Navigate text with vi(m) keys on linux

Caveat lector: I wrote this post in high school; it’s likely outdated and poorly written.

Intro

Lifehacker recently posted a AutoHotkey script for windows that allows text navigation using letters instead of the arrow keys. In response to @wersdaluv’s post, I wrote a very simple script that allows users to navigate text using the standard vim keys (hjkl) when the caps-lock key is toggled. Feel free and add to my very basic script.

Steps

I stored the script referenced in this post in a paste-bin and now it’s gone. Live and learn…

  1. Download my script (via copy and paste) from here. Lost (email if found).
  2. Save the script somewhere where you will not delete it and mark it as executable (chmod u+x /path/to/script.sh)
  3. Add the script to the startup programs with the argument init (i.e. /path/to/script.sh init). If you don’t know how to add startup programs in your Desktop Environment, Google it.
  4. Assign F13 (the now remapped capslock key), as a hotkey in your window manager. Set the command to '/path/to/script.sh toggle'. Again, if you don’t know how to add a hotkey, Google it.
  5. Now either log out and then in or run ’/path/to/script.sh init' in order to remap the capslock key.
  6. Pressing the capslock key should now toggle navigation mode.