Helm Essentials
Basic Install
(require 'helm) (helm-mode 1)
Maintainer Configuration
Test Helm is working
C-x c C-x C-f
You will see here that C-x c is the Helm prefix key.
Two kinds of commands
helm native command: an innovative helm feature added to Emacs, e.g. helm-buffers-list
helmized command: a native Emacs feature somewhat modified by helm e.g. switch-to-buffer
The helm native features are generally more helpful.
Basic Ideas
You can search multiple sources simultaneously: helm-for-files
You can perform any number of actions on candidates: helm-find-files plus tab
You can mark/unmark candidates for an action: C-<space>
The helm buffer is highly configurable
Rebinding keys
Once you idetify helm commands you like you can rebind these for easier use.
The key difference between Helm and Emacs Completion
In Vanilla Emacs, completion takes place in the minibuffer. In Helm it takes place in the completion window.
The tab key in Emacs Vanilla completes; in Helm tab is used to view available actions.
"Helm's interactivity makes the tab key redundant for completion because the selection candidates are already made visible in the Helm completion window."
Since most Emacs users are used to using tab to complete, using Helm can be a big adjustment at first.
General Helm Commands
tab lists available actions
C-j invokes the persistent action (context dependent)
C-z toggles expansion of completion window
C-SPC marks a candidate
C-h m displays the embeded help in an org buffer without quitting helm session.
RET runs the first action in the action list
Yanking text
Yank text at point from current buffer into completion window
M-n copies symbol at point to minibuffer
C-w appends word next to point to the minibuffer and advance to next word, hitting
C-_ undo last insertion and rewind yank point in helm-current-buffer
Common Commands
M-x helm-M-x: Replaces the default M-x command with a Helm interface for executing Emacs commands.
M-x helm-find-files
M-x helm-buffers-list
M-x helm-recentf
M-x helm-mini: Combines helm-buffers-list and helm-recentf into one interface.
M-x helm-occur
M-x helm-apropos
M-x helm-imenu: interactive menu to navigate to symbols
M-x helm-show-kill-ring
M-x helm-resume: Resumes the last Helm session
M-x helm-do-grep-ag