Better Ctrl-W

Closes highlighted tabs. To replace ctrl-w on Windows/Linux for Vim users!
What is Better Ctrl-W?
'Better Ctrl-W' is a Chrome extension designed for Vim users on Windows and Linux machines. It primarily solves the issue of the 'Ctrl-W' shortcut that, apart from deleting the last word in Vim's insert mode, it also closes a window in chrome - a shortcut absent on Mac OS. The extension reassigns the tab closing function to a different shortcut and disables 'Ctrl-W' from closing tabs.

Extension stats

Users: 1,000+
Version: 0.1 (Last updated: 2020-05-03)
Creation date: 2020-05-02
Risk impact: Very low risk impact
Risk likelihood: Very low risk likelihood
Manifest version: 2
Size: 7.24K

Other platforms

Not available on Firefox
Not available on Edge
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Extension summary

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)
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User reviews

These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Chrome Web Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.
Pros
  • Works perfectly for browser-based terminal applications
  • Great for users who play browser games
  • Helps prevent accidental tab closures while switching between terminal and Chrome
  • Easy to configure once usage instructions are found
  • Allows closing tabs using keybindings on different keyboard layouts
Cons
  • Does not work automatically after installation without configuration
  • Changes to keybindings cannot be undone
  • Disables Ctrl-W even outside of Chrome
  • Incompatible with Chrome 105.x
Most mentioned
  • Requires configuration after installation
  • Irreversible changes to keybindings
  • Disables Ctrl-W outside of Chrome
Recent reviews

Make sure to follow usage instructions
by Andrew Breidenbach, 2024-01-15

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.
by Elroyskimms, 2023-02-16
View all user reviews

Extension safety

Risk impact

Better Ctrl-W does not require any sensitive permissions.

Risk likelihood

Better Ctrl-W has earned a good reputation and can be trusted.

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