tcsh Command Editor

Introduction

The tcsh Command Editor is perhaps the most important feature of tcsh not present in csh.

Notes

  • The arrow keys of the terminal are set so that:
    • The up arrow moves to a previous command.
    • The down arrow moves to a more recent command.
    • The left arrow moves backward one character.
    • The right arrow moves forward one character.
  • The simplest editing is to use the up arrow to review old commands to find the one that you want.
  • The cursor will be at the end of the command.
  • Use the left arrow to move left over characters.
  • Pressing backspace instead of the arrow key will remove the character to the left of the cursor.
  • Pressing characters will insert them into the line.
  • Pressing the return key anywhere in the line executes the whole command line (you don't need to return to the end of the line when you're done editing).
  • The bindkey command is the center of setup for command editor.
  • bindkey with no arguments lists current bindings to commands (what editor command will be run when a given key is pressed).
  • bindkey -l lists editor commands and a brief description of what it does.
  • You can use bindkey to set your own bindings.