[onetom]

a good reason for getting used to the M-n/p/r binding is that they work in the minibuffer too, even in `emacs -Q` (though without live feedback, but i think that's a fine compromise)

for the past half year i'm using emacs without any extra competition packages and it's surprisingly usable as-is.

i haven't even customized the completion styles and it's fine!

i got used to typing `M-x -forward<TAB>` if i want to find a command which contains the word "forward" and not just starts with it.

i do have karabiner elements remapping my keys under macOS and i use a tweaked version of @jeebak 's SpaceFn layout, where i've mapped Opt on holding the semicolon key, which still acts as semicolon, when tapped.

that way M-r is pretty convenient to type. M-p is less so though, because i switch to the regular opt key for that... i should really have to get used to my glove80 keyboard to avoid such quirks...