Under investigation in this paper is the variable-coefficients nonlocal higher-order nonlinear Schrödinger equation, which describe the propagation of ultrashort pulse in the inhomogeneous optical fiber. Firstly, a new Lax pair is derived, enabling the construction of the generalized \((n,N-n)\) -fold Darboux transformation. For the zero seed solution, we derive a range of novel nonautonomous solitons. The elastic interaction between two solitons is confirmed by means of asymptotic analysis. Utilizing the plane wave background, we generate different types of nonautonomous breathers, higher-order rogue waves and coexisting coherent structure: hybrid breather-rogue wave states. Notably, the velocity dispersion, third-, fourth-order dispersion and gain or loss coefficients have an effect on the shape, structure, trajectory, distance and energy distribution of nonautonomous localized waves. It is imperative to emphasize that solutions of the variable-coefficients nonlocal higher-order nonlinear Schrödinger equation manifest novel properties that differ from those exhibited by the local case. Subsequently, the dynamic behaviors of these solutions are illustrated graphically in great detail.
