Alt as escape modifier in .screenrc?

lucmove · 09-13-2009, 11:52 AM

I like screen, but I need c-a for something else. Actually, I don't want to use the Control key at all, I think that Alt is a lot more comfortable. How do I change the escape sequence to Alt+something in .screenrc?

Yes, I searched, but that seems hard to find.

adamben · 09-13-2009, 08:57 PM

"escape" keyword in your config... here is the doc on it:

http://www.gnu.org/software/screen/m...mand-Character

lucmove · 09-13-2009, 10:55 PM

Yes, so what?

adamben · 09-14-2009, 08:19 PM

If you use vi/vim and you really want to use alt+a as your control sequence, edit your ~/.screenrc file:

vi ~/.screenrc
Find the escape line, or, if this is a new file you are creating, add it.
escape[space]press ctrl+v, then immediately press alt+a

write, save - start screen. Your control sequence should have been modified.

alt+a seems like it might be little bit quirky to use.

adamben · 09-14-2009, 08:37 PM

Just to comment a little further -

^[a would probably work just as well. The problem I mentioned is you are likely going to have to hold the Alt key until you indicate what you want to do - example: You press Alt+a, then, after letting go of the a, you press c to create a new window.... not nearly as fun as the default(being able to release ctrl). If you need it modified that badly and arn't set on using Alt, the suggested `` isn't that bad either.

lucmove · 09-14-2009, 08:48 PM

That didn't work. Alt+a or Alt+q causes something else to happen. I am not sure, but it seems to be the shell history. I also noticed that the Delete key no longer performs as delete-char-or-list-or-eof. Only C-d kills the shell.

Anyway, it doesn't work. See? It's not as easy as it seems.

adamben · 09-14-2009, 09:34 PM

Quite right

- seems my version only allows for "Alt" itself to me used as the modifier.

Good luck. I'll let you know if I come across a reasonable solution.