Emacs Keyboard Shortcuts

A deep Emacs shortcuts guide for navigation, editing, buffers, search, and macros.

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Basics

Key / CodeDescription
C-x C-fOpen file
C-x C-sSave file
C-x C-cQuit Emacs
C-gCancel command

Navigation

Key / CodeDescription
C-a / C-eStart / end of line
M-f / M-bForward / backward word
C-v / M-vPage down / up
M-< / M->Beginning / end of buffer

Editing

Key / CodeDescription
C-kKill line
C-yYank (paste)
M-wCopy region
C-wCut region
C-/Undo

Search

Key / CodeDescription
C-sIncremental search forward
C-rIncremental search backward
M-%Query replace

Buffers & Windows

Key / CodeDescription
C-x bSwitch buffer
C-x C-bList buffers
C-x 2Split window horizontally
C-x 3Split window vertically
C-x 0Close current window

Macros

Key / CodeDescription
C-x (Start macro
C-x )End macro
C-x eExecute macro

Pro Workflow

Typical flow: search → edit → macro repeat.

C-s  # search
C-k  # kill line
C-y  # yank
C-x (  # start macro
C-x e  # replay
Knowledge is power.