In this article, you will learn how to interface with the web with just the tippy taps of your fingers. While it may sound trivial to limit yourself to the keyboard, learning this skill can pay dividends over time. All the constant back and forth switching between the mouse is essentially death by a thousand context switches. It can hamper productivity and decreases the likelihood of entering [flow state](https://www.headspace.com/articles/flow-state).

With practice, dedication, and time you can develop the appropriate muscle memories to manipulate the browser. The sequence of keystrokes will become so motorized and entrenched it becomes second nature. Get good enough and you may find yourself with the ability to have your thoughts manifest on screen in real-time.

To get started, download the [Vimium Chrome Extention](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/vimium/dbepggeogbaibhgnhhndojpepiihcmeb).

Below are some essential keys to get you on the path to increasing productivity and creating sustained focus. Please note that the keys are case-sensitive and perform alternate functions based on what you input.

## Navigating Current Page

-   `h` - Scroll left
-   `j` - Scroll down
-   `k` - Scroll up
-   `l` - Scroll right
-   `gg` - Scroll to top of the page
-   `G` - Scroll to bottom of the page
-   `d` - Scroll down half a page
-   `u` - Scroll up half a page
-   `r` - Reload
-   `H` - Go back
-   `L` - Go forward

## Interacting with Links

-   `f` - Open a link in the current tab
-   `F` - Open a link in a new tab
-   `o` - Open URL, bookmark, or history entry
-   `O` - Open URL, bookmark, history entry in a new tab
-   `b` - Open bookmark
-   `B` - Open bookmark in a new tab

## Manipulating Tabs

-   `J` - Go one tab left
-   `K` - Go one tab right
-   `g0` - Go to the first tab
-   `g$` - Go to the last tab
-   `t` - Create tab
-   `x` - Close current tab
-   `X` - Restore closed tab (i.e. unwind the 'x' command)
-   `T` - Search through your open tabs
-   `yt` - Duplicate tab

## Advanced Browsing Commands

-   `yy` - Copy the current URL to the clipboard
-   `yf` - Copy a link URL to the clipboard
-   `]]` - Follow the link labeled 'next' or '>'. Helpful for browsing paginated sites
-   `[[` - Follow the link labeled 'previous' or '<'. Helpful for browsing paginated sites
-   `gi` - Focus the first (or n-th) text input box on the page
-   `gu` - Go up one level in the URL hierarchy

## Non-Vimium Commands

-   `cmd + control + f` - Toggle fullscreen
-   `cmd + shift + f` - Toggle navigation and bookmarks menu (while fullscreen)
-   `cmd + l` - Make the address bar active
-   `cmd + +` - Increase zoom
-   `cmd + -` - Decrease zoom
-   `cmd + 0` - Reset zoom
-   `cmd + ~` - Switch between open windows

## Unbound Tips

You will come across this issue in Vimium where it appears to be unresponsive. Chances are it's because the window is not in active focus. This can occur when you click the address bar, toolbar or inside an <input />, <textarea />, <select /> field. A quick-fix is to either hit the `esc` or `tab` key then proceed with your action.

To quickly reference all keys, press `?` to display an overlay.

For a more advanced windows management solution, check out the [Magnet App](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/magnet/id441258766) from the App Store.

It may feel cumbersome at first, but if stick with it you will reap the benefits for life.

---

#### Links:

-   [Flow State](https://www.headspace.com/articles/flow-state)
-   [Vimium Chrome Extension](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/vimium/dbepggeogbaibhgnhhndojpepiihcmeb)
-   [Magnet App](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/magnet/id441258766)

---

How to interface with the web

With the transition from traditional retail to e-commerce well underway, the recent pandemic has only served to be a catalyst. It is now more imperative than ever to be a savvy online consumer. Finding great deals is easy and the financially responsible thing to do.

So how do you know if you're getting a good deal? What is the market value? And is it a fair price? Learn these modern strategies to make your next purchase with confidence.

## 1. Take time to consider and save

If it's not an urgent purchase, make it a personal rule to add it to your shopping cart, go through the funnel, then sit on it for a week (don't actually checkout). This serves two purposes. First, it will stave off impulse purchases. You might not actually want it after taking some time to reconsider. Secondly, your shopping cart could potentially be [flagged as abandoned](https://www.optimizely.com/optimization-glossary/shopping-cart-abandonment) - this is actually a good thing because there's a high probability you'll receive a follow-up coupon code via email to entice you to close the deal.

## 2. Cashback credit cards

One of the easiest ways to save money is to sign up for a cashback credit card. Discounts are often dependant on types of purchase but typically save you anywhere from 1-5% without doing any extra work. Make all your purchases through this card, but be sure to automate your bill payment in full each month if you haven't already set this up with your bank. One less thing to think about - it's a no-brainer. One card I particularly enjoy is the [Mogo Visa/Debit card](https://app.mogo.ca/go?referral_code=N2Y453PQ) - Not only do you get 2% unlimited cashback on bitcoin but they will plant a carbon-sucking tree on your behalf.

## 3. Coupons

Another easy way to save money is through coupons. And the easiest way to find them is with [Honey](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/honey/bmnlcjabgnpnenekpadlanbbkooimhnj). This browser extension crowdsources coupon codes from other users and automatically applies them for you at checkout. With coupons for over 30,000+ sites, you'd be pleasantly surprised how often it works.

## 4. Go incognito

When shopping online, marketers are always tracking your every move through the use of cookies and IP addresses. The data is then used to influence your purchasing decision. Tactics such as dynamic and geographic pricing are common practices and widely adopted. Next time you make a purchase, do it from a private/incognito session and try switching your VPN location to a country with lower purchasing power.

## 5. Price history & notification

If you're shopping on Amazon, make sure to visit [camelcamelcamel.com](https://camelcamelcamel.com/). This site allows a user to track the price history of a particular item and set up alerts to notify you when the price drops to your desired target. To get started, you just copy and paste the Amazon URL inside their search box and hit enter.

---

#### Links:

-   [Shopping Cart Abandonment](https://www.optimizely.com/optimization-glossary/shopping-cart-abandonment)
-   [Mogo VISA/Debit Card](https://app.mogo.ca/go?referral_code=N2Y453PQ)
-   [Honey Chrome Extension](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/honey/bmnlcjabgnpnenekpadlanbbkooimhnj)
-   [Camel Camel Camel](https://camelcamelcamel.com)

---

## Want to learn how to build a web scraper? Sign up for our newsletter and be notified when we publish the two-part tutorial.

We'll start with the basics of how to programmatically interact with a site through a headless browser. Then do a deep dive into the common challenges associated with web scraping and how to overcome them (client-side rendering, captchas, bot detection, digital fingerprinting, user agents... etc.).

How to interface with the web

How to find a great deal and be a savvy consumer