For a bit about the language, read `3bcw` as move `b`ackward by `3` words and `c`hange the `w`ord under the cursor.

The general form of `b` is `[count]b` where

    [count] An optional number that may precede the command to multiply
            or iterate the command.  If no number is given, a count of one    
            is used, unless otherwise noted.  Note that in this manual the
            [count] is not mentioned in the description of the command,
            but only in the explanation.  This was done to make the
            commands easier to look up.  If the 'showcmd' option is on,
            the (partially) entered count is shown at the bottom of the
            window.  You can use <Del> to erase the last digit (|N<Del>|).

    b       [count] words backward.  |exclusive| motion.

https://vimdoc.sourceforge.net/htmldoc/motion.html#b

For `c` it’s

    ["x]c{motion} Delete {motion} text [into register x] and start
                  insert.  When  'cpoptions' includes the 'E' flag and
                  there is no text to delete (e.g., with "cTx" when the
                  cursor is just after an 'x'), an error occurs and
                  insert mode does not start (this is Vi compatible).
                  When  'cpoptions' does not include the 'E' flag, the
                  "c" command always starts insert mode, even if there
                  is no text to delete.

    {motion} A command that moves the cursor.  These are explained in
             |motion.txt|.  Examples:
                 w           to start of next word
                 b           to begin of current word
                 4j          four lines down
                 /The<CR>    to next occurrence of "The"

https://vimdoc.sourceforge.net/htmldoc/intro.html#{motion}

I have yet to see a shell that has mouse enabled line editing support. It should certainly be possible though.

I do prefer vi bindings at the same time though. Vi bindings and mouse support complement each other well, you don't have to choose one or the other, just use whichever feels most natural and convenient in that exact moment.

> This weird command is presented with such a benevolent innocence as if it's the simplest thing in the world.

I think it's a question of context and familiarity. To a vim user, like me and, I assume, ahmedfromtunis, their examples do indeed seem simple and natural. Presumably, to an emacs user, the example you quote (if it's quoted literally—I don't use emacs and can't even tell) is just as natural, and assuming some comfort with emacs is presumably OK in a manual for the software!

It’s strange. I have heard this from lots of others too. I think I am an anomaly here. I can’t live without shell vi mode

agreed, i use neovim as a terminal multiplexer because vi-mode is really bad. I wrote a blog post on how i solved the issue for myself https://loosh.ch/blog/neovidenal

I'm the same and in my opinion this is the best of both worlds. Taking the time to learn some of the regular (emacs-style) shortcuts is one of the best investments I've ever done. Even just CTRL+Y and the likes.

edit: And of course, CTRL+R, the best time saver of all

Huh. I don’t use vi-mode for more than jumping to the beginning or end of a line, which I like a lot.

I used to hate it because I'd sometimes change modes without realizing it, but I began to appreciate it a lot more when I added a mode indicator -- a red 'N' on the rightmost side of the input line.

Agree.

I WANT to love it - and if I was only ever working on one, or a small number of systems that I was the only one working on I’d probably do it. I’m ALL about customizing my environment.

However ssh into various servers through the day (some of which are totally ephemeral), and having to code switch my brain back and forth between vim mode and emacs mode in the shell would just slow me down and be infuriating each time I connect to a new box.

remap Caps Lock to Ctrl and see the light from home row

The vim version is much easier, if you ask me: 3 strokes, 2 keys and 0 combinations.

The one you suggest however requires 4 strokes (ctrl then o then shift then s), 4 keys (ctrl, o, shift, s) and 2 combinations.

The "cc" sequence deletes the line and switches automatically to insert mode. To forgo the switch, the sequence then becomes "dd".

Or just <C-u> in insert mode. <C-u> and <C-w> are standard Vim insert mode commands.

https://vimhelp.org/insert.txt.html#i_CTRL-U

I use qwerty and azerty, and in both I never felt typing the sequence was any harder than typing any other regular word. Generally speaking, I prefer sequential "shortcuts" then multikey bindings.

Remap Capslock to Esc. Possible in every OS now.

Instead of esc, type ctrl [