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by taopai 903 days ago
You don't use bookmarks?

C-x r b runs the command bookmark-jump

C-x r m runs the command bookmark-set

> I tried learning a few commands but forgot them after a while.

C-h k runs the command describe-key. You do this and after that any command, and it will give you the explanation.

I've been using emacs only a year. I played a lot with it the first months and it was heavy, but if you take it like a game the benefits are immense.

Also defining your own keys tied to elisp functions or even running python scripts or bash scripts called from eslip and tied to keys is awesome.

For example things that i did: - Open, close bluetooth to conect/disconect headphones. - Open desktop gui folder of current buffer. - Insert custom org templates and such.

I encourage you to take some time every week to play with emacs. Be cautious not to fall down the rabbit hole, but you can gain a lot by learning just the basics.

pd: when learning a new command take it REALLY slow, and push the keys deliberately, this will make you learn faster, like playing the piano.

2 comments

> You don't use bookmarks?

Hearing them for the first time :)

> C-h k runs the command describe-key. You do this and after that any command, and it will give you the explanation.

I think I'm forgetting them because I don't use them often but will keep this in mind thank you!

> Also defining your own keys tied to elisp functions or even running python scripts or bash scripts called from eslip and tied to keys is awesome.

It is definitely in my todo list to learn. I have changed many of my workflow to Emacs like using Org for todo, reminders, to even publishing a book with it [1], Ledger to manage money etc. So investment in elisp is worthy every penny!

Thanks for your comment :)

1 - https://arunmani.in/articles/publishing-book-emacs/

> C-h k runs the command describe-key. You do this and after that any command, and it will give you the explanation.

But what about the opposite direction ? Is there anything like an "apropos" command ?

Also bound to C-h a

There is also C-h d (apropos-documentation)

Check out marginalia[1]. Whenever you press M-x, it will pop up a buffer showing all the commands (with most recent ones on top) along with their keybindings and a brief description of what they do.

Embark[2] is also cool. It will show all the possible commands relevant to where the cursor is at that moment. I bind it to C-c a.

[1] https://github.com/minad/marginalia [2] https://github.com/oantolin/embark

I usually use:

C-h f runs the command describe-function (found in global-map)

If the command is bound it has "It is bound to..."

I'll usually do C-h f (describe-function), then hit tab to make it build a list of all (interactive) functions, and then switch to that buffer and search for whatever I'm interested in.