Emacs: Split Windows Basics
| Purpose | Command Name | Key |
|---|---|---|
| split top/bottom | split-window-below | 【Ctrl+x 2】 |
| split left/right | split-window-right | 【Ctrl+x 3】 |
| unsplit all | delete-other-windows | 【Ctrl+x 1】 |
| remove current pane | delete-window | 【Ctrl+x 0】 |
| move cursor to next pane | other-window | 【Ctrl+x o】 |
Note: see the command delete-other-windows? It doesn't delete “windows”, but remove the other “panes”.
In emacs's manual,
- emacs “window” means frame (aka a pane of split window).
- emacs “frame” means window.
Easy Keys for Split Window
Split/unsplit window panes are some of the most frequently used commands, because emacs often generates output in a splits window. 〔►see Emacs's Command Frequency Statistics〕
I recommend setting easy keys for them.
Put the following in your emacs init file.
;; easy keys for split windows (global-set-key (kbd "M-3") 'delete-other-windows) ; 【Alt+3】 unsplit all (global-set-key (kbd "M-4") 'split-window-below) (global-set-key (kbd "M-$") 'split-window-right) (global-set-key (kbd "M-RET") 'other-window) ; 【Alt+Return】 move cursor to next pane (global-set-key (kbd "M-0") 'delete-window) ; remove current pane
〔►see Emacs: How to Define Keys〕
Note: I do not recommend keys like 【Alt+1】 or 【Ctrl+1】 , because that got me Repetitive Strain Injury. 〔►see Programer Hand Health: vi Esc Key Syndrome〕
Adjust Split Pane Size
You can adjust the split pane size by mouse dragging the mode line (status bar). For windows split left/right, drag the split position on the horizontal mode line.
Or, you can use keys. Here's the commands:
| Command | Key | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
enlarge-window | 【Ctrl+x ^】 | increase height |
shrink-window | ◇ | decrease height |
enlarge-window-horizontally | 【Ctrl+x }】 | increase width |
shrink-window-horizontally | 【Ctrl+x {】 | decrease width |
shrink-window-if-larger-than-buffer | 【Ctrl+x -】 | shrink a window to fit its content. |
balance-windows | 【Ctrl+x +】 | make all panes same width/height |
Most of these commands also take a argument. Alt+x universal-argument 【Ctrl+u】 first then type a number, then, call the command that adjust window size.
If you use these commands often, you probably want to give them a easy key such as F8, so you can hold it to enlarge/shrink window size. 〔►see Emacs: How to Define Keys〕
Save Split Windows Configuration
Emacs: Save Split Windows Configuration