If you have accidentally press Alt+Number, you will see your Bash prompt become like:
(arg: 2)
If you press one or more digits, it could be like:
(arg: 234)
Since I started using Tmux from version 1.0, I saw this kind of prompt for probably 2 years. For Alt+2, its the key to change layout to horizontal split. I didnt understand that prompt for such long time and I didnt try to learn about it until now.
But I did know it must be Bash, so I checked out the manpage and found:
digit-argument (M-0, M-1, ..., M--)
Add this digit to the argument already accumulating, or start a new argument. M-- starts a negative
argument.
To be honest, I didnt understand how I could utilize this, I didnt even know Readline accepts arguments. Well, actually I did when I search command history. Anyway, after few tests, I knew I could use it for repeating tasks.
One would be very helpful is deleting a word, which can be achieve by pressing Escape then Backspace. I have been using it a lot since I learned about it. (I think, I accidentally pressed at some time)
You can initialize digit-argument, then enter a keystroke, the keystroke will be repeated for N times. For example:
M-7, Backspace -> 7 letter before cursor will be deleted M-80,Space -> 80 spaces will be inputed M-3, Escape, Backspace -> 3 words before cursor will be deleted
I made a short video to demonstrate:
You can also use it for navigation, move forwards for a few words, or similar tasks.