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I often use isearch (C-s normally or / in evil) and then want to use that query (or part of it) for replacing. This answer explains how to cycle history, but M-p cycles the history for each mode separately so I don't see isearch queries from query-replace.

Ideally, the query I used for either search is automatically saved and I can use a key binding to insert the query into a buffer or minibuffer.

Example: search for "fib-function", C-h f and insert "fib-function" for help, or helm-do-grep to search for it in files, or just insert it into the current file to start defining it.

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idbrii
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  • If you use Helm, you could use `helm-minibuffer-history` that shows all inputs. and bind it to a key in `isearch-mode-map`. – Tu Do May 11 '15 at 12:39
  • Using this: `(define-key isearch-mode-map (kbd "C-u") 'helm-minibuffer-history)` causes my entire buffer to be replaced with whatever I select from the history (and I can only select the first item). Also, I can't use that to insert into helm: `helm: Error: Trying to run helm within a running helm session`. – idbrii May 11 '15 at 13:07
  • Weird, working fine for me in Isearch. So, try `(define-key isearch-mode-map (kbd "C-c C-l") 'helm-minibuffer-history)` if it works. Are you using Spacemacs? Also, if you see a Helm buffer that gives you a list of strings, it's working as expected. Select an item from the list and press `RET`. Then the input will be inserted into the minibuffer. – Tu Do May 11 '15 at 13:13
  • I am using spacemacs and using `/` to start isearch. I get the same result with that map: I get a helm buffer giving a list of strings separated by ----, but I can't type to narrow down the list and I can't use C-j to move down the list. Typing anything narrows the list to helm-minibuffer-history (the first item in the list). Then my buffer is replaced with helm-minibuffer-history. – idbrii May 12 '15 at 15:19

1 Answers1

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Customize option query-replace-from-history-variable (or query-replace-to-history-variable, or both). Point to search-ring or regexp-search-ring instead of query-replace-history.

Drew
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  • Thanks! `(setq query-replace-from-history-variable 'regexp-search-ring)` worked to join the spacemacs `/` history with visual-regexp-steroids. For anyone following along at home, the `from` refers to the search history and `to` means the replacement history, so you can track them independently. `C-h v` explains what they mean. – idbrii May 12 '15 at 15:11