Re: Lisp error when using M-x

[Robert Thorpe <rt@robertthorpeconsulting.com>]

wael-zwaiter@gmx.com writes:

> I want to use C-i for ivy related commands.
>
>   (global-set-key (kbd "C-i C-s") 'swiper)
>   (global-set-key (kbd "C-i C-r") 'ivy-resume)
>   (global-set-key (kbd "C-i C-i") 'ivy-resume)
>   (global-set-key (kbd "C-i M-x") 'counsel-M-x)
>   (global-set-key (kbd "C-i C-f") 'counsel-find-file)

Just a bit of general advice....

In Emacs if the keys beginning with C-c followed by an unescaped letter
are reserved for the user.  For example "C-c a" or "C-c b".  That prefix
is specifically for the user adding things.  If you add thing there then
they certainly won't collide with other things.  Note that the keys
beginning C-c and ending with another ctrl key are used by major modes.
So, although "C-c a" will always be free "C-c C-a" is probably used.

Secondly, if you want to use counsel then I suggest replacing the
standard keybindings.  Replace M-x with counsel-M-x, there is no reason
to have both of them.  The same is true of find-file, you may as well
just over-ride "C-x C-f" with counsel-find-file.  So you may as well
just do:

(global-set-key (kbd "M-x") 'counsel-M-x)
(global-set-key (kbd "C-x C-f") 'counsel-find-file)

This is what the Ivy/counsel/swiper manual suggests.  Try it out and see
if you like it.  If you don't you can go back to the original in-built
version or try out the other alternatives.

For the other keys I would do this:

(global-set-key (kbd "C-c s") 'swiper)
(global-set-key (kbd "C-c r") 'ivy-resume)

Lastly, if you want to use Emacs in a terminal emulator then there's a
problem with C-i.  In a terminal emulator (or a linux console screen)
C-i and tab always do the same thing.  So, if you press tab it will do
the same thing as C-i.  In your case that means it'll run your prefix
key.  So, there will be no way to press tab in the terminal.  This is
not an Emacs problem, it's a problem of the interface between
terminal-emulators and programs.  For some of these keys it can be fixed
by changing terminal configuration.

BR,
Robert Thorpe