How do I get a list of commands starting with a certain key (combo) in Emacs?

Question

I can use Ch c ( describe-key-briefly ) and type a key combination and it will return me the function bound to it. But I'd also like to type only a prefix of a key combination and have it list and describe all functions bound to key sequences starting with it, like "all bound keys starting with Cx ".

Answer 1

Do the key combo then Ch. For your example of Cx, do Cx Ch. This also works with sub-maps, eg Cx r Ch to see everything under Cx r

Answer 2

It is also not the case that every prefix key works this way (follow it with Ch to see the bindings).

Here are two additional resources that can help:

• Command describe-keymap , in help-fns+.el . But to use it you need to have the keymap available (eg as the value of a variable, such as ctl-x-map ). Unlike just using Ch v on a keymap variable, the output is human readable.

• Icicles key completion . Just type the prefix key, then hit S-TAB . Buffer *Completions* shows you all possible completions: the keys plus their associated commands (or ... if they are themselves prefix keys). For multiple-level prefix keys (eg Cx r ) the candidates include prefix keys (eg prefix key r to partially complete prefix key Cx ). You can navigate up and down the keymap hierarchy this way. And you can cycle among candidates and hit CM-RET on any to see their complete help.