Variable: org-cycle-level-after-item/entry-creation

org-cycle-level-after-item/entry-creation is a customizable variable defined in org-cycle.el.gz.

Value

t

Documentation

Non-nil means cycle entry level or item indentation in new empty entries.

When the cursor is at the end of an empty headline, i.e., with only stars and maybe a TODO keyword, TAB will then switch the entry to become a child, and then all possible ancestor states, before returning to the original state.
This makes data entry extremely fast: M-RET to create a new headline,
on TAB to make it a child, two or more tabs to make it a (grand-)uncle.

When the cursor is at the end of an empty plain list item, one TAB will make it a subitem, two or more tabs will back up to make this an item higher up in the item hierarchy.

Source Code

;; Defined in /usr/src/emacs/lisp/org/org-cycle.el.gz
(defcustom org-cycle-level-after-item/entry-creation t
  "Non-nil means cycle entry level or item indentation in new empty entries.

When the cursor is at the end of an empty headline, i.e., with only stars
and maybe a TODO keyword, TAB will then switch the entry to become a child,
and then all possible ancestor states, before returning to the original state.
This makes data entry extremely fast:  M-RET to create a new headline,
on TAB to make it a child, two or more tabs to make it a (grand-)uncle.

When the cursor is at the end of an empty plain list item, one TAB will
make it a subitem, two or more tabs will back up to make this an item
higher up in the item hierarchy."
  :group 'org-cycle
  :type 'boolean)