Making iTerm to translate 'meta-key' in the same way as in other OSes

Question

In bash shell with emacs key-binding, you can use key combination like M-f, M-b to move one word forward or backward on the shell prompt respectively. Usually, the meta key

Answer 1

Go to Bookmarks > Manage Profiles. Then select Keyboard Profiles > Global and choose Option Key as +ESC.

Works in iTerm Build 0.9.5.0611 & Build 0.9.6.20090415

Answer 2

Go to Bookmarks > Manage Profiles. Then select Keyboard Profiles > Global and choose Option Key as Meta. This works for me in version 0.9.6.1201.

Answer 3

Going all zombie resurrection here, but for sake of posterity --

This post got it working as you desire for me, for M-b and M-f, while keeping 'Option Key as Meta' set so you don't sacrifice a modifier (I have vim mappings using meta, personally).

In summary, in your Global Keyboard Profile, add two new mappings with settings:

1. Key as hex code, value of 62 for b, 66 for f (man ascii)
2. Modifier as Option
3. Action as send escape sequence, value b or f

The only thing I still miss from Terminal.app is Opt-Backspace to delete by word. There are other workarounds for that, but I'm just trying to train myself to use Ctrl-w.

Answer 4

Go to your iTerm preferences select "profiles" then "key" and change your presets in "Natural Text Editing"

It should work immediately after.

It works with iTerm version 3.3.12

Answer 5

I couldn't get the Alt key working either but there is a workaround that makes it at least function for word navigation via the cursor keys:

Skip to Next or Previous Word in iTerm Using Alt / Option + Left or Right Arrow Keys

Answer 6

Cmd+., Profiles, Keys and choose Left option Key acts as: +Esc.

Works for me in emacs, though I'm not sure if it will have any other undesirable effects.