How to use the command `bindkey` (with examples)

The bindkey command in Z-Shell is used to add keybindings, or shortcuts, to the shell. Keybindings allow you to associate a specific command or key sequence with a specific key or key combination. This can greatly improve your productivity by allowing you to execute frequently used commands or sequences with a simple keystroke. In this article, we will explore several use cases of the bindkey command to help you understand how to use it effectively.

Use case 1: Bind a hotkey to a specific command

Code:

bindkey "^k" kill-line

Motivation:

You may want to bind a hotkey to a specific command to quickly execute it without having to type the entire command every time. For example, you can bind the Ctrl+k key combination to the kill-line command, which deletes the entire line of input. This can be useful when you need to clear the current line and start fresh.

Explanation:

• bindkey: The bindkey command is used to add keybindings to the shell.
• ^k: The key combination you want to bind, in this case, Ctrl+k.
• kill-line: The command you want to associate with the hotkey.

Example output:

When you press Ctrl+k, the entire line of input will be deleted.

Use case 2: Bind a hotkey to a specific key sequence

Code:

bindkey -s '^o' 'cd ..\n'

Motivation:

You may want to bind a hotkey to a specific key sequence to execute multiple commands or keystrokes with a single key press. For example, you can bind the Ctrl+o key combination to the sequence of commands cd .. followed by a newline character. This allows you to quickly navigate up one directory level without having to type the commands manually.

Explanation:

• bindkey: The bindkey command is used to add keybindings to the shell.
• -s '^o': The -s option is used to specify that you want to bind a sequence of characters rather than a single key. The ^o argument represents the Ctrl+o key combination.
• 'cd ..\n': The key sequence you want to associate with the hotkey. In this case, it is the command cd .. followed by a newline character.

Example output:

When you press Ctrl+o, the shell will execute the cd .. command, which navigates up one directory level.

Use case 3: View keymaps

Code:

bindkey -l

Motivation:

You may want to view the existing keybindings in the shell to see what commands or key sequences are currently associated with specific keys. This can be useful for identifying conflicts or finding out which key combinations are already in use.

Explanation:

• bindkey: The bindkey command is used to add keybindings to the shell.
• -l: The -l option is used to list the current keybindings.

Example output:

The output will be a list of keybindings in the shell, showing the key or key combination and the command or sequence associated with it.

Use case 4: View the hotkey in a keymap

Code:

bindkey -M main

Motivation:

You may want to view the keybindings in a specific keymap to see what commands or key sequences are associated with the keys in that map. This can be useful when you want to modify or add keybindings to a specific keymap.

Explanation:

• bindkey: The bindkey command is used to add keybindings to the shell.
• -M main: The -M option is used to specify the keymap you want to view. In this case, main is the default keymap.

Example output:

The output will be a list of keybindings in the specified keymap, showing the key or key combination and the command or sequence associated with it.

Conclusion:

The bindkey command in Z-Shell is a powerful tool for customizing your shell experience by adding keybindings. By binding hotkeys to specific commands or key sequences, you can streamline your workflow and perform common tasks more efficiently. In this article, we explored several use cases of the bindkey command, including binding hotkeys to commands, binding hotkeys to key sequences, and viewing keymaps. With this knowledge, you can take full advantage of the bindkey command to enhance your productivity in the shell.