Navigating Emacs Documents With Imenu

Summary

In this video, the host explores the 'I menu' functionality in Emacs, a feature that enables quick navigation to sections within a document. The host demonstrates how 'I menu' adapts to different file types, such as programming or org-mode documents, by listing major definitions like functions or headings. They also introduce 'I menu Dash list', a GitHub tool that presents 'I menu' in a sidebar for easier navigation. The host shares installation steps for 'I menu Dash list' in Doom Emacs, discusses customization options, and thanks their Patreon supporters for their support.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The I menu in Emacs is a navigational tool that provides quick access to different parts of a document.
• 📚 I menu's functionality varies depending on the type of document being worked on, such as programming files or org-mode documents.
• 🔑 The I menu can be activated using the shortcut 'Meta X' followed by typing 'I', and it can also be customized with different key bindings.
• 🖥️ In Doom Emacs, the I menu is accessible with the 'Space SI' shortcut, which brings up a version of the I menu with additional features.
• 🛠️ I menu Dash List is a third-party extension that enhances the I menu by displaying it in a sidebar format for easier navigation.
• 🔄 I menu Dash List can be toggled on and off with a custom key binding, such as 'Space TI', and allows for a more integrated sidebar experience.
• 📝 Major definitions, like function definitions in programming or headings in org-mode, are automatically included in the I menu for quick access.
• 🔍 The I menu can be searched for specific sections or headings, making it easier to navigate large documents.
• 📁 Installing I menu Dash List in Doom Emacs involves adding it to the 'packages.el' file and restarting Emacs to install the new package.
• 🛑 The default behavior of I menu Dash List can be customized, such as setting the focus to switch to the I menu list when it is opened.
• 👥 The video script acknowledges the support of Patreon patrons and the importance of community contributions to the creator's work.

Q & A

What is the 'I menu' in Emacs?

The 'I menu' in Emacs is a feature that allows users to quickly navigate and jump to certain locations within a document.

How does the 'I menu' function in different document types?

The 'I menu' automatically populates itself depending on the type of file you're working in, showing different elements such as headings in org mode or function definitions in programming files.

What is a 'major definition' in the context of Emacs 'I menu'?

A 'major definition' in Emacs, particularly in programming, refers to significant elements like function definitions that are listed in the 'I menu'.

How can you access the 'I menu' in Doom Emacs?

In Doom Emacs, the 'I menu' can be accessed using the key binding 'Space SI' which brings up the 'I menu'.

What is the difference between the standard 'I menu' and 'Imenu-list'?

The standard 'I menu' shows top-level headings, while 'Imenu-list' provides a more detailed view including second-level headings and can be displayed in a sidebar-like format.

What is 'Imenu-list' and how does it enhance the 'I menu' functionality?

'Imenu-list' is a program that enhances the 'I menu' by displaying it in a horizontal split, similar to a sidebar, providing a more organized and accessible navigation experience.

How can you install 'Imenu-list' in Doom Emacs?

To install 'Imenu-list' in Doom Emacs, you need to add '(package! imenu-list)' to the 'packages.el' file and then restart Doom Emacs with 'Space HR' to install the new package.

What key binding is used to toggle the 'Imenu-list' sidebar in the script?

The script uses 'Space TI' as the key binding to toggle the 'Imenu-list' sidebar on and off.

How can you fold and unfold items in 'Imenu-list'?

In 'Imenu-list', you can fold and unfold items using the 'Tab' key, similar to the folding functionality in org mode documents.

What is the purpose of the variable 'Imenu-list-focus-after-activation'?

The variable 'Imenu-list-focus-after-activation', when set to 'T' or true, ensures that the focus switches to the 'Imenu-list' sidebar when it is opened.

How does the script author share their Emacs configuration?

The author shares their Emacs configuration by pushing it to their online DOT files repository on platforms like GitLab.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Exploring Imenu Navigation in Emacs

The speaker introduces the Imenu functionality in Emacs, a tool that facilitates quick navigation to various sections within a document. They demonstrate how Imenu adapts to the type of document being edited, such as showing function definitions in programming files or headings in org-mode documents. The speaker also compares different implementations of Imenu, highlighting 'Imenu Dash List' as a preferred version that presents a sidebar for easier navigation. Key bindings for toggling the Imenu sidebar and navigating through its contents are discussed, along with customization options like focusing on the Imenu list after activation.

05:01

🛠️ Customizing Imenu Dash List in Doom Emacs

The speaker continues by detailing the process of installing and customizing the 'Imenu Dash List' in Doom Emacs. They guide through adding the package to the 'packages.el' file, which is responsible for managing third-party Emacs programs, and restarting Doom Emacs to install the new package. The speaker also explains how to toggle the Imenu sidebar using a custom key binding and discusses the importance of setting the focus to the Imenu list for a better user experience. They conclude by acknowledging the support of patrons on Patreon and mention updating their configuration file on a public repository for viewers to reference.

Keywords

💡I menu

I menu is a feature in Emacs, an extensible, customizable text editor, that provides a quick navigation tool allowing users to jump to certain locations within a document. In the script, the speaker demonstrates how I menu can be utilized in different document types, such as org-mode files, to navigate through headings and sections efficiently.

💡Emacs

Emacs is a popular open-source text editor known for its extensibility and customization capabilities. It is often used for programming and text editing tasks and has a strong community of users who develop additional features and modes. The video script discusses various functionalities of Emacs, particularly focusing on the I menu feature.

💡Org mode

Org mode is a mode in Emacs designed for organizing tasks, notes, and outlines. It is particularly useful for project planning and document structuring. In the script, the speaker opens an org-mode document to demonstrate how I menu can navigate through its headings and sections.

💡Major definitions

In programming, a 'major definition' typically refers to significant constructs such as functions or classes that are central to the codebase. In the context of Emacs and the script, major definitions are used to populate the I menu, allowing for quick navigation to these important parts of a document.

💡Key binding

A key binding in Emacs is an association between a specific key combination and an action or command. The script mentions that in Doom Emacs, the I menu can be accessed using the key binding 'space SI', demonstrating how users can customize Emacs to streamline their workflow.

💡Doom Emacs

Doom Emacs is a configuration framework for Emacs that aims to provide a powerful out-of-the-box experience. It comes with a set of pre-configured packages and key bindings. The script discusses how to use I menu in Doom Emacs and mentions specific key bindings like 'space SI' for accessing I menu.

💡I menu Dash list

I menu Dash list is a third-party program for Emacs that enhances the functionality of the standard I menu by displaying it in a sidebar-like format. The script describes how this program allows for a more organized and accessible navigation through document headings and sections.

💡Horizontal split

In the context of text editors like Emacs, a 'horizontal split' refers to dividing the editor's window into two panes, one above the other. The script discusses how I menu Dash list can display the I menu in a horizontal split, making it easier to navigate through documents.

💡Key binding customization

Customizing key bindings in Emacs allows users to tailor the editor to their preferences and workflow. The script provides an example of setting a custom key binding 'space TI' to toggle the I menu Dash list on and off, enhancing the user's interaction with the editor.

💡Focus

In the context of the script, 'focus' refers to the active pane or window in Emacs where the cursor is located and where user input is directed. The speaker mentions a setting in I menu Dash list to automatically switch focus to the I menu when it is opened, improving the user experience.

💡GitHub

GitHub is a platform for version control and collaboration that is widely used by developers. It is mentioned in the script as the source where the I menu Dash list program can be found and installed, highlighting the collaborative nature of the Emacs community.

Highlights

Introduction to 'I menu', a feature in Emacs that allows quick navigation within a document.

Demonstration of 'I menu' in action on a Doom Emacs config file.

Explanation of how 'I menu' populates differently based on the type of document being worked on.

Showcasing 'I menu' in a programming context, highlighting major definitions like functions.

Usage of 'I menu' in org mode or markdown, focusing on headings for navigation.

Key binding in Doom Emacs for 'I menu' using space SI.

Introduction to Council Dash I menu, an enhanced version of 'I menu' with additional headings.

Installation and setup of 'I menu Dash list' from GitHub for a sidebar-like menu.

Customization of 'I menu Dash list' with key bindings for toggling the sidebar.

Navigation and folding of headings within 'I menu Dash list' using the tab key.

Default key bindings for 'I menu Dash list' and how to search within the buffer.

Direct jumping to sections within a document using 'I menu Dash list'.

Instructions on installing 'I menu Dash list' in Doom Emacs via the packages.el file.

How to add a key binding for toggling 'I menu Dash list' in Doom Emacs.

Setting the focus to 'I menu Dash list' after activation for better user experience.

Other customizable settings for 'I menu Dash list' mentioned on the GitHub page.

Sharing the latest Doom Emacs config file on a DOT files repository for community access.

Acknowledgment of patrons and supporters on Patreon for their contribution to the episode.

Closing remarks with a humorous comment on the name of the 'I menu Dash list' program.

Transcripts

today I want to share with you some

really neat functionality that is

available to you inside emacs I want to

share with you I menu what is I menu I

menu is essentially a menu that allows

you to quickly navigate jump to certain

locations within a document so for

example let me switch over to my desktop

let me open up a org document now I menu

will work differently depending on what

kind of document you're working in but

let me zoom in a little bit into this

config.org this is my Doom e-max config

file and if you do meta X and type I

menu you'll get a menu here that you

could navigate through or search you

know you could use the arrow keys to go

up and down or you could just start

searching for something like I menu

because I actually have an i menu

heading here in the document and I could

hit enter and it will navigate to that

section here in the document now I menu

automatically populates itself depending

on what kind of file you're working in

for example let me do a split here and

if I go and navigate to my home

directory my DOT bash RC for example and

I do meta x i menu I'm not going to have

much here I'm going to have a c down ex

and up and what these are these are

actually functions that I actually have

in this document if I uh scroll down you

can see this function right here up so

what I menu populates in the menu or

what they call major definitions so what

is a major definition well in

programming if you define a function

that's a major definition right that's

something that's very important in that

document so it gets listed in I menu if

you're working in something like org

mode or markdown or any kind of

outlining tool you know anything like

that then obviously the headings right

the the top level headings the second

level headings those typically will be

populated inside I menu let me close

that split now inside Doom emacs they

actually have a key binding already set

for I menu it's space SI so if I do

space s i it brings up I menu actually

this is a different eye menu program

this is actually Council Dash I menu and

you can see it's got a few more headings

instead of just the top level headings

we got the top level headings we also

get some second level headings as well

so I actually like this much better than

the standard I menu program so that's

Council Dash I menu if you're using

doomi Max space SI will bring that up

but honestly there is a better way to

implement I menu and I found this

program over on GitHub I menu Dash list

so what I did is I went ahead and

installed I menu Dash list and this what

this does it displays I menu in a

horizontal split like a sidebar almost

like a a nerd tree like side menu for

you and and I really like it I've been

playing around with it just for a couple

of hours here today but I think I'm

Gonna Keep it and if I do a space TI

this is a key binding I set myself you

can see now I get this I menu list in a

sidebar space TI will toggle that back

off space TI again I can navigate the

list you can see I've got top level

headings I've got some second level

headings third level headings actually

you can actually fold these with the tab

key kind of like you can fold like the

menus here you know inside of org mode

document the same kind of tab to fold

works in the I menu Dash list and of

course you can navigate the uh the I

menu list so typically the default key

bindings if you're not using evil mode

will be in for next line P for previous

line your standard dmax key bindings if

you're using evil mode like I am J and K

to go up and down of course you could

search through the buffer as well but

you find something that you want to jump

to for example maybe I want to jump to

the clippy section here inside the

document and you can see it takes me

directly to that over here and this

buffer not keeps the eye menu list

sidebar up but again I I have a key

binding to toggle that so I'm using

space TI for toggle eye menu but you

could do anything for that let me search

for the eye menu heading here and jump

to that space TI to get out of that so

let me show you how to install the I

menu Dash list program now remember you

don't have to install the standard I

menu program it's just part of emacs but

I menu list let me show you how you

install this at least inside doomimax so

if I do space period to do the find file

command let me navigate over to the

packages.el file so packages.el is the

file inside doomimax where you list all

the third-party emacs programs that you

want to install and you can see I have

this line right here package exclamation

space I menu Dash list so it tells do me

Max to install a program called I menu

Dash list and once that line is there

space HR to restart dummy Max and it'll

install any new packages that you you've

told it to install and now if I do a

space BP for previous buffer I go back

to this buffer if I do a meta X and I

search for I menu Dash list it is there

now I could hit enter on it and open the

eye menu but really what I want is I

want to run this program here I menu

Dash list Dash smart Dash toggle because

what that does is it toggles the I menu

meaning if it's not showing it shows the

I menu if it is showing it hides the I

menu and I recommend just adding a key

binding that's what I did here so space

TI toggles it on Space TI toggles it

back off and actually if I do space TI

to toggle it back on other than doing a

space TI to toggle it back off you can

just hit Q or quit and it would also get

rid of the I menu for you now you notice

when I do space TI the Focus right the

cursor actually jumps to the I menu list

which to me that should be the default

setting for I'm menu list but it's

actually not by default when you open

the I menu list the focus still stays in

the document you're working in which is

a little weird because then you have to

do you know control w w to get into the

vertical split and that you actually

want to work in so they do have a

setting though you can see I've got this

variable here I menu Dash list that's

Focus slash after Dash activation that's

a very long variable name but it's very

descriptive you know exactly what it

means and you can see I set that to T

for true so when I menu list is open it

switches the focus to the I menu list

and I think probably everyone if you're

going to install live menu lists you

definitely want that setting there's a

few other variables that you can play

around with and set but most of the

other ones were things that I really

didn't feel like I needed to play with

but you can read the I menu list GitHub

page not much to the program but there

are some some settings that you can play

with if you feel like you you need to so

I'm going to go ahead and push my

latestconfig.org for do me Max over to

my DOT files repository online gitlab so

you guys can check out some of this

there's really not much to this section

but if you want to just copy and paste

some of the code that I've already got

here I'll put that on my DOT files

repository probably in the next couple

of minutes now before I go I need to

thank a few special people I need to

thank the producers of this episode and

of course I'm talking about Gabe James

maximum homies too bald Matt Mitchell

Paul Royal West Armor Dragon mashed

potato Chuck Commander angry George Lee

Marsh from methos Nate or John Paul

peace action Fedor Polytech realities

for Less red profit Roland tools debler

Williams in a bit these guys they're my

highest tiered patrons over on patreon

with these guys so this quick look at

eye menu inside emacs would not have

been possible the show is also brought

to you by each and every one of these

fine ladies and gentlemen all these

names you're seeing on the screen right

now these are all my supporters over on

patreon I don't have any corporate

sponsors I depend on you guys to help

support my work subscribe to distro tube

over on patreon alright guys peace

I'm in use a great program but a

horrible name sounds like a crapple

device