Command to go to Normal-mode and Visual-mode (or exiting insert-mode) - pressing ESC without the escape-key

Question

I'm working on a server, that I can only SSH into via a browser. In there, I have to edit some files.

The problem is, that let's say I go to INSERT MODE and write some text. If I then want to go back to NORMAL MODE, then I would normally just press ESC. HOWEVER! When I do so, then the browser 'catches' the ESC-press and the SSH-session will become out-of-focus, and it'll stay in INSERT MODE.

So how do I go from INSERT MODE without the escape-key?

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Solution attempt 1 - -- (insert) --

If I press CTRL o - then I can insert one command, before 'coming back' to insert mode. I could write :wq and then reopen the file afterwards. But I need to inject one big change at once, to several small ones (since it would leave the server in an error state).

Solution attempt 2 - Other browser

Try a different browser, didn't make any difference.

Solution attempt 3 - :set visualmode

I didn't find this anywhere - I'm simply grasping for straws. That command doesn't exist.

Solution attempt 4 - Read this: Avoid the escape key

I read that once, but apparently too quickly. I found the answer there later.

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Specs

• The SSH-connection is to a server on AWS.
• I'm on a Macbook Pro (Big Sur).
• VIM-version 8.0 (2016, Sep 12)
• Fedora-Linux system.

Answer 1

The solution was a mix between attempt 1 and 4.

If you're stuck in INSERT MODE without escape

This procedure maps jj to the Escape-key.

Step 1

CTRL o -> Goes to -- (insert) ---mode (where you can type a single command.

Step 2

Write: :imap jj <Esc> Found here

... This maps (in insert mode) a double-press on j to an ESC.

Step 3

Press jj

:-)

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If you're stuck in VISUAL MODE or VISUAL LINE MODE without escape

This sends a bollocks-command, which won't compute and will get you back to Normal-mode.

Approach

Write: :heyhomisterdj

Vim will tell you, that you typed a non-existing command, and take you back to NORMAL MODE. Hah! Gotcha, Vim!