prefix(2)

NAME

prefix - Key prefix command
prefix2 - Control(2) prefix
prefix3 - Control(3) prefix
prefix4 - Control(4) prefix

SYNOPSIS

n prefix

Default prefix bindings:

prefix 1 (esc) 
prefix 2 (C-x) 
prefix 3 (C-h) 
prefix 4 (C-c) 

DESCRIPTION

prefix sets up to 8 prefix key sequences, allowing two stroke key bindings. The command does not do anything, it is used to create double barrel key bindings such as such as goto-line(2) (esc g). This binding may be redefined, redefining ALL meta bindings. If the meta bindings are not required the command should first be unbound using the global-unbind-key(2).

The prefix key can only be defined using the global-bind-key(2), passing the command the prefix number required, for example:

1 global-bind-key "prefix" "esc" 
2 global-bind-key "prefix" "C-x" 

Binds the first prefix to the Escape key and the second prefix to Control-x.

The first prefix key (prefix 1) differs from the other prefixes since it permits entry of the numeric argument at the message line, e.g. "esc 1 0 C-f" will move forward 10 characters.

NOTES

Invocating this command via execute-named-command(2) or by a macro has no effect. It can be bound to only one key sequence which must be a single key stroke such as C-x  etc. Re-binding the command to another key will not only unbind the new key but also the current prefix ? key bindings.

SEE ALSO

global-bind-key(2), global-unbind-key(2).

Ref: prefix(2) File: m2cmd028.2 Date: 2026/02/16

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