How to create key binds in the Linux system using the terminal?

To set Readline key bindings and variables in the Linux system, we use the bind command. The bind command is used to assign functions and macros to keys, allowing you to create hotkeys instead of typing entire commands. It is a shell built-in command available in bash.

Syntax

The syntax of the bind command is as follows −

bind [-lpsvPSVX] [-m KEYMAP] [-f FILENAME] [-q NAME] [-u NAME] [-r KEYSEQ] [-x KEYSEQ:shell-command]

While the general syntax appears complex, the bind command is simple to use and allows you to easily create custom key bindings and macros.

Command Options

Examples

Listing Functions and Bindings

To list all the readline function names −

$ bind -l

To list the key bindings and corresponding function names −

$ bind -p

Creating Custom Key Bindings

To create a custom key bind that prints "Hey, welcome to tutorialspoint!" when pressing Ctrl + V −

$ bind '"\C-v":"Hey, Welcome to tutorialspoint!"'

After executing this command, pressing Ctrl + V will insert the text instead of requiring you to type the entire message.

Creating Shell Command Bindings

To bind a shell command to a key combination, use the -x option −

$ bind -x '"\C-l":clear'

This binds Ctrl + L to execute the clear command.

Listing Custom Bindings

To list all custom shell command key bindings −

$ bind -x

Removing Key Bindings

To remove an existing key binding, use the -r option −

$ bind -r "\C-v"

Key Sequence Notation

When creating key bindings, use the following notation for special keys −

Conclusion

The bind command is a powerful tool for creating custom key bindings in Linux bash shell. It allows you to assign text macros or shell commands to key combinations, improving productivity by reducing repetitive typing. Key bindings are session-specific unless saved to configuration files like .bashrc.