iTerm2

Created on Dec 4, ’22 ・ Updated on Mar 7, ’23

Keyboard shortcuts

Cursor

Key combination	Action
Ctrl+A	Jump to begining of line.
Ctrl+E	Jump to end of line.
Ctrl+XX	Jump to begining of line and then back to previous cursor position.

Text

Key combination	Action
Ctrl+D	Delete character under the cursor.
Ctrl+T	Swap the two characters before and after the cursor.
Ctrl+K	Cut line from cursor to end of line.
Ctrl+W	Cut word from cursor to beginning of word.
Ctrl+U	Cut line.
Ctrl+Y	Paste what has been cut.
Ctrl+I	Insert tab character.
Ctrl+J	Insert newline character.

Process

Key combination	Action
Ctrl+C	Kill running process.
Ctrl+Z	Pause running process, restart in background with bg, foreground with fg.

Emulator

Key combination	Action
Ctrl+L	Clear screen.
Ctrl+_	Undo last key press.
Ctrl+S	Forward search in command history.
Ctrl+R	Backward search in command history.
Ctrl+O	Run command found with search.
Ctrl+G	Exit search.

Preferences: Backup & Restore

On the machine with a configured iTerm2:

1. Go to iTerm2's preferences, in General > Preferences.
2. Check "Load preferences from a custom folder or URL."
3. A pop-up opens prompting you to choose a folder. Choose the folder in which you want to save your iTerm2 settings.
4. Click on "Save Now" next to the "Save changes" dropdown list.
5. The settings have been saved in the folder you choose, the file is com.googlecode.iterm2.plist.

On the machine with a default iTerm2:

1. Go to iTerm2's preferences, in General > Preferences.
2. Check "Load preferences from a custom folder or URL."
3. This time, choose the folder in which the saved com.googlecode.iterm2.plist resides.
4. If asked "Copy local preferences to custom folder now", click on "Don't copy."
5. Wait a bit and then restart iTerm2.
6. iTerm2 should now have the new imported configuration.
7. Go to the Preferences and uncheck "Load preferences from a custom folder or URL."

This should restore profiles, custom color themes as well as window arrangements.