Custom Keyboard Shortcuts for Prompt Inputs

Custom keyboard shortcuts for prompt inputs can significantly enhance productivity, especially when you’re dealing with repetitive tasks, long commands, or specific patterns you need to input frequently. Here’s a guide on how to create custom shortcuts for prompt inputs, specifically for your terminal, code editor, or any similar environment.

1. Custom Shortcuts in Command Line (Terminal)

In many terminal applications (like bash on Linux or zsh on macOS), you can create custom keyboard shortcuts using aliases or bind commands. Here’s how you can do it:

Using Aliases:

Aliases allow you to create custom shortcuts for frequently used commands. For example, if you often use a certain git command or a system check, you can assign it a shorthand.

Example:

• Open your terminal’s configuration file (~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc).

• Add a new alias like this:

bash
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alias gs='git status'
alias ll='ls -l'
alias runserver='python manage.py runserver'

• After saving, run source ~/.bashrc (or source ~/.zshrc) to apply the changes.

Using Keyboard Bindings (for more advanced use cases):

If you need more flexibility (like binding keys to specific prompt inputs), you can use bind commands in bash or zsh.

Example for bash:

bash
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bind '"C-a": "echo Hello Worldn"'

This binds Ctrl + a to input “Hello World” at the prompt.

2. Custom Shortcuts in Text Editors (VSCode, Sublime Text)

If you’re working in an editor like VSCode or Sublime Text, custom keyboard shortcuts can streamline your workflow, especially when using the command palette or terminal.

VSCode Example:

1. Open Keyboard Shortcuts via File > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts.

2. You can search for existing shortcuts or create your own by adding keybindings.

3. To create a custom input shortcut:

   • Click on the + icon and set a new keybinding (e.g., Ctrl+Shift+P).

   • Then, associate it with a command.

For input-related shortcuts, you might want to use macros or extensions like Macros or Multi-Command.

Sublime Text:

1. Go to Preferences > Key Bindings.

2. You can manually add key bindings for specific commands.

3. Example:

json
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[
    { "keys": ["ctrl+shift+g"], "command": "git_status" }
]

For input prompts, you might need an extension to allow custom keyboard shortcuts for certain repetitive text inputs.

3. Automated Input in Scripts (Bash Scripts, Python)

If your task requires more complex automation, such as filling out repetitive prompts, you can use scripts.

Bash Example:

bash
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#!/bin/bash
# Run a command and provide custom input
echo -e "yn" | some_command

Python Example:

Use Python’s subprocess module to send automated input to a prompt.

python
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import subprocess

# Simulate user input for a command
process = subprocess.Popen(['your-command'], stdin=subprocess.PIPE, stdout=subprocess.PIPE)
process.communicate(input=b'input_stringn')

4. Custom Shortcuts in Web Applications (Browser)

If you are entering text on a web application frequently, browser extensions can help create custom shortcuts. AutoHotkey for Windows or Karabiner for macOS lets you create custom scripts for web-based actions.

Using AutoHotkey (Windows):

1. Download and install AutoHotkey.

2. Create a .ahk script with something like:

autohotkey
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^j::Send, Hello, how are you today?

Press Ctrl + J to input the text “Hello, how are you today?” automatically.

Using Karabiner (macOS):

1. Download Karabiner-Elements.

2. Use the simple configuration interface to bind text input to a hotkey.

5. Using Macro Tools for Custom Inputs

For complex workflows, tools like AutoHotkey, Keyboard Maestro, or TextExpander can automate repetitive prompt inputs across multiple applications.

Example with TextExpander (for fast text input):

1. Create a new snippet.

2. Assign it a shortcut like ;;gitstatus.

3. Define the content to be entered automatically (e.g., git status).

This can save time on projects requiring frequent commands or snippets.

Final Thoughts

Custom keyboard shortcuts can streamline your workflow, reduce errors, and speed up processes. Whether you’re working in the terminal, a code editor, or on a web application, learning how to create and use these shortcuts will save you a lot of time and effort.

Would you like help with setting up a specific shortcut for a particular environment?