Estimated reading time at 200 wpm: 2 minutes
Recently I moved to Espanso both on Windows and BigLinux for a free and easy way to create shortcuts for key phrases used. There are now several articles on this site about the learning. That means something. Espanso on Windows is easier to setup. It can output images, text, and a whole lot more – it triggers (shortcuts) created in YAML files.
Whether or not you agree our Fat Disclaimer applies
And nobody needs to ‘understand’ what a YAML file. Why? Because that understanding does nothing to assist proficiency or set up of Espanso. But hey ho – A YAML file – which is just a basic form of text file Some tweaking may be needed in base.yml and global.yml which would not contain triggers. Google or Gemini are your friends because I’m not here to spoon-feed a tutorial. This post is my notes. Below is sample of what the ‘code’ looks like in one YAML file. Pretty complicated – innit!
matches:
- trigger: /fafo
replace: fawk around and find out
- trigger: /ycm
replace: You couldn't make it up.Nobody has to use the following shortcuts or words – because anybody can define their own triggers and outputs. But if someone wants to start with some of these, then fine. Do I give a flying banana? I do not! (the latter generated in a flash by typing /digafb . Well if your brain cannot remember or find a way to remember your own trigger sequences, what are you doing reading this blog!? Kindly depart and never return! [/kdan]
Reactions & Feelings
| Trigger | Replacement |
|---|---|
/gut | Absolutely gutted! |
/chuf | I’m chuffed to bits! |
/gob | I’m absolutely gobsmacked! |
/knak | I’m completely knackered. |
/buzz | I’m buzzin’ right now! |
/spar | He’s gone spare. |
/bol | Oh bollocks, that’s not right. |
/bril | That’s bloody brilliant! |
/pear | It’s all gone pear-shaped. |
Greetings & Farewells
| Trigger | Replacement |
|---|---|
/alr | Alright, mate? How’s it going? |
/ta | Ta very much! |
/cher | Cheers, mate. I owe you one. |
/tara | Ta-ra a bit! |
/cupp | Fancy a cuppa? |
Social Situations
| Trigger | Replacement |
|---|---|
/chin | Fancy a chinwag? |
/mick | Are you taking the mickey? |
/spnn | Well, that’s thrown a spanner in the works. |
/dodg | That looks a bit dodgy to me. |
/faff | Stop faffing about! |
/dog | I need the hair of the dog. |
/fort | fortnight |
| /yhd | You have dogs to bathe. Go away now! |
Miscellaneous exclamations
| Trigger | Replacement |
|---|---|
/fafo | fawk around and find out |
| /kdan | Kindly depart and never return! |
/ycm | You couldn’t make it up. |
/digaff | Do I give a flying flamingo? I do not! |
/digafb | Do I give a flying banana? I do not! |
/igu | I give up! |
/eli | Elementary Watson. |
