Working on two platforms (Linux/OSX) at once, is sometime cumbersome. Especially when it comes to memorize keyboard bindings for the same kind of software like a terminal. It is a lot easier to create a common set of key bindings between two platforms, then to mentally switch between those two. This common set is being referenced as custom binding in the next sections.

byobu

Byobu is a open source text-based window manager and terminal multiplexer for the Ubuntu linux distribution.

To change the key binding in byobu the following file has to be edited:

/usr/share/byobu/keybindings/f-keys.tmux
Action Default binding Custom binding

Close tab/split

Ctrl + F6

Ctrl + w

New tab

F2

Ctrl + t

New split vertical

Ctrl + F2

Ctrl + d

New split horizontal

Shift + F2

Ctrl + h

Move focus between tabs forward

F4

Move focus between tabs backward

F3

Move focus between splits left/right/top/down

Shift + left/right/top/down

Zoom in/out in split

Shift + F11

Toggle function keys

Shift + F12

Toggle search/scroll mode

F7

iTerm2

To change the key binding in iTerm2 the following steps can be taken:

  1. Enter the preferences menu and switch to profiles tab.

  2. Duplicate the Default profile.

  3. Select the Duplicated profile and switch to Keys tab.

  4. Add a new keyboard shortcut with + and select the action from Select menu item …​.

  5. Set the Duplicated profile as default.

Action Default binding Custom Binding

Close tab/split

Cmd + w

New tab

Cmd + t

New split vertical

Cmd + d

New split horizontal

Cmd + Shift + d

Cmd + h

Switch focus between splits

Alt + Cmd + left, right, up, down

Shift + left/right/top/down

Window manager specific bindings

Table 1. Byobu on Ubuntu Linux
Action Default binding

Toggle full screen

F11
Table 2. iTerm2 on OSX
Action Default binding

Toggle Full Screen

Cmd + Enter

Maximize Active Pane

Shift + Cmd + Enter
iTerm2 overwriting default Toggle Full Screen binding to Ctrl + Cmd + f

  1. Enter System Preferences and select Keyboard

  2. Switch to the Shortcuts tab and select App shortcuts

  3. Add a new shortcut with + for the iTerm2 app.