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Better Ctrl-W

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Overview

Closes highlighted tabs. To replace ctrl-w on Windows/Linux for Vim users!

# Better Ctrl-W Vim users are used to using the `Ctrl-w` key combination for deleting the last word when in insert mode. That's no problem for Mac OS users when using chrome, as the keyboard shortcut for closing a tab is Cmd+w. This is a problem when using the browser on either Linux or Windows machines, as `Ctrl-w` is the shortcut for closing a window. So, when editing a text, a Vim user might accidentally close the current tab by issuing a `Ctrl-w` command, sometimes losing important text that was being edited. That annoyance motivated people to discuss solutions on [a StackOverflow thread][1], in which user [`samson`][2] commented he created [a Chrome extension][3] precisely to: 1. Assign `Ctrl-w` to an extension shortcut that does absolutely nothing 2. Assign a hotkey to close the current tab (I like to use `Alt-w` to mimic Mac OS's `Cmd+w`) The problem with his extension is that it only works with the currently active tab, and I regularly use `Shift + Click` to highlight a bunch of tabs, so that I can close them all at once. His plugin didn't support multiple highlighted tabs, so I created my own. # Usage To use this plugin as it's intended, you have to set up the keyboard shortcuts after installing it. Go to `chrome://extensions/shortcuts` and set the following shortcuts: 1. Assign `Do absolutely nothing` to `Ctrl-w` 2. Assign `Close highlighted tabs` to `Alt-w` or any other key combination of choice This way, `Ctrl-w` will no longer close the current tab by mistake when editing it, and you will be able to use `Alt-w` to close either the current of all highlighted tabs. [1]: https://superuser.com/a/1207752 [2]: https://superuser.com/users/276658/samson [3]: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ctrlw/goejokenmdamcapadhgghgpeeaeaaedc?hl=en

4 out of 515 ratings

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Andrew BreidenbachJan 15, 2024

Make sure to follow usage instructions

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ElroyskimmsFeb 16, 2023

This extension does not work automatically after installation. You have to find the "Usage" instructions in the Overview to configure it. The configuration is simple and this extension works perfectly. I can finally use the browser-based terminal application without constantly closing the browser tab.

1 person found this review to be helpful
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LucyJun 11, 2022

This extension disables Ctrl-W even outside chrome. Yes, even while using other programs.

4 out of 4 found this helpful

Details

  • Version
    0.1
  • Updated
    May 3, 2020
  • Offered by
    thalesmello
  • Size
    7.07KiB
  • Languages
    English (United States)
  • Non-trader
    This developer has not identified itself as a trader. For consumers in the European Union, please note that consumer rights do not apply to contracts between you and this developer.

Privacy

The developer has not provided any information about the collection or usage of your data.
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