MacOS – XCode : How to use cmd + x to either cut the current line (if no text is selected) or cut the selected text

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Pressing cmd + x without selecting text in other IDEs, cuts the complete line. Same goes for cmd + c which copies, instead of cutting. Otherwise, if some text is selected, only that region is cut.

How do I do this in XCode?

I added the following in the IDETextKeyBindingSet.plist to add cutting line and copying line functionality :

<key>My Custom Commands</key>
<dict>
    <key>Cut Current Line</key>
    <string>selectLine:, cut:</string>
    <key>Copy Current Line</key>
    <string>selectLine:, copy:</string>
</dict>

But obviously binding these to cmd + x (or c) doesn't allow cutting/copying selected region. I understand I can set it to some other keybinding. But, as a force of habit, cmd + x (or c) suits better.

Is there any way to do this? Maybe an extension?

[PS I asked the same question on StackOverflow, but realised, this is more apt place]

Best Answer

That is correct. (Xcode 10)

  1. Add the entry for cut line and copy line in the IDETextKeyBindingSet.plist file
  2. Save the IDETextKeyBindingSet.plist
  3. Restart Xcode
  4. Set a key for the new command through xcode > preferences > key bindings > My Custom Commands
  5. Resolve conflicts

Example: /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Frameworks/IDEKit.framework/Versions/A/Resources/IDETextKeyBindingSet.plist

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
    <key>Cut and Copy</key>
    <dict>
        <key>Cut Current Line</key>
        <string>selectLine:, cut:</string>
        <key>Copy Current Line</key>
        <string>selectLine:, copy:</string>
    </dict>
    <key>Duplication</key>
    <dict>
        <key>Duplicate Current Line</key>
        <string>moveToBeginningOfLine:, deleteToEndOfLine:, yank:, insertNewline:, moveToBeginningOfLine:, yank:</string>
        <key>Duplicate Lines</key>
        <string>selectLine:, copy:, moveToEndOfLine:, insertNewline:, paste:, deleteBackward:</string>
        <key>Delete Line</key>
        <string>selectLine:, deleteBackward:</string>
    </dict>
</dict>
</plist>

Xcode keybinding (Cut and Copy): enter image description here

Xcode conflict resolve (Cut and Copy): enter image description here

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