Macos – use the `` key in terminal Vim at all

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Following on from my other recent question:
How do I map <cmd>-<shift>-f to run Ack plugin in Vim?

Is is possible to use the <cmd> key in Vim at all?

If Vim doesn't recognise the key, is it possible to remap the key outside of Vim (somehow?) to something else and map that key within Vim?

I'm using iTerm 2 on Lion with Vim 7.3.

Thanks!

Best Answer

<D-> only works in MacVim.

A quick google will return a bunch of hacks and third party solutions. All the solutions I know either work system-wide or are application-specific: if you remap Cmd in iTerm2 only, how are you going to open a new window or a new tab? With… with… the… MOUSE?

I can't imagine a good reason to remap the Cmd key to anything on a Mac. That would be insane.

Vim is not TextMate or whatever other editor you have used before. There is no way to transfer all your old habits seamlessly, point blank.

Instead of wasting your time trying to make Vim and your terminal into something that it's not and can't be you should learn how to use and customize Vim wisely. All your Cmd+Shift+Ctrl+Alt combos won't lead you anywhere. Especially in a terminal where Alt is often problematic and Cmd unusable.

Consider using <leader> (:help leader):

  • it's portable on every platform
  • it's less prone to conflicts with your OS or terminal emulator
  • it opens a lot of easy to remember possibilities
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