode, library functions have a mind of
   // their own about CR-LF conversion.
@@ -13231,7 +13233,7 @@ static void f_reltime(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
   STATIC_ASSERT(sizeof(u.prof) == sizeof(u) && sizeof(u.split) == sizeof(u),
       "type punning will produce incorrect results on this platform");
 
-  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, 2);
   tv_list_append_number(rettv->vval.v_list, u.split.high);
   tv_list_append_number(rettv->vval.v_list, u.split.low);
 }
@@ -13324,7 +13326,8 @@ static void f_remove(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
           if (li == NULL) {  // Didn't find "item2" after "item".
             emsgf(_(e_invrange));
           } else {
-            tv_list_move_items(l, item, item2, tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv), cnt);
+            tv_list_move_items(l, item, item2, tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, cnt),
+                               cnt);
           }
         }
       }
@@ -13354,7 +13357,7 @@ static void f_repeat(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
 {
   varnumber_T n = tv_get_number(&argvars[1]);
   if (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_LIST) {
-    tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+    tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, (n > 0) * n * tv_list_len(argvars[0].vval.v_list));
     while (n-- > 0) {
       tv_list_extend(rettv->vval.v_list, argvars[0].vval.v_list, NULL);
     }
@@ -14124,7 +14127,7 @@ static void f_searchpairpos(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
   int lnum = 0;
   int col = 0;
 
-  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, 2);
 
   if (searchpair_cmn(argvars, &match_pos) > 0) {
     lnum = match_pos.lnum;
@@ -14292,18 +14295,14 @@ do_searchpair (
 static void f_searchpos(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
 {
   pos_T match_pos;
-  int lnum = 0;
-  int col = 0;
-  int n;
   int flags = 0;
 
-  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+  const int n = search_cmn(argvars, &match_pos, &flags);
 
-  n = search_cmn(argvars, &match_pos, &flags);
-  if (n > 0) {
-    lnum = match_pos.lnum;
-    col = match_pos.col;
-  }
+  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, 2 + (!!(flags & SP_SUBPAT)));
+
+  const int lnum = (n > 0 ? match_pos.lnum : 0);
+  const int col = (n > 0 ? match_pos.col : 0);
 
   tv_list_append_number(rettv->vval.v_list, (varnumber_T)lnum);
   tv_list_append_number(rettv->vval.v_list, (varnumber_T)col);
@@ -14319,7 +14318,7 @@ static void f_serverlist(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
   char **addrs = server_address_list(&n);
 
   // Copy addrs into a linked list.
-  list_T *l = tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+  list_T *const l = tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, n);
   for (size_t i = 0; i < n; i++) {
     tv_list_append_allocated_string(l, addrs[i]);
   }
@@ -14715,7 +14714,7 @@ static void f_setmatches(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
     dictitem_T *const di = tv_dict_find(d, S_LEN("pattern"));
     if (di == NULL) {
       if (s == NULL) {
-        s = tv_list_alloc();
+        s = tv_list_alloc(9);
       }
 
       // match from matchaddpos()
@@ -15531,8 +15530,6 @@ static void f_spellbadword(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
   hlf_T attr = HLF_COUNT;
   size_t len = 0;
 
-  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
-
   if (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_UNKNOWN) {
     // Find the start and length of the badly spelled word.
     len = spell_move_to(curwin, FORWARD, true, true, &attr);
@@ -15557,6 +15554,7 @@ static void f_spellbadword(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
   }
 
   assert(len <= INT_MAX);
+  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, 2);
   tv_list_append_string(rettv->vval.v_list, word, len);
   tv_list_append_string(rettv->vval.v_list,
                         (attr == HLF_SPB ? "bad"
@@ -15573,35 +15571,36 @@ static void f_spellsuggest(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
 {
   bool typeerr = false;
   int maxcount;
-  garray_T ga;
+  garray_T ga = GA_EMPTY_INIT_VALUE;
   bool need_capital = false;
 
-  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
-
   if (curwin->w_p_spell && *curwin->w_s->b_p_spl != NUL) {
     const char *const str = tv_get_string(&argvars[0]);
     if (argvars[1].v_type != VAR_UNKNOWN) {
       maxcount = tv_get_number_chk(&argvars[1], &typeerr);
       if (maxcount <= 0) {
-        return;
+        goto f_spellsuggest_return;
       }
       if (argvars[2].v_type != VAR_UNKNOWN) {
         need_capital = tv_get_number_chk(&argvars[2], &typeerr);
         if (typeerr) {
-          return;
+          goto f_spellsuggest_return;
         }
       }
-    } else
+    } else {
       maxcount = 25;
+    }
 
     spell_suggest_list(&ga, (char_u *)str, maxcount, need_capital, false);
+  }
 
-    for (int i = 0; i < ga.ga_len; i++) {
-      char *p = ((char **)ga.ga_data)[i];
-      tv_list_append_allocated_string(rettv->vval.v_list, p);
-    }
-    ga_clear(&ga);
+f_spellsuggest_return:
+  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, (ptrdiff_t)ga.ga_len);
+  for (int i = 0; i < ga.ga_len; i++) {
+    char *const p = ((char **)ga.ga_data)[i];
+    tv_list_append_allocated_string(rettv->vval.v_list, p);
   }
+  ga_clear(&ga);
 }
 
 static void f_split(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
@@ -15633,10 +15632,11 @@ static void f_split(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
     pat = "[\\x01- ]\\+";
   }
 
-  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, kListLenMayKnow);
 
-  if (typeerr)
+  if (typeerr) {
     return;
+  }
 
   regmatch.regprog = vim_regcomp((char_u *)pat, RE_MAGIC + RE_STRING);
   if (regmatch.regprog != NULL) {
@@ -16263,7 +16263,6 @@ static void f_synconcealed(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
 
   memset(str, NUL, sizeof(str));
 
-  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
   if (lnum >= 1 && lnum <= curbuf->b_ml.ml_line_count && col >= 0
       && (size_t)col <= STRLEN(ml_get(lnum)) && curwin->w_p_cole > 0) {
     (void)syn_get_id(curwin, lnum, col, false, NULL, false);
@@ -16276,14 +16275,12 @@ static void f_synconcealed(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
         cchar = lcs_conceal;
       }
       if (cchar != NUL) {
-        if (has_mbyte)
-          (*mb_char2bytes)(cchar, str);
-        else
-          str[0] = cchar;
+        utf_char2bytes(cchar, str);
       }
     }
   }
 
+  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, 3);
   tv_list_append_number(rettv->vval.v_list, (syntax_flags & HL_CONCEAL) != 0);
   // -1 to auto-determine strlen
   tv_list_append_string(rettv->vval.v_list, (const char *)str, -1);
@@ -16306,7 +16303,7 @@ static void f_synstack(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
       && lnum <= curbuf->b_ml.ml_line_count
       && col >= 0
       && (size_t)col <= STRLEN(ml_get(lnum))) {
-    tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+    tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, kListLenMayKnow);
     (void)syn_get_id(curwin, lnum, col, false, NULL, true);
 
     int id;
@@ -16322,7 +16319,7 @@ static list_T *string_to_list(const char *str, size_t len, const bool keepempty)
   if (!keepempty && str[len - 1] == NL) {
     len--;
   }
-  list_T *const list = tv_list_alloc();
+  list_T *const list = tv_list_alloc(kListLenMayKnow);
   encode_list_write(list, str, len);
   return list;
 }
@@ -16368,7 +16365,7 @@ static void get_system_output_as_rettv(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv,
   if (res == NULL) {
     if (retlist) {
       // return an empty list when there's no output
-      tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+      tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, 0);
     } else {
       rettv->vval.v_string = (char_u *) xstrdup("");
     }
@@ -16434,7 +16431,7 @@ static void f_tabpagebuflist(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
     }
   }
   if (wp != NULL) {
-    tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+    tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, kListLenMayKnow);
     while (wp != NULL) {
       tv_list_append_number(rettv->vval.v_list, wp->w_buffer->b_fnum);
       wp = wp->w_next;
@@ -16532,7 +16529,7 @@ static void f_tagfiles(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
   char *fname;
   tagname_T tn;
 
-  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, kListLenUnknown);
   fname = xmalloc(MAXPATHL);
 
   bool first = true;
@@ -16561,8 +16558,8 @@ static void f_taglist(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
   if (argvars[1].v_type != VAR_UNKNOWN) {
     fname = tv_get_string(&argvars[1]);
   }
-  (void)get_tags(tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv), (char_u *)tag_pattern,
-                 (char_u *)fname);
+  (void)get_tags(tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, kListLenUnknown),
+                 (char_u *)tag_pattern, (char_u *)fname);
 }
 
 /*
@@ -16803,7 +16800,9 @@ static void add_timer_info_all(typval_T *rettv)
 /// "timer_info([timer])" function
 static void f_timer_info(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
 {
-  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, (argvars[0].v_type != VAR_UNKNOWN
+                            ? 1
+                            : timers->table->n_occupied));
   if (argvars[0].v_type != VAR_UNKNOWN) {
     if (argvars[0].v_type != VAR_NUMBER) {
       EMSG(_(e_number_exp));
@@ -17163,7 +17162,6 @@ static void f_undotree(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
   tv_dict_alloc_ret(rettv);
 
   dict_T *dict = rettv->vval.v_dict;
-  list_T *list;
 
   tv_dict_add_nr(dict, S_LEN("synced"), (varnumber_T)curbuf->b_u_synced);
   tv_dict_add_nr(dict, S_LEN("seq_last"), (varnumber_T)curbuf->b_u_seq_last);
@@ -17173,9 +17171,7 @@ static void f_undotree(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
   tv_dict_add_nr(dict, S_LEN("time_cur"), (varnumber_T)curbuf->b_u_time_cur);
   tv_dict_add_nr(dict, S_LEN("save_cur"), (varnumber_T)curbuf->b_u_save_nr_cur);
 
-  list = tv_list_alloc();
-  u_eval_tree(curbuf->b_u_oldhead, list);
-  tv_dict_add_list(dict, S_LEN("entries"), list);
+  tv_dict_add_list(dict, S_LEN("entries"), u_eval_tree(curbuf->b_u_oldhead));
 }
 
 /*
@@ -17234,7 +17230,7 @@ static void f_wildmenumode(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
 /// "win_findbuf()" function
 static void f_win_findbuf(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
 {
-  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
+  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, kListLenMayKnow);
   win_findbuf(argvars, rettv->vval.v_list);
 }
 
@@ -17253,8 +17249,7 @@ static void f_win_gotoid(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
 /// "win_id2tabwin()" function
 static void f_win_id2tabwin(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, FunPtr fptr)
 {
-  tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv);
-  win_id2tabwin(argvars, rettv->vval.v_list);
+  win_id2tabwin(argvars, rettv);
 }
 
 /// "win_id2win()" function
@@ -22367,7 +22362,7 @@ static void script_host_eval(char *name, typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
     return;
   }
 
-  list_T *args = tv_list_alloc();
+  list_T *args = tv_list_alloc(1);
   tv_list_append_string(args, (const char *)argvars[0].vval.v_string, -1);
   *rettv = eval_call_provider(name, "eval", args);
 }
diff --git a/src/nvim/eval/decode.c b/src/nvim/eval/decode.c
index af4e055d23..c729d00ae7 100644
--- a/src/nvim/eval/decode.c
+++ b/src/nvim/eval/decode.c
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ static inline int json_decoder_pop(ValuesStackItem obj,
       }
       obj_di->di_tv = obj.val;
     } else {
-      list_T *const kv_pair = tv_list_alloc();
+      list_T *const kv_pair = tv_list_alloc(2);
       tv_list_append_list(last_container.special_val, kv_pair);
       tv_list_append_owned_tv(kv_pair, key.val);
       tv_list_append_owned_tv(kv_pair, obj.val);
@@ -221,13 +221,18 @@ static inline int json_decoder_pop(ValuesStackItem obj,
 /// Create a new special dictionary that ought to represent a MAP
 ///
 /// @param[out]  ret_tv  Address where new special dictionary is saved.
+/// @param[in]  len  Expected number of items to be populated before list
+///                  becomes accessible from VimL. It is still valid to
+///                  underpopulate a list, value only controls how many elements
+///                  will be allocated in advance. @see ListLenSpecials.
 ///
 /// @return [allocated] list which should contain key-value pairs. Return value
 ///                     may be safely ignored.
-list_T *decode_create_map_special_dict(typval_T *const ret_tv)
+list_T *decode_create_map_special_dict(typval_T *const ret_tv,
+                                       const ptrdiff_t len)
   FUNC_ATTR_NONNULL_ALL
 {
-  list_T *const list = tv_list_alloc();
+  list_T *const list = tv_list_alloc(len);
   tv_list_ref(list);
   create_special_dict(ret_tv, kMPMap, ((typval_T) {
     .v_type = VAR_LIST,
@@ -263,7 +268,7 @@ typval_T decode_string(const char *const s, const size_t len,
                               ? ((s != NULL) && (memchr(s, NUL, len) != NULL))
                               : (bool)hasnul);
   if (really_hasnul) {
-    list_T *const list = tv_list_alloc();
+    list_T *const list = tv_list_alloc(kListLenMayKnow);
     tv_list_ref(list);
     typval_T tv;
     create_special_dict(&tv, binary ? kMPBinary : kMPString, ((typval_T) {
@@ -843,7 +848,7 @@ json_decode_string_cycle_start:
         break;
       }
       case '[': {
-        list_T *list = tv_list_alloc();
+        list_T *list = tv_list_alloc(kListLenMayKnow);
         tv_list_ref(list);
         typval_T tv = {
           .v_type = VAR_LIST,
@@ -864,7 +869,7 @@ json_decode_string_cycle_start:
         list_T *val_list = NULL;
         if (next_map_special) {
           next_map_special = false;
-          val_list = decode_create_map_special_dict(&tv);
+          val_list = decode_create_map_special_dict(&tv, kListLenMayKnow);
         } else {
           dict_T *dict = tv_dict_alloc();
           dict->dv_refcount++;
@@ -964,7 +969,7 @@ int msgpack_to_vim(const msgpack_object mobj, typval_T *const rettv)
           .vval = { .v_number = (varnumber_T) mobj.via.u64 },
         };
       } else {
-        list_T *const list = tv_list_alloc();
+        list_T *const list = tv_list_alloc(4);
         tv_list_ref(list);
         create_special_dict(rettv, kMPInteger, ((typval_T) {
           .v_type = VAR_LIST,
@@ -987,7 +992,7 @@ int msgpack_to_vim(const msgpack_object mobj, typval_T *const rettv)
           .vval = { .v_number = (varnumber_T) mobj.via.i64 },
         };
       } else {
-        list_T *const list = tv_list_alloc();
+        list_T *const list = tv_list_alloc(4);
         tv_list_ref(list);
         create_special_dict(rettv, kMPInteger, ((typval_T) {
           .v_type = VAR_LIST,
@@ -1033,7 +1038,7 @@ int msgpack_to_vim(const msgpack_object mobj, typval_T *const rettv)
       break;
     }
     case MSGPACK_OBJECT_ARRAY: {
-      list_T *const list = tv_list_alloc();
+      list_T *const list = tv_list_alloc((ptrdiff_t)mobj.via.array.size);
       tv_list_ref(list);
       *rettv = (typval_T) {
         .v_type = VAR_LIST,
@@ -1085,9 +1090,10 @@ int msgpack_to_vim(const msgpack_object mobj, typval_T *const rettv)
       }
       break;
 msgpack_to_vim_generic_map: {}
-      list_T *const list = decode_create_map_special_dict(rettv);
+      list_T *const list = decode_create_map_special_dict(
+          rettv, (ptrdiff_t)mobj.via.map.size);
       for (size_t i = 0; i < mobj.via.map.size; i++) {
-        list_T *const kv_pair = tv_list_alloc();
+        list_T *const kv_pair = tv_list_alloc(2);
         tv_list_append_list(list, kv_pair);
 
         typval_T key_tv = { .v_type = VAR_UNKNOWN };
@@ -1107,10 +1113,10 @@ msgpack_to_vim_generic_map: {}
       break;
     }
     case MSGPACK_OBJECT_EXT: {
-      list_T *const list = tv_list_alloc();
+      list_T *const list = tv_list_alloc(2);
       tv_list_ref(list);
       tv_list_append_number(list, mobj.via.ext.type);
-      list_T *const ext_val_list = tv_list_alloc();
+      list_T *const ext_val_list = tv_list_alloc(kListLenMayKnow);
       tv_list_append_list(list, ext_val_list);
       create_special_dict(rettv, kMPExt, ((typval_T) {
         .v_type = VAR_LIST,
diff --git a/src/nvim/eval/typval.c b/src/nvim/eval/typval.c
index ac6c8c8aa6..6f829be0b4 100644
--- a/src/nvim/eval/typval.c
+++ b/src/nvim/eval/typval.c
@@ -132,8 +132,14 @@ void tv_list_watch_fix(list_T *const l, const listitem_T *const item)
 ///
 /// Caller should take care of the reference count.
 ///
+/// @param[in]  len  Expected number of items to be populated before list
+///                  becomes accessible from VimL. It is still valid to
+///                  underpopulate a list, value only controls how many elements
+///                  will be allocated in advance. Currently does nothing.
+///                  @see ListLenSpecials.
+///
 /// @return [allocated] new list.
-list_T *tv_list_alloc(void)
+list_T *tv_list_alloc(const ptrdiff_t len)
   FUNC_ATTR_NONNULL_RET
 {
   list_T *const list = xcalloc(1, sizeof(list_T));
@@ -521,7 +527,7 @@ list_T *tv_list_copy(const vimconv_T *const conv, list_T *const orig,
     return NULL;
   }
 
-  list_T *copy = tv_list_alloc();
+  list_T *copy = tv_list_alloc(tv_list_len(orig));
   tv_list_ref(copy);
   if (copyID != 0) {
     // Do this before adding the items, because one of the items may
@@ -1817,12 +1823,16 @@ void tv_dict_set_keys_readonly(dict_T *const dict)
 /// Also sets reference count.
 ///
 /// @param[out]  ret_tv  Structure where list is saved.
+/// @param[in]  len  Expected number of items to be populated before list
+///                  becomes accessible from VimL. It is still valid to
+///                  underpopulate a list, value only controls how many elements
+///                  will be allocated in advance. @see ListLenSpecials.
 ///
 /// @return [allocated] pointer to the created list.
-list_T *tv_list_alloc_ret(typval_T *const ret_tv)
+list_T *tv_list_alloc_ret(typval_T *const ret_tv, const ptrdiff_t len)
   FUNC_ATTR_NONNULL_ALL
 {
-  list_T *const l = tv_list_alloc();
+  list_T *const l = tv_list_alloc(len);
   ret_tv->vval.v_list = l;
   ret_tv->v_type = VAR_LIST;
   ret_tv->v_lock = VAR_UNLOCKED;
diff --git a/src/nvim/eval/typval.h b/src/nvim/eval/typval.h
index c9a9a3e7e8..3993a384d2 100644
--- a/src/nvim/eval/typval.h
+++ b/src/nvim/eval/typval.h
@@ -31,6 +31,25 @@ typedef double float_T;
 /// Refcount for dict or list that should not be freed
 enum { DO_NOT_FREE_CNT = (INT_MAX / 2) };
 
+/// Additional values for tv_list_alloc() len argument
+enum {
+  /// List length is not known in advance
+  ///
+  /// To be used when there is neither a way to know how many elements will be
+  /// needed nor are any educated guesses.
+  kListLenUnknown = -1,
+  /// List length *should* be known, but is actually not
+  ///
+  /// All occurrences of this value should be eventually removed. This is for
+  /// the case when the only reason why list length is not known is that it
+  /// would be hard to code without refactoring, but refactoring is needed.
+  kListLenShouldKnow = -2,
+  /// List length may be known in advance, but it requires too much effort
+  ///
+  /// To be used when it looks impractical to determine list length.
+  kListLenMayKnow = -3,
+} ListLenSpecials;
+
 /// Maximal possible value of varnumber_T variable
 #define VARNUMBER_MAX INT64_MAX
 #define UVARNUMBER_MAX UINT64_MAX
diff --git a/src/nvim/ex_cmds2.c b/src/nvim/ex_cmds2.c
index ec4ce63e17..28b021d4e4 100644
--- a/src/nvim/ex_cmds2.c
+++ b/src/nvim/ex_cmds2.c
@@ -3758,7 +3758,7 @@ static void script_host_execute(char *name, exarg_T *eap)
   char *const script = script_get(eap, &len);
 
   if (script != NULL) {
-    list_T *const args = tv_list_alloc();
+    list_T *const args = tv_list_alloc(3);
     // script
     tv_list_append_allocated_string(args, script);
     // current range
@@ -3773,7 +3773,7 @@ static void script_host_execute_file(char *name, exarg_T *eap)
   uint8_t buffer[MAXPATHL];
   vim_FullName((char *)eap->arg, (char *)buffer, sizeof(buffer), false);
 
-  list_T *args = tv_list_alloc();
+  list_T *args = tv_list_alloc(3);
   // filename
   tv_list_append_string(args, (const char *)buffer, -1);
   // current range
@@ -3784,7 +3784,7 @@ static void script_host_execute_file(char *name, exarg_T *eap)
 
 static void script_host_do_range(char *name, exarg_T *eap)
 {
-  list_T *args = tv_list_alloc();
+  list_T *args = tv_list_alloc(3);
   tv_list_append_number(args, (int)eap->line1);
   tv_list_append_number(args, (int)eap->line2);
   tv_list_append_string(args, (const char *)eap->arg, -1);
diff --git a/src/nvim/lua/converter.c b/src/nvim/lua/converter.c
index 61cb428923..9e3063b164 100644
--- a/src/nvim/lua/converter.c
+++ b/src/nvim/lua/converter.c
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ bool nlua_pop_typval(lua_State *lstate, typval_T *ret_tv)
           size_t len;
           const char *s = lua_tolstring(lstate, -2, &len);
           if (cur.special) {
-            list_T *const kv_pair = tv_list_alloc();
+            list_T *const kv_pair = tv_list_alloc(2);
 
             typval_T s_tv = decode_string(s, len, kTrue, false, false);
             if (s_tv.v_type == VAR_UNKNOWN) {
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ bool nlua_pop_typval(lua_State *lstate, typval_T *ret_tv)
         switch (table_props.type) {
           case kObjectTypeArray: {
             cur.tv->v_type = VAR_LIST;
-            cur.tv->vval.v_list = tv_list_alloc();
+            cur.tv->vval.v_list = tv_list_alloc((ptrdiff_t)table_props.maxidx);
             tv_list_ref(cur.tv->vval.v_list);
             if (table_props.maxidx != 0) {
               cur.container = true;
@@ -338,7 +338,8 @@ bool nlua_pop_typval(lua_State *lstate, typval_T *ret_tv)
             } else {
               cur.special = table_props.has_string_with_nul;
               if (table_props.has_string_with_nul) {
-                decode_create_map_special_dict(cur.tv);
+                decode_create_map_special_dict(
+                    cur.tv, (ptrdiff_t)table_props.string_keys_num);
                 assert(cur.tv->v_type == VAR_DICT);
                 dictitem_T *const val_di = tv_dict_find(cur.tv->vval.v_dict,
                                                         S_LEN("_VAL"));
diff --git a/src/nvim/main.c b/src/nvim/main.c
index 0b24023ad0..015df5d070 100644
--- a/src/nvim/main.c
+++ b/src/nvim/main.c
@@ -412,7 +412,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
   }
   // It's better to make v:oldfiles an empty list than NULL.
   if (get_vim_var_list(VV_OLDFILES) == NULL) {
-    set_vim_var_list(VV_OLDFILES, tv_list_alloc());
+    set_vim_var_list(VV_OLDFILES, tv_list_alloc(0));
   }
 
   /*
diff --git a/src/nvim/menu.c b/src/nvim/menu.c
index 01c8e94bac..42417f75d5 100644
--- a/src/nvim/menu.c
+++ b/src/nvim/menu.c
@@ -714,7 +714,7 @@ static dict_T *menu_get_recursive(const vimmenu_T *menu, int modes)
     }
   } else {
     // visit recursively all children
-    list_T *children_list = tv_list_alloc();
+    list_T *const children_list = tv_list_alloc(kListLenMayKnow);
     for (menu = menu->children; menu != NULL; menu = menu->next) {
         dict_T *dic = menu_get_recursive(menu, modes);
         if (tv_dict_len(dict) > 0) {
diff --git a/src/nvim/ops.c b/src/nvim/ops.c
index a5e131190d..b606f10b88 100644
--- a/src/nvim/ops.c
+++ b/src/nvim/ops.c
@@ -2564,7 +2564,7 @@ static void do_autocmd_textyankpost(oparg_T *oap, yankreg_T *reg)
   dict_T *dict = get_vim_var_dict(VV_EVENT);
 
   // the yanked text
-  list_T *list = tv_list_alloc();
+  list_T *const list = tv_list_alloc((ptrdiff_t)reg->y_size);
   for (size_t i = 0; i < reg->y_size; i++) {
     tv_list_append_string(list, (const char *)reg->y_array[i], -1);
   }
@@ -4854,7 +4854,7 @@ static void *get_reg_wrap_one_line(char_u *s, int flags)
   if (!(flags & kGRegList)) {
     return s;
   }
-  list_T *const list = tv_list_alloc();
+  list_T *const list = tv_list_alloc(1);
   tv_list_append_allocated_string(list, (char *)s);
   return list;
 }
@@ -4904,7 +4904,7 @@ void *get_reg_contents(int regname, int flags)
     return NULL;
 
   if (flags & kGRegList) {
-    list_T *list = tv_list_alloc();
+    list_T *const list = tv_list_alloc((ptrdiff_t)reg->y_size);
     for (size_t i = 0; i < reg->y_size; i++) {
       tv_list_append_string(list, (const char *)reg->y_array[i], -1);
     }
@@ -5593,7 +5593,7 @@ static bool get_clipboard(int name, yankreg_T **target, bool quiet)
   }
   free_register(reg);
 
-  list_T *const args = tv_list_alloc();
+  list_T *const args = tv_list_alloc(1);
   const char regname = (char)name;
   tv_list_append_string(args, &regname, 1);
 
@@ -5712,15 +5712,13 @@ static void set_clipboard(int name, yankreg_T *reg)
     return;
   }
 
-  list_T *lines = tv_list_alloc();
+  list_T *const lines = tv_list_alloc(
+      (ptrdiff_t)reg->y_size + (reg->y_type != kMTCharWise));
 
   for (size_t i = 0; i < reg->y_size; i++) {
     tv_list_append_string(lines, (const char *)reg->y_array[i], -1);
   }
 
-  list_T *args = tv_list_alloc();
-  tv_list_append_list(args, lines);
-
   char regtype;
   switch (reg->y_type) {
     case kMTLineWise: {
@@ -5741,10 +5739,11 @@ static void set_clipboard(int name, yankreg_T *reg)
       assert(false);
     }
   }
-  tv_list_append_string(args, &regtype, 1);
 
-  const char regname = (char)name;
-  tv_list_append_string(args, &regname, 1);
+  list_T *args = tv_list_alloc(3);
+  tv_list_append_list(args, lines);
+  tv_list_append_string(args, &regtype, 1);
+  tv_list_append_string(args, ((char[]) { (char)name }), 1);
 
   (void)eval_call_provider("clipboard", "set", args);
 }
diff --git a/src/nvim/quickfix.c b/src/nvim/quickfix.c
index 224e43008d..63252df3dc 100644
--- a/src/nvim/quickfix.c
+++ b/src/nvim/quickfix.c
@@ -4193,7 +4193,7 @@ int get_errorlist_properties(win_T *wp, dict_T *what, dict_T *retdict)
     }
   }
   if ((status == OK) && (flags & QF_GETLIST_ITEMS)) {
-    list_T *l = tv_list_alloc();
+    list_T *l = tv_list_alloc(kListLenMayKnow);
     (void)get_errorlist(wp, qf_idx, l);
     tv_dict_add_list(retdict, S_LEN("items"), l);
   }
diff --git a/src/nvim/regexp.c b/src/nvim/regexp.c
index ddc3681867..e4de43b49e 100644
--- a/src/nvim/regexp.c
+++ b/src/nvim/regexp.c
@@ -7044,7 +7044,7 @@ list_T *reg_submatch_list(int no)
     colnr_T scol = rsm.sm_mmatch->startpos[no].col;
     colnr_T ecol = rsm.sm_mmatch->endpos[no].col;
 
-    list = tv_list_alloc();
+    list = tv_list_alloc(elnum - slnum + 1);
 
     s = (const char *)reg_getline_submatch(slnum) + scol;
     if (slnum == elnum) {
@@ -7063,7 +7063,7 @@ list_T *reg_submatch_list(int no)
     if (s == NULL || rsm.sm_match->endp[no] == NULL) {
       return NULL;
     }
-    list = tv_list_alloc();
+    list = tv_list_alloc(1);
     tv_list_append_string(list, s, (const char *)rsm.sm_match->endp[no] - s);
   }
 
diff --git a/src/nvim/shada.c b/src/nvim/shada.c
index ce9303f14d..c00fd912ec 100644
--- a/src/nvim/shada.c
+++ b/src/nvim/shada.c
@@ -1217,7 +1217,7 @@ static void shada_read(ShaDaReadDef *const sd_reader, const int flags)
   khash_t(fnamebufs) fname_bufs = KHASH_EMPTY_TABLE(fnamebufs);
   khash_t(strset) oldfiles_set = KHASH_EMPTY_TABLE(strset);
   if (get_old_files && (oldfiles_list == NULL || force)) {
-    oldfiles_list = tv_list_alloc();
+    oldfiles_list = tv_list_alloc(kListLenUnknown);
     set_vim_var_list(VV_OLDFILES, oldfiles_list);
   }
   ShaDaReadResult srni_ret;
diff --git a/src/nvim/tag.c b/src/nvim/tag.c
index be9d621c7d..f23465e501 100644
--- a/src/nvim/tag.c
+++ b/src/nvim/tag.c
@@ -667,7 +667,7 @@ do_tag (
 
         fname = xmalloc(MAXPATHL + 1);
         cmd = xmalloc(CMDBUFFSIZE + 1);
-        list = tv_list_alloc();
+        list = tv_list_alloc(num_matches);
 
         for (i = 0; i < num_matches; ++i) {
           int len, cmd_len;
diff --git a/src/nvim/undo.c b/src/nvim/undo.c
index f611a3bb29..b902f82f31 100644
--- a/src/nvim/undo.c
+++ b/src/nvim/undo.c
@@ -2941,17 +2941,20 @@ bool curbufIsChanged(void)
           && (curbuf->b_changed || file_ff_differs(curbuf, true)));
 }
 
-/*
- * For undotree(): Append the list of undo blocks at "first_uhp" to "list".
- * Recursive.
- */
-void u_eval_tree(u_header_T *first_uhp, list_T *list)
+/// Append the list of undo blocks to a newly allocated list
+///
+/// For use in undotree(). Recursive.
+///
+/// @param[in]  first_uhp  Undo blocks list to start with.
+///
+/// @return [allocated] List with a representation of undo blocks.
+list_T *u_eval_tree(const u_header_T *const first_uhp)
+  FUNC_ATTR_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT FUNC_ATTR_NONNULL_RET
 {
-  u_header_T  *uhp = first_uhp;
-  dict_T      *dict;
+  list_T *const list = tv_list_alloc(kListLenMayKnow);
 
-  while (uhp != NULL) {
-    dict = tv_dict_alloc();
+  for (const u_header_T *uhp = first_uhp; uhp != NULL; uhp = uhp->uh_prev.ptr) {
+    dict_T *const dict = tv_dict_alloc();
     tv_dict_add_nr(dict, S_LEN("seq"), (varnumber_T)uhp->uh_seq);
     tv_dict_add_nr(dict, S_LEN("time"), (varnumber_T)uhp->uh_time);
     if (uhp == curbuf->b_u_newhead) {
@@ -2965,14 +2968,12 @@ void u_eval_tree(u_header_T *first_uhp, list_T *list)
     }
 
     if (uhp->uh_alt_next.ptr != NULL) {
-      list_T *alt_list = tv_list_alloc();
-
       // Recursive call to add alternate undo tree.
-      u_eval_tree(uhp->uh_alt_next.ptr, alt_list);
-      tv_dict_add_list(dict, S_LEN("alt"), alt_list);
+      tv_dict_add_list(dict, S_LEN("alt"), u_eval_tree(uhp->uh_alt_next.ptr));
     }
 
     tv_list_append_dict(list, dict);
-    uhp = uhp->uh_prev.ptr;
   }
+
+  return list;
 }
diff --git a/src/nvim/window.c b/src/nvim/window.c
index b687781dfb..4dfc72f212 100644
--- a/src/nvim/window.c
+++ b/src/nvim/window.c
@@ -5921,13 +5921,15 @@ void win_get_tabwin(handle_T id, int *tabnr, int *winnr)
   }
 }
 
-void win_id2tabwin(typval_T *argvars, list_T *list)
+void win_id2tabwin(typval_T *const argvars, typval_T *const rettv)
 {
   int winnr = 1;
   int tabnr = 1;
   handle_T id = (handle_T)tv_get_number(&argvars[0]);
 
   win_get_tabwin(id, &tabnr, &winnr);
+
+  list_T *const list = tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, 2);
   tv_list_append_number(list, tabnr);
   tv_list_append_number(list, winnr);
 }
diff --git a/test/unit/eval/helpers.lua b/test/unit/eval/helpers.lua
index 6babd4be77..3d1c42c3a0 100644
--- a/test/unit/eval/helpers.lua
+++ b/test/unit/eval/helpers.lua
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ local lua2typvalt_type_tab = {
       processed[l].lv_refcount = processed[l].lv_refcount + 1
       return typvalt(eval.VAR_LIST, {v_list=processed[l]})
     end
-    local lst = populate_list(eval.tv_list_alloc(), l, processed)
+    local lst = populate_list(eval.tv_list_alloc(#l), l, processed)
     return typvalt(eval.VAR_LIST, {v_list=lst})
   end,
   [dict_type] = function(l, processed)
@@ -433,7 +433,8 @@ local function int(n)
 end
 
 local function list(...)
-  return populate_list(ffi.gc(eval.tv_list_alloc(), eval.tv_list_unref),
+  return populate_list(ffi.gc(eval.tv_list_alloc(select('#', ...)),
+                              eval.tv_list_unref),
                        {...}, {})
 end
 
diff --git a/test/unit/eval/typval_spec.lua b/test/unit/eval/typval_spec.lua
index b668144175..919a42fbb9 100644
--- a/test/unit/eval/typval_spec.lua
+++ b/test/unit/eval/typval_spec.lua
@@ -2407,7 +2407,7 @@ describe('typval.c', function()
       describe('list ret()', function()
         itp('works', function()
           local rettv = typvalt(lib.VAR_UNKNOWN)
-          local l = lib.tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv)
+          local l = lib.tv_list_alloc_ret(rettv, 0)
           eq(empty_list, typvalt2lua(rettv))
           eq(rettv.vval.v_list, l)
         end)