diff --git a/doc/pages/changelog.asciidoc b/doc/pages/changelog.asciidoc
index 1e2ae07b..d81c5809 100644
--- a/doc/pages/changelog.asciidoc
+++ b/doc/pages/changelog.asciidoc
@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@ released versions.
 
 * `!` and `<a-!>` commands now select the inserted text
 
+* `x` now just extends the selection to contain full lines (as `<a-x>` did)
+  `<a-x>` trims partial lines from the selection (as `<a-X>` did)
+
 == Kakoune 2021.11.07
 
 * Support for curly and separately colored underlines (undocumented in 2021.10.28)
diff --git a/doc/pages/keys.asciidoc b/doc/pages/keys.asciidoc
index 95de80c7..29ddb54b 100644
--- a/doc/pages/keys.asciidoc
+++ b/doc/pages/keys.asciidoc
@@ -162,13 +162,9 @@ the Shift modifier and moving will extend each selection instead.
     characters, see the `matching_pairs` option in <<options#,`:doc options`>>
 
 *x*::
-    select line on which the end of each selection lies (or next line when end lies
-    on an end-of-line)
-
-*<a-x>*::
     expand selections to contain full lines (including end-of-lines)
 
-*<a-X>*::
+*<a-x>*::
     trim selections to only contain full lines (not including last
     end-of-line)
 
diff --git a/rc/detection/modeline.kak b/rc/detection/modeline.kak
index a35af3c7..7c0dcf44 100644
--- a/rc/detection/modeline.kak
+++ b/rc/detection/modeline.kak
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ define-command -hidden modeline-parse-impl %{
 define-command modeline-parse -docstring "Read and interpret vi-format modelines at the beginning/end of the buffer" %{
     try %{ evaluate-commands -draft %{
         execute-keys <percent> "s(?S)\A(.+\n){,%opt{modelines}}|(.+\n){,%opt{modelines}}\z<ret>" \
-             s^\S*?\s+?\w+:\s?[^\n]+<ret> <a-x>
+             s^\S*?\s+?\w+:\s?[^\n]+<ret> x
         evaluate-commands -draft -itersel modeline-parse-impl
     } }
 }
diff --git a/rc/filetype/awk.kak b/rc/filetype/awk.kak
index 85ec591a..536e3528 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/awk.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/awk.kak
@@ -73,16 +73,16 @@ define-command -hidden awk-indent-on-new-line %[
         # preserve previous line indent
         try %[ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> K <a-&> ]
         # cleanup trailing whitespaces from previous line
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft k x s \h+$ <ret> d ]
         # indent after line ending in opening curly brace
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>\{\h*(#.*)?$<ret> j<a-gt> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>\{\h*(#.*)?$<ret> j<a-gt> ]
         # deindent closing brace when after cursor
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*\} <ret> gh / \} <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*\} <ret> gh / \} <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
     ]
 ]
 
 define-command -hidden awk-trim-indent %{
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> <a-x> s ^\h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> x s ^\h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 @
diff --git a/rc/filetype/c-family.kak b/rc/filetype/c-family.kak
index 00f1a3d9..f56d9db2 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/c-family.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/c-family.kak
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ provide-module c-family %§
 
 define-command -hidden c-family-trim-indent %{
     # remove the line if it's empty when leaving the insert mode
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x> 1s^(\h+)$<ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft x 1s^(\h+)$<ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden c-family-indent-on-newline %< evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %<
@@ -75,31 +75,31 @@ define-command -hidden c-family-indent-on-newline %< evaluate-commands -draft -i
     > catch %<
         # else if previous line closed a paren (possibly followed by words and a comment),
         # copy indent of the opening paren line
-        execute-keys -draft k<a-x> 1s(\))(\h+\w+)*\h*(\;\h*)?(?://[^\n]+)?\n\z<ret> m<a-semicolon>J <a-S> 1<a-&>
+        execute-keys -draft kx 1s(\))(\h+\w+)*\h*(\;\h*)?(?://[^\n]+)?\n\z<ret> m<a-semicolon>J <a-S> 1<a-&>
     > catch %<
         # else indent new lines with the same level as the previous one
         execute-keys -draft K <a-&>
     >
     # remove previous empty lines resulting from the automatic indent
-    try %< execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k>^\h+$<ret> Hd >
+    try %< execute-keys -draft k x <a-k>^\h+$<ret> Hd >
     # indent after an opening brace or parenthesis at end of line
-    try %< execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k>[{(]\h*$<ret> j <a-gt> >
+    try %< execute-keys -draft k x <a-k>[{(]\h*$<ret> j <a-gt> >
     # indent after a label
-    try %< execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s[a-zA-Z0-9_-]+:\h*$<ret> j <a-gt> >
+    try %< execute-keys -draft k x s[a-zA-Z0-9_-]+:\h*$<ret> j <a-gt> >
     # indent after a statement not followed by an opening brace
-    try %< execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s\)\h*(?://[^\n]+)?\n\z<ret> \
+    try %< execute-keys -draft k x s\)\h*(?://[^\n]+)?\n\z<ret> \
                                <a-semicolon>mB <a-k>\A\b(if|for|while)\b<ret> <a-semicolon>j <a-gt> >
-    try %< execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s \belse\b\h*(?://[^\n]+)?\n\z<ret> \
+    try %< execute-keys -draft k x s \belse\b\h*(?://[^\n]+)?\n\z<ret> \
                                j <a-gt> >
     # deindent after a single line statement end
-    try %< execute-keys -draft K <a-x> <a-k>\;\h*(//[^\n]+)?$<ret> \
-                               K <a-x> s\)(\h+\w+)*\h*(//[^\n]+)?\n([^\n]*\n){2}\z<ret> \
+    try %< execute-keys -draft K x <a-k>\;\h*(//[^\n]+)?$<ret> \
+                               K x s\)(\h+\w+)*\h*(//[^\n]+)?\n([^\n]*\n){2}\z<ret> \
                                MB <a-k>\A\b(if|for|while)\b<ret> <a-S>1<a-&> >
-    try %< execute-keys -draft K <a-x> <a-k>\;\h*(//[^\n]+)?$<ret> \
-                               K <a-x> s \belse\b\h*(?://[^\n]+)?\n([^\n]*\n){2}\z<ret> \
+    try %< execute-keys -draft K x <a-k>\;\h*(//[^\n]+)?$<ret> \
+                               K x s \belse\b\h*(?://[^\n]+)?\n([^\n]*\n){2}\z<ret> \
                                <a-S>1<a-&> >
     # deindent closing brace(s) when after cursor
-    try %< execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*[})] <ret> gh / [})] <esc> m <a-S> 1<a-&> >
+    try %< execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*[})] <ret> gh / [})] <esc> m <a-S> 1<a-&> >
     # align to the opening parenthesis or opening brace (whichever is first)
     # on a previous line if its followed by text on the same line
     try %< evaluate-commands -draft %<
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ define-command -hidden c-family-indent-on-opening-curly-brace %[
     # align indent with opening paren when { is entered on a new line after the closing paren
     try %[ execute-keys -draft -itersel h<a-F>)M <a-k> \A\(.*\)\h*\n\h*\{\z <ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
     # align indent with opening paren when { is entered on a new line after the else
-    try %[ execute-keys -draft -itersel hK <a-x> s \belse\b\h*(?://[^\n]+)?\n\h*\{<ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
+    try %[ execute-keys -draft -itersel hK x s \belse\b\h*(?://[^\n]+)?\n\h*\{<ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
 ]
 
 define-command -hidden c-family-indent-on-closing-curly-brace %[
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ define-command -hidden c-family-indent-on-closing-curly-brace %[
 
 define-command -hidden c-family-insert-on-closing-curly-brace %[
     # add a semicolon after a closing brace if part of a class, union or struct definition
-    try %[ execute-keys -itersel -draft hm<a-x>B<a-x> <a-K>\A[^\n]+\)\h*(\{|$)<ret> <a-k>\A\h*(class|struct|union|enum)<ret> '<a-;>;i;<esc>' ]
+    try %[ execute-keys -itersel -draft hmxBx <a-K>\A[^\n]+\)\h*(\{|$)<ret> <a-k>\A\h*(class|struct|union|enum)<ret> '<a-;>;i;<esc>' ]
 ]
 
 define-command -hidden c-family-insert-on-newline %[ evaluate-commands -itersel -draft %[
@@ -142,10 +142,10 @@ define-command -hidden c-family-insert-on-newline %[ evaluate-commands -itersel
     try %[
         evaluate-commands -draft -save-regs '/"' %[
             # copy the commenting prefix
-            execute-keys -save-regs '' k <a-x>1s^\h*(//+\h*)<ret> y
+            execute-keys -save-regs '' k x1s^\h*(//+\h*)<ret> y
             try %[
                 # if the previous comment isn't empty, create a new one
-                execute-keys <a-x><a-K>^\h*//+\h*$<ret> j<a-x>s^\h*<ret>P
+                execute-keys x<a-K>^\h*//+\h*$<ret> jxs^\h*<ret>P
             ] catch %[
                 # if there is no text in the previous comment, remove it completely
                 execute-keys d
@@ -153,28 +153,28 @@ define-command -hidden c-family-insert-on-newline %[ evaluate-commands -itersel
         ]
 
         # trim trailing whitespace on the previous line
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s\h+$<ret> d ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft k x s\h+$<ret> d ]
     ]
     try %[
         # if the previous line isn't within a comment scope, break
-        execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^(\h*/\*|\h+\*(?!/))<ret>
+        execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^(\h*/\*|\h+\*(?!/))<ret>
 
         # find comment opening, validate it was not closed, and check its using star prefixes
         execute-keys -draft <a-?>/\*<ret><a-H> <a-K>\*/<ret> <a-k>\A\h*/\*([^\n]*\n\h*\*)*[^\n]*\n\h*.\z<ret>
 
         try %[
             # if the previous line is opening the comment, insert star preceeded by space
-            execute-keys -draft k<a-x><a-k>^\h*/\*<ret>
+            execute-keys -draft kx<a-k>^\h*/\*<ret>
             execute-keys -draft i*<space><esc>
         ] catch %[
            try %[
                 # if the next line is a comment line insert a star
-                execute-keys -draft j<a-x><a-k>^\h+\*<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft jx<a-k>^\h+\*<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft i*<space><esc>
             ] catch %[
                 try %[
                     # if the previous line is an empty comment line, close the comment scope
-                    execute-keys -draft k<a-x><a-k>^\h+\*\h+$<ret> <a-x>1s\*(\h*)<ret>c/<esc>
+                    execute-keys -draft kx<a-k>^\h+\*\h+$<ret> x1s\*(\h*)<ret>c/<esc>
                 ] catch %[
                     # if the previous line is a non-empty comment line, add a star
                     execute-keys -draft i*<space><esc>
@@ -183,9 +183,9 @@ define-command -hidden c-family-insert-on-newline %[ evaluate-commands -itersel
         ]
 
         # trim trailing whitespace on the previous line
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s\h+$<ret> d ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft k x s\h+$<ret> d ]
         # align the new star with the previous one
-        execute-keys K<a-x>1s^[^*]*(\*)<ret>&
+        execute-keys Kx1s^[^*]*(\*)<ret>&
     ]
 ] ]
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/cabal.kak b/rc/filetype/cabal.kak
index 42e56888..684542e2 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/cabal.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/cabal.kak
@@ -48,13 +48,13 @@ add-highlighter shared/cabal/code/ regex ^\h*([A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9_-]*)\h*: 1:vari
 
 define-command -hidden cabal-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden cabal-insert-on-new-line %[
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %[
         # copy '--' comment prefix and following white spaces
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*\K--\h* <ret> y gh j P ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*\K--\h* <ret> y gh j P ]
     ]
 ]
 
@@ -65,9 +65,9 @@ define-command -hidden cabal-indent-on-new-line %[
         # filter previous line
         try %[ execute-keys -draft k : cabal-trim-indent <ret> ]
         # indent after lines ending with { or :
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft <space> k <a-x> <a-k> [:{]$ <ret> j <a-gt> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft <space> k x <a-k> [:{]$ <ret> j <a-gt> ]
         # deindent closing brace when after cursor
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> \h*\} <ret> gh / \} <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> \h*\} <ret> gh / \} <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
     ]
 ]
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/coffee.kak b/rc/filetype/coffee.kak
index 58811a05..c9ee330c 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/coffee.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/coffee.kak
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/coffee/code/ regex \b(break|case|catch|class|const|contin
 
 define-command -hidden coffee-trim-indent %{
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
-        execute-keys <a-x>
+        execute-keys x
         # remove trailing white spaces
         try %{ execute-keys -draft s \h + $ <ret> d }
     }
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ define-command -hidden coffee-trim-indent %{
 define-command -hidden coffee-insert-on-new-line %{
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
         # copy '#' comment prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s '^\h*\K#\h*' <ret> y gh j P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s '^\h*\K#\h*' <ret> y gh j P }
     }
 }
 
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ define-command -hidden coffee-indent-on-new-line %{
         # filter previous line
         try %{ execute-keys -draft k : coffee-trim-indent <ret> }
         # indent after start structure
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> ^ \h * (case|catch|class|else|finally|for|function|if|switch|try|while|with) \b | (=|->) $ <ret> j <a-gt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> ^ \h * (case|catch|class|else|finally|for|function|if|switch|try|while|with) \b | (=|->) $ <ret> j <a-gt> }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/coq.kak b/rc/filetype/coq.kak
index 5ef43c86..cab1abf8 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/coq.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/coq.kak
@@ -112,13 +112,13 @@ evaluate-commands %sh{
 # Hence here only a simple mechanism of copying indent is done.
 define-command -hidden coq-copy-indent-on-newline %{
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h+ <ret> y gh j P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h+ <ret> y gh j P }
     }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden coq-trim-indent %{
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %{
-        execute-keys <a-x>
+        execute-keys x
         # remove trailing white spaces
         try %{ execute-keys -draft s \h + $ <ret> d }
     }
diff --git a/rc/filetype/crystal.kak b/rc/filetype/crystal.kak
index 7752698a..5a62e7dc 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/crystal.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/crystal.kak
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ evaluate-commands %sh[
 
 define-command -hidden crystal-trim-indent %{
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %{
-        execute-keys <a-x>
+        execute-keys x
         # remove trailing white spaces
         try %{ execute-keys -draft s \h+$ <ret> d }
     }
@@ -190,15 +190,15 @@ define-command -hidden crystal-trim-indent %{
 define-command -hidden crystal-indent-on-char %{
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %{
         # align 'else' to 'if/case'
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*else$   <ret> <a-a>i <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^\h*(?:if|case)                                               <ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*else$   <ret> <a-a>i <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^\h*(?:if|case)                                               <ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> }
         # align 'elsif' to 'if'
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*elsif$  <ret> <a-a>i <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^\h*(?:if)                                                    <ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*elsif$  <ret> <a-a>i <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^\h*(?:if)                                                    <ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> }
         # align 'when' to 'case'
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*when$   <ret> <a-a>i <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^\h*(?:case)                                                  <ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*when$   <ret> <a-a>i <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^\h*(?:case)                                                  <ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> }
         # align 'rescue' to 'begin/def'
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*rescue$ <ret> <a-a>i <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^\h*(?:begin|def)                                             <ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*rescue$ <ret> <a-a>i <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^\h*(?:begin|def)                                             <ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> }
         # align 'end' to opening structure
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*end$    <ret> <a-a>i <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^\h*(?:begin|case|class|def|for|if|module|unless|until|while) <ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*end$    <ret> <a-a>i <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^\h*(?:begin|case|class|def|for|if|module|unless|until|while) <ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> }
     }
 }
 
@@ -209,23 +209,23 @@ define-command -hidden crystal-indent-on-new-line %{
         # Remove previous line's trailing spaces
         try %{ execute-keys -draft k :crystal-trim-indent <ret> }
         # Indent after start structure/opening statement
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*(?:begin|case|class|def|else|elsif|ensure|for|if|module|rescue|unless|until|when|while|.+\bdo$|.+\bdo\h\|.+(?=\|))[^0-9A-Za-z_!?] <ret> j <a-gt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> ^\h*(?:begin|case|class|def|else|elsif|ensure|for|if|module|rescue|unless|until|when|while|.+\bdo$|.+\bdo\h\|.+(?=\|))[^0-9A-Za-z_!?] <ret> j <a-gt> }
     }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden crystal-insert-on-new-line %[
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %[
         # copy _#_ comment prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s '^\h*\K#\h*' <ret> y j <a-x><semicolon> P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s '^\h*\K#\h*' <ret> y j x<semicolon> P }
         # wisely add end structure
         evaluate-commands -save-regs x %[
-            try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^ \h + <ret> \" x y } catch %{ reg x '' }
+            try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^ \h + <ret> \" x y } catch %{ reg x '' }
             try %[
                 evaluate-commands -draft %[
                     # Check if previous line opens a block
-                    execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^<c-r>x(?:begin|case|class|def|for|if|module|unless|until|while|.+\bdo$|.+\bdo\h\|.+(?=\|))[^0-9A-Za-z_!?]<ret>
+                    execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^<c-r>x(?:begin|case|class|def|for|if|module|unless|until|while|.+\bdo$|.+\bdo\h\|.+(?=\|))[^0-9A-Za-z_!?]<ret>
                     # Check that we do not already have an end for this indent level which is first set via `crystal-indent-on-new-line` hook
-                    execute-keys -draft }i J <a-x> <a-K> ^<c-r>x(?:end|else|elsif|rescue|when)[^0-9A-Za-z_!?]<ret>
+                    execute-keys -draft }i J x <a-K> ^<c-r>x(?:end|else|elsif|rescue|when)[^0-9A-Za-z_!?]<ret>
                 ]
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>xend<esc> # insert a new line with containing end
             ]
diff --git a/rc/filetype/css.kak b/rc/filetype/css.kak
index d80949bb..b498a43f 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/css.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/css.kak
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/css/attr_selector/single_string region "'"  (?<!\\)(\\\\)
 
 define-command -hidden css-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden css-indent-on-new-line %[
@@ -124,17 +124,17 @@ define-command -hidden css-indent-on-new-line %[
         > catch %<
             # else if previous line closed a paren (possibly followed by words and a comment),
             # copy indent of the opening paren line
-            execute-keys -draft k<a-x> 1s(\))(\h+\w+)*\h*(\;\h*)?(?://[^\n]+)?\n\z<ret> m<a-semicolon>J <a-S> 1<a-&>
+            execute-keys -draft kx 1s(\))(\h+\w+)*\h*(\;\h*)?(?://[^\n]+)?\n\z<ret> m<a-semicolon>J <a-S> 1<a-&>
         > catch %<
             # else indent new lines with the same level as the previous one
             execute-keys -draft K <a-&>
         >
         # filter previous line
-        try %< execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k>^\h+$<ret> Hd >
+        try %< execute-keys -draft k x <a-k>^\h+$<ret> Hd >
         # indent after lines ending with with {
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> \{$ <ret> j <a-gt> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> \{$ <ret> j <a-gt> ]
         # deindent closing brace when after cursor
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*\} <ret> gh / \} <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*\} <ret> gh / \} <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
     ]
 ]
 
@@ -143,24 +143,24 @@ define-command -hidden css-insert-on-new-line %[
     execute-keys <semicolon>
     try %[
         # if the previous line isn't within a comment scope, break
-        execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^(\h*/\*|\h+\*(?!/))<ret>
+        execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^(\h*/\*|\h+\*(?!/))<ret>
 
         # find comment opening, validate it was not closed, and check its using star prefixes
         execute-keys -draft <a-?>/\*<ret><a-H> <a-K>\*/<ret> <a-k>\A\h*/\*([^\n]*\n\h*\*)*[^\n]*\n\h*.\z<ret>
 
         try %[
             # if the previous line is opening the comment, insert star preceeded by space
-            execute-keys -draft k<a-x><a-k>^\h*/\*<ret>
+            execute-keys -draft kx<a-k>^\h*/\*<ret>
             execute-keys -draft i*<space><esc>
         ] catch %[
            try %[
                 # if the next line is a comment line insert a star
-                execute-keys -draft j<a-x><a-k>^\h+\*<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft jx<a-k>^\h+\*<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft i*<space><esc>
             ] catch %[
                 try %[
                     # if the previous line is an empty comment line, close the comment scope
-                    execute-keys -draft k<a-x><a-k>^\h+\*\h+$<ret> <a-x>1s\*(\h*)<ret>c/<esc>
+                    execute-keys -draft kx<a-k>^\h+\*\h+$<ret> x1s\*(\h*)<ret>c/<esc>
                 ] catch %[
                     # if the previous line is a non-empty comment line, add a star
                     execute-keys -draft i*<space><esc>
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ define-command -hidden css-insert-on-new-line %[
         # trim trailing whitespace on the previous line
         try %[ execute-keys -draft s\h+$<ret> d ]
         # align the new star with the previous one
-        execute-keys K<a-x>1s^[^*]*(\*)<ret>&
+        execute-keys Kx1s^[^*]*(\*)<ret>&
     ]
     >
 ]
diff --git a/rc/filetype/cucumber.kak b/rc/filetype/cucumber.kak
index 335d4933..00c2a42f 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/cucumber.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/cucumber.kak
@@ -78,13 +78,13 @@ add-highlighter shared/cucumber/code/ regex \b(Feature|Business\h+Need|Ability|B
 
 define-command -hidden cucumber-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden cucumber-insert-on-new-line %{
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
         # copy '#' comment prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*\K#\h* <ret> y gh j P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*\K#\h* <ret> y gh j P }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/cue.kak b/rc/filetype/cue.kak
index c89845e4..f4008377 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/cue.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/cue.kak
@@ -122,13 +122,13 @@ evaluate-commands %sh{
 
 define-command -hidden cue-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden cue-insert-on-new-line %~
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %<
         # copy // comments prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon><c-s>k<a-x> s ^\h*\K//[!/]?\h* <ret> y<c-o>P<esc> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon><c-s>kx s ^\h*\K//[!/]?\h* <ret> y<c-o>P<esc> }
     >
 ~
 
@@ -138,13 +138,13 @@ define-command -hidden cue-indent-on-new-line %~
         try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> K <a-&> }
         try %<
             # only if we didn't copy a comment
-            execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-K> ^\h*// <ret>
+            execute-keys -draft x <a-K> ^\h*// <ret>
             # indent after lines ending with { or (
-            try %[ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> [{(]\h*$ <ret> j <a-gt> ]
+            try %[ execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> [{(]\h*$ <ret> j <a-gt> ]
             # indent after lines ending with [{(].+ and move first parameter to own line
             try %< execute-keys -draft [c[({],[)}] <ret> <a-k> \A[({][^\n]+\n[^\n]*\n?\z <ret> L i<ret><esc> <gt> <a-S> <a-&> >
             # deindent closing brace(s) when after cursor
-            try %< execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*[})] <ret> gh / [})] <ret>  m <a-S> 1<a-&> >
+            try %< execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*[})] <ret> gh / [})] <ret>  m <a-S> 1<a-&> >
         >
         # filter previous line
         try %{ execute-keys -draft k : cue-trim-indent <ret> }
diff --git a/rc/filetype/d.kak b/rc/filetype/d.kak
index f2d8a2a1..7d2f307b 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/d.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/d.kak
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=d %{
     set-option window static_words %opt{d_static_words}
 
     # cleanup trailing whitespaces when exiting insert mode
-    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group d-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x>s^\h+$<ret>d } }
+    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group d-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft xs^\h+$<ret>d } }
     hook window InsertChar \n -group d-insert d-insert-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \n -group d-indent d-indent-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \{ -group d-indent d-indent-on-opening-curly-brace
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/d/code/ regex "\bmodule\s+([\w_-]+)\b" 1:module
 define-command -hidden d-insert-on-new-line %~
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %=
         # copy // comments prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon><c-s>k<a-x> s ^\h*\K/{2,}\h* <ret> y<c-o>P<esc> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon><c-s>kx s ^\h*\K/{2,}\h* <ret> y<c-o>P<esc> }
     =
 ~
 
@@ -118,17 +118,17 @@ define-command -hidden d-indent-on-new-line %~
         # preserve previous line indent
         try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon>K<a-&> }
         # indent after lines ending with { or (
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k> [{(]\h*$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft kx <a-k> [{(]\h*$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
         # cleanup trailing white spaces on the previous line
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> s \h+$ <ret>d }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft kx s \h+$ <ret>d }
         # align to opening paren of previous line
         try %{ execute-keys -draft [( <a-k> \A\([^\n]+\n[^\n]*\n?\z <ret> s \A\(\h*.|.\z <ret> '<a-;>' & }
         # indent after a switch's case/default statements
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k> ^\h*(case|default).*:$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft kx <a-k> ^\h*(case|default).*:$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
         # indent after if|else|while|for
         try %[ execute-keys -draft <semicolon><a-F>)MB <a-k> \A(if|else|while|for)\h*\(.*\)\h*\n\h*\n?\z <ret> s \A|.\z <ret> 1<a-&>1<a-space><a-gt> ]
         # deindent closing brace(s) when after cursor
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*[})] <ret> gh / [})] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*[})] <ret> gh / [})] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
     =
 ~
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/dart.kak b/rc/filetype/dart.kak
index 2a2150b1..7091f1c5 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/dart.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/dart.kak
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=dart %{
     set-option window static_words %opt{dart_static_words}
 
     # cleanup trailing whitespaces when exiting insert mode
-    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group dart-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x>s^\h+$<ret>d } }
+    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group dart-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft xs^\h+$<ret>d } }
     hook window InsertChar \n -group dart-insert dart-insert-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \n -group dart-indent dart-indent-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \{ -group dart-indent dart-indent-on-opening-curly-brace
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ evaluate-commands %sh{
 define-command -hidden dart-insert-on-new-line %~
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %=
         # copy // comments prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon><c-s>k<a-x> s ^\h*\K/{2,}\h* <ret> y<c-o>P<esc> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon><c-s>kx s ^\h*\K/{2,}\h* <ret> y<c-o>P<esc> }
     =
 ~
 
@@ -99,17 +99,17 @@ define-command -hidden dart-indent-on-new-line %~
         # preserve previous line indent
         try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon>K<a-&> }
         # indent after lines ending with { or (
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k> [{(]\h*$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft kx <a-k> [{(]\h*$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
         # cleanup trailing white spaces on the previous line
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> s \h+$ <ret>d }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft kx s \h+$ <ret>d }
         # align to opening paren of previous line
         try %{ execute-keys -draft [( <a-k> \A\([^\n]+\n[^\n]*\n?\z <ret> s \A\(\h*.|.\z <ret> '<a-;>' & }
         # indent after a switch's case/default statements
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k> ^\h*(case|default).*:$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft kx <a-k> ^\h*(case|default).*:$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
         # indent after if|else|while|for
         try %[ execute-keys -draft <semicolon><a-F>)MB <a-k> \A(if|else|while|for)\h*\(.*\)\h*\n\h*\n?\z <ret> s \A|.\z <ret> 1<a-&>1<a-space><a-gt> ]
         # deindent closing brace when after cursor
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*\} <ret> gh / \} <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*\} <ret> gh / \} <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
     =
 ~
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/dhall.kak b/rc/filetype/dhall.kak
index 75ebc30f..94b69d66 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/dhall.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/dhall.kak
@@ -78,13 +78,13 @@ add-highlighter shared/dhall/union/end regex > 0:operator
 
 define-command -hidden dhall-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden dhall-insert-on-new-line %{
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
         # copy -- comments prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*\K--\h* <ret> y gh j P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*\K--\h* <ret> y gh j P }
     }
 }
 define-command -hidden dhall-indent-on-new-line %{
diff --git a/rc/filetype/diff.kak b/rc/filetype/diff.kak
index 9391ae1e..2655b9b5 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/diff.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/diff.kak
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ define-command diff-jump -params .. -docstring %{
         set-register c %val{cursor_column}
         # If there is a "diff" line, we don't need to look further back.
         try %{
-            execute-keys %{<a-l><semicolon><a-?>^(?:> )*diff\b<ret><a-x>}
+            execute-keys %{<a-l><semicolon><a-?>^(?:> )*diff\b<ret>x}
         } catch %{
             # A single file diff won't have a diff line. Start parsing from
             # the buffer start, so we can tell if +++/--- lines are headers
diff --git a/rc/filetype/elixir.kak b/rc/filetype/elixir.kak
index 5e099df2..9c060525 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/elixir.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/elixir.kak
@@ -89,22 +89,22 @@ add-highlighter shared/elixir/code/ regex '\b\d+[\d_]*\b' 0:value
 
 define-command -hidden elixir-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden elixir-insert-on-new-line %[
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %[
         # copy '#' comment prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*\K#\h* <ret> y jgi P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*\K#\h* <ret> y jgi P }
         # wisely add end structure
         evaluate-commands -save-regs x %[
-            try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^ \h + <ret> \" x y } catch %{ reg x '' }
+            try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^ \h + <ret> \" x y } catch %{ reg x '' }
             try %[
                 evaluate-commands -draft %[
                     # Check if previous line opens a block
-                    execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^<c-r>x(.+\bdo$)<ret>
+                    execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^<c-r>x(.+\bdo$)<ret>
                     # Check that we do not already have an end for this indent level which is first set via `elixir-indent-on-new-line` hook
-                    execute-keys -draft }i J <a-x> <a-K> ^<c-r>x(end|else)[^0-9A-Za-z_!?]<ret>
+                    execute-keys -draft }i J x <a-K> ^<c-r>x(end|else)[^0-9A-Za-z_!?]<ret>
                 ]
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>xend<esc> # insert a new line with containing end
             ]
diff --git a/rc/filetype/elm.kak b/rc/filetype/elm.kak
index d5a76fcf..0bd51967 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/elm.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/elm.kak
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/elm/code/ regex (?<![-+<>!@#$%^&*=:/\\|])(->|:|=|\|)(?![-
 
 define-command -hidden elm-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden elm-indent-after "
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ define-command -hidden elm-indent-after "
 define-command -hidden elm-insert-on-new-line %{
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
         # copy -- comments prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*\K--\h* <ret> y gh j P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*\K--\h* <ret> y gh j P }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/elvish.kak b/rc/filetype/elvish.kak
index 1b3eec07..53778626 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/elvish.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/elvish.kak
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/elvish/code/metachar regex [*?|&\;<>()[\]{}] 0:operator
 
 define-command -hidden elvish-trim-indent %{
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %{
-        execute-keys <a-x>
+        execute-keys x
         # remove trailing white spaces
         try %{ execute-keys -draft s \h + $ <ret> d }
     }
@@ -49,19 +49,19 @@ define-command -hidden elvish-indent %< evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %<
     execute-keys <semicolon>
     try %<
         # if the previous line is a comment, copy indent, # and whitespace
-        execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s^\h*#\h*<ret> yjP
+        execute-keys -draft k x s^\h*#\h*<ret> yjP
     > catch %<
         # copy indent
         execute-keys -draft K <a-&>
         # indent after { [ ( |
-        try %< execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k>[[{(|]\h*$<ret> j <a-gt> >
+        try %< execute-keys -draft k x <a-k>[[{(|]\h*$<ret> j <a-gt> >
     >
 >>
 
 define-command -hidden elvish-deindent %< evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %<
     try %<
         # Deindent only when there is a lone closing character
-        execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k>^\h*[^\h]$<ret> <a-lt>
+        execute-keys -draft x <a-k>^\h*[^\h]$<ret> <a-lt>
     >
 >>
 §
diff --git a/rc/filetype/fidl.kak b/rc/filetype/fidl.kak
index 4164d838..351eeb41 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/fidl.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/fidl.kak
@@ -45,14 +45,14 @@ add-highlighter shared/fidl/code/literals/binary regex \b(0b[01])\b 0:value
 
 define-command -hidden fidl-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden fidl-indent-on-new-line %~
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %@
         try %{ # line comment
             # copy the commenting prefix
-            execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*/{2,}\h* <ret> yjghP
+            execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*/{2,}\h* <ret> yjghP
         } catch %`
             # preserve previous line indent
             try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> K <a-&> }
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ define-command -hidden fidl-indent-on-new-line %~
                 execute-keys -draft <a-k> [)}] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&>
             + catch %+
                 # indent after lines ending with ( or {
-                try %! execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> [({]$ <ret> j <a-gt> !
+                try %! execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> [({]$ <ret> j <a-gt> !
             +
         `
         # remove trailing white spaces
diff --git a/rc/filetype/fish.kak b/rc/filetype/fish.kak
index f2ca922f..0bfcc4f0 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/fish.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/fish.kak
@@ -53,23 +53,23 @@ add-highlighter shared/fish/code/ regex \b(?<![$-])(and|argparse|begin|bg|bind|b
 define-command -hidden fish-trim-indent %{
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %{
         # remove trailing white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x> 1s^(\h+)$<ret> d }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft x 1s^(\h+)$<ret> d }
     }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden fish-indent-on-char %{
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %{
         # align middle and end structures to start and indent when necessary
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x><a-k>^\h*(else)$<ret><a-semicolon><a-?>^\h*(if)<ret>s\A|.\z<ret>1<a-&> }
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x><a-k>^\h*(end)$<ret><a-semicolon><a-?>^\h*(begin|for|function|if|switch|while)<ret>s\A|.\z<ret>1<a-&> }
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x><a-k>^\h*(case)$<ret><a-semicolon><a-?>^\h*(switch)<ret>s\A|.\z<ret>1<a-&> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft x<a-k>^\h*(else)$<ret><a-semicolon><a-?>^\h*(if)<ret>s\A|.\z<ret>1<a-&> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft x<a-k>^\h*(end)$<ret><a-semicolon><a-?>^\h*(begin|for|function|if|switch|while)<ret>s\A|.\z<ret>1<a-&> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft x<a-k>^\h*(case)$<ret><a-semicolon><a-?>^\h*(switch)<ret>s\A|.\z<ret>1<a-&> }
     }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden fish-insert-on-new-line %{
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %{
         # copy '#' comment prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*#\h* <ret> y jgh P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*#\h* <ret> y jgh P }
     }
 }
 
@@ -78,9 +78,9 @@ define-command -hidden fish-indent-on-new-line %{
         # preserve previous line indent
         try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> K <a-&> }
         # cleanup trailing whitespaces from previous line
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s \h+$ <ret> d }
         # indent after start structure
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k<a-x><a-k>^\h*(begin|case|else|for|function|if|while)\b<ret>j<a-gt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft kx<a-k>^\h*(begin|case|else|for|function|if|while)\b<ret>j<a-gt> }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/fsharp.kak b/rc/filetype/fsharp.kak
index 03aab385..f2909e0b 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/fsharp.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/fsharp.kak
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/fsharp/code/ regex "\B(\(\))\B" 0:value
 
 define-command -hidden fsharp-trim-indent %{
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %{
-        execute-keys <a-x>
+        execute-keys x
         # remove trailing white spaces
         try %{ execute-keys -draft s \h + $ <ret> d }
     }
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ define-command -hidden fsharp-trim-indent %{
 define-command -hidden fsharp-insert-on-new-line %{
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
         # copy // comments prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*//\h* <ret> y jgh P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*//\h* <ret> y jgh P }
     }
 }
 
@@ -146,11 +146,11 @@ define-command -hidden fsharp-indent-on-new-line %{
         # preserve previous line indent
         try %{ execute-keys -draft \; K <a-&> }
         # cleanup trailing whitespaces from previous line
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s \h+$ <ret> d }
         # indent after line ending with =
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k <a-x> <a-k> =$ <ret> j <a-gt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k x <a-k> =$ <ret> j <a-gt> }
         # indent after line ending with "do"
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k <a-x> <a-k> \bdo$ <ret> j <a-gt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k x <a-k> \bdo$ <ret> j <a-gt> }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/gas.kak b/rc/filetype/gas.kak
index 5f753d54..eb8d4c25 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/gas.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/gas.kak
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/gas/code/ regex \
 
 define-command -hidden gas-trim-indent %{
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
-        execute-keys <a-x>
+        execute-keys x
         # remove trailing white spaces
         try %{ execute-keys -draft s \h+$ <ret> d }
     }
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ define-command -hidden gas-indent-on-new-line %~
         # filter previous line
         try %{ execute-keys -draft k : gas-trim-indent <ret> }
         # indent after label
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> :$ <ret> j <a-gt> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> :$ <ret> j <a-gt> ]
     >
 ~
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/gdscript.kak b/rc/filetype/gdscript.kak
index 167fc68c..7f716554 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/gdscript.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/gdscript.kak
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=gdscript %{
     hook window InsertChar \n -group gdscript-insert gdscript-insert-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \n -group gdscript-indent gdscript-indent-on-new-line
     # cleanup trailing whitespaces on current line insert end
-    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group gdscript-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> <a-x> s ^\h+$ <ret> d } }
+    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group gdscript-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> x s ^\h+$ <ret> d } }
     hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window gdscript-.+ }
 }
 
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/gdscript/code/ regex '\$[\w/]*'                        0:
 define-command -hidden gdscript-insert-on-new-line %{
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
         # copy '#' comment prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*#\h* <ret> y jgh P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*#\h* <ret> y jgh P }
     }
 }
 
@@ -99,11 +99,11 @@ define-command -hidden gdscript-indent-on-new-line %<
         # preserve previous line indent
         try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> K <a-&> }
         # cleanup trailing whitespaces from previous line
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s \h+$ <ret> d }
         # indent after line ending with :
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k <a-x> <a-k> :$ <ret> <a-K> ^\h*# <ret> j <a-gt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k x <a-k> :$ <ret> <a-K> ^\h*# <ret> j <a-gt> }
         # deindent closing brace/bracket when after cursor (for arrays and dictionaries)
-        try %< execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*[}\]] <ret> gh / [}\]] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> >
+        try %< execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*[}\]] <ret> gh / [}\]] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> >
     >
 >
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/gluon.kak b/rc/filetype/gluon.kak
index 17080cb9..2c4b96b4 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/gluon.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/gluon.kak
@@ -76,13 +76,13 @@ add-highlighter shared/gluon/code/ regex \B'([^\\]|[\\]['"\w\d\\])' 0:string
 
 define-command -hidden gluon-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden gluon-insert-on-new-line %~
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %_
         # copy // and /// comments prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*\K///?\h* <ret> y gh j P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*\K///?\h* <ret> y gh j P }
     _
 ~
 
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ define-command -hidden gluon-indent-on-new-line %~
         # or in
         try %{ execute-keys -draft \; k x <a-k> (\(|\{|\[|=|->|\b(?:then|else|rec|in))$ <ret> j <a-gt> }
         # deindent closing brace(s) when after cursor
-        try %< execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*[})\]] <ret> gh / \})\]] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> >
+        try %< execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*[})\]] <ret> gh / \})\]] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> >
     _
 ~
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/go.kak b/rc/filetype/go.kak
index 416e38ff..af5a7a86 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/go.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/go.kak
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=go %{
     set-option window static_words %opt{go_static_words}
 
     # cleanup trailing whitespaces when exiting insert mode
-    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group go-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x>s^\h+$<ret>d } }
+    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group go-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft xs^\h+$<ret>d } }
     hook window InsertChar \n -group go-indent go-indent-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \{ -group go-indent go-indent-on-opening-curly-brace
     hook window InsertChar \} -group go-indent go-indent-on-closing-curly-brace
@@ -103,10 +103,10 @@ define-command -hidden go-indent-on-new-line %~
         # preserve previous line indent
         try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon>K<a-&> }
         # cleanup trailing white spaces on the previous line
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> s \h+$ <ret>d }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft kx s \h+$ <ret>d }
         try %{
             try %{ # line comment
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> s ^\h*// <ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx s ^\h*// <ret>
             } catch %{ # block comment
                 execute-keys -draft <a-?> /\* <ret> <a-K>\*/<ret>
             }
@@ -114,9 +114,9 @@ define-command -hidden go-indent-on-new-line %~
             # indent after lines with an unclosed { or (
             try %< execute-keys -draft [c[({],[)}] <ret> <a-k> \A[({][^\n]*\n[^\n]*\n?\z <ret> j<a-gt> >
             # indent after a switch's case/default statements
-            try %[ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k> ^\h*(case|default).*:$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
+            try %[ execute-keys -draft kx <a-k> ^\h*(case|default).*:$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
             # deindent closing brace(s) when after cursor
-            try %[ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*[})] <ret> gh / [})] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
+            try %[ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*[})] <ret> gh / [})] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
         }
     =
 ~
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ define-command -hidden go-indent-on-closing-curly-brace %[
 define-command -hidden go-insert-comment-on-new-line %[
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %[
         # copy // comments prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon><c-s>k<a-x> s ^\h*\K/{2,}\h* <ret> y<c-o>P<esc> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon><c-s>kx s ^\h*\K/{2,}\h* <ret> y<c-o>P<esc> }
     ]
 ]
 
@@ -143,28 +143,28 @@ define-command -hidden go-insert-closing-delimiter-on-new-line %[
         # Wisely add '}'.
         evaluate-commands -save-regs x %[
             # Save previous line indent in register x.
-            try %[ execute-keys -draft k<a-x>s^\h+<ret>"xy ] catch %[ reg x '' ]
+            try %[ execute-keys -draft kxs^\h+<ret>"xy ] catch %[ reg x '' ]
             try %[
                 # Validate previous line and that it is not closed yet.
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^<c-r>x.*\{\h*\(?\h*$<ret> j}iJ<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x\)?\h*\}<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^<c-r>x.*\{\h*\(?\h*$<ret> j}iJx <a-K>^<c-r>x\)?\h*\}<ret>
                 # Insert closing '}'.
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>x}<esc>
                 # Delete trailing '}' on the line below the '{'.
-                execute-keys -draft Xs\}$<ret>d
+                execute-keys -draft xs\}$<ret>d
             ]
         ]
 
         # Wisely add ')'.
         evaluate-commands -save-regs x %[
             # Save previous line indent in register x.
-            try %[ execute-keys -draft k<a-x>s^\h+<ret>"xy ] catch %[ reg x '' ]
+            try %[ execute-keys -draft kxs^\h+<ret>"xy ] catch %[ reg x '' ]
             try %[
                 # Validate previous line and that it is not closed yet.
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^<c-r>x.*\(\h*$<ret> J}iJ<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x\)<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^<c-r>x.*\(\h*$<ret> J}iJx <a-K>^<c-r>x\)<ret>
                 # Insert closing ')'.
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>x)<esc>
                 # Delete trailing ')' on the line below the '('.
-                execute-keys -draft Xs\)\h*\}?\h*$<ret>d
+                execute-keys -draft xs\)\h*\}?\h*$<ret>d
             ]
         ]
     ]
diff --git a/rc/filetype/graphql.kak b/rc/filetype/graphql.kak
index 83bfa811..85bf71de 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/graphql.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/graphql.kak
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/graphql/object/field/expand-fragment regex '\.\.\.(?=\w)'
 
 define-command -hidden graphql-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden graphql-indent-on-char %<
@@ -91,9 +91,9 @@ define-command -hidden graphql-indent-on-new-line %<
         # filter previous line
         try %{ execute-keys -draft k : graphql-trim-indent <ret> }
         # indent after lines ending with opener token
-        try %< execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> [[{]\h*$ <ret> j <a-gt> >
+        try %< execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> [[{]\h*$ <ret> j <a-gt> >
         # deindent closer token(s) when after cursor
-        try %< execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*[}\]] <ret> gh / [}\]] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> >
+        try %< execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*[}\]] <ret> gh / [}\]] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> >
     >
 >
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/haml.kak b/rc/filetype/haml.kak
index e7bdb43d..492e78a9 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/haml.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/haml.kak
@@ -54,13 +54,13 @@ add-highlighter shared/haml/code/ regex ^\h*%([A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9_-]*)([#.][A-Za-
 
 define-command -hidden haml-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden haml-insert-on-new-line %{
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
         # copy '/' comment prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*\K/\h* <ret> y gh j P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*\K/\h* <ret> y gh j P }
     }
 }
 
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ define-command -hidden haml-indent-on-new-line %{
         # filter previous line
         try %{ execute-keys -draft k : haml-trim-indent <ret> }
         # indent after lines beginning with : or -
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*[:-] <ret> j <a-gt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> ^\h*[:-] <ret> j <a-gt> }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/hare.kak b/rc/filetype/hare.kak
index 47d0da41..3d59be12 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/hare.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/hare.kak
@@ -95,22 +95,22 @@ provide-module hare %§
         # preserve indentation on new lines
         try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> K <a-&> }
         # indent after lines ending with { or (
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k> [{(]\h*$ <ret> j i<tab> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft kx <a-k> [{(]\h*$ <ret> j i<tab> ]
         # cleanup trailing white spaces on the previous line
         execute-keys -draft k :hare-trim-indent <ret>
         # indent after match/switch's case statements
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k> case\h.*=>\h*$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft kx <a-k> case\h.*=>\h*$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
         # deindent closing brace(s) when after cursor
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*[})] <ret> gh / [})] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*[})] <ret> gh / [})] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
     } }
 
     define-command -hidden hare-insert-on-new-line %{ evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
         try %{ evaluate-commands -draft -save-regs '/"' %{
             # copy the comment prefix
-            execute-keys -save-regs '' k <a-x> s ^\h*\K//\h* <ret> y
+            execute-keys -save-regs '' k x s ^\h*\K//\h* <ret> y
             try %{
                 # paste the comment prefix
-                execute-keys <a-x> j <a-x> s ^\h* <ret>P
+                execute-keys x j x s ^\h* <ret>P
             }
         } }
         try %{
@@ -131,6 +131,6 @@ provide-module hare %§
 
     define-command -hidden hare-trim-indent %{ evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
         # remove trailing whitespace
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft x s \h+$ <ret> d }
     } }
 §
diff --git a/rc/filetype/haskell.kak b/rc/filetype/haskell.kak
index 92a8b5a3..9beed993 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/haskell.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/haskell.kak
@@ -101,13 +101,13 @@ add-highlighter shared/haskell/code/ regex \bderiving\b\s+(?:[A-Z]['\w]+|\([',\w
 
 define-command -hidden haskell-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden haskell-insert-on-new-line %{
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
         # copy -- comments prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*\K--\h* <ret> y gh j P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*\K--\h* <ret> y gh j P }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/hbs.kak b/rc/filetype/hbs.kak
index e3a93505..5a9efaef 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/hbs.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/hbs.kak
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/hbs-file/html default-region ref html
 
 define-command -hidden hbs-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden hbs-indent-on-char %[
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ define-command -hidden hbs-indent-on-char %[
 define-command -hidden hbs-insert-on-new-line %{
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
         # copy '/' comment prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*\K/\h* <ret> y j p }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*\K/\h* <ret> y j p }
     }
 }
 
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ define-command -hidden hbs-indent-on-new-line %{
         # filter previous line
         try %{ execute-keys -draft k : hbs-trim-indent <ret> }
         # indent after lines beginning with : or -
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*[:-] <ret> j <a-gt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> ^\h*[:-] <ret> j <a-gt> }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/html.kak b/rc/filetype/html.kak
index 33e65a9b..8a68c69f 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/html.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/html.kak
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/html/tag/base/ regex <(!DOCTYPE(\h+\w+)+) 1:meta
 
 define-command -hidden html-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden html-indent-on-greater-than %[
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ define-command -hidden html-indent-on-new-line %{
         # filter previous line
         try %{ execute-keys -draft k : html-trim-indent <ret> }
         # indent after lines ending with opening tag except when it starts with a closing tag
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> <lt>(?!area)(?!base)(?!br)(?!col)(?!command)(?!embed)(?!hr)(?!img)(?!input)(?!keygen)(?!link)(?!menuitem)(?!meta)(?!param)(?!source)(?!track)(?!wbr)(?!/)(?!>)[a-zA-Z0-9_-]+[^>]*?>$ <ret>j<a-x><a-K>^\s*<lt>/<ret><a-gt> } }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> <lt>(?!area)(?!base)(?!br)(?!col)(?!command)(?!embed)(?!hr)(?!img)(?!input)(?!keygen)(?!link)(?!menuitem)(?!meta)(?!param)(?!source)(?!track)(?!wbr)(?!/)(?!>)[a-zA-Z0-9_-]+[^>]*?>$ <ret>jx<a-K>^\s*<lt>/<ret><a-gt> } }
 }
 
 ]
diff --git a/rc/filetype/i3.kak b/rc/filetype/i3.kak
index 73c3ed5f..deafb6c3 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/i3.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/i3.kak
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=i3 %[
     require-module i3
 
     # cleanup trailing whitespaces when exiting insert mode
-    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group i3-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x>s^\h+$<ret>d } }
+    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group i3-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft xs^\h+$<ret>d } }
     hook window InsertChar \n -group i3-insert i3-insert-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \n -group i3-indent i3-indent-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \} -group i3-indent i3-indent-on-closing-curly-brace
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/i3/code/ regex "client\.(focused_inactive|focused_tab_tit
 define-command -hidden i3-insert-on-new-line %~
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %=
         # copy # comments prefix
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> s ^\h*#\h* <ret> y jgh P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft kx s ^\h*#\h* <ret> y jgh P }
     =
 ~
 
@@ -80,9 +80,9 @@ define-command -hidden i3-indent-on-new-line %~
         # preserve previous line indent
         try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon>K<a-&> }
         # indent after lines ending with {
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k> \{\h*$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft kx <a-k> \{\h*$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
         # cleanup trailing white spaces on the previous line
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> s \h+$ <ret>d }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft kx s \h+$ <ret>d }
     =
 ~
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/java.kak b/rc/filetype/java.kak
index bad48834..d252b4b6 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/java.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/java.kak
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=java %{
     set-option window static_words %opt{java_static_words}
 
     # cleanup trailing whitespaces when exiting insert mode
-    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group java-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x>s^\h+$<ret>d } }
+    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group java-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft xs^\h+$<ret>d } }
     hook window InsertChar \n -group java-insert java-insert-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \n -group java-indent java-indent-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \{ -group java-indent java-indent-on-opening-curly-brace
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/java/code/ regex "(?<!\w)@\w+\b" 0:meta
 
 define-command -hidden java-insert-on-new-line %[
         # copy // comments prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon><c-s>k<a-x> s ^\h*\K/{2,}\h* <ret> y<c-o>P<esc> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon><c-s>kx s ^\h*\K/{2,}\h* <ret> y<c-o>P<esc> }
 ]
 
 define-command -hidden java-indent-on-new-line %~
@@ -50,17 +50,17 @@ define-command -hidden java-indent-on-new-line %~
         # preserve previous line indent
         try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon>K<a-&> }
         # indent after lines ending with { or (
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k> [{(]\h*$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft kx <a-k> [{(]\h*$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
         # cleanup trailing white spaces on the previous line
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> s \h+$ <ret>d }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft kx s \h+$ <ret>d }
         # align to opening paren of previous line
         try %{ execute-keys -draft [( <a-k> \A\([^\n]+\n[^\n]*\n?\z <ret> s \A\(\h*.|.\z <ret> '<a-;>' & }
         # indent after a switch's case/default statements
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k> ^\h*(case|default).*:$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft kx <a-k> ^\h*(case|default).*:$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
         # indent after keywords
         try %[ execute-keys -draft <semicolon><a-F>)MB <a-k> \A(if|else|while|for|try|catch)\h*\(.*\)\h*\n\h*\n?\z <ret> s \A|.\z <ret> 1<a-&>1<a-space><a-gt> ]
         # deindent closing brace(s) when after cursor
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*[})] <ret> gh / [})] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*[})] <ret> gh / [})] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
     =
 ~
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/javascript.kak b/rc/filetype/javascript.kak
index 2f55540a..1f39aa6a 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/javascript.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/javascript.kak
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ provide-module javascript %§
 
 define-command -hidden javascript-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x> 1s^(\h+)$<ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft x 1s^(\h+)$<ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden javascript-indent-on-char %<
@@ -59,10 +59,10 @@ define-command -hidden javascript-insert-on-new-line %<
     try %[
         evaluate-commands -draft -save-regs '/"' %[
             # copy the commenting prefix
-            execute-keys -save-regs '' k <a-x>1s^\h*(//+\h*)<ret> y
+            execute-keys -save-regs '' k x1s^\h*(//+\h*)<ret> y
             try %[
                 # if the previous comment isn't empty, create a new one
-                execute-keys <a-x><a-K>^\h*//+\h*$<ret> j<a-x>s^\h*<ret>P
+                execute-keys x<a-K>^\h*//+\h*$<ret> jxs^\h*<ret>P
             ] catch %[
                 # if there is no text in the previous comment, remove it completely
                 execute-keys d
@@ -71,24 +71,24 @@ define-command -hidden javascript-insert-on-new-line %<
     ]
     try %[
         # if the previous line isn't within a comment scope, break
-        execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^(\h*/\*|\h+\*(?!/))<ret>
+        execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^(\h*/\*|\h+\*(?!/))<ret>
 
         # find comment opening, validate it was not closed, and check its using star prefixes
         execute-keys -draft <a-?>/\*<ret><a-H> <a-K>\*/<ret> <a-k>\A\h*/\*([^\n]*\n\h*\*)*[^\n]*\n\h*.\z<ret>
 
         try %[
             # if the previous line is opening the comment, insert star preceeded by space
-            execute-keys -draft k<a-x><a-k>^\h*/\*<ret>
+            execute-keys -draft kx<a-k>^\h*/\*<ret>
             execute-keys -draft i*<space><esc>
         ] catch %[
            try %[
                 # if the next line is a comment line insert a star
-                execute-keys -draft j<a-x><a-k>^\h+\*<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft jx<a-k>^\h+\*<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft i*<space><esc>
             ] catch %[
                 try %[
                     # if the previous line is an empty comment line, close the comment scope
-                    execute-keys -draft k<a-x><a-k>^\h+\*\h+$<ret> <a-x>1s\*(\h*)<ret>c/<esc>
+                    execute-keys -draft kx<a-k>^\h+\*\h+$<ret> x1s\*(\h*)<ret>c/<esc>
                 ] catch %[
                     # if the previous line is a non-empty comment line, add a star
                     execute-keys -draft i*<space><esc>
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ define-command -hidden javascript-insert-on-new-line %<
         # trim trailing whitespace on the previous line
         try %[ execute-keys -draft s\h+$<ret> d ]
         # align the new star with the previous one
-        execute-keys K<a-x>1s^[^*]*(\*)<ret>&
+        execute-keys Kx1s^[^*]*(\*)<ret>&
     ]
     >
 >
@@ -113,31 +113,31 @@ define-command -hidden javascript-indent-on-new-line %<
     > catch %<
         # else if previous line closed a paren (possibly followed by words and a comment),
         # copy indent of the opening paren line
-        execute-keys -draft k<a-x> 1s(\))(\h+\w+)*\h*(\;\h*)?(?://[^\n]+)?\n\z<ret> m<a-semicolon>J <a-S> 1<a-&>
+        execute-keys -draft kx 1s(\))(\h+\w+)*\h*(\;\h*)?(?://[^\n]+)?\n\z<ret> m<a-semicolon>J <a-S> 1<a-&>
     > catch %<
         # else indent new lines with the same level as the previous one
         execute-keys -draft K <a-&>
     >
     # remove previous empty lines resulting from the automatic indent
-    try %< execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k>^\h+$<ret> Hd >
+    try %< execute-keys -draft k x <a-k>^\h+$<ret> Hd >
     # indent after an opening brace or parenthesis at end of line
-    try %< execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k>[{(]\h*$<ret> j <a-gt> >
+    try %< execute-keys -draft k x <a-k>[{(]\h*$<ret> j <a-gt> >
     # indent after a label (works for case statements)
-    try %< execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s[a-zA-Z0-9_-]+:\h*$<ret> j <a-gt> >
+    try %< execute-keys -draft k x s[a-zA-Z0-9_-]+:\h*$<ret> j <a-gt> >
     # indent after a statement not followed by an opening brace
-    try %< execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s\)\h*(?://[^\n]+)?\n\z<ret> \
+    try %< execute-keys -draft k x s\)\h*(?://[^\n]+)?\n\z<ret> \
                                <a-semicolon>mB <a-k>\A\b(if|for|while)\b<ret> <a-semicolon>j <a-gt> >
-    try %< execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s \belse\b\h*(?://[^\n]+)?\n\z<ret> \
+    try %< execute-keys -draft k x s \belse\b\h*(?://[^\n]+)?\n\z<ret> \
                                j <a-gt> >
     # deindent after a single line statement end
-    try %< execute-keys -draft K <a-x> <a-k>\;\h*(//[^\n]+)?$<ret> \
-                               K <a-x> s\)(\h+\w+)*\h*(//[^\n]+)?\n([^\n]*\n){2}\z<ret> \
+    try %< execute-keys -draft K x <a-k>\;\h*(//[^\n]+)?$<ret> \
+                               K x s\)(\h+\w+)*\h*(//[^\n]+)?\n([^\n]*\n){2}\z<ret> \
                                MB <a-k>\A\b(if|for|while)\b<ret> <a-S>1<a-&> >
-    try %< execute-keys -draft K <a-x> <a-k>\;\h*(//[^\n]+)?$<ret> \
-                               K <a-x> s \belse\b\h*(?://[^\n]+)?\n([^\n]*\n){2}\z<ret> \
+    try %< execute-keys -draft K x <a-k>\;\h*(//[^\n]+)?$<ret> \
+                               K x s \belse\b\h*(?://[^\n]+)?\n([^\n]*\n){2}\z<ret> \
                                <a-S>1<a-&> >
     # deindent closing brace(s) when after cursor
-    try %< execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*[})] <ret> gh / [})] <esc> m <a-S> 1<a-&> >
+    try %< execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*[})] <ret> gh / [})] <esc> m <a-S> 1<a-&> >
     # align to the opening parenthesis or opening brace (whichever is first)
     # on a previous line if its followed by text on the same line
     try %< evaluate-commands -draft %<
diff --git a/rc/filetype/json.kak b/rc/filetype/json.kak
index d337fc39..8ca7c2a3 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/json.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/json.kak
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/json/code/ regex \b(true|false|null|\d+(?:\.\d+)?(?:[eE][
 
 define-command -hidden json-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden json-indent-on-char %<
@@ -60,9 +60,9 @@ define-command -hidden json-indent-on-new-line %<
         # filter previous line
         try %{ execute-keys -draft k : json-trim-indent <ret> }
         # indent after lines ending with opener token
-        try %< execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> [[{]\h*$ <ret> j <a-gt> >
+        try %< execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> [[{]\h*$ <ret> j <a-gt> >
         # deindent closer token(s) when after cursor
-        try %< execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*[}\]] <ret> gh / [}\]] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> >
+        try %< execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*[}\]] <ret> gh / [}\]] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> >
     >
 >
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/just.kak b/rc/filetype/just.kak
index 64a977ba..a2aa1ef7 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/just.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/just.kak
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ provide-module justfile %{
 
 define-command -hidden justfile-trim-indent %{
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %{
-        execute-keys <a-x>
+        execute-keys x
         # remove trailing white spaces
         try %{ execute-keys -draft s \h + $ <ret> d }
     }
@@ -37,9 +37,9 @@ define-command -hidden just-indent-on-new-line %{
         # preserve previous line indent
         try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon>K<a-&> }
         # cleanup trailing white spaces on previous line
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> s \h+$ <ret>"_d }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft kx s \h+$ <ret>"_d }
         # copy '#' comment prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*//\h* <ret> y jgh P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*//\h* <ret> y jgh P }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/kakrc.kak b/rc/filetype/kakrc.kak
index ccb84ec4..65ef2bdc 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/kakrc.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/kakrc.kak
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=kak %~
     hook window InsertChar [>)}\]] -group kak-indent kak-indent-on-closing-matching
     hook window InsertChar (?![[{(<>)}\]])[^\s\w] -group kak-indent kak-indent-on-closing-char
     # cleanup trailing whitespaces on current line insert end
-    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group kak-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> <a-x> s ^\h+$ <ret> d } }
+    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group kak-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> x s ^\h+$ <ret> d } }
     set-option buffer extra_word_chars '_' '-'
 
     hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window kak-.+ }
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/kakrc/single_string/escape regex "''" 0:default+b
 define-command -hidden kak-insert-on-new-line %~
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %=
         # copy '#' comment prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*#\h* <ret> y jgh P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*#\h* <ret> y jgh P }
     =
 ~
 
@@ -105,13 +105,13 @@ define-command -hidden kak-indent-on-new-line %~
         # preserve previous line indent
         try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> K <a-&> }
         # cleanup trailing whitespaces from previous line
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s \h+$ <ret> d }
         # indent after line ending with %\w*[^\s\w]
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> \%\w*[^\s\w]$ <ret> j <a-gt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> \%\w*[^\s\w]$ <ret> j <a-gt> }
         # deindent closing brace when after cursor
-        try %_ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*([>)}\]]) <ret> gh / <c-r>1 <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> _
+        try %_ execute-keys -draft -itersel x <a-k> ^\h*([>)}\]]) <ret> gh / <c-r>1 <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> _
         # deindent closing char(s) 
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*([^\s\w]) <ret> gh / <c-r>1 <ret> <a-?> <c-r>1 <ret> <a-T>% <a-k> \w*<c-r>1$ <ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x <a-k> ^\h*([^\s\w]) <ret> gh / <c-r>1 <ret> <a-?> <c-r>1 <ret> <a-T>% <a-k> \w*<c-r>1$ <ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> }
     =
 ~
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/kotlin.kak b/rc/filetype/kotlin.kak
index 37988089..14a8ff59 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/kotlin.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/kotlin.kak
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=kotlin %{
   set-option window static_words %opt{kotlin_static_words}
 
   # cleanup trailing whitespaces when exiting insert mode
-  hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group kotlin-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x>s^\h+$<ret>d } }
+  hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group kotlin-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft xs^\h+$<ret>d } }
   hook window InsertChar \n -group kotlin-indent kotlin-insert-on-new-line
   hook window InsertChar \n -group kotlin-indent kotlin-indent-on-new-line
   hook window InsertChar \{ -group kotlin-indent kotlin-indent-on-opening-curly-brace
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/kotlin/code/discolour regex ^(package|import)(?S)(.+) 2:d
 # ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
 define-command -hidden kotlin-insert-on-new-line %[
   # copy // comments prefix and following white spaces
-  try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon><c-s>k<a-x> s ^\h*\K/{2,}\h* <ret> y<c-o>P<esc> }
+  try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon><c-s>kx s ^\h*\K/{2,}\h* <ret> y<c-o>P<esc> }
 ]
 
 define-command -hidden kotlin-indent-on-new-line %~
@@ -116,19 +116,19 @@ define-command -hidden kotlin-indent-on-new-line %~
     # preserve previous line indent
     try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon>K<a-&> }
     # indent after lines ending with { or (
-    try %[ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k> [{(]\h*$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
+    try %[ execute-keys -draft kx <a-k> [{(]\h*$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
     # cleanup trailing white spaces on the previous line
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> s \h+$ <ret>d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft kx s \h+$ <ret>d }
     # align to opening paren of previous line
     try %{ execute-keys -draft [( <a-k> \A\([^\n]+\n[^\n]*\n?\z <ret> s \A\(\h*.|.\z <ret> '<a-;>' & }
     # indent after a pattern match on when/where statements
-    try %[ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k> ^\h*(when|where).*$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
+    try %[ execute-keys -draft kx <a-k> ^\h*(when|where).*$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
     # indent after term on an expression
-    try %[ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k> =\h*?$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
+    try %[ execute-keys -draft kx <a-k> =\h*?$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
     # indent after keywords
     try %[ execute-keys -draft <semicolon><a-F>)MB <a-k> \A(catch|do|else|for|if|try|while)\h*\(.*\)\h*\n\h*\n?\z <ret> s \A|.\z <ret> 1<a-&>1<a-space><a-gt> ]
     # deindent closing brace(s) when after cursor
-    try %[ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*[})] <ret> gh / [})] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
+    try %[ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*[})] <ret> gh / [})] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
   >
 ~
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/latex.kak b/rc/filetype/latex.kak
index 3a775311..73ee97ff 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/latex.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/latex.kak
@@ -80,27 +80,27 @@ add-highlighter shared/latex/content/ regex '((?<!\\)(?:\\\\)*\K\$(\\\$|[^$])+\$
 
 define-command -hidden latex-trim-indent %{
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %{
-        try %{ execute-keys <a-x> 1s^(\h+)$<ret> d }
+        try %{ execute-keys x 1s^(\h+)$<ret> d }
     }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden latex-indent-newline %(
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %(
         # copy '%' comment prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> s^\h*%\h*<ret> y jgh P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft kx s^\h*%\h*<ret> y jgh P }
         # preserve previous line indent
         try %{ execute-keys -draft K<a-&> }
         # cleanup trailing whitespaces from previous line
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> s\h+$<ret> d }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft kx s\h+$<ret> d }
         # indent after line ending with {
-        try %( execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>\{$<ret> j<a-gt> )
+        try %( execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>\{$<ret> j<a-gt> )
         # deindent closing brace(s) when after cursor
-        try %( execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*\} <ret> gh / \} <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> )
+        try %( execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*\} <ret> gh / \} <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> )
         # indent after line ending with \begin{...}[...]{...}, with multiple
         # sets of arguments possible
         try %(
             execute-keys -draft \
-                k<a-x> \
+                kx \
                 <a-k>\\begin\h*\{[^\}]+\}(\h|\[.*\]|\{.*\})*$<ret> \
                 j<a-gt>
         )
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ define-command -hidden latex-indent-newline %(
 define-command -hidden latex-indent-closing-brace %(
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %(
         # Align lone } with matching bracket
-        try %( execute-keys -draft <a-x>_ <a-k>\A\}\z<ret> m<a-S>1<a-&> )
+        try %( execute-keys -draft x_ <a-k>\A\}\z<ret> m<a-S>1<a-&> )
         # Align \end{...} with corresponding \begin{...}
         try %(
             execute-keys -draft h<a-h> 1s\\end\h*\{([^\}]+)\}\z<ret> \
@@ -124,12 +124,12 @@ define-command -hidden latex-insert-on-new-line %(
         # Wisely add "\end{...}".
         evaluate-commands -save-regs xz %(
             # Save previous line indent in register x.
-            try %( execute-keys -draft k<a-x>s^\h+<ret>"xy ) catch %( reg x '' )
+            try %( execute-keys -draft kxs^\h+<ret>"xy ) catch %( reg x '' )
             # Save item of begin in register z.
-            try %( execute-keys -draft k<a-x>s\{.*\}<ret>"zy ) catch %( reg z '' )
+            try %( execute-keys -draft kxs\{.*\}<ret>"zy ) catch %( reg z '' )
             try %(
                 # Validate previous line and that it is not closed yet.
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^<c-r>x\h*\\begin\{.*\}<ret> J}iJ<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(\\end\<c-r>z<backspace>\})<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^<c-r>x\h*\\begin\{.*\}<ret> J}iJx <a-K>^<c-r>x(\\end\<c-r>z<backspace>\})<ret>
                 # Auto insert "\end{...}".
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>x\end<c-r>z<esc>
             )
diff --git a/rc/filetype/ledger.kak b/rc/filetype/ledger.kak
index 5ebe489f..0bd52ea0 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/ledger.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/ledger.kak
@@ -129,14 +129,14 @@ define-command -hidden ledger-indent-on-new-line %[
         # preserve previous line indent
         try %[ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> K <a-&> ]
         # cleanup trailing whitespaces from previous line
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft k x s \h+$ <ret> d ]
         # indent after the first line of a transaction
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^[0-9]<ret> j<a-gt> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^[0-9]<ret> j<a-gt> ]
     ]
 ]
 
 define-command -hidden ledger-trim-indent %{
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> <a-x> s ^\h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> x s ^\h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 ]
diff --git a/rc/filetype/lisp.kak b/rc/filetype/lisp.kak
index 2c3594a0..153acbcf 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/lisp.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/lisp.kak
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/lisp/code/ regex (\b\d+)?\.\d+([eEsSfFdDlL]\d+)?\b 0:valu
 
 define-command -hidden lisp-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 declare-option \
diff --git a/rc/filetype/lua.kak b/rc/filetype/lua.kak
index 1dd0178a..b1bcf4ea 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/lua.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/lua.kak
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ define-command lua-alternative-file -docstring 'Jump to the alternate file (impl
 
 define-command -hidden lua-trim-indent %[
     # remove trailing whitespaces
-    try %[ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d ]
+    try %[ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d ]
 ]
 
 define-command -hidden lua-indent-on-char %[
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ define-command -hidden lua-indent-on-new-line %[
         #     - or contains an unclosed function expression,
         #     - or ends with an enclosed '(' or '{'
         try %[ execute-keys -draft \
-            <space> K<a-x> \
+            <space> Kx \
             <a-K>\A\h*--<ret> \
             <a-K>\A[^\n]*\b(end|until)\b<ret> \
             <a-k>\A(\h*\b(do|else|elseif|for|function|if|repeat|while)\b|[^\n]*[({]$|[^\n]*\bfunction\b\h*[(])<ret> \
@@ -124,23 +124,23 @@ define-command -hidden lua-indent-on-new-line %[
 define-command -hidden lua-insert-on-new-line %[
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %[
         # copy -- comment prefix and following white spaces
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k<a-x>s^\h*\K--\h*<ret> y gh j <a-x><semicolon> P ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft kxs^\h*\K--\h*<ret> y gh j x<semicolon> P ]
         # wisely add end structure
         evaluate-commands -save-regs x %[
             # save previous line indent in register x
-            try %[ execute-keys -draft k<a-x>s^\h+<ret>"xy ] catch %[ reg x '' ]
+            try %[ execute-keys -draft kxs^\h+<ret>"xy ] catch %[ reg x '' ]
             try %[
                 # check that starts with a block keyword that is not closed on the same line
                 execute-keys -draft \
-                    k<a-x> \
+                    kx \
                     <a-k>^\h*\b(else|elseif|do|for|function|if|while)\b|[^\n]\bfunction\b\h*[(]<ret> \
                     <a-K>\bend\b<ret>
                 # check that the block is empty and is not closed on a different line
-                execute-keys -draft <a-a>i <a-K>^[^\n]+\n[^\n]+\n<ret> j<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x\b(else|elseif|end)\b<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft <a-a>i <a-K>^[^\n]+\n[^\n]+\n<ret> jx <a-K>^<c-r>x\b(else|elseif|end)\b<ret>
                 # auto insert end
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>xend<esc>
                 # auto insert ) for anonymous function
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x><a-k>\([^)\n]*function\b<ret>jjA)<esc>
+                execute-keys -draft kx<a-k>\([^)\n]*function\b<ret>jjA)<esc>
             ]
         ]
     ]
diff --git a/rc/filetype/makefile.kak b/rc/filetype/makefile.kak
index 2026c745..c668d696 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/makefile.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/makefile.kak
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ evaluate-commands %sh{
 
 define-command -hidden makefile-trim-indent %{
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %{
-        execute-keys <a-x>
+        execute-keys x
         # remove trailing white spaces
         try %{ execute-keys -draft s \h + $ <ret> d }
     }
@@ -64,11 +64,11 @@ define-command -hidden makefile-indent-on-new-line %{
         # preserve previous line indent
         try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon>K<a-&> }
         ## If the line above is a target indent with a tab
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft Z k<a-x> <a-k>^\S.*?(::|:|!)\s<ret> z i<tab> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft Z kx <a-k>^\S.*?(::|:|!)\s<ret> z i<tab> }
         # cleanup trailing white space son previous line
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> s \h+$ <ret>d }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft kx s \h+$ <ret>d }
         # indent after some keywords
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft Z k<a-x> <a-k> ^\h*(ifeq|ifneq|ifdef|ifndef|else|define)\b<ret> z <a-gt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft Z kx <a-k> ^\h*(ifeq|ifneq|ifdef|ifndef|else|define)\b<ret> z <a-gt> }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/markdown.kak b/rc/filetype/markdown.kak
index e5ed8d58..3aaf1c45 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/markdown.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/markdown.kak
@@ -102,14 +102,14 @@ add-highlighter shared/markdown/inline/text/ regex "\H( {2,})$" 1:+r@meta
 
 define-command -hidden markdown-trim-indent %{
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %{
-        execute-keys <a-x>
+        execute-keys x
         # remove trailing white spaces
         try %{ execute-keys -draft s \h + $ <ret> d }
     }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden markdown-insert-on-new-line %{
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel k <a-x> s ^\h*\K((>\h*)+([*+-]\h)?|(>\h*)*[*+-]\h)\h* <ret> y gh j P }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel k x s ^\h*\K((>\h*)+([*+-]\h)?|(>\h*)*[*+-]\h)\h* <ret> y gh j P }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden markdown-indent-on-new-line %{
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ define-command -hidden markdown-indent-on-new-line %{
         # preserve previous line indent
         try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> K <a-&> }
         # remove trailing white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s \h+$ <ret> d }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/mercury.kak b/rc/filetype/mercury.kak
index 4292d146..7992c889 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/mercury.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/mercury.kak
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=mercury %{
     hook window InsertChar \n -group mercury-insert mercury-insert-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \n -group mercury-indent mercury-indent-on-new-line
     # cleanup trailing whitespaces on current line insert end
-    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group mercury-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> <a-x> s ^\h+$ <ret> d } }
+    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group mercury-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> x s ^\h+$ <ret> d } }
     hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window mercury-.+ }
 }
 
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ evaluate-commands %sh{
 define-command -hidden mercury-insert-on-new-line %{
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
         # copy '%' comment prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*\%\h* <ret> y gh j P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*\%\h* <ret> y gh j P }
     }
 }
 
@@ -113,11 +113,11 @@ define-command -hidden mercury-indent-on-new-line %<
         # preserve previous line indent
         try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> K <a-&> }
         # cleanup trailing whitespaces from previous line
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s \h+$ <ret> d }
         # indent after line ending with :-
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k <a-x> <a-k> :-$ <ret> j <a-gt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k x <a-k> :-$ <ret> j <a-gt> }
         # deindent closing brace/bracket when after cursor
-        try %< execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*[}\])] <ret> gh / [}\])] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> >
+        try %< execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*[}\])] <ret> gh / [}\])] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> >
     >
 >
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/moon.kak b/rc/filetype/moon.kak
index 6f5137ee..fcd7c130 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/moon.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/moon.kak
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ define-command moon-alternative-file -docstring 'Jump to the alternate file (imp
 
 define-command -hidden moon-trim-indent %{
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
-        execute-keys <a-x>
+        execute-keys x
         # remove trailing white spaces
         try %{ execute-keys -draft s \h + $ <ret> d }
     }
@@ -89,18 +89,18 @@ define-command -hidden moon-trim-indent %{
 define-command -hidden moon-indent-on-char %{
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
         # align _else_ statements to start
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^ \h * (else(if)?) $ <ret> <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^ \h * (if|unless|when) <ret> s \A | \z <ret> ) <a-&> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^ \h * (else(if)?) $ <ret> <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^ \h * (if|unless|when) <ret> s \A | \z <ret> ) <a-&> }
         # align _when_ to _switch_ then indent
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^ \h * (when) $ <ret> <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^ \h * (switch) <ret> s \A | \z <ret> ) <a-&> ) <space> <gt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^ \h * (when) $ <ret> <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^ \h * (switch) <ret> s \A | \z <ret> ) <a-&> ) <space> <gt> }
         # align _catch_ and _finally_ to _try_
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^ \h * (catch|finally) $ <ret> <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^ \h * (try) <ret> s \A | \z <ret> ) <a-&> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^ \h * (catch|finally) $ <ret> <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^ \h * (try) <ret> s \A | \z <ret> ) <a-&> }
     }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden moon-insert-on-new-line %{
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
         # copy -- comment prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*\K--\h* <ret> y gh j P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*\K--\h* <ret> y gh j P }
     }
 }
 
@@ -111,9 +111,9 @@ define-command -hidden moon-indent-on-new-line %{
         # filter previous line
         try %{ execute-keys -draft k : moon-trim-indent <ret> }
         # indent after start structure
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> ^ \h * (class|else(if)?|for|if|switch|unless|when|while|with) \b | ([:=]|[-=]>) $ <ret> j <a-gt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> ^ \h * (class|else(if)?|for|if|switch|unless|when|while|with) \b | ([:=]|[-=]>) $ <ret> j <a-gt> }
         # deindent after return statements
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> ^ \h * (break|return) \b <ret> j <a-lt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> ^ \h * (break|return) \b <ret> j <a-lt> }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/nim.kak b/rc/filetype/nim.kak
index 954b3033..916b9d19 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/nim.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/nim.kak
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=nim %{
     hook window InsertChar \n -group nim-insert nim-insert-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \n -group nim-indent nim-indent-on-new-line
     # cleanup trailing whitespaces on current line insert end
-    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group nim-trim-indent %{ try %{ exec -draft <semicolon> <a-x> s ^\h+$ <ret> d } }
+    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group nim-trim-indent %{ try %{ exec -draft <semicolon> x s ^\h+$ <ret> d } }
 
     hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window nim-.+ }
 }
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/nim/code/ regex %{'(\\([rcnlftvabe\\"']|0*[12]?\d?\d|x[0-
 define-command -hidden nim-insert-on-new-line %{
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
         # copy '#' comment prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ exec -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*#\h* <ret> y jgh P }
+        try %{ exec -draft k x s ^\h*#\h* <ret> y jgh P }
     }
 }
 
@@ -123,9 +123,9 @@ define-command -hidden nim-indent-on-new-line %{
         # preserve previous line indent
         try %{ exec -draft <semicolon> K <a-&> }
         # cleanup trailing whitespaces from previous line
-        try %{ exec -draft k <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+        try %{ exec -draft k x s \h+$ <ret> d }
         # indent after line ending with enum, tuple, object, type, import, export, const, let, var, ':' or '='
-        try %{ exec -draft <space> k <a-x> <a-k> (:|=|\b(?:enum|tuple|object|const|let|var|import|export|type))$ <ret> j <a-gt> }
+        try %{ exec -draft <space> k x <a-k> (:|=|\b(?:enum|tuple|object|const|let|var|import|export|type))$ <ret> j <a-gt> }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/ninja.kak b/rc/filetype/ninja.kak
index 6ae51148..b4b5ea6e 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/ninja.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/ninja.kak
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=ninja %{
     hook window InsertChar \n -group ninja-insert ninja-insert-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \n -group ninja-indent ninja-indent-on-new-line
     # cleanup trailing whitespaces on current line insert end
-    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group ninja-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> <a-x> s ^\h+$ <ret> d } }
+    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group ninja-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> x s ^\h+$ <ret> d } }
 
     hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window ninja-.+ }
 }
@@ -82,13 +82,13 @@ evaluate-commands %sh{
 
 define-command -hidden ninja-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden ninja-insert-on-new-line %{
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
         # copy -- comments prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*\K--\h* <ret> y gh j P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*\K--\h* <ret> y gh j P }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/nix.kak b/rc/filetype/nix.kak
index 3eecc4d9..35e5e4eb 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/nix.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/nix.kak
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/nix/code/ regex '([^:/?#\s]+):([^#(){}\[\]";`|\s\\]+)' 0:
 
 define-command -hidden nix-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden nix-indent-on-char %<
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ define-command -hidden nix-indent-on-char %<
 define-command -hidden nix-insert-on-new-line %<
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %<
         # copy // comments prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*\K#\h* <ret> y gh j P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*\K#\h* <ret> y gh j P }
     >
 >
 
@@ -115,9 +115,9 @@ define-command -hidden nix-indent-on-new-line %<
         # filter previous line
         try %{ execute-keys -draft k : nix-trim-indent <ret> }
         # indent after lines beginning / ending with opener token
-        try %_ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*[[{]|[[{]$ <ret> j <a-gt> _
+        try %_ execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> ^\h*[[{]|[[{]$ <ret> j <a-gt> _
         # deindent closer token(s) when after cursor
-        try %_ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*[}\]] <ret> gh / [}\]] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> _
+        try %_ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*[}\]] <ret> gh / [}\]] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> _
     >
 >
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/pascal.kak b/rc/filetype/pascal.kak
index 8c70210b..eae45772 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/pascal.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/pascal.kak
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ EOF
 
 define-command -hidden pascal-trim-indent %{
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %{
-        execute-keys <a-x>
+        execute-keys x
         # remove trailing white spaces
         try %{ execute-keys -draft s \h + $ <ret> d }
     }
@@ -203,9 +203,9 @@ define-command -hidden pascal-indent-on-new-line %{
         # preserve previous line indent
         try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> K <a-&> }
         # cleanup trailing whitespaces from previous line
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s \h+$ <ret> d }
         # indent after certain keywords
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k<a-x><a-k>(?i)(asm|begin|const|else|except|exports|finalization|finally|label|of|otherwise|private|property|public|protected|published|record|repeat|resourcestring|threadvar|try|type|uses|var|:)\h*$<ret>j<a-gt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft kx<a-k>(?i)(asm|begin|const|else|except|exports|finalization|finally|label|of|otherwise|private|property|public|protected|published|record|repeat|resourcestring|threadvar|try|type|uses|var|:)\h*$<ret>j<a-gt> }
     }
 }
 §
diff --git a/rc/filetype/perl.kak b/rc/filetype/perl.kak
index cfa8067d..699b94d4 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/perl.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/perl.kak
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=perl %{
     set-option window static_words %opt{perl_static_words}
 
     # cleanup trailing whitespaces when exiting insert mode
-    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group perl-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x>s^\h+$<ret>d } }
+    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group perl-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft xs^\h+$<ret>d } }
     hook window InsertChar \n -group perl-insert perl-insert-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \n -group perl-indent perl-indent-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \{ -group perl-indent perl-indent-on-opening-curly-brace
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/perl/code/ regex \$(LAST_REGEXP_CODE_RESULT|LIST_SEPARATO
 define-command -hidden perl-insert-on-new-line %~
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %=
         # copy # comments prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon><c-s>k<a-x> s ^\h*\K#\h* <ret> y<c-o>P<esc> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon><c-s>kx s ^\h*\K#\h* <ret> y<c-o>P<esc> }
     =
 ~
 
@@ -119,17 +119,17 @@ define-command -hidden perl-indent-on-new-line %~
         # preserve previous line indent
         try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon>K<a-&> }
         # indent after lines ending with { or (
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k> [{(]\h*$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft kx <a-k> [{(]\h*$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
         # cleanup trailing white spaces on the previous line
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> s \h+$ <ret>d }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft kx s \h+$ <ret>d }
         # align to opening paren of previous line
         try %{ execute-keys -draft [( <a-k> \A\([^\n]+\n[^\n]*\n?\z <ret> s \A\(\h*.|.\z <ret> '<a-;>' & }
         # indent after a switch's case/default statements
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k> ^\h*(case|default).*:$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft kx <a-k> ^\h*(case|default).*:$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
         # indent after if|else|while|for
         try %[ execute-keys -draft <semicolon><a-F>)MB <a-k> \A(if|else|while|for)\h*\(.*\)\h*\n\h*\n?\z <ret> s \A|.\z <ret> 1<a-&>1<a-space><a-gt> ]
         # deindent closing brace(s) when after cursor
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*[})] <ret> gh / [})] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*[})] <ret> gh / [})] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
     =
 ~
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/php.kak b/rc/filetype/php.kak
index 560daa01..62ba6ddd 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/php.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/php.kak
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/php-file/php  region '<\?(php)?'     '\?>'      ref php
 
 define-command -hidden php-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden php-indent-on-char %<
@@ -85,9 +85,9 @@ define-command -hidden php-indent-on-char %<
 define-command -hidden php-insert-on-new-line %<
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %<
         # copy // comments or docblock * prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft s [^/] <ret> k <a-x> s ^\h*\K(?://|[*][^/])\h* <ret> y gh j P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft s [^/] <ret> k x s ^\h*\K(?://|[*][^/])\h* <ret> y gh j P }
         # append " * " on lines starting a multiline /** or /* comment
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*/[*][* ]? <ret> j gi i <space>*<space> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*/[*][* ]? <ret> j gi i <space>*<space> }
     >
 >
 
@@ -98,9 +98,9 @@ define-command -hidden php-indent-on-new-line %<
         # filter previous line
         try %{ execute-keys -draft k : php-trim-indent <ret> }
         # indent after lines beginning / ending with opener token
-        try %_ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*[[{]|[[{]$ <ret> j <a-gt> _
+        try %_ execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> ^\h*[[{]|[[{]$ <ret> j <a-gt> _
         # deindent closer token(s) when after cursor
-        try %_ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*[})] <ret> gh / [})] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> _
+        try %_ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*[})] <ret> gh / [})] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> _
     >
 >
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/pony.kak b/rc/filetype/pony.kak
index 406c7dbb..592fb943 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/pony.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/pony.kak
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=pony %{
     hook window InsertChar \n -group pony-insert pony-insert-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \n -group pony-indent pony-indent-on-new-line
     # cleanup trailing whitespaces on current line insert end
-    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group pony-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> <a-x> s ^\h+$ <ret> d } }
+    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group pony-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> x s ^\h+$ <ret> d } }
 
     hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window pony-.+ }
 }
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ define-command -hidden pony-indent-on-new-line %{
         # preserve previous line indent
         try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> K <a-&> }
         # cleanup trailing whitespaces from previous line
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s \h+$ <ret> d }
         # indent after line ending with :
         try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k x <a-k> (\b(?:do|try|then|else)|:|=>)$ <ret> j <a-gt> }
         # else, end are always de-indented
diff --git a/rc/filetype/protobuf.kak b/rc/filetype/protobuf.kak
index ba0c52a3..828105f7 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/protobuf.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/protobuf.kak
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ evaluate-commands %sh{
 
 define-command -hidden protobuf-trim-indent %{
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %{
-        execute-keys <a-x>
+        execute-keys x
         # remove trailing white spaces
         try %{ execute-keys -draft s \h + $ <ret> d }
     }
@@ -80,13 +80,13 @@ define-command -hidden protobuf-indent-on-newline %~
         # preserve previous line indent
         try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon>K<a-&> }
         # indent after lines ending with {
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k> \{\h*$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft kx <a-k> \{\h*$ <ret> j<a-gt> ]
         # cleanup trailing white spaces on the previous line
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> s \h+$ <ret>d }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft kx s \h+$ <ret>d }
         # copy // comments prefix
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon><c-s>k<a-x> s ^\h*\K/{2,}(\h*(?=\S))? <ret> y<c-o>P<esc> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon><c-s>kx s ^\h*\K/{2,}(\h*(?=\S))? <ret> y<c-o>P<esc> }
         # deindent closing brace(s) when after cursor
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*\} <ret> gh / \} <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*\} <ret> gh / \} <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
     ]
 ~
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/pug.kak b/rc/filetype/pug.kak
index 9bb83d72..f9520bbe 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/pug.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/pug.kak
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/pug/code/            regex   ((?:\.[A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9_-]*
 
 define-command -hidden pug-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden pug-indent-on-new-line %{
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ define-command -hidden pug-indent-on-new-line %{
         # filter previous line
         try %{ execute-keys -draft k : pug-trim-indent <ret> }
         # copy '//', '|', '-' or '(!)=' prefix and following whitespace
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*\K[/|!=-]{1,2}\h* <ret> y gh j P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*\K[/|!=-]{1,2}\h* <ret> y gh j P }
         # indent unless we copied something above
         try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-gt> <space> b s \S <ret> g l <a-lt> }
     }
diff --git a/rc/filetype/purescript.kak b/rc/filetype/purescript.kak
index 12b26283..8945ae60 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/purescript.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/purescript.kak
@@ -94,13 +94,13 @@ add-highlighter shared/purescript/code/ regex ^\s*(?:where\s+|let\s+|default\s+)
 
 define-command -hidden purescript-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden purescript-insert-on-new-line %{
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
         # copy -- comments prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*\K--\h* <ret> y gh j P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*\K--\h* <ret> y gh j P }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/python.kak b/rc/filetype/python.kak
index d05338d3..ff60297a 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/python.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/python.kak
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=python %{
     hook window InsertChar \n -group python-insert python-insert-on-new-line
     hook window InsertChar \n -group python-indent python-indent-on-new-line
     # cleanup trailing whitespaces on current line insert end
-    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group python-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> <a-x> s ^\h+$ <ret> d } }
+    hook window ModeChange pop:insert:.* -group python-trim-indent %{ try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> x s ^\h+$ <ret> d } }
     hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %{ remove-hooks window python-.+ }
 }
 
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/python/code/ regex ^\h*(?:from|import)\h+(\S+) 1:module
 define-command -hidden python-insert-on-new-line %{
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
         # copy '#' comment prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*#\h* <ret> y jgh P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*#\h* <ret> y jgh P }
     }
 }
 
@@ -158,11 +158,11 @@ define-command -hidden python-indent-on-new-line %<
         # preserve previous line indent
         try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> K <a-&> }
         # cleanup trailing whitespaces from previous line
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s \h+$ <ret> d }
         # indent after line ending with :
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k <a-x> <a-k> :$ <ret> <a-K> ^\h*# <ret> j <a-gt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k x <a-k> :$ <ret> <a-K> ^\h*# <ret> j <a-gt> }
         # deindent closing brace/bracket when after cursor (for arrays and dictionaries)
-        try %< execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*[}\]] <ret> gh / [}\]] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> >
+        try %< execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*[}\]] <ret> gh / [}\]] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> >
     >
 >
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/r.kak b/rc/filetype/r.kak
index 0a7bade1..30d15430 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/r.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/r.kak
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/r/code/ regex (?<=[\w\s\d'"_)])(\$|@|\^|-|\+|%[^%^\n]+%|\
 
 define-command -hidden r-trim-indent %{
     # remove the line if it's empty when leaving the insert mode
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x> 1s^(\h+)$<ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft x 1s^(\h+)$<ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden r-indent-on-newline %< evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %<
@@ -64,26 +64,26 @@ define-command -hidden r-indent-on-newline %< evaluate-commands -draft -itersel
     try %<
         # if previous line closed a paren (possibly followed by words and a comment),
         # copy indent of the opening paren line
-        execute-keys -draft k<a-x> 1s(\))(\h+\w+)*\h*(\;\h*)?(?:#[^\n]+)?\n\z<ret> m<a-semicolon>J <a-S> 1<a-&>
+        execute-keys -draft kx 1s(\))(\h+\w+)*\h*(\;\h*)?(?:#[^\n]+)?\n\z<ret> m<a-semicolon>J <a-S> 1<a-&>
     > catch %<
         # else indent new lines with the same level as the previous one
         execute-keys -draft K <a-&>
     >
     # remove previous empty lines resulting from the automatic indent
-    try %< execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k>^\h+$<ret> Hd >
+    try %< execute-keys -draft k x <a-k>^\h+$<ret> Hd >
     # indent after an opening brace or parenthesis at end of line
-    try %< execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s[{(]\h*$<ret> j <a-gt> >
+    try %< execute-keys -draft k x s[{(]\h*$<ret> j <a-gt> >
     # indent after a statement not followed by an opening brace
-    try %< execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s\)\h*(?:#[^\n]+)?\n\z<ret> \
+    try %< execute-keys -draft k x s\)\h*(?:#[^\n]+)?\n\z<ret> \
                                <a-semicolon>mB <a-k>\A\b(if|for|while)\b<ret> <a-semicolon>j <a-gt> >
-    try %< execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s \belse\b\h*(?:#[^\n]+)?\n\z<ret> \
+    try %< execute-keys -draft k x s \belse\b\h*(?:#[^\n]+)?\n\z<ret> \
                                j <a-gt> >
     # deindent after a single line statement end
-    try %< execute-keys -draft K <a-x> <a-k>\;\h*(#[^\n]+)?$<ret> \
-                               K <a-x> s\)(\h+\w+)*\h*(#[^\n]+)?\n([^\n]*\n){2}\z<ret> \
+    try %< execute-keys -draft K x <a-k>\;\h*(#[^\n]+)?$<ret> \
+                               K x s\)(\h+\w+)*\h*(#[^\n]+)?\n([^\n]*\n){2}\z<ret> \
                                MB <a-k>\A\b(if|for|while)\b<ret> <a-S>1<a-&> >
-    try %< execute-keys -draft K <a-x> <a-k>\;\h*(#[^\n]+)?$<ret> \
-                               K <a-x> s \belse\b\h*(?:#[^\n]+)?\n([^\n]*\n){2}\z<ret> \
+    try %< execute-keys -draft K x <a-k>\;\h*(#[^\n]+)?$<ret> \
+                               K x s \belse\b\h*(?:#[^\n]+)?\n([^\n]*\n){2}\z<ret> \
                                <a-S>1<a-&> >
     # align to the opening parenthesis or opening brace (whichever is first)
     # on a previous line if its followed by text on the same line
@@ -120,10 +120,10 @@ define-command -hidden r-insert-on-newline %[ evaluate-commands -itersel -draft
     try %[
         evaluate-commands -draft -save-regs '/"' %[
             # copy the commenting prefix
-            execute-keys -save-regs '' k <a-x>1s^\h*(#+\h*)<ret> y
+            execute-keys -save-regs '' k x1s^\h*(#+\h*)<ret> y
             try %[
                 # if the previous comment isn't empty, create a new one
-                execute-keys <a-x><a-K>^\h*#+\h*$<ret> j<a-x>s^\h*<ret>P
+                execute-keys x<a-K>^\h*#+\h*$<ret> jxs^\h*<ret>P
             ] catch %[
                 # if there is no text in the previous comment, remove it completely
                 execute-keys d
diff --git a/rc/filetype/ragel.kak b/rc/filetype/ragel.kak
index f873d63c..e0a77db2 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/ragel.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/ragel.kak
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/ragel/code/ regex \b(action|alnum|alpha|any|ascii|case|cn
 
 define-command -hidden ragel-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden ragel-indent-on-char %<
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ define-command -hidden ragel-indent-on-char %<
 define-command -hidden ragel-insert-on-new-line %<
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %<
         # copy _#_ comment prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*\K#\h* <ret> y gh j P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*\K#\h* <ret> y gh j P }
     >
 >
 
@@ -75,9 +75,9 @@ define-command -hidden ragel-indent-on-new-line %<
         # filter previous line
         try %{ execute-keys -draft k : ragel-trim-indent <ret> }
         # indent after lines ending with opener token
-        try %< execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> [[{(*]$ <ret> j <a-gt> >
+        try %< execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> [[{(*]$ <ret> j <a-gt> >
         # align closer token to its opener when after cursor
-        try %< execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*[})\]] <ret> gh / [})\]] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> >
+        try %< execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*[})\]] <ret> gh / [})\]] <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> >
     >
 >
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/ruby.kak b/rc/filetype/ruby.kak
index a950da19..0a57264a 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/ruby.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/ruby.kak
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ define-command ruby-alternative-file -docstring 'Jump to the alternate file (imp
 
 define-command -hidden ruby-trim-indent %{
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %{
-        execute-keys <a-x>
+        execute-keys x
         # remove trailing white spaces
         try %{ execute-keys -draft s \h + $ <ret> d }
     }
@@ -153,10 +153,10 @@ define-command -hidden ruby-trim-indent %{
 define-command -hidden ruby-indent-on-char %{
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %{
         # align middle and end structures to start
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^ \h * (else)   $ <ret> <a-a> i <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^ \h * (if|case)                                               <ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> }
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^ \h * (elsif)  $ <ret> <a-a> i <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^ \h * (if)                                                    <ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> }
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^ \h * (when)   $ <ret> <a-a> i <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^ \h * (case)                                                  <ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> }
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^ \h * (rescue) $ <ret> <a-a> i <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^ \h * (begin|def)                                             <ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^ \h * (else)   $ <ret> <a-a> i <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^ \h * (if|case)                                               <ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^ \h * (elsif)  $ <ret> <a-a> i <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^ \h * (if)                                                    <ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^ \h * (when)   $ <ret> <a-a> i <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^ \h * (case)                                                  <ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^ \h * (rescue) $ <ret> <a-a> i <a-semicolon> <a-?> ^ \h * (begin|def)                                             <ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> }
     }
 }
 
@@ -167,23 +167,23 @@ define-command -hidden ruby-indent-on-new-line %{
         # filter previous line
         try %{ execute-keys -draft k : ruby-trim-indent <ret> }
         # indent after start structure
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> ^ \h * (begin|case|class|def|else|elsif|ensure|for|if|module|rescue|unless|until|when|while|.+\bdo$|.+\bdo\h\|.+(?=\|)) [^0-9A-Za-z_!?] <ret> j <a-gt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> ^ \h * (begin|case|class|def|else|elsif|ensure|for|if|module|rescue|unless|until|when|while|.+\bdo$|.+\bdo\h\|.+(?=\|)) [^0-9A-Za-z_!?] <ret> j <a-gt> }
     }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden ruby-insert-on-new-line %[
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %[
         # copy _#_ comment prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*\K#\h* <ret> y jgi P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*\K#\h* <ret> y jgi P }
         # wisely add end structure
         evaluate-commands -save-regs x %[
-            try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^ \h + <ret> \" x y } catch %{ reg x '' }
+            try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^ \h + <ret> \" x y } catch %{ reg x '' }
             try %[
                 evaluate-commands -draft %[
                     # Check if previous line opens a block
-                    execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^<c-r>x(begin|case|class|def|for|if|module|unless|until|while|.+\bdo$|.+\bdo\h\|.+(?=\|))[^0-9A-Za-z_!?]<ret>
+                    execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^<c-r>x(begin|case|class|def|for|if|module|unless|until|while|.+\bdo$|.+\bdo\h\|.+(?=\|))[^0-9A-Za-z_!?]<ret>
                     # Check that we do not already have an end for this indent level which is first set via `ruby-indent-on-new-line` hook
-                    execute-keys -draft }i J <a-x> <a-K> ^<c-r>x(end|else|elsif|rescue|when)[^0-9A-Za-z_!?]<ret>
+                    execute-keys -draft }i J x <a-K> ^<c-r>x(end|else|elsif|rescue|when)[^0-9A-Za-z_!?]<ret>
                 ]
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>xend<esc> # insert a new line with containing end
             ]
diff --git a/rc/filetype/rust.kak b/rc/filetype/rust.kak
index 9d20a46b..26e110e4 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/rust.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/rust.kak
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/rust/code/std_traits             regex \b(Copy|Send|Sized
 
 define-command -hidden rust-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden rust-indent-on-new-line %~
@@ -118,10 +118,10 @@ define-command -hidden rust-indent-on-new-line %~
             try %[ # line comment
                 evaluate-commands -draft -save-regs '/"' %[
                     # copy the commenting prefix
-                    execute-keys -save-regs '' k <a-x> s ^\h*//[!/]{0,2}\h* <ret> y
+                    execute-keys -save-regs '' k x s ^\h*//[!/]{0,2}\h* <ret> y
                     try %[
                         # if the previous comment isn't empty, create a new one
-                        execute-keys <a-x><a-K>^\h*//[!/]{0,2}$<ret> j<a-x>s^\h*<ret>P
+                        execute-keys x<a-K>^\h*//[!/]{0,2}$<ret> jxs^\h*<ret>P
                     ] catch %[
                         # TODO figure out a way to not delete empty comment in current line
                         # if there is no space and text in the previous comment, remove it completely
@@ -130,24 +130,24 @@ define-command -hidden rust-indent-on-new-line %~
                 ]
             ] catch %[ # block comment
                 # if the previous line isn't within a comment scope, break
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^(\h*/\*|\h+\*(?!/))<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^(\h*/\*|\h+\*(?!/))<ret>
 
                 # find comment opening, validate it was not closed, and check its using star prefixes
                 execute-keys -draft <a-?>/\*<ret><a-H> <a-K>\*/<ret> <a-k>\A\h*/\*([^\n]*\n\h*\*)*[^\n]*\n\h*.\z<ret>
 
                 try %[
                     # if the previous line is opening the comment, insert star preceeded by space
-                    execute-keys -draft k<a-x><a-k>^\h*/\*<ret>
+                    execute-keys -draft kx<a-k>^\h*/\*<ret>
                     execute-keys -draft i*<space><esc>
                 ] catch %[
                     try %[
                         # if the next line is a comment line insert a star
-                        execute-keys -draft j<a-x><a-k>^\h+\*<ret>
+                        execute-keys -draft jx<a-k>^\h+\*<ret>
                         execute-keys -draft i*<space><esc>
                     ] catch %[
                         try %[
                             # if the previous line is an empty comment line, close the comment scope
-                            execute-keys -draft k<a-x><a-k>^\h+\*\h+$<ret> <a-x>1s\*(\h*)<ret>c/<esc>
+                            execute-keys -draft kx<a-k>^\h+\*\h+$<ret> x1s\*(\h*)<ret>c/<esc>
                         ] catch %[
                             # if the previous line is a non-empty comment line, add a star
                             execute-keys -draft i*<space><esc>
@@ -158,29 +158,29 @@ define-command -hidden rust-indent-on-new-line %~
                 # trim trailing whitespace on the previous line
                 try %[ execute-keys -draft s\h+$<ret> d ]
                 # align the new star with the previous one
-                execute-keys K<a-x>1s^[^*]*(\*)<ret>&
+                execute-keys Kx1s^[^*]*(\*)<ret>&
             ]
         } catch %`
             # re-indent previous line if it starts with where to match previous block
             # string literal parsing within extern does not handle escape
-            try %% execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*where\b <ret> hh <a-?> ^\h*\b(impl|((|pub\ |pub\((crate|self|super|in\ (::)?([a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z0-9_]*|_[a-zA-Z0-9_]+)(::[a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z0-9_]*|_[a-zA-Z0-9_]+)*)\)\ )((async\ |const\ )?(unsafe\ )?(extern\ ("[^"]*"\ )?)?fn|struct|enum|union)))\b <ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> %
+            try %% execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> ^\h*where\b <ret> hh <a-?> ^\h*\b(impl|((|pub\ |pub\((crate|self|super|in\ (::)?([a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z0-9_]*|_[a-zA-Z0-9_]+)(::[a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z0-9_]*|_[a-zA-Z0-9_]+)*)\)\ )((async\ |const\ )?(unsafe\ )?(extern\ ("[^"]*"\ )?)?fn|struct|enum|union)))\b <ret> <a-S> 1<a-&> %
             # preserve previous line indent
             try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> K <a-&> }
             # indent after lines ending with [{([].+ and move first parameter to own line
             try %< execute-keys -draft [c[({[],[)}\]] <ret> <a-k> \A[({[][^\n]+\n[^\n]*\n?\z <ret> L i<ret><esc> <gt> <a-S> <a-&> >
             # indent after non-empty lines not starting with operator and not ending with , or ; or {
             # XXX simplify this into a single <a-k> without s
-            try %< execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s [^\h].+ <ret> <a-K> \A[-+*/&|^})<gt><lt>#] <ret> <a-K> [,<semicolon>{](\h*/[/*].*|)$ <ret> j <a-gt> >
+            try %< execute-keys -draft k x s [^\h].+ <ret> <a-K> \A[-+*/&|^})<gt><lt>#] <ret> <a-K> [,<semicolon>{](\h*/[/*].*|)$ <ret> j <a-gt> >
             # indent after lines ending with {
-            try %+ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> \{$ <ret> j <a-gt> +
+            try %+ execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> \{$ <ret> j <a-gt> +
             # dedent after lines starting with . and ending with } or ) or , or ; or .await (} or ) or .await maybe with ?)
-            try %_ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*\. <ret> <a-k> ([,<semicolon>]|(([})]|\.await)\?*))\h*$ <ret> j <a-lt> _
+            try %_ execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> ^\h*\. <ret> <a-k> ([,<semicolon>]|(([})]|\.await)\?*))\h*$ <ret> j <a-lt> _
             # dedent after lines ending with " => {}" - part of empty match
-            try %# execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> \ =>\ \{\}\h*$ <ret> j <a-lt> #
+            try %# execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> \ =>\ \{\}\h*$ <ret> j <a-lt> #
             # align to opening curly brace or paren when newline is inserted before a single closing
             try %< execute-keys -draft <a-h> <a-k> ^\h*[)}] <ret> h m <a-S> 1<a-&> >
             # todo dedent additional unmatched parenthesis
-            # try %& execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s \((?:[^)(]+|\((?:[^)(]+|\([^)(]*\))*\))*\) l Gl s\) %sh{
+            # try %& execute-keys -draft k x s \((?:[^)(]+|\((?:[^)(]+|\([^)(]*\))*\))*\) l Gl s\) %sh{
                 # count previous selections length
                 # printf "j $(echo $kak_selections_length | wc -w) <a-lt>"
             # } &
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ define-command -hidden rust-indent-on-opening-curly-brace %[
         # align indent with opening paren when { is entered on a new line after the closing paren
         try %[ execute-keys -draft h <a-F> ) M <a-k> \A\(.*\)\h*\n\h*\{\z <ret> s \A|.\z <ret> 1<a-&> ]
         # dedent standalone { after impl and related block without any { in between
-        try %@ execute-keys -draft hh <a-?> ^\h*\b(impl|((|pub\ |pub\((crate|self|super|in\ (::)?([a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z0-9_]*|_[a-zA-Z0-9_]+)(::[a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z0-9_]*|_[a-zA-Z0-9_]+)*)\)\ )((async\ |const\ )?(unsafe\ )?(extern\ ("[^"]*"\ )?)?fn|struct|enum|union))|if|for)\b <ret> <a-K> \{ <ret> <a-semicolon> <semicolon> ll <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*\{$ <ret> <a-lt> @
+        try %@ execute-keys -draft hh <a-?> ^\h*\b(impl|((|pub\ |pub\((crate|self|super|in\ (::)?([a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z0-9_]*|_[a-zA-Z0-9_]+)(::[a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z0-9_]*|_[a-zA-Z0-9_]+)*)\)\ )((async\ |const\ )?(unsafe\ )?(extern\ ("[^"]*"\ )?)?fn|struct|enum|union))|if|for)\b <ret> <a-K> \{ <ret> <a-semicolon> <semicolon> ll x <a-k> ^\h*\{$ <ret> <a-lt> @
     ~
 ]
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/sass.kak b/rc/filetype/sass.kak
index 9c5869b1..5f2cce08 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/sass.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/sass.kak
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/sass/code/ regex !important 0:keyword
 
 define-command -hidden sass-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden sass-indent-on-closing-brace %<
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ define-command -hidden sass-indent-on-closing-brace %<
 define-command -hidden sass-insert-on-new-line %<
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %<
         # copy // comment prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*\K/{2,}\h* <ret> y gh j P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*\K/{2,}\h* <ret> y gh j P }
     >
 >
 
@@ -77,9 +77,9 @@ define-command -hidden sass-indent-on-new-line %<
         # filter previous line
         try %{ execute-keys -draft k : sass-trim-indent <ret> }
         # avoid indent after properties and comments
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-K> [:/] <ret> j <a-gt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x <a-K> [:/] <ret> j <a-gt> }
         # deindent closing brace when after cursor
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*\} <ret> gh / \} <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*\} <ret> gh / \} <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
     >
 >
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/scala.kak b/rc/filetype/scala.kak
index 626058d0..0822a016 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/scala.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/scala.kak
@@ -57,13 +57,13 @@ add-highlighter shared/scala/code/ regex (\[|\]|=>|<:|:>|=:=|::|&&|\|\|) 0:opera
 
 define-command -hidden scala-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden scala-insert-on-new-line %[
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %[
         # copy // comments prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon><c-s>k<a-x> s ^\h*\K#\h* <ret> y<c-o>P<esc> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon><c-s>kx s ^\h*\K#\h* <ret> y<c-o>P<esc> }
     ]
 ]
 
@@ -74,9 +74,9 @@ define-command -hidden scala-indent-on-new-line %[
         # filter previous line
         try %[ execute-keys -draft k : scala-trim-indent <ret> ]
         # indent after lines ending with {
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> \{$ <ret> j <a-gt> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> \{$ <ret> j <a-gt> ]
         # deindent closing brace when after cursor
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*\} <ret> gh / \} <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*\} <ret> gh / \} <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> ]
     ]
 ]
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/sh.kak b/rc/filetype/sh.kak
index f853199c..7a284c84 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/sh.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/sh.kak
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/sh/double_string/expansion regex (?<!\\)(?:\\\\)*\K\$(\w+
 
 define-command -hidden sh-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 # This is at best an approximation, since shell syntax is very complex.
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ define-command -hidden sh-trim-indent %{
 define-command -hidden sh-insert-on-new-line %[
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %[
         # copy '#' comment prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*\K#\h* <ret> y gh j P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*\K#\h* <ret> y gh j P }
     ]
 ]
 
@@ -120,11 +120,11 @@ define-command -hidden sh-indent-on-new-line %¶
         # done
         #
         # indent after do
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k <a-x> <a-k> \bdo$ <ret> j <a-gt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k x <a-k> \bdo$ <ret> j <a-gt> }
         # copy the indentation of the matching for/when - matching on the do
         # statement, so we don't need to duplicate this for the two loop
         # structures.
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k <a-x> <a-k> \bdone$ <ret> gh [c\bdo\b,\bdone\b <ret> <a-x> <a-S> 1<a-&> <space> j K <a-&> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k x <a-k> \bdone$ <ret> gh [c\bdo\b,\bdone\b <ret> x <a-S> 1<a-&> <space> j K <a-&> }
 
         # Indent if/then/else syntax, e.g.:
         # if [ $foo = $bar ]; then
@@ -142,11 +142,11 @@ define-command -hidden sh-indent-on-new-line %¶
         # fi
         #
         # indent after then
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k <a-x> <a-k> \bthen$ <ret> j <a-gt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k x <a-k> \bthen$ <ret> j <a-gt> }
         # copy the indentation of the matching if
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k <a-x> <a-k> \bfi$ <ret> gh [c\bif\b,\bfi\b <ret> <a-x> <a-S> 1<a-&> <space> j K <a-&> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k x <a-k> \bfi$ <ret> gh [c\bif\b,\bfi\b <ret> x <a-S> 1<a-&> <space> j K <a-&> }
         # copy the indentation of the matching if, and then re-indent afterwards
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k <a-x> <a-k> \belse$ <ret> gh [c\bif\b,\bfi\b <ret> <a-x> <a-S> 1<a-&> <space> j K <a-&> j <a-gt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k x <a-k> \belse$ <ret> gh [c\bif\b,\bfi\b <ret> x <a-S> 1<a-&> <space> j K <a-&> j <a-gt> }
 
         # Indent case syntax, e.g.:
         # case "$foo" in
@@ -166,13 +166,13 @@ define-command -hidden sh-indent-on-new-line %¶
         # esac
         #
         # indent after in
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k <a-x> <a-k> \bin$ <ret> j <a-gt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k x <a-k> \bin$ <ret> j <a-gt> }
         # copy the indentation of the matching case
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k <a-x> <a-k> \besac$ <ret> gh [c\bcase\b,\besac\b <ret> <a-x> <a-S> 1<a-&> <space> j K <a-&> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k x <a-k> \besac$ <ret> gh [c\bcase\b,\besac\b <ret> x <a-S> 1<a-&> <space> j K <a-&> }
         # indent after )
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k <a-x> <a-k> ^\s*\(?[^(]+[^)]\)$ <ret> j <a-gt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k x <a-k> ^\s*\(?[^(]+[^)]\)$ <ret> j <a-gt> }
         # deindent after ;;
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k <a-x> <a-k> ^\s*\;\;$ <ret> j <a-lt> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k x <a-k> ^\s*\;\;$ <ret> j <a-lt> }
 
         # Indent compound commands as logical blocks, e.g.:
         # {
@@ -194,11 +194,11 @@ define-command -hidden sh-indent-on-new-line %¶
         # white space (including a newline), though technically it can also be
         # ';'. Only vertical white space makes sense in this context, though,
         # since the syntax denotes a logical block, not a simple compound command.
-        try %= execute-keys -draft <space> k <a-x> <a-k> (\s|^)\{$ <ret> j <a-gt> =
+        try %= execute-keys -draft <space> k x <a-k> (\s|^)\{$ <ret> j <a-gt> =
         # deindent closing }
-        try %= execute-keys -draft <space> k <a-x> <a-k> ^\s*\}$ <ret> <a-lt> j K <a-&> =
+        try %= execute-keys -draft <space> k x <a-k> ^\s*\}$ <ret> <a-lt> j K <a-&> =
         # deindent closing } when after cursor
-        try %= execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*\} <ret> gh / \} <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> =
+        try %= execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*\} <ret> gh / \} <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> =
 
     @
 ¶
diff --git a/rc/filetype/taskpaper.kak b/rc/filetype/taskpaper.kak
index 94ab1b81..ece6664e 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/taskpaper.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/taskpaper.kak
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ add-highlighter shared/taskpaper/ regex (([a-z]+://\S+)|((mailto:)[\w+-]+@\S+))
 
 define-command -hidden taskpaper-trim-indent %{
     evaluate-commands -no-hooks -draft -itersel %{
-        execute-keys <a-x>
+        execute-keys x
         # remove trailing white spaces
         try %{ execute-keys -draft s \h + $ <ret> d }
     }
@@ -54,9 +54,9 @@ define-command -hidden taskpaper-indent-on-new-line %{
         # preserve previous line indent
         try %{ execute-keys -draft <semicolon>K<a-&> }
         ## If the line above is a project indent with a tab
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft Z k<a-x> <a-k>^\h*([^:\n]+):<ret> z i<tab> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft Z kx <a-k>^\h*([^:\n]+):<ret> z i<tab> }
         # cleanup trailing white spaces on previous line
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k<a-x> s \h+$ <ret>d }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft kx s \h+$ <ret>d }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/toml.kak b/rc/filetype/toml.kak
index bc78b0dd..d02e0740 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/toml.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/toml.kak
@@ -54,13 +54,13 @@ add-highlighter shared/toml/code/ regex \
 
 define-command -hidden toml-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden toml-insert-on-new-line %{
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
         # copy # comments prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*\K#\h* <ret> y gh j P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*\K#\h* <ret> y gh j P }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/twig.kak b/rc/filetype/twig.kak
index 6fcfeeb4..2f5ef184 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/twig.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/twig.kak
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ define-command -hidden twig-insert-on-new-line %[
   evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %/
     execute-keys <semicolon>
     try %[
-      execute-keys -draft k<a-x><a-k>^\h*\{\[%#\{\]\h+$<ret>
+      execute-keys -draft kx<a-k>^\h*\{\[%#\{\]\h+$<ret>
       execute-keys -draft jghd
     ]
   /
diff --git a/rc/filetype/vhdl.kak b/rc/filetype/vhdl.kak
index 048ac580..ddb9e5ee 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/vhdl.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/vhdl.kak
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ hook global WinSetOption filetype=vhdl %[
     hook -group vhdl-indent window InsertChar \)  vhdl-indent-on-closing-parenthesis
     hook -group vhdl-insert window InsertChar \n  vhdl-insert-on-new-line
     # Cleanup trailing whitespaces on current line insert end.
-    hook -group vhdl-trim-indent window ModeChange pop:insert:.* %[ try %[ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> <a-x> s ^\h+$ <ret> d ] ]
+    hook -group vhdl-trim-indent window ModeChange pop:insert:.* %[ try %[ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> x s ^\h+$ <ret> d ] ]
     hook -once -always window WinSetOption filetype=.* %[ remove-hooks window vhdl-.+ ]
 ]
 
@@ -168,13 +168,13 @@ define-command -hidden vhdl-insert-on-new-line %[
         # Copy '--' comment prefix and following white spaces.
         try %[
             # <a-lt> is needed because of "Preserve previous line indent" command.
-            try %[ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*--\h* <ret> y j <a-lt> gh P ]
+            try %[ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*--\h* <ret> y j <a-lt> gh P ]
         ]
     ]
 
     evaluate-commands -save-regs x %[
         # Save previous line indent in register x.
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k<a-x>s^\h+<ret>"xy ] catch %[ reg x '' ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft kxs^\h+<ret>"xy ] catch %[ reg x '' ]
 
         # All "wisely add" commands share the same concept.
         # Only "end if" has extra comments.
@@ -182,170 +182,170 @@ define-command -hidden vhdl-insert-on-new-line %[
         evaluate-commands %[
             try %[
                 # Validate previous line and that it is not closed yet.
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^\h*(?i)((then|(.*:\h*)?if\b.*\bthen)$)<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)end\b<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^\h*(?i)((then|(.*:\h*)?if\b.*\bthen)$)<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)end\b<ret>
                 # Don't add for "if ... generate", it requires "end generate;".
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-K>(?i)\bgenerate\b<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-K>(?i)\bgenerate\b<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>xend<space>if<semicolon><esc>
             ]
         ]
         # Wisely add "end generate;".
         evaluate-commands %[
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^\h*(?i).*\bgenerate$<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(begin|end)<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^\h*(?i).*\bgenerate$<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(begin|end)<ret>
                 # Don't add in case of comment line.
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-K>^\h*--<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-K>^\h*--<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>xend<space>generate<semicolon><esc>
             ]
         ]
         # Wisely add "end case;".
         evaluate-commands %[
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^\h*(?i)(case|.*\h*:\h*case)\b<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)end<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^\h*(?i)(case|.*\h*:\h*case)\b<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)end<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>xend<space>case<semicolon><esc>
             ]
         ]
         # Wisely add "begin" and "end block;".
         evaluate-commands %[
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^\h*(?i)((block|.*:\h*block)\b)<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(begin|end)<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^\h*(?i)((block|.*:\h*block)\b)<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(begin|end)<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>xbegin<ret><c-r>xend<space>block<semicolon><esc>
             ]
         ]
         # Wisely add "begin" and "end process;".
         evaluate-commands %[
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^\h*(?i)(.*:\h*)?(postponed\h+)?process\b<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(begin|end)<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^\h*(?i)(.*:\h*)?(postponed\h+)?process\b<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(begin|end)<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>xbegin<ret><c-r>xend<space>process<semicolon><esc>
             ]
         ]
         # Wisely add "end loop;".
         evaluate-commands %[
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^\h*(?i)(.*\bloop|.*\h*:\h*(for|loop))$<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(end)<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^\h*(?i)(.*\bloop|.*\h*:\h*(for|loop))$<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(end)<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>xend<space>loop<semicolon><esc>
             ]
         ]
         # Wisely add "end protected;".
         evaluate-commands %[
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^\h*(?i)(type\b.*\bis\h+protected)$<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(end)<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^\h*(?i)(type\b.*\bis\h+protected)$<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(end)<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>xend<space>protected<semicolon><esc>
             ]
         ]
         # Wisely add "end protected body;".
         evaluate-commands %[
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^(?i)(\h*type\h+\w+\h+is\h+protected\h+body$)<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)end\h+protected\h+body\b<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^(?i)(\h*type\h+\w+\h+is\h+protected\h+body$)<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)end\h+protected\h+body\b<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>xend<space>protected<space>body<semicolon><esc>
             ]
         ]
         # Wisely add "end record;".
         evaluate-commands %[
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^\h*(?i)(type\b.*\bis\h+record\h*)$<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(end)<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^\h*(?i)(type\b.*\bis\h+record\h*)$<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(end)<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>xend<space>record<semicolon><esc>
             ]
         ]
         # Wisely add ");" for "type ... is (".
         evaluate-commands %[
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^\h*(?i)(type\b.*\bis\h+\(\h*)$<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(\))<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^\h*(?i)(type\b.*\bis\h+\(\h*)$<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(\))<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>x)<semicolon><esc>
             ]
         ]
         # Wisely add "end entity;".
         evaluate-commands %[
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^(?i)\h*entity\b.*\bis$<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(begin|end)<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^(?i)\h*entity\b.*\bis$<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(begin|end)<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>xend<space>entity<semicolon><esc>
             ]
         ]
         # Wisely add "begin" and "end function;".
         evaluate-commands %[
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^(?i)(\h*\)?\h*return\b.*\bis$)<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(begin|end)<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^(?i)(\h*\)?\h*return\b.*\bis$)<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(begin|end)<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>xbegin<ret><c-r>xend<space>function<semicolon><esc>
             ]
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^(?i)(\h*((pure|impure)\h+)?function\b.*\bis$)<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(begin|end)<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^(?i)(\h*((pure|impure)\h+)?function\b.*\bis$)<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(begin|end)<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>xbegin<ret><c-r>xend<space>function<semicolon><esc>
             ]
         ]
         # Wisely add "begin" and "end procedure;".
         evaluate-commands %[
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^(?i)(\h*procedure\b.*\bis$)<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)\b(begin|end)\b<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^(?i)(\h*procedure\b.*\bis$)<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)\b(begin|end)\b<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>xbegin<ret><c-r>xend<space>procedure<semicolon><esc>
             ]
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^(?i)\h*\)\h*\bis$<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)\b(begin|end)\b<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^(?i)\h*\)\h*\bis$<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)\b(begin|end)\b<ret>
                 # Verify that line with opening parenthesis contains "procedure" keyword.
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> s\)<ret> <a-m><semicolon> <a-x><a-k> (?i)\bprocedure\b<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx s\)<ret> <a-m><semicolon> x<a-k> (?i)\bprocedure\b<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>xbegin<ret><c-r>xend<space>procedure<semicolon><esc>
             ]
         ]
         # Wisely add "end package;".
         evaluate-commands %[
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^(?i)(package\b)<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(end)<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^(?i)(package\b)<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(end)<ret>
                 # Make sure it is not package body.
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x><a-K>(?i)\bbody\b<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx<a-K>(?i)\bbody\b<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft oend<space>package<semicolon><esc>
             ]
         ]
         # Wisely add "end package body;".
         evaluate-commands %[
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^(?i)(package\h+body\b)<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(end)<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^(?i)(package\h+body\b)<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(end)<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft oend<space>package<space>body<semicolon><esc>
             ]
         ]
         # Wisely add "begin" and "end architecture;".
         evaluate-commands %[
             try %[
-            execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^(?i)\h*architecture\b<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(begin|end)<ret>
+            execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^(?i)\h*architecture\b<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(?i)(begin|end)<ret>
             execute-keys -draft o<c-r>xbegin<ret><c-r>xend<space>architecture<semicolon><esc>
             ]
         ]
         # Wisely add ");" for "port (".
         evaluate-commands %[
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^\h*(?i)port\h*\($<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(\)\;)<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^\h*(?i)port\h*\($<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(\)\;)<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>x)<semicolon><esc>
             ]
         ]
         # Wisely add ");" for "port map (".
         evaluate-commands %[
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^\h*(?i)port\h+map\h*\($<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(\)\;)<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^\h*(?i)port\h+map\h*\($<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(\)\;)<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>x)<semicolon><esc>
             ]
         ]
         # Wisely add ");" for "generic (".
         evaluate-commands %[
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^\h*(?i)generic\h*\($<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(\)\;)<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^\h*(?i)generic\h*\($<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(\)\;)<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>x)<semicolon><esc>
             ]
         ]
         # Wisely add ")" for "generic map (".
         evaluate-commands %[
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^\h*(?i)generic\h+map\h*\($<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(\))<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^\h*(?i)generic\h+map\h*\($<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(\))<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>x)<esc>
             ]
         ]
         # Wisely add ") return ;" for "[pure|impure] function ... (".
         evaluate-commands %[
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^\h*(?i)(pure\b|impure\b)?\h*function\b.*\h*\($<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(\)\h*return.*)<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^\h*(?i)(pure\b|impure\b)?\h*function\b.*\h*\($<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(\)\h*return.*)<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>x)<space>return<space><semicolon><esc>
             ]
         ]
         # Wisely add ");" for "procedure ... (".
         evaluate-commands %[
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k<a-x> <a-k>^\h*(?i)procedure\b.*\h*\($<ret> }i<a-x> <a-K>^<c-r>x(\)\h*\;)<ret>
+                execute-keys -draft kx <a-k>^\h*(?i)procedure\b.*\h*\($<ret> }ix <a-K>^<c-r>x(\)\h*\;)<ret>
                 execute-keys -draft o<c-r>x)<semicolon><esc>
             ]
         ]
@@ -357,9 +357,9 @@ define-command -hidden vhdl-indent-on-new-line %{
         # Align "then" to previous "if|elsif".
         evaluate-commands -itersel -save-regs x %[
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> (?i)^\h*then$ <ret>
-                try %[ execute-keys -draft <a-/>(?i)\b(if|elsif)\b<ret><a-x>s^\h+<ret>"xy ] catch %[ reg x '' ]
-                try %[ execute-keys -draft k <a-x>s^\h+<ret>d ] catch %[ ]
+                execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> (?i)^\h*then$ <ret>
+                try %[ execute-keys -draft <a-/>(?i)\b(if|elsif)\b<ret>xs^\h+<ret>"xy ] catch %[ reg x '' ]
+                try %[ execute-keys -draft k xs^\h+<ret>d ] catch %[ ]
                 execute-keys -draft kgh i<c-r>x<esc>
             ]
         ]
@@ -367,9 +367,9 @@ define-command -hidden vhdl-indent-on-new-line %{
          # Align "generate" to previous "if|for".
         evaluate-commands -itersel -save-regs x %[
             try %[
-                execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> (?i)^\h*generate$ <ret>
-                try %[ execute-keys -draft <a-/>(?i)\b(if|for)\b<ret><a-x>s^\h+<ret>"xy ] catch %[ reg x '' ]
-                try %[ execute-keys -draft k <a-x>s^\h+<ret>d ] catch %[ ]
+                execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> (?i)^\h*generate$ <ret>
+                try %[ execute-keys -draft <a-/>(?i)\b(if|for)\b<ret>xs^\h+<ret>"xy ] catch %[ reg x '' ]
+                try %[ execute-keys -draft k xs^\h+<ret>d ] catch %[ ]
                 execute-keys -draft kgh i<c-r>x<esc>
             ]
         ]
@@ -378,38 +378,38 @@ define-command -hidden vhdl-indent-on-new-line %{
         try %[ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> K <a-&> ]
 
          # Cleanup trailing whitespaces from previous line.
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft k x s \h+$ <ret> d ]
 
          # Increase indent after some keywords.
         try %[
-            execute-keys -draft k<a-x><a-k> (?i)\b(begin|block|body|else|for|generate|if|is|loop|process|protected|record|select|then)$ <ret>
+            execute-keys -draft kx<a-k> (?i)\b(begin|block|body|else|for|generate|if|is|loop|process|protected|record|select|then)$ <ret>
             # Does not indent if in comment line.
-            execute-keys -draft k<a-x><a-K>(?i)^\h*--<ret>
+            execute-keys -draft kx<a-K>(?i)^\h*--<ret>
             # Handle case line in a bit different way.
-            execute-keys -draft k<a-x><a-K>(?i)^\h*case\b<ret>
+            execute-keys -draft kx<a-K>(?i)^\h*case\b<ret>
             execute-keys -draft <semicolon> <a-gt>
         ]
 
         # Add "when " and increase indent after "case ... is".
         try %[
-            execute-keys -draft k<a-x><a-k> (?i)\h*case\b.*\h+is$ <ret>
+            execute-keys -draft kx<a-k> (?i)\h*case\b.*\h+is$ <ret>
             # Don't indent if in comment line.
-            execute-keys -draft k<a-x><a-K>(?i)^\h*--<ret>
+            execute-keys -draft kx<a-K>(?i)^\h*--<ret>
             execute-keys -draft <semicolon>iwhen<space><esc><a-gt>
         ]
 
         # Copy the indentation of the matching if.
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*(elsif\b|else$) <ret> gh [c^\h*(\S*\h*:\h*)?if\b,\bend\sif\b <ret> <a-x> <a-S> 1<a-&> <space> j K <a-&> }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft <space> k x <a-k> ^\h*(elsif\b|else$) <ret> gh [c^\h*(\S*\h*:\h*)?if\b,\bend\sif\b <ret> x <a-S> 1<a-&> <space> j K <a-&> }
 
         # Increase indent after some operators.
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> <space> k <a-x> <a-k> (\(|=>|<=|:=)$ <ret> j <a-gt> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft <semicolon> <space> k x <a-k> (\(|=>|<=|:=)$ <ret> j <a-gt> ]
      }
 }
 
 define-command vhdl-indent-on-closing-parenthesis %[
     evaluate-commands -itersel %[
         # Decrease indent after ")" at the beginning of line.
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> (^\h+\)$) <ret> <a-lt> ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft x <a-k> (^\h+\)$) <ret> <a-lt> ]
     ]
 ]
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/yaml.kak b/rc/filetype/yaml.kak
index 7abaf22a..6bc79a4e 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/yaml.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/yaml.kak
@@ -47,13 +47,13 @@ add-highlighter shared/yaml/code/ regex ^\h*-?\h*(\S+): 1:attribute
 
 define-command -hidden yaml-trim-indent %{
     # remove trailing white spaces
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden yaml-insert-on-new-line %{
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %{
         # copy '#' comment prefix and following white spaces
-        try %{ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*\K#\h* <ret> y gh j P }
+        try %{ execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*\K#\h* <ret> y gh j P }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/rc/filetype/zig.kak b/rc/filetype/zig.kak
index 27ca2c5f..fe1df7ac 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/zig.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/zig.kak
@@ -97,13 +97,13 @@ add-highlighter shared/zig/code/ regex "@(?:addWithOverflow|alignCast|alignOf|as
 
 define-command -hidden zig-trim-indent %{
     # delete trailing whitespace
-    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel <a-x> s \h+$ <ret> d }
+    try %{ execute-keys -draft -itersel x s \h+$ <ret> d }
 }
 
 define-command -hidden zig-insert-on-new-line %<
     evaluate-commands -draft -itersel %<
         # copy // or /// comments prefix or \\ string literal prefix and following whitespace
-        try %< execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s ^\h*\K(///?|\\\\)\h* <ret> y gh j P >
+        try %< execute-keys -draft k x s ^\h*\K(///?|\\\\)\h* <ret> y gh j P >
     >
 >
 
@@ -113,11 +113,11 @@ define-command -hidden zig-indent-on-new-line %<
         try %< execute-keys -draft <semicolon> K <a-&> >
         try %<
             # only if we didn't copy a comment or multiline string
-            execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-K> ^\h*(//|\\\\) <ret>
+            execute-keys -draft x <a-K> ^\h*(//|\\\\) <ret>
             # indent after lines ending in {
-            try %< execute-keys -draft k <a-x> <a-k> \{\h*$ <ret> j <a-gt> >
+            try %< execute-keys -draft k x <a-k> \{\h*$ <ret> j <a-gt> >
             # deindent closing } when after cursor
-            try %< execute-keys -draft <a-x> <a-k> ^\h*\} <ret> gh / \} <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> >
+            try %< execute-keys -draft x <a-k> ^\h*\} <ret> gh / \} <ret> m <a-S> 1<a-&> >
         >
         # filter previous line
         try %< execute-keys -draft k : zig-trim-indent <ret> >
diff --git a/rc/tools/autowrap.kak b/rc/tools/autowrap.kak
index c900abc6..d742f6ee 100644
--- a/rc/tools/autowrap.kak
+++ b/rc/tools/autowrap.kak
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ declare-option -docstring %{
 define-command -hidden autowrap-cursor %{ evaluate-commands -save-regs '/"|^@m' %{
     try %{
         ## if the line isn't too long, do nothing
-        execute-keys -draft "<a-x><a-k>^[^\n]{%opt{autowrap_column},}[^\n]<ret>"
+        execute-keys -draft "x<a-k>^[^\n]{%opt{autowrap_column},}[^\n]<ret>"
 
         try %{
             reg m "%val{selections_desc}"
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ define-command -hidden autowrap-cursor %{ evaluate-commands -save-regs '/"|^@m'
                                  | sed "s/%c/${kak_opt_autowrap_column}/g")
                     printf %s "
                         evaluate-commands -draft %{
-                            execute-keys '<a-]>p<a-x><a-j>|${format_cmd}<ret>'
+                            execute-keys '<a-]>px<a-j>|${format_cmd}<ret>'
                             try %{ execute-keys s\h+$<ret> d }
                         }
                         select '${kak_main_reg_m}'
diff --git a/rc/tools/grep.kak b/rc/tools/grep.kak
index c7c27a35..dd86c0f0 100644
--- a/rc/tools/grep.kak
+++ b/rc/tools/grep.kak
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ declare-option -docstring "name of the client in which all source code jumps wil
 define-command -hidden grep-jump %{
     evaluate-commands %{ # use evaluate-commands to ensure jumps are collapsed
         try %{
-            execute-keys '<a-x>s^((?:\w:)?[^:]+):(\d+):(\d+)?<ret>'
+            execute-keys 'xs^((?:\w:)?[^:]+):(\d+):(\d+)?<ret>'
             set-option buffer grep_current_line %val{cursor_line}
             evaluate-commands -try-client %opt{jumpclient} -verbatim -- edit -existing %reg{1} %reg{2} %reg{3}
             try %{ focus %opt{jumpclient} }
diff --git a/src/main.cc b/src/main.cc
index ab476458..f0088265 100644
--- a/src/main.cc
+++ b/src/main.cc
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ struct {
         "» pipe commands do not append final end-of-lines anymore\n"
         "» {+u}complete-command{} to configure command completion\n"
         "» {+b}!{} and {+b}<a-!>{} now select the inserted text\n"
+        "» {+b}x{} now uses {+b}<a-x>{} behaviour\n"
     }, {
         20211107,
         "» colored and curly underlines support (undocumented in 20210828)\n"
diff --git a/src/normal.cc b/src/normal.cc
index 27bdb3dd..51027529 100644
--- a/src/normal.cc
+++ b/src/normal.cc
@@ -2294,10 +2294,8 @@ static constexpr HashMap<Key, NormalCmd, MemoryDomain::Undefined, KeymapBackend>
     { {alt('h')}, {"select to line begin", repeated<select<SelectMode::Replace, select_to_line_begin<false>>>} },
     { {alt('H')}, {"extend to line begin", repeated<select<SelectMode::Extend, select_to_line_begin<false>>>} },
 
-    { {'x'}, {"select line", repeated<select<SelectMode::Replace, select_line>>} },
-    { {'X'}, {"extend line", repeated<select<SelectMode::Extend, select_line>>} },
-    { {alt('x')}, {"extend selections to whole lines", select<SelectMode::Replace, select_lines>} },
-    { {alt('X')}, {"crop selections to whole lines", select<SelectMode::Replace, trim_partial_lines>} },
+    { {'x'}, {"extend selections to whole lines", select<SelectMode::Replace, select_lines>} },
+    { {alt('x')}, {"crop selections to whole lines", select<SelectMode::Replace, trim_partial_lines>} },
 
     { {'m'}, {"select to matching character", select<SelectMode::Replace, select_matching<true>>} },
     { {alt('m')}, {"backward select to matching character", select<SelectMode::Replace, select_matching<false>>} },
diff --git a/src/selectors.cc b/src/selectors.cc
index b0aa83b0..43819034 100644
--- a/src/selectors.cc
+++ b/src/selectors.cc
@@ -173,19 +173,6 @@ select_word(const Context& context, const Selection& selection,
 template Optional<Selection> select_word<WordType::Word>(const Context&, const Selection&, int, ObjectFlags);
 template Optional<Selection> select_word<WordType::WORD>(const Context&, const Selection&, int, ObjectFlags);
 
-Optional<Selection>
-select_line(const Context& context, const Selection& selection)
-{
-    auto& buffer = context.buffer();
-    auto line = selection.cursor().line;
-    // Next line if line fully selected
-    if (selection.anchor() <= BufferCoord{line, 0_byte} and
-        selection.cursor() == BufferCoord{line, buffer[line].length() - 1} and
-        line != buffer.line_count() - 1)
-        ++line;
-    return Selection{{line, 0_byte}, {line, buffer[line].length() - 1, max_column}};
-}
-
 template<bool only_move>
 Optional<Selection>
 select_to_line_end(const Context& context, const Selection& selection)
diff --git a/test/indent/comment/comment-multiple-lines-indented/cmd b/test/indent/comment/comment-multiple-lines-indented/cmd
index 2330d00f..ea76f7d3 100644
--- a/test/indent/comment/comment-multiple-lines-indented/cmd
+++ b/test/indent/comment/comment-multiple-lines-indented/cmd
@@ -1 +1 @@
-jXXXXX:comment-line<ret>
+jGex:comment-line<ret>
diff --git a/test/normal/extend-lines/cmd b/test/normal/extend-lines/cmd
index 9e785e6d..587be6b4 100644
--- a/test/normal/extend-lines/cmd
+++ b/test/normal/extend-lines/cmd
@@ -1 +1 @@
-<a-x>
+x
diff --git a/test/normal/select-line-extending/cmd b/test/normal/select-line-extending/cmd
deleted file mode 100644
index 62d8fe9f..00000000
--- a/test/normal/select-line-extending/cmd
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-X
diff --git a/test/normal/select-line-extending/in b/test/normal/select-line-extending/in
deleted file mode 100644
index 257cc564..00000000
--- a/test/normal/select-line-extending/in
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-foo
diff --git a/test/normal/select-line-extending/kak_quoted_selections b/test/normal/select-line-extending/kak_quoted_selections
deleted file mode 100644
index 97a30d3c..00000000
--- a/test/normal/select-line-extending/kak_quoted_selections
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,2 +0,0 @@
-'foo
-'
diff --git a/test/normal/trim-lines/cmd b/test/normal/trim-lines/cmd
index d786ed97..9e785e6d 100644
--- a/test/normal/trim-lines/cmd
+++ b/test/normal/trim-lines/cmd
@@ -1 +1 @@
-<a-X>
+<a-x>