i also remap caps -> ctrl, but have bindings for `fj` & `jf` in insert mode to exit back to normal mode, on the theory that you basically never have to type either of those letter combos (it has come up maybe twice in the five years i've had it set up). and even if you do have to type one of those letter combos, all you have to do is wait for ~half second between keystrokes and it works fine.

Same, but I use `jk`, which only requires one hand.

A similar binding once nearly drove me insane trying to copy/paste an api key.

Vim should disable all mappings during a paste. And if it's not, you should be able to hit F8 (or `:set paste`) to toggle paste mode.

Ideally, yes. I don't recall all the details -- I typically run fairly lightweight in terms of vim customizations as I'm often multiple SSH sessions deep, sometimes on systems with vi but no vim (they exist!), so automatic pastetoggle is usually off the table regardless.

Edsger Dijkstra does not approve.

another long-time vimmer here, and i'm perfectly happy to reach up and hit esc. caps lock is a lot more useful as ctrl.

I use the one true keyboard and CTRL is already correctly-positioned. Once you ascend there's no going back.

You use an ADM-3A for vim? I am impressed.