[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