iTerm2: 'Words - Forward, Backward and Delete' actions by word - Jump words in iTerm2

By default, iTerm2 doesn’t allow you to move/jump cursor over words. This works by default on Ubuntu and other Linux terminals. Let's try to enable them in the MAC OS - iTerm2 application.

1. Jump cursor forward over words using keyboard shortcut ⌥+←
2. Jump cursor backward over words using keyboard  shortcut ⌥+→
3. Delete by word using keyboard shortcut ⌥+delete

Here’s how you can configure iTerm2 on Mac OS to allow you to do the above operations:

Open iTerm2 > Preferences > Profiles > Keys and add below shortcuts:

• Add forward jump(#1):
• Keyboard Shortcut: ⌥+←
• Action: Send Escape Sequence
• Esc+b
• Add backward jump(#2):
• Keyboard Shortcut: ⌥+→
• Action: Send Escape Sequence
• Esc+f
• Enable delete by word (#3):
• Navigate to the keyboard shortcuts section "iTerm2 > Preferences > Profiles > Keys"
• Change setting "Left option(⌥) key" from 'Normal' to 'Esc+'
• By changing this option, now you can use ⌥+delete to delete by word

Well done! Now you have all the 3 shortcuts enabled. This saves a lot while using the terminal for day to day activities. Have fun!