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Emacs's default keybinds are of some infamy, and RSI memes abound aplenty.
1		Emacs's default keybinds are of some infamy, and RSI memes abound aplenty.
2		The simple fact is that they are not very ergonomic, at least not for modern keyboard layouts.
3
4		Luckily there's a few ways to remedy this situation.
5
6		------------------------------------------------------------
7
8		1. Ignore the issue entirely and pretend everything is okay
9
10		Alternatively, get yourself some foot pedals...
11		https://www.emacswiki.org/emacs/FootSwitches
12
13		------------------------------------------------------------
14
15		2. Remap Ctrl to another button
16
17		There were keyboards designed for writing lisp: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Space-cadet.jpg
18		You'll notice that Ctrl, the most commonly used modifier key is also the closest to the spacebar.
19		This means you can easily hit Ctrl with your thumb, instead of modern keyboards where you'll be straining to stretch your pinky to hit it.
20
21		Swapping Alt and Ctrl is common.
22		As is swapping Ctrl and Caps Lock (though it has some issues http://ergoemacs.org/emacs/swap_CapsLock_Ctrl.html).
23		You can do this at the OS level with xmodmap, or internally in emacs if you don't want to fuck up your other keybinds.
24
25		--------------------
26
27		Globally via setxkbmap:
28		setxkbmap -option ctrl:swapcaps
29		or
30		setxkbmap -option ctrl:swap_lalt_lctl
31	-	You may also want to have Caps Lock as Ctrl and Ctrl as Hyper key:
31	+
32		You may also want to have Caps Lock as Ctrl and Ctrl as Hyper key (Hyper key can be used for shortcuts, "H-n" means "Hyper+n"):
33		setxkbmap -option ctrl:swapcaps_hyper
34
35		More information: man setxkbmap and man xkeyboard-config
36		Note: you probably want to auto-execute this when your X session starts
37
38		--------------------
39
40		Globally via X.Org configuration file:
41		1. Create and edit /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/00-keyboard.conf
42		2. Paste the following:
43
44		Section "InputClass"
45		Identifier "system-keyboard"
46		MatchIsKeyboard "on"
47		Option "XkbOptions" "swapcaps"
48		EndSection
49
50		2.1 Put your own setxkbmap option instead of "swapcaps" on line 4 if you need it.
51		3. Restart X.Org or reboot.
52
53		--------------------
54
55		Globally via an xmodmap file:
56		Save as ~/.Xmodmap
57
58		! Swap Ctrl and Alt
59		clear control
60		clear mod1
61		keycode 37 = Alt_L Meta_L
62		keycode 105 = Alt_R Meta_R
63		keycode 64 = Control_L
64		keycode 108 = Control_R
65		add control = Control_L Control_R
66		add mod1 = Alt_L Meta_L
67
68		or
69
70		! Swap Ctrl and Capslock
71		remove Lock = Caps_Lock
72		remove Control = Control_L
73		keysym Control_L = Caps_Lock
74		keysym Caps_Lock = Control_L
75		add Lock = Caps_Lock
76		add Control = Control_L
77
78		Then run `xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap`
79		Note: you probably want to auto-execute this when your X session starts
80
81		--------------------
82
83		In Emacs only:
84		;; Swap Ctrl and Alt
85		;; V26+, X11 only
86		(setq x-ctrl-keysym 'meta)
87		(setq x-meta-keysym 'ctrl)
88
89		Note that many terminal binds are the same as emacs, so doing it only in emacs as opposed to globally would lead to inconsistency.
90		For more info see https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/manual/html_node/elisp/X11-Keysyms.html
91
92		------------------------------------------------------------
93
94		3. Use an external package
95
96		evil-mode: Probably the most common, as vim keys are pretty widespread and many migrants to emacs are already used to them.
97		evil-collection and evil-escape are also nice mentions, as they make the vim experience a lot more consistent.
98		The downside of course is that you're removing the "emacs"ness of keybinds, many prefer to stay more vanilla.
99
100		--------------------
101
102		god-mode: Unlike evil, this keeps all of emacs's keys intact, you simple map a GOD-KEY to type commands more easily.
103		You simply hit your configured key, then every key you hit afterwards has C- prefixed to it.
104		SPC- lets you remove C-.
105		So <C-x> <C-f> becomes GOD-KEY x f
106		And <C-x> b becomes GOD-KEY x SPC b
107
108		--------------------
109
110		xah-fly-keys: For the more adventurous, following neither emacs defaults nor vim, it maps keys on a usage based scheme.
111		see for more info: http://ergoemacs.org/misc/ergoemacs_vi_mode.html
112
113		--------------------
114
115		Different typing technique: press Ctrl key with your palm, next to the base of your finger. Use modifiers on both sides of the keyboard (one hand shouldn't type a key and hold down a modifier at the same time) if it feels awkward.
116		Note: this is not possible on low profile, flat keyboards that you'll find on laptops and some rubber dome keyboards such as Logitech K810.
117
118		OR
119
120		Use both Ctrl keys and use your ring/middle/index fingers instead of the pinky.
121
122		--------------------
123
124		Sticky keys via xkbset. The advantage to this is that you don't have to hold down a key.
125		xkbset sticky -twokey latchlock ## set sticky keys, don't disable via twokey
126
127		More info in the man pages.
128		--------------------
129
130		Other links:
131
132		https://www.emacswiki.org/emacs/MovingTheCtrlKey
133		https://www.emacswiki.org/emacs/RepeatedStrainInjury