[dbolgheroni]

This is common knowledge already, but the Esc key to change modes was chosen because it made sense when used in ADM-3A[1], which was the terminal used to develop the initial vi version.

Although many people today use Caps Lock for this, the Esc in these terminals was originally in Tab's position.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADM-3A

[csdvrx]

In my vim:

- using Tab while in insert mode leaves the insert mode

- using Tab while typing commands enables the autocomplete

I believe this is a great setup to be closer to the home row when it's not possible to remap Caps to Esc (when alone)+Control (when chorded)

[kugurerdem]

But what do you use to insert tabs then? For me, giving up Caps Lock would be a lot more convenient than giving up Tab, because I almost never use Caps Lock, whereas I use Tab a lot.

[csdvrx]

Initially, this was my "alternative" setup when I couldn't have Caps lock mapped to both Esc+Control and only doing control, but I've found it easier than using Control-[ for Esc (I never got into this habit) and more reliable that betting wherever I expect Esc to be on the keyboard is where Esc will actually be, or that I'll be on a system with Caps properly remapped.

I need to reliably enter/leave edit mode way more than I need to insert tabs, but I can still insert tabs when needed with Ctrl-q Tab

When do you need to insert tabs in vim?

Personally, I rarely need to insert raw tabs: the only exception may be Makefiles (and for that I have a configuration)

[AmalgatedAmoeba]

Wouldn’t consider it a real alternative, but you increase/decrease indentation in insert mode with ^t/^d

[kps]

TECO, though not a visual editor, used the same `[count] command [text ESC]` structure as vi. (It's not a mode switch, it's an argument terminator.)

[kugurerdem]

I didn't know that, that's a really cool information. Thank you! :)