May 4, 2025
Quick Bites 012
Haven’t done one of these in a long while. Have a few more lined up in my mind.
Move Focus With Your Mouse or Trackball Pointer
autoraise icon
AutoRaise (and focus) a window when hovering over it with the mouse
I came across a little utility which lets you bring windows to the front by moving your mouse/trackball pointer to any part of that window. Works beautifully and is perfect for those of you who are fond of navigation with the mouse/trackball.
autoraise preferences
The preferences are extensive and you can tweak the program to do what you want.
Copy URL’s From Browser
HyperLink icon
Hyperlink
This is a menubar app which grabs the URL from your browser tab and puts it in the clipboard. A keyboard command and the URL is in your clipboard. Useful and well-designed.
Hyperlink preferences
I was amazed by how well-designed and presented the preferences for this little utility was. Great work.
Both utilities are heartily recommended.
macosxguru at the gmail thingie.
utilities
macOS
April 24, 2025
Emacs
Much Ado About Emacs 009
Moving away from Evil
Conceptually it reminds me of fog. When I am in Emacs, trying to write, there seems to be an invisible curtain keeping me detached from the program. That is the effect evil-mode has on me. Yes, I love the space-bar leader key. But the actual writing and editing is foggy. Part of it is due to my limited knowledge of VIM keybindings but a part of it is the fact that I am putting a layer of complexity between Emacs and me. It feels like a stream of worry. Anxiety. Uncomfortable.
I decided to move back to god-mode and do away with evil-mode. VIM keybindings are fantastic and they are useful but I am not in VIM, I am in Emacs. I decided to not introduce this layer of discomfort into the process and deal with pure, vanilla Emacs.
So, it is back to vanilla Emacs. To the Emacs tutorial.
I decided to try to replicate the space-bar configuration through general.el and used the leader-key M-o.
#+begin_src emacs-lisp
(general-create-definer my-leader-def
:prefix "M-o"
:non-normal-prefix "M-o")
(my-leader-def
;; Top level functions
"." '(find-file :which-key "find file")
";" '(consult-recent-file :which-key "recent files")
"/" '(bufferfile-rename :which-key "rename file")
"TAB" '(switch-to-prev-buffer :which-key "previous buffer")
"p" '(org-capture :which-key "org-capture")
"x" '(execute-extended-command :which-key "execute command")
;; Applications
"a" '(nil :which-key "applications")
"ao" '(org-agenda :which-key "org-agenda")
"ac" '(org-capture :which-key "org-capture")
"ab" '(nil :which-key "browse url")
"abc" '(browse-url-chrome :which-key "chrome")
"abg" '(my/er-google :which-key "google search")
"av" '(nil :which-key "avy")
"avc" '(avy-goto-char-timer :which-key "avy goto char")
"avp" '(avy-goto-parens :which-key "avy goto parens")
"ad" '(dired :which-key "dired")
;; Buffers
"b" '(nil :which-key "buffer")
"bb" '(switch-to-buffer :which-key "switch-to-buffer")
"bc" '(consult-buffer :which-key "consult-buffer")
"bd" '(kill-buffer :which-key "kill-buffer")
"bi" '(ibuffer :which-key "ibuffer")
"bn" '(next-buffer :which-key "next-buffer")
"bp" '(previous-buffer :which-key "previous-buffer")
"bR" '(revert-buffer :which-key "revert-buffer")
"br" '(bufferfile-rename :which-key "rename buffer")
"bs" '(scratch :which-key "scratch buffer")
;;Consult
"c" '(nil :which-key "consult")
"cb" '(nil :which-key "bookmark/buffer")
"cd" '(consult-dir :which-key "con dir")
"cg" '(consult-grep :which-key "con grep")
"ch" 'consult-org-heading :which-key "con org heading"
"cl" '(consult-line :which-key "con line")
"cn" '(consult-notes :which-key "con notes")
"co" '(consult-outline :which-key "con outline")
"cy" '(consult-yasnippet :which-key "con yasnippet")
"cb" '(nil :which-key "bookmark/buffer")
"cbo" '(consult-bookmark :which-key "con bookmark")
"cbu" '(consult-buffer :which-key "con buffer")
;;Consult-register
"cr" '(nil :which-key "consult-register")
"crr" '(consult-register :which-key "con register")
"crs" '(consult-register-store :which-key "con reg store")
;; Denote
"d" '(nil :which-key "denote")
"dl" '(denote-link :which-key "denote-link")
"dL" '(denote-add-links :which-key "denote-add-links")
"dn" '(denote :which-key "denote")
"db" '(denote-backlinks :which-key "denote-backlinks")
"dr" '(denote-rename-file :which-key "denote-rename-file")
"dR" '(denote-rename-file-using-front-matter :which-key "denote-rename-file-using-front-matter")
;;Elfeed
"e" '(nil :which-key "elfeed")
"ee" '(elfeed :which-key "elfeed")
"eu" '(elfeed-update :which-key "elfeed-update")
;; Files
"f" '(nil :which-key "files")
"ff" '(find-file :which-key "find file")
"fs" '(save-buffer :which-key "save buffer")
"fS" '(write-file :which-key "write file")
"fd" '(dired :which-key "dired")
"fo" '(reveal-in-osx-finder :which-key "reveal in finder")
"fR" '(consult-recent-file :which-key "recent files")
"fr" '(bufferfile-rename :which-key "rename buffer")
;; Help/emacs
"h" '(nil :which-key "help/emacs")
"hv" '(consult-describe-variable :which-key "des. variable")
"hb" '(describe-bindings :which-key "des. bindings")
"hM" '(describe-mode :which-key "des. mode")
"hf" '(consult-describe-function :which-key "des. func")
"hF" '(describe-face :which-key "des. face")
"hk" '(describe-key :which-key "des. key")
;;set-mode
"hm" '(nil :which-key "which-mode")
"hme" '(emacs-lisp-mode :which-key "elisp mode")
"hmo" '(org-mode :which-key "org mode")
"hmm" '(markdown-mode :which-key "markdown mode")
"hmt" '(text-mode :which-key "text mode")
;; Jumps
"j" '(nil :which-key "jumps")
"jr" '(jump-to-register :which-key "registers")
"jb" '(bookmark-jump :which-key "bookmark jump")
;;package
"hp" '(nil :which-key "package")
"hpr" '(package-refresh-contents)
"hpi" '(package-install)
"hpd" '(package-delete)
;; Search
"s" '(nil :which-key "search")
"sa" '(avy-goto-char-2 :which-key "avy-goto-char-2")
"ss" '(isearch-forward :which-key "isearch-forward")
"sr" '(isearch-backward :which-key "isearch-backward")
"sp" '(project-search)
"si" '(consult-imenu :which-key "consult-imenu")
"sm" '(consult-mark :which-key "jump to marker")
"sl" '(consult-goto-line :which-key "Go to line")
;;System
"m" '(nil :which-key "system")
"m1" '(restart-emacs :which-key "restart emacs")
"m+" '(tab-bar-new-tab :which-key "tab new")
"m-" '(tab-close :which-key "tab close")
"mf" '(my/resources-visit :which-key "visit resources")'
"mr" '(nil :which-key "region")
"mre" '(er/expand-region :which-key "expand region")
"mrc" '(er/contract-region :which-key "contract region")
"mp" '(nil :which-key "palimpsest")
"mpb" '(palimpsest-move-region-to-bottom :which-key "pal move bottom")
"mpt" '(palimpsest-move-region-to-top :which-key "pal move top")
"mm" '(nil :which-key "mark")
"mml" '(my/mark-line :which-key "mark line")
"mmb" '(my/mark-block :which-key "mark block")
;; Newsticker
"n" '(nil :which-key "newsticker")
"ng" '(newsticker-get-all-news :which-key "get news")
"ns" '(newsticker-show-news :which-key "show news")
"no" '(newsticker-treeview-mark-list-items-old :which-key "mark as old")
"nq" '(newsticker-treeview-quit :which-key "newsticker quit")
"nu" '(newsticker-treeview-update :which-key "treeview-update")
;; Org-mode
"o" '(nil :which-key "org-mode")
"oa" '(org-agenda :which-key "org-agenda")
"oc" '(org-capture :which-key "org-capture")
"on" '(recursive-narrow-or-widen-dwim :which-key "narrow")
"or" '(org-refile :which-key "refile")
"ot" '(org-todo :which-key "DONE")
"ou" '(my/org-jump-to-heading-beginning :which-key "jump to heading")
;; More Org
"ol" '(nil :which-key "line/link")
"olb" '(org-beginning-of-line :which-key "begin of line")
"ole" '(org-end-of-line :which-key "end of line")
"oli" '(my/org-insert-link-dwim :which-key "org insert link")
"ols" '(org-store-link :which-key "org store link")
;; Yet More org
"," '(nil :which-key "more-org")
",c" '(org-cycle :which-key "org-cycle")
",n" '(outline-next-visible-heading :which-key "next-heading")
",p" '(outline-previous-visible-heading :which-key "previous-heading")
",t" '(org-set-tags-command :which-key "set-tags")
",u" '(outline-up-heading :which-key "up-heading")
;; text and tab
"t" '(nil :which-key "text")
"tn" '(tab-next :which-key "tab next")
"tp" '(tab-previous :which-key "tab previous")
"tr" '(isearch-query-replace :which-key "find and replace")
"ts" '(yas-insert-snippet :which-key "insert yasnippet")
"tR" '(replace-regexp :which-key "replace-regexp")
"tt" '(titlecase-dwim :which-key "titlecase")
"t/" '(my/comment-or-uncomment :which-key "comment")
;; date/time
"td" '(nil :which-key "stamp date/time")
"tdd" '(my/time-stamp-short :which-key "time-stamp-short")
"tds" '(my/date-stamp :which-key "date-stamp")
;; word
"tw" '(nil :which-key "word")
"twc" '(my/copy-whole-word :which-key "copy whole word")
"twk" '(my/kill-inner-word :which-key "kill inner word")
"two" '(copy-as-format-org-mode :which-key "copy as org mode")
"twm" '(copy-as-format-markdown :which-key "copy as markdown mode")
"twi" '(org-web-tools-insert-web-page-as-entry :which-key "insert web page as entry")
"tww" '(org-web-tools-insert-link-for-url :which-key "insert link for url")
"twl" '(dictionary-lookup-definition :which-key "dictionary lookup")
"twp" '(my/lookup-word-at-point :which-key "lookup word at point")
;; Windows
"w" '(nil :which-key "window")
"wl" '(windmove-right :which-key "windmove-right")
"wh" '(windmove-left :which-key "windmove-left")
"wk" '(windmove-up :which-key "windmove-up")
"wj" '(windmove-down :which-key "windmove-down")
"wd" '(delete-window :which-key "delete-window")
"wr" '(hsplit-last-buffer :which-key "split-window-right")
"wb" '(vsplit-last-buffer :which-key "split-window-below")
;; Visual
"v" '(nil :which-key "visual")
"vt" '(consult-theme :which-key "load theme")
"vR" '(read-only-mode :which-key "read only mode"))
#+end_src
This is a work in progress. I tweak it from time to time depending on my usage.
defalias
I got exposed to this through
Defalias a quick guide to making an alias in Emacs coding - YouTube
Thank you, Raoul Comninos.
There are commands I run in Emacs only sporadically. They might or might not be bound to keyboard commands. I have to remember what the commands are and I find myself searching for them. I have assigned them an alias. I can go into command mode (M-x), and type the alias and hit enter. The command executes. Reminds me of aliases I use in the shell.
#+begin_src emacs-lisp
(defalias 'brf 'bufferfile-rename-file)
(defalias 'pde 'package-delete)
(defalias 'pud 'auto-package-update-now)
(defalias 'rem 'restart-emacs)
#+end_src
I am going to add to this list as I go along and find more commands that are not used often but are good to alias.
recursive-narrow
Another thing I learned from Raoul. The Emacs recursive narrow package coding programming - YouTube.
Thank you Raoul.
Using recursive-narrow - MELPA. Lets me concentrate on portions of a document.
I have set it up with Raoul’s help.
#+begin_src emacs-lisp
(use-package recursive-narrow)
(defun recursive-narrow-or-widen-dwim ()
"If the region is active, narrow to that region.
Otherwise, narrow to the current function. If this has no effect,
widen the buffer. You can add more functions to
`recursive-narrow-dwim-functions'."
(interactive)
(recursive-narrow-save-position
(cond ((region-active-p) (narrow-to-region (region-beginning) (region-end)))
((run-hook-with-args-until-success 'recursive-narrow-dwim-functions))
((derived-mode-p 'prog-mode) (narrow-to-defun))
((derived-mode-p 'org-mode) (org-narrow-to-subtree)))
;; If we don't narrow
(progn
(message "Recursive settings: %d" (length recursive-narrow-settings))
(recursive-widen))))
#+end_src
It is assigned a keybinding, (C-x n n). I have also configured it in general.el to M-o o n. Works like a charm.
bufferfile.el
jameschertibufferfile.el Emacs helper functions to delete and rename buffer files. This is a package which provides helper functions to delete and rename buffer files:
bufferfile-rename: Renames the file visited by the current buffer and updates the buffer name for all associated buffers, including clones/indirect buffers. It also ensures that buffer-local features referencing the file, such as Eglot, are correctly updated to reflect the new file name.bufferfile-delete: Delete the file associated with a buffer and kill all buffers visiting the file, including clones/indirect buffers.bufferfile-copy: Copies the file visited by the current buffer to a new file.
I use the bufferfile-rename command multiple times a day. It might help to explain the workflow.
- I read the Letters from an American Heather Cox Richardson Substack everyday and then using a Chrome extension copy the markdown link to the entry and download the content of the entry to a Markdown file in my Downloads folder.
- I open the file in Emacs. Add the markdown link to the top of the page. Add a heading 1 item above the link. The heading is of the form “HCR - (the date of the entry)”.
- I want the file-name to be this new heading 1 entry. So, I copy it and then proceed to change the name of the file,
buffer-file-rename and then select the name of the file and paste in the new name of the file.
- Then I proceed to re-read the entry and add my comments and observations to the file.
- After I am done with it, I move it to an EagleFiler document.
This package makes the process of renaming my Emacs buffer easier. I use the following coinfiguration:
#+begin_src emacs-lisp
(use-package bufferfile
:ensure t
:vc (:url "https://github.com/jamescherti/bufferfile.el"
:rev :newest))
#+end_src
That is all I have for you today.
macosxguru at the gmail thingie.
emacs
March 12, 2025
Trash
Gruber Calls It
Gruber wrote Daring Fireball Something Is Rotten in the State of Cupertino.
I am not going to rewrite the article for you. Go read it.
This is a quote from the article.
When mediocrity, excuses, and bullshit take root, they take over. A culture of excellence, accountability, and integrity cannot abide the acceptance of any of those things, and will quickly collapse upon itself with the acceptance of all three.
Reminded me of what Guy Kawasaki called “bozosity.” I think Apple is afflicted with that.
macosxguru at the gmail thingie.
Note: Thanks to Photo by Lisa from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/stainless-steel-can-with-fire-2456828/
macOS
Apple
March 9, 2025
Emacs
Much Ado About Emacs 008
Going Over to the Dark Side
Started reading the Emacs manual and discovered something that bugged me.
My knowledge of Emacs is bipolar. There are some advanced things that I am comfortable with and there are some basic things which I have no clue about. I know keybindings and how to set them, but I don’t know how to move around a document, the Emacs way.
Move to beginning of a line: C-a.
I knew that.
Move to the beginning of a sentence: M-a.
I did not.
Move to the end of a sentence: M-e.
Did not know this either.
I realized that the gaps in my knowledge requires me to learn a new way to engage with Emacs. This would obviously require practice. If I was going to reinvent the learning curve, why not go whole-hog? That thought lead me to evil-mode.
I have heard a lot about VIM keybindings. I don’t know them to any great extent. I am going to learn them and use them in Emacs. You can reasonably ask at this stage: “Why the fuck would you do that?”
The answer is probably:
- I like pain. (said in jest, but might be unnervingly accurate)
- I am curious. A whole host of people I respect swear by VIM keybindings. They want it everywhere. Every editor I know of has customers who want or use VIM keybindings. Hell there is a program called kindaVim which lets you use VIM keybindings almost everywhere in macOS. What is the magic that all of these folks are clamoring for? I am curious.
So, I installed evil-mode. Turned off god-mode. And a journey begins.
The learning curve just got longer/steeper.
If you break it down, keybindings in Emacs can be grouped into two categories:
- The actual editing of text.
- Dealing with Emacs.
In evil-mode, the dealing with Emacs activities are improved by using general.el. Thanks to the modal nature of evil-mode, you can have different keybindings assigned to different modes. Also spacebar as the leader key is simply fantastic.
This is my general.el configuration to deal with Emacs. None of this originated from me. I looked at a whole host of config files and came up with this for my use. It is also not set in stone, over time, I intend to customize this to fit my needs better.
* Preamble
#+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp
(general-define-key
:states '(normal motion visual)
:keymaps 'override
:prefix "SPC"
;; Top level functions
"." '(find-file :which-key "find file")
"," '(consult-recent-file :which-key "recent files")
"TAB" '(switch-to-prev-buffer :which-key "previous buffer")
;;"r" '(jump-to-register :which-key "registers")
"c" '(org-capture :which-key "org-capture")
#+END_SRC
** Applications
#+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp
;; "Applications"
"a" '(nil :which-key "applications")
"ao" '(org-agenda :which-key "org-agenda")
"ac" '(org-capture :which-key "org-capture")
"ab" '(nil :which-key "browse url")
"abc" '(browse-url-chrome :which-key "chrome")
"abg" '(my/er-google :which-key "google search")
"av" '(nil :which-key "avy")
"avc" '(avy-goto-char-timer :which-key "avy goto char")
"avp" '(avy-goto-parens :which-key "avy goto parens")
"ad" '(dired :which-key "dired")
#+END_SRC
** Buffers
#+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp
;; Buffers
"b" '(nil :which-key "buffer")
"bb" '(evil-switch-to-windows-last-buffer :which-key "switch buffers")
"bc" '(consult-buffer :which-key "consult-buffer")
"bd" '(evil-delete-buffer :which-key "delete buffer")
"bi" '(ibuffer :which-key "ibuffer")
"bl" '(clone-indirect-buffer :which-key "indirect buffer")
"bm" '(my/kill-other-buffers :which-key "kill other buffers")
"br" '(revert-buffer :which-key "revert buffer")
"bs" '(scratch :which-key "scratch buffer")
#+END_SRC
** Consult
#+begin_src emacs-lisp
"c" '(nil :which-key "consult")
"cd" '(consult-dir :which-key "con dir")
"cg" '(consult-grep :which-key "con grep")
"ch" 'consult-org-heading :which-key "con org heading"
"cl" '(consult-line :which-key "con line")
"cn" '(consult-notes :which-key "con notes")
"co" '(consult-outline :which-key "con outline")
"cy" '(consult-yasnippet :which-key "con yasnippet")
"cb" '(nil :which-key "bookmark/buffer")
"cbo" '(consult-bookmark :which-key "con bookmark")
"cbu" '(consult-buffer :which-key "con buffer")
;;Consult-register
"cr" '(nil :which-key "consult-register")
"crr" '(consult-register :which-key "con register")
"crs" '(consult-register-store :which-key "con reg store")
#+end_src
** Denote
#+begin_src emacs-lisp
"d" '(nil :which-key "denote")
"dl" '(denote-link :which-key "denote-link")
"dL" '(denote-add-links :which-key "denote-add-links")
"dn" '(denote :which-key "denote")
"db" '(denote-backlinks :which-key "denote-backlinks")
"dr" '(denote-rename-file :which-key "denote-rename-file")
"dR" '(denote-rename-file-using-front-matter :which-key "denote-rename-file-using-front-matter")
;; Key bindings specifically for Dired.
:map dired-mode-map
"dd" '(nil :which-key "denote-dired")
"ddl" '(denote-dired-link-marked-notes :which-key "denote-dired-link-marked-notes")
"ddr" '(denote-dired-rename-files :which-key "denote-dired-rename-files")
"ddk" '(denote-dired-rename-marked-files-with-keywords :which-key "denote rename keywords")
"ddR" '(denote-dired-rename-marked-files-using-front-matter :which-key "denote rename front matter")
#+end_src
** Elfeed
#+begin_src emacs-lisp
"e" '(nil :which-key "elfeed")
"ee" '(elfeed :which-key "elfeed")
"eu" '(elfeed-update :which-key "elfeed-update")
#+end_src
** Files
#+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp
;; Files
"f" '(nil :which-key "files")
"fb" '(consult-bookmark :which-key "bookmarks")
"ff" '(consult-find :which-key "find file")
"fo" '(reveal-in-osx-finder :which-key "reveal in finder")
"fO" '(my/open-buffer-file-mac :which-key "open buffer file")
"fr" '(consult-recent-file :which-key "recent files")
"fR" '(rename-file :which-key "rename file")
"fs" '(save-buffer :which-key "save buffer")
"fS" '(evil-write-all :which-key "save all buffers")
#+END_SRC
** Help/Emacs
#+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp
"h" '(nil :which-key "help/emacs")
"hv" '(describe-variable :which-key "des. variable")
"hb" '(describe-bindings :which-key "des. bindings")
"hM" '(describe-mode :which-key "des. mode")
"hf" '(describe-function :which-key "des. func")
"hF" '(describe-face :which-key "des. face")
"hk" '(describe-key :which-key "des. key")
"hm" '(nil :which-key "switch mode")
"hme" '(emacs-lisp-mode :which-key "elisp mode")
"hmo" '(org-mode :which-key "org mode")
"hmm" '(markdown-mode :which-key "markdown mode")
"hmt" '(text-mode :which-key "text mode")
"hp" '(nil :which-key "packages")
"hpr" '(package-refresh-contents :which-key "package-refresh")
"hpi" '(package-install :which-key "package-install")
"hpd" '(package-delete :which-key "package-delete")
#+END_SRC
** Jumps
#+begin_src emacs-lisp
;; Jumps
"j" '(nil :which-key "jumps")
"jr" '(jump-to-register :which-key "registers")
"jb" '(bookmark-jump :which-key "bookmark jump")
#+end_src
** System
#+begin_src emacs-lisp
;;System
"m" '(nil :which-key "system")
"m1" '(restart-emacs :which-key "restart emacs")
"m+" '(tab-bar-new-tab :which-key "tab new")
"m-" '(tab-close :which-key "tab close")
"mf" '(my/resources-visit :which-key "visit resources")'
"mr" '(nil :which-key "region")
"mre" '(er/expand-region :which-key "expand region")
"mrc" '(er/contract-region :which-key "contract region")
"mp" '(nil :which-key "palimpsest")
"mpb" '(palimpsest-move-region-to-bottom :which-key "pal move bottom")
"mpt" '(palimpsest-move-region-to-top :which-key "pal move top")
"mm" '(nil :which-key "mark")
"mml" '(my/mark-line :which-key "mark line")
"mmb" '(my/mark-block :which-key "mark block")
#+end_src
** Org mode
#+begin_src emacs-lisp
;; Org-mode
"mo" '(nil :which-key "org-mode")
"moa" '(org-agenda :which-key "org-agenda")
"moc" '(org-capture :which-key "org-capture")
"mot" '(org-todo :which-key "DONE")
"mou" '(my/org-jump-to-heading-beginning :which-key "jump to heading")
;; More Org
"mol" '(nil :which-key "line/link")
"molb" '(org-beginning-of-line :which-key "begin of line")
"mole" '(org-end-of-line :which-key "end of line")
"moli" '(my/org-insert-link-dwim :which-key "org insert link")
"mols" '(org-store-link :which-key "org store link")
;; Yet More org
"mo," '(nil :which-key "more-org")
"mo,c" '(org-cycle :which-key "org-cycle")
"mo,n" '(outline-next-visible-heading :which-key "next-heading")
"mo,p" '(outline-previous-visible-heading :which-key "previous-heading")
"mo,t" '(org-set-tags-command :which-key "set-tags")
"mo,u" '(outline-up-heading :which-key "up-heading")
#+end_src
** Registers/bookmarks
#+begin_src emacs-lisp
"r" '(nil :which-key "registers/marks")
"rr" '(consult-register :which-key "registers")
"rm" '(consult-mark :which-key "marks")
"rb" '(consult-bookmark :which-key "bookmarks")
"rs" '(bookmark-set :which-key "set bookmark")
#+end_src
** Text
#+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp
"x" '(nil :which-key "text")
"xC" '(my/copy-whole-buffer-to-clipboard :which-key "copy whole buffer to clipboard")
"xr" '(isearch-query-replace :which-key "find and replace")
"xs" '(yas-insert-snippet :which-key "insert yasnippet")
;;"xf" '(flush-lines :which-key "flush-lines")
"xR" '(replace-regexp :which-key "replace-regexp")
#+END_SRC
** Toggles/Visuals
#+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp
;; Toggles
"t" '(nil :which-key "toggles")
"tt" '(toggle-truncate-lines :which-key "truncate lines")
"tv" '(visual-line-mode :which-key "visual line mode")
"tn" '(display-line-numbers-mode :which-key "display line numbers")
"ta" '(mixed-pitch-mode :which-key "variable pitch mode")
"ty" '(consult-theme :which-key "load theme")
"tR" '(read-only-mode :which-key "read only mode")
#+END_SRC
** Windows
#+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp
;; Windows
"w" '(nil :which-key "window")
"wN" '(make-frame :which-key "make frame")
"wd" '(evil-window-delete :which-key "delete window")
"wb" '(vsplit-last-buffer :which-key "split below")
"wr" '(hsplit-last-buffer :which-key "split right")
"wl" '(evil-window-right :which-key "evil-window-right")
"wh" '(evil-window-left :which-key "evil-window-left")
"wj" '(evil-window-down :which-key "evil-window-down")
"wk" '(evil-window-up :which-key "evil-window-up")
"wz" '(text-scale-adjust :which-key "text zoom")
"wq" '(my/quick-window-jump :which-key "quick window jump"))
;; End SPC prefix block
#+END_SRC
** All-mode keybindings
Below are general keybindings for the various Evil modes.
#+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp
;; All-mode keymaps
(general-def
:keymaps 'override
;; Emacs --------
"ß" '(evil-window-next :which-key "evil-window-next") ;; option-s
"Í" '(other-frame :which-key "other-frame") ;; option-shift-s
"C-S-B" '(switch-to-buffer :which-key "switch-to-buffer")
"∫" '(switch-to-next-buffer :which-key "switch-to-next-buffer") ;; option-b
"s-b" '(switch-to-prev-buffer :which-key "switch-to-previous-buffer") ;; super-b
;; Remapping normal help features to use helpful version
"C-h v" '(helpful-variable :which-key "helpful-variable")
"C-h x" '(helpful-command :which-key "helpful-command")
"C-h f" '(helpful-function :which-key "helpful-function")
"C-h k" '(helpful-key :which-key "helpful-key")
;; Editing ------
"M-v" '(simpleclip-paste :which-key "sc-paste")
"M-V" '(evil-paste-after :which-key "evil-paste-after") ;; shift-paste uses the internal clipboard
"M-c" '(simpleclip-copy :which-key "sc-copy")
;;"M-u" '(capitalize-dwim :which-key "capitalize-dwim") ;; Default is upcase-dwim
;;"M-U" '(upcase-dwim :which-key "upcase-dwim") ;; M-S-u (switch upcase and capitalize)
;; Utility ------
"C-c c" '(org-capture :which-key "org-capture")
"C-c a" '(org-agenda :which-key "org-agenda")
"M-=" '(count-words :which-key "count-words")
"C-'" '(avy-goto-char-2 :which-key "avy-goto-char"))
#+END_SRC
#+begin_src emacs-lisp
(general-def
:states '(normal visual motion)
"gc" '(comment-dwim :which-key "comment-dwim")
"gC" '(comment-line :which-key "comment-line")
"u" '(undo-fu-only-undo :which-key "undo-fu-only-undo")
"U" '(undo-fu-only-redo :which-key "undo-fu-only-redo")
"j" '(evil-next-visual-line :which-key "evil-next-visual-line") ;; I prefer visual line navigation
"k" '(evil-previous-visual-line :which-key "evil-previous-line")
"f" '(evil-avy-goto-char-in-line :which-key "evil-avy-goto-char-in-line"))
#+end_src
** Insert mode keymaps
#+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp
;; Insert keymaps
;; Many of these are emulating standard Emacs bindings in Evil insert mode, such as C-a, or C-e.
(general-def
:states '(insert)
"C-a" '(evil-beginning-of-visual-line)
"C-e" '(evil-end-of-visual-line)
"C-S-a" '(evil-beginning-of-line)
"C-S-e" '(evil-end-of-line)
"C-n" '(evil-next-visual-line)
"C-p" '(evil-previous-visual-line)
)
#+END_SRC
** Emacs mode keymaps
#+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp
(general-def
:keymaps 'emacs
"C-w C-q" '(kill-this-buffer))
#+END_SRC
Phew. That is a lot. But it is something that I am working on fusing into my muscle memory. Wish me luck.
Speed Dial
I came across this Speed Dialing Your Favorite Files. I remembered that I used to use a similar system in iA Writer and Sublime Text. Glad to have this in Emacs.
I noticed that the Reddit comments on the post included suggestions to use registers or bookmarks instead of this abomination. I am sure that registers and bookmarks are great, but I like this better for getting to a list of ten files which get used a lot on my machine.
#+begin_src emacs-lisp
;;
;; Speed Dialing Favorite Files
;;
(defvar /speed-dial-list
'(("⓵-Emacs" . "~/.emacs.d/Emacs.org")
("⓶-todo" . "~/Dropbox/org/todo.org")
("⓷-cheat-sheet" . "~/Dropbox/org/emacs_cheat_sheet.org")
("⓸-em-man" . "~/Dropbox/org/20250118T230705--emacs-mini-manual-part-1__emacs.org")
("⓹-omguide" . "~/Dropbox/org/20250214T005052--emacs-org-mode-guide__emacs.org")
("⓺-diary" . "~/Dropbox/org/diary2025.org")
("⓻-init" . "~/.emacs.d/init.el")
("⓼-me" . "~/Dropbox/org/mastering_emacs_2024.org")
("⓽-CD" . "~/.emacs.d/Config Deletions.org")
("⓾-CB" . "~/Dropbox/org/emacs-config bits.org"))
"List of speed-dial entries as (LABEL . FILENAME).")
;; Global keybindings for speed dialing using '<Super>' + digit
(let ((i 1))
(dolist (entry /speed-dial-list)
(keymap-global-set (format "s-%d" (mod i 10))
`(lambda() (interactive) (find-file-existing ,(cdr entry))))
(setq i (1+ i))))
#+end_src
This makes accessing some of my files easier. I am sure that there are other ways of achieving this in Emacs. I like this one because I am used to it.
Emojis
I don’t use emojis much in my writing. But this makes it easy to use them on macOS if I feel so inclined. macOS Native Emoji Picking in Emacs from the Edit Menu
#+begin_src emacs-lisp
(easy-menu-add-item global-map '(menu-bar edit)
["Emoji & Symbols"
ns-do-show-character-palette
:help "Show macOS Character Palette."
:visible (eq window-system 'ns)])
#+end_src
Assorted Bits
I loved reading this My 10 Years with Emacs Plain DrOps. I wish to write about my experiences with Emacs ten years from now.
macosxguru at the gmail thingie.
emacs
Bicycle For Your Mind
Design