@menu
* Setting up a customization file::
+* Using Customize::
* Debugging a customization file::
* Colors on a TTY::
* Displaying the current line or column::
* Escape sequences in shell output::
@end menu
-@node Setting up a customization file, Colors on a TTY, Common requests, Common requests
+@node Setting up a customization file, Using Customize, Common requests, Common requests
@section How do I set up a @file{.emacs} file properly?
@cindex @file{.emacs} file, setting up
@cindex @file{.emacs} file, locating
@email{help-gnu-emacs@@gnu.org} asking why Emacs isn't behaving as
documented.
-Beginning with version 20.1, Emacs includes the new Customize facility,
-which can be invoked using @kbd{M-x customize @key{RET}}. This allows
-users who are unfamiliar with Emacs Lisp to modify their @file{.emacs}
-files in a relatively straightforward way, using menus rather than Lisp
-code. Most packages support Customize as of this writing.
+Beginning with version 20.1, Emacs includes the new Customize facility
+(@pxref{Using Customize}). This allows users who are unfamiliar with
+Emacs Lisp to modify their @file{.emacs} files in a relatively
+straightforward way, using menus rather than Lisp code. Most packages
+support Customize as of this writing.
While Customize might indeed make it easier to configure Emacs,
consider taking a bit of time to learn Emacs Lisp and modifying your
be found. Visiting the file as @file{~/.emacs} from Emacs will find
the correct file.
-@node Colors on a TTY, Debugging a customization file, Setting up a customization file, Common requests
+@node Using Customize, Colors on a TTY, Setting up a customization file, Common requests
+@section How do I start using Customize?
+@cindex Customize groups
+@cindex Customizing variables
+@cindex Customizing faces
+
+The main Customize entry point is @kbd{M-x customize @key{RET}}. This
+command takes you to a buffer listing all the available Customize
+groups. From there, you can access all customizable options and faces,
+change their values, and save your changes to your init file.
+@inforef{Easy Customization, Easy Customization, emacs}.
+
+If you know the name of the group in advance (e.g. ``shell''), use
+@kbd{M-x customize-group @key{RET}}.
+
+If you wish to customize a single option, use @kbd{M-x customize-option
+@key{RET}}. This command prompts you for the name of the option to
+customize, with completion.
+
+@node Colors on a TTY, Debugging a customization file, Using Customize, Common requests
@section How do I get colors and syntax highlighting on a TTY?
@cindex Colors on a TTY
@cindex Syntax highlighting on a TTY