Devil Mode

Devil mode trades your comma key in exchange for a modifier-free editing experience in Emacs. Yes, the comma key! The key you would normally wield for punctuation in nearly every corner of text. Yes, this is twisted! It would not be called the Devil otherwise, would it? If it were any more rational, we might call it something divine, like, uh, the God mode? But alas, there is nothing divine to be found here. Welcome, instead, to the realm of the Devil! You will be granted the occasional use of the comma key for punctuation, but only if you can charm the Devil. But beware, for in this sinister domain, you must relinquish your comma key and embrace an editing experience that whispers wicked secrets into your fingertips!

Introduction

Devil is available in MELPA as well as NonGNU ELPA. If you are using Emacs 28.1 or a more recent version of Emacs, you can get the latest stable version of Devil by typing M-x package-install RET devil RET. Otherwise, you need to add MELPA or NonGNU ELPA to your list of package archives and then install MELPA. More details on the installation procedure is provided in the manual.

By default, Devil mode rebinds the comma key to activate Devil. Once activated, Devil reads a so-called Devil key sequence from you. As you type your Devil key sequence, Devil translates the key sequence to a regular Emacs key sequence. If any command is bound to the translated Emacs key sequence, Devil runs that command and then deactivates itself.

By default, each comma in the Devil key sequence is translated to “C-“. For example, if you type “, x , f”, Devil translates it to “C-x C-f”. Similarly “, m” is translated to “M-“. If you type “, m x”, Devil translates it to “M-x”. Further “, m m” is translated to “C-M-“. If you type “, m m f” Devil translates it to “C-M-f”. There are several other translations available in the default translation rules that let you enjoy working with Emacs while avoiding modifier keys. Further, the Devil activation key, translation rules, etc. are customisable. Thus if you do not like the default choices made in this package, you can customise it easily to suit your preferences.

Read the manual to learn how to install, use, and customise Devil.

Channels

The author of this project hangs out at the following places online:

• Website: susam.net
• Mastodon: @[email protected]
• GitHub: @susam

You are welcome to subscribe to, follow, or join one or more of the above channels to receive updates from the author or ask questions about this project.

Support

To report bugs, suggest improvements, or ask questions, create issues.

Thanks

Thanks to:

• Chris Rayner for initial code review.
• Philip Kaludercic for initial code review and patches.
• Morgan Willcock for initial feedback and code reviews.

Reactions

Some amusing reactions to this project collected from various corners of the world wide web:

Every bit of this horrifies me, and I can’t believe you’ve done it. Outstanding. Well done! – @kstrauser

This is insane. I am going to try it immediately. – @jrockway

Will defiantly check this out. – @strings

Defiantly! – @oantolin

😈 – @SequentialDesign

More

See Emacs4CL, a DIY quick-starter kit to set up Emacs for Common Lisp programming.

See Emfy, a DIY quick-starter kit to set up Emacs for general purpose editing and programming.