F.2 Mac / GNUstep Customization
There are a few customization options that are specific to the
Nextstep port. For example, they affect things such as the modifier
keys and the fullscreen behavior. To see all such options, use
M-x customize-group RET ns RET.
F.2.1 Modifier keys
The following variables control the behavior of the actual modifier keys:
ns-alternate-modifier``ns-right-alternate-modifier
The left and right Option or Alt keys.
ns-command-modifier``ns-right-command-modifier
The left and right Command keys.
ns-control-modifier``ns-right-control-modifier
The left and right Control keys.
ns-function-modifier
The Function (fn) key.
The value of each variable is either a symbol, describing the key for
any purpose, or a list of the form
(:ordinary symbol :function symbol :mouse symbol),
which describes the modifier when used with ordinary keys, function keys
(that do not produce a character, such as arrow keys), and mouse clicks.
If the symbol is one of control, meta, alt,
super or hyper, this describes the Emacs modifier it
represents. If symbol is none, Emacs does not use the
key, which retains its standard behavior. For instance, the
Option key in macOS is then used for composing additional
characters.
The variables for right-hand keys, like ns-right-alternate-modifier,
may also be set to left, which means to use the same behavior as
the corresponding left-hand key.
F.2.2 Frame Variables
ns-use-proxy-icon
This variable specifies whether to display the proxy icon in the titlebar.
ns-confirm-quit
This variable specifies whether to display a graphical confirmation dialogue on quitting.
ns-auto-hide-menu-bar
This variable specifies whether the macOS menu bar is hidden when an Emacs frame is selected. If non-nil the menu bar is not shown unless the mouse pointer is moved near to the top of the screen.
ns-use-native-fullscreen
This variable controls whether to use native, or non-native fullscreen. Native fullscreen is only available on macOS 10.7 and above.
F.2.3 macOS Trackpad/Mousewheel Variables
These variables only apply to macOS 10.7 (Lion) and above.
ns-use-mwheel-acceleration
This variable controls whether Emacs ignores the system mousewheel acceleration. When nil each ‘click’ of the mousewheel will correspond exactly with one mousewheel event. When non-nil, the default, each ‘click’ may correspond with more than one mousewheel event, depending on the user’s input.
ns-use-mwheel-momentum
This variable controls whether Emacs ignores the system ‘momentum’ when scrolling using a trackpad. When non-nil, the default, scrolling rapidly may result in the buffer continuing to scroll for a short while after the user has lifted their fingers off the trackpad.
ns-mwheel-line-height
This variable controls the sensitivity of scrolling with the trackpad. Apple trackpads scroll by pixels, not lines, so Emacs converts the system’s pixel values into lines. When set to a number, this variable sets the number of pixels Emacs will consider as one line. When nil or a non-number the default line height is used.
Setting a lower number makes the trackpad more sensitive, and a higher number makes the trackpad less sensitive.
F.2.4 Font Panel
The standard Mac / GNUstep font panel is accessible with M-x ns-popup-font-panel and will set the default font in the frame most
recently used or clicked on.