macvim-dev / macvim-dev/macvim
Add a feature to map left Option `⌥` key to Meta
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- Vim Script
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Description
Is your feature request about something that is currently impossible or hard to do? Please describe the problem.
I don't really use accented characters using the macOS compose key. So I like to treat the left Option key as an additional modifier for more key mapping space. Creating these mappings for the text version of vim running inside of iTerm works great because I have the setting "Left Option key: Esc+".
The problem is that in MacVim, the Left Option key continues to act like the macOS Compose key. That means that I have to add to my .vimrc a bunch of mappings like:
nmap ß <M-s>
imap ß <M-s>
Describe the solution you'd like
Like VimR, let me map the left Option key as Meta:
Describe alternatives you've considered
Add a bunch of alias mappings like:
nmap ß <M-s>
imap ß <M-s>
Contributor guide
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
The issue names MacVim, VimR, and .vimrc mappings but no source files or tests. Start by locating MacVim's macOS keyboard handling and comparing how VimR treats the left Option key. Done means the left Option key can be configured as Meta without requiring the listed alias mappings.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- macos, vim
- Domain
- desktop
- Issue type
- Feature
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Estimated time
- 3-5 days
- Activity status
- Stale
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 35/100