“Power Through Emacs: 10 Shortcuts Every Dev Should Know”
Emacs is an editor built for speed, but only if you know the shortcuts that make it efficient. To navigate between buffers (like files), Ctrl
+ x b lets you switch without ever reaching for a mouse. Searching within files is easy with Ctrl
+ s to search forward and Ctrl
+ r to search backward, ideal for tracking variables or function calls. For text manipulation, Alt
+ w copies and Ctrl
+ w cuts, streamlining editing. Keyboard macros (Ctrl
+ x ( to record and Ctrl
+ x ) to stop) automate repetitive edits, and Ctrl
+ u repeats the next command a set number of times, perfect for bulk changes. Moving lines up or down (Alt + Ctrl
+ -) helps with organization. Master these shortcuts to get Emacs working at your speed, whether you’re editing or debugging code.