> The default keybindings for said commands are cursed. (Seriously, C-M-@ to call isearch-query-replace-regexp ?)
BTW, this isn't only a problem with `isearch`. I suspect that other multiple-simultaneous-keypresses tend to be hard on most people's hands. Which can be bad for your typing-oriented career, and for other humans uses of hands.
Some alternatives in Emacs:
* Try to press the modifier key(s) with one hand, and the non-modifier key with the other.
* If the modifier(s) require contorting in uncomfortable ways, consider whether moving from home row is easier.
* When an Emacs key sequence includes the "Meta" modifier (`M-`), consider whether pressing and releasing the Esc key first, and then doing the remaining key/combo, is easier.
Another option to trigger functions are vim-inspired leader key sequences such as god mode [1] and the evil leader implementations in spacemacs and doomemacs, for example [2].
I agree with what you said, but would suggest also using the god-mode package.
With that, when you hit Esc, you enter "command mode" (hit Esc again to exit it) so most keys you press will be treated as "Ctrl-<key>". So instead of holding Ctrl pressed all the time, you just hit some keys (npbfae) to move around... and search is just "s". Most vim users would just use evil-mode but for the rest of us this is a good compromise and once you get used to it, it avoids the pinkies very well.
Personally, I'm not a fan of key-bindings of the form <modifier sequence>-<some symbol that requires a shift key>. That said, what I find intriguing about including the Transient package in Emacs is the potential for supporting menu-driven Transient interfaces to existing commands in a way that doesn't break their default behavior. Such future Transient menus could be shipped as a default and obviate the need to learn complex key bindings.
> Try to press the modifier key(s) with one hand, and the non-modifier key with the other.
This is the biggest problem I see with most people’s typing: they always want to press the whole key sequence with one hand, then they complain that it hurts! :)
Maybe not enough people took a typing class in school.
BTW, this isn't only a problem with `isearch`. I suspect that other multiple-simultaneous-keypresses tend to be hard on most people's hands. Which can be bad for your typing-oriented career, and for other humans uses of hands.
Some alternatives in Emacs:
* Try to press the modifier key(s) with one hand, and the non-modifier key with the other.
* If the modifier(s) require contorting in uncomfortable ways, consider whether moving from home row is easier.
* When an Emacs key sequence includes the "Meta" modifier (`M-`), consider whether pressing and releasing the Esc key first, and then doing the remaining key/combo, is easier.
* Make a better key binding. Examples:
* Learn fancier Emacs features which might mean not having to type this or not as often (keyboard macros is just one).* Use or write a function or package that automates the higher-level task. For writing your own, you can learn from one of these two manuals, and just start experimenting in your running Emacs: https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/manual/html_node/eintr/ https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/manual/html_node/elisp/