5.2 Key bindings

The key bindings for macOS editor emulation are supplied in the LispWorks library file config/mac-key-binds.lisp. This file is loaded the first time that you use macOS editor emulation, or on startup if your preference is stored.

5.2.1 Finding the keys

There are several ways to find the key for a given command, and the command on a given key:

• The files mac-key-binds.lisp and selection-key-binds.lisp show the default state, just like key-binds.lisp shows the Emacs bindings.
• The Editor command Describe Bindings shows all the current key bindings, including those specific to the buffer, the major mode and any minor modes that are in effect.
• The Editor command Describe Key reports the command on a given key.
• The Editor command Where Is reports the key for a given command.
• Use the Help > Editing menu.

5.2.2 Modifying the Key Bindings

As in Emacs emulation, the key sequences to which individual commands are bound can be changed, and key bindings can be set up for commands which are not, by default, bound to any key sequences.

Interactive means of modifying key bindings are described in 3.32 Key bindings. Key bindings can also be defined programmatically via editor:bind-key forms similar to those in mac-key-binds.lisp.

However, note that you must use editor:set-interrupt-keys if you wish to alter the abort gesture.

5.2.3 Accessing Emacs keys

When macOS editor emulation is on, most Emacs keys are still available since keystrokes like Ctrl+X and Ctrl+S do not clash with standard macOS bindings. For example, to invoke the command WFind File, simply enter:

Ctrl+X Ctrl+F

If you have chosen not to have an Emacs Meta key (see 5.1 Using platform-specific editor emulation) you can use Ctrl+M instead. For example, to run the command Skip Whitespace, enter:

Ctrl+M X Skip Whitespace

5.2.4 The Alt modifier and editor bindings

In Microsoft Windows emulation on Microsoft Windows, keystrokes with the Alt modifier key are used by the system to activate the menu bar. Therefore these keystrokes, for example Alt+A and Alt+Ctrl+A are not available to the editor.

Windows accelerators always take precedence over editor key bindings, so in Emacs emulation the Alt modifier key only acts as Meta though keystrokes with Alt if there is no accelerator which matches.

On Cocoa, the preference for the Meta key affects the operation of menu accelerators (shortcuts). If Command is used as Meta, then it will not be available for use as an accelerator.