Making iTerm to translate 'meta-key' in th

Question

In bash shell with emacs key-binding, you can use key combination like M-f, M-b to move one word forward or backward on the shell prompt respectively. Usually, the meta key is mapped to Alt key on Windows and Linux. However, in iTerm, I could not find a way to map this meta key to either Option or Command key on my MacBook Pro.

It seems that in OS X, the meta key is by default mapped to ESC key. So you can use ESC-f, ESC-b on iTerm. However, ESC key is apparently not practical to use. In addition, iTerm does have option that allow you to modifier mapping for the meta key (Bookmarks > Profiles > Keyboard Profiles > Global > Option Key as...), this setting does not seem to work at all.

Therefore, if anyone know what is the solution to this problem, please let me know.

I have upgraded to the latest release, 0.9.6.1012, and this behavior is still persist.

Edit: Some clarification to my question. The key-binding I'm talking about is for bash shell, not in emacs. It just happens that, by default, bash shell also use the same key-binding as emacs.

Answer 1

Go to Bookmarks > Manage Profiles. Then select Keyboard Profiles > Global and choose Option Key as +ESC.

Works in iTerm Build 0.9.5.0611 & Build 0.9.6.20090415

Answer 2

I use iTerm2, and for me, this answer just partially solved my problem:

Cmd+, => Profiles => Keys and choose Left option Key acts as: +Esc.

In addition to that, I had to go to Cmd+, => Profiles => Keys and in the Key Mappings list find both Key Combinations: and , double click them and change their shortcuts to the following:

*Make sure to select Send Escape Sequence action.

Answer 3

Going all zombie resurrection here, but for sake of posterity --

This post got it working as you desire for me, for M-b and M-f, while keeping 'Option Key as Meta' set so you don't sacrifice a modifier (I have vim mappings using meta, personally).

In summary, in your Global Keyboard Profile, add two new mappings with settings:

1. Key as hex code, value of 62 for b, 66 for f (man ascii)
2. Modifier as Option
3. Action as send escape sequence, value b or f

The only thing I still miss from Terminal.app is Opt-Backspace to delete by word. There are other workarounds for that, but I'm just trying to train myself to use Ctrl-w.

Answer 4

Cmd+., Profiles, Keys and choose Left option Key acts as: +Esc.

Works for me in emacs, though I'm not sure if it will have any other undesirable effects.

Answer 5

Go to Bookmarks > Manage Profiles. Then select Keyboard Profiles > Global and choose Option Key as Meta. This works for me in version 0.9.6.1201.

Answer 6

I found some solution on stackoverflow also, just go to keyboard profile and in "Global" change "Option key as" +ESC

that works for me perfectly =) btw some iterm patch exists also look here: http://www.emacswiki.org/emacs/EmacsForMacOS