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Emacs key bindings and maps

based on masteringemacs.org.

bonus tip

prefix key, followed by c-h, lists keys in prefix.

keymap

maps key to action.

keymap found in buffer and most major modes.

keys

• undefined: self explanatory.
• prefix key: ie. c-x (part of complete key).
• complete key: complete input executes associated command.

mapping

• (define-key keymap key def): add to current buffer map.
• (local-set-key key command): add to active buffer (no map option).
• (local-unset-key key)
• (global-set-key key command): add to global keymap (all buffers).
• (global-unset-key key)

key codes

• kbd: macro transaltes human-readable key to emacs readable.
• function and navigation keys must be surrounded by <>.
• example: (kbd "c-c p") or (kbd "<f8>") of (kbd "<down>").

remapping

• use remap to replace mapping (ie. kill-line with my/kill-line).
• (define-key keymap [remap original-function] 'my-own-function).

reserved keys

• "c-c ?" generally reserved for you, but third party packages use it.
• function keys (ie. f1-f12).
• hyper and super (ancient).

lookup order

• in a nutshell: minor mode keys, local keys, global keys.
• full order:
  1. overriding-terminal-local-map: terminal-specific key binds.
  2. overriding-local-map: override all other local keymaps (avoid if possible).
  3. char property at point: useful for yasnippet.
  4. emulation-mode-map-alists: advanced multi-mode keymap.
  5. minor-mode-overriding-map-alist: minor modes in major modes.
  6. minor-mode-map-alist: as previous (preferred for minor modes) <—–
  7. current-local-map: buffers current local map.
  8. current-global-map: last place to look (ie. global).

mode hooks

• (local-set-key (kbd "c-c q") 'my-awesome-method)) in hook-method.
• for key-chord-define, use current-local-map.