Software Engineering :: Operating Systems :: macOS :: Keyboard :: Key :: HJKL
⪼ Made with 💜 by Polyglot.
- Software Engineering :: Editor :: Text :: Vim :: HJKL
- Software Engineering :: Operating Systems :: macOS :: Software :: Key Remapping
HJKL is a layout used in the Unix computer world, a practice spawned by its use in the vi text editor. The editor was written by Bill Joy for use on a Lear-Siegler ADM-3A terminal, which places arrow symbols on these letters, since it did not have dedicated arrow keys on the keyboard.
These correspond to the functions of the corresponding control characters Ctrl+H, Ctrl+J, Ctrl+K, and Ctrl+L when sent to the terminal, moving the cursor left, down, up, and right, respectively.
Gmail, Google Labs' keyboard shortcuts and other websites use J and K for "next" and "previous".