diff --git a/spacemacs/extensions.el b/spacemacs/extensions.el
index 4a2529e052bc..18fda1c994d6 100644
--- a/spacemacs/extensions.el
+++ b/spacemacs/extensions.el
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
     centered-cursor
     dos
     emoji-cheat-sheet
+    evil-escape
     evil-org-mode
     evil-plugins
     helm-rcirc
@@ -51,6 +52,13 @@
   (use-package emoji-cheat-sheet
     :commands emoji-cheat-sheet))
 
+(defun spacemacs/init-evil-escape ()
+  (use-package evil-escape
+    :init
+    (evil-escape-mode)
+    :config
+    (spacemacs//hide-lighter evil-escape-mode)))
+
 (defun spacemacs/init-evil-org-mode ()
   (use-package evil-org
     :commands evil-org-mode
diff --git a/spacemacs/extensions/evil-escape/README.md b/spacemacs/extensions/evil-escape/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..7058e7bd5f56
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spacemacs/extensions/evil-escape/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+# evil-escape
+
+Customizable key sequence to escape from insert state and everything else in
+Emacs.
+
+Press `fd` quickly to:
+
+- escape from all evil states to normal state
+- escape from evil-lisp-state to normal state
+- abort evil ex command
+- quit minibuffer
+- abort isearch
+- quit magit buffers
+- quit help buffers
+- hide neotree buffer
+
+And more to come !
+
+Contributions to support more buffers are _very welcome_:
+**Escape Everything !**
+
+## Install
+
+The package _will be available soon_ in [MELPA][].
+
+If you have MELPA in `package-archives`, use
+
+    M-x package-install RET evil-escape RET
+
+If you don't, open `evil-escape.el` in Emacs and call
+`package-install-from-buffer`.
+
+## Usage
+
+To toggle the `evil-escape` mode globally:
+
+    M-x evil-escape-mode
+
+## Customization
+
+Open the customization group buffer:
+
+    M-x customize-group RET evil-escape RET
+
+There you can change the key sequence to your desire.
+The default value is `fd`.
+
+[MELPA]: http://melpa.org/
diff --git a/spacemacs/extensions/evil-escape/evil-escape.el b/spacemacs/extensions/evil-escape/evil-escape.el
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..b248a9f12d38
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spacemacs/extensions/evil-escape/evil-escape.el
@@ -0,0 +1,217 @@
+;;; evil-escape.el --- Customizable key sequence to escape from insert state and everything else.
+
+;; Copyright (C) 2014 syl20bnr
+;;
+;;;; Author: Sylvain Benner <sylvain.benner@gmail.com>
+;; Keywords: convenience editing evil
+;; Created: 22 Oct 2014
+;; Version: 1.0
+;; Package-Requires: ((emacs "24") (evil "1.0.9") (key-chord "0.6"))
+;; URL: https://github.com/syl20bnr/evil-escape
+
+;; This file is not part of GNU Emacs.
+
+;; This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+;; it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+;; the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+;; (at your option) any later version.
+
+;; This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+;; but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+;; MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+;; GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+;; You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+;; along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+;;; Commentary:
+
+;; Press `fd` quickly to:
+;;   - escape from all evil states to normal state
+;;   - escape from evil-lisp-state to normal state
+;;   - abort evil ex command
+;;   - quit minibuffer
+;;   - abort isearch
+;;   - quit magit buffers
+;;   - quit help buffers
+;;   - hide neotree buffer
+;; And more to come !
+
+;; The key sequence can be customized with the variable
+;; `evil-escape-key-sequence`
+
+;; More information in the readme of the repository:
+;; https://github.com/syl20bnr/evil-escape
+
+;;; Code:
+
+(require 'evil)
+(require 'key-chord)
+
+(defgroup evil-escape nil
+  "Key sequence to escape insert state and everything else."
+  :prefix "evil-escape-"
+  :group 'evil)
+
+(defvar evil-escape-key-sequence (kbd "fd")
+  "Two keys sequence to return to normal state.")
+(defcustom evil-escape-key-sequence (kbd "fd")
+  "Two keys sequence to escape from insert state."
+  :type 'key-sequence
+  :group 'evil-escape)
+
+;;;###autoload
+(define-minor-mode evil-escape-mode
+  "Buffer-local minor mode to escape insert state and everythin else
+with a key sequence."
+  :lighter (:eval (concat " " evil-escape-key-sequence))
+  :group 'evil
+  :global t
+  (if evil-escape-mode
+      (progn
+        (key-chord-mode 1)
+        (evil-escape--define-keys)
+        (message "evil-escape enabled, press \"%s\" to escape from anything."
+                 evil-escape-key-sequence))
+    (evil-escape--undefine-keys)))
+
+(defun evil-escape--define-keys ()
+  "Set the key bindings to escape _everything!_"
+  ;; use key-chord whenever it is possible
+  ;; evil states
+  (key-chord-define evil-insert-state-map evil-escape-key-sequence 'evil-normal-state)
+  (key-chord-define evil-emacs-state-map evil-escape-key-sequence
+                    '(lambda () (interactive)
+                       (cond ((string-match "magit" (symbol-name major-mode))
+                              (setq unread-command-events (listify-key-sequence "q")))
+                             (t  evil-normal-state))))
+  (key-chord-define evil-visual-state-map evil-escape-key-sequence 'evil-exit-visual-state)
+  (key-chord-define evil-motion-state-map evil-escape-key-sequence
+                    '(lambda () (interactive)
+                       (cond ((eq 'help-mode major-mode) (quit-window))
+                             ((eq 'neotree-mode major-mode) (neotree-hide))
+                             (t (evil-normal-state)))))
+  ;; lisp state if installed
+  (eval-after-load 'evil-lisp-state
+    '(key-chord-define evil-lisp-state-map evil-escape-key-sequence 'evil-normal-state))
+  ;; mini-buffer
+  (key-chord-define minibuffer-local-map evil-escape-key-sequence 'abort-recursive-edit)
+  ;; evil ex command
+  (key-chord-define evil-ex-completion-map evil-escape-key-sequence 'abort-recursive-edit)
+  ;; key-chord does not work with isearch, use evil-escape implementation
+  (evil-escape-define-escape isearch-mode-map isearch-abort
+                             :insert t
+                             :delete t
+                             :insert-func evil-escape--isearch-insert-func
+                             :delete-func isearch-delete-char))
+
+(defun evil-escape--undefine-keys ()
+  "Unset the key bindings defined in `evil-escape--define-keys'."
+  ;; bulk undefine
+  (dolist (map '(evil-insert-state-map
+                 evil-emacs-state-map
+                 evil-visual-state-map
+                 evil-motion-state-map
+                 minibuffer-local-map
+                 evil-ex-completion-map))
+    (key-chord-define (eval map) evil-escape-key-sequence nil))
+  ;; lisp state if installed
+  (eval-after-load 'evil-lisp-state
+    '(key-chord-define evil-lisp-state-map evil-escape-key-sequence nil))
+  ;; isearch
+  (define-key isearch-mode-map (kbd "f") 'isearch-printing-char))
+
+(defmacro evil-escape-define-escape (map command &rest properties)
+  "Define an escape in MAP keymap by executing COMMAND.
+
+`:insert BOOL'
+     If BOOL is not nil the first character of the escape sequence is inserted
+     in the buffer using `:insert-func' if the buffer is not read-only.
+
+`:delete BOOL'
+     If BOOL is not nil the first character is deleted using `:delete-func' if
+     the escape sequence succeeded.
+
+`:shadowed BOOL'
+     BOOL not nil indicates that the first key of the sequence shadows a
+     function. This function is looked-up from `evil-motion-state-map'.
+     Whenever the escape sequence does not succeed and BOOL is not nil
+     the shadowed function is called.
+
+`:insert-func FUNCTION'
+     Specify the insert function to call when inserting the first key.
+
+`:delete-func FUNCTION'
+     Specify the delete function to call when deleting the first key."
+  (let* ((first-key (elt evil-escape-key-sequence 0))
+         (fkeystr (char-to-string first-key))
+         (insertp (plist-get properties :insert))
+         (deletep (plist-get properties :delete))
+         (insert-func (plist-get properties :insert-func))
+         (delete-func (plist-get properties :delete-func)))
+    `(progn
+       (define-key ,map ,fkeystr
+         (lambda () (interactive)
+           (evil-escape--escape
+            ,evil-escape-key-sequence
+            ',(if (plist-get properties :shadowed) (lookup-key evil-motion-state-map fkeystr))
+            ,insertp
+            ,deletep
+            ',command
+            ',insert-func
+            ',delete-func))))))
+
+(defun evil-escape--default-insert-func (key)
+  "Insert KEY in current buffer if not read only."
+  (let* ((insertp (not buffer-read-only)))
+    (insert key)))
+
+(defun evil-escape--isearch-insert-func (key)
+  "Insert KEY in current buffer if not read only."
+  (isearch-printing-char))
+
+(defun evil-escape--default-delete-func ()
+  "Delete char in current buffer if not read only."
+  (let* ((insertp (not buffer-read-only)))
+    (delete-char -1)))
+
+(evil-define-command evil-escape--escape
+  (keys shadowed-func insert? delete? callback &optional insert-func delete-func)
+  "Execute the passed CALLBACK using KEYS. KEYS is a cons cell of 2 characters.
+
+If the first key insertion shadowed a function then pass the shadowed function
+in SHADOWED-FUNC and it will be executed if the key sequence was not
+ successfull.
+
+If INSERT? is not nil then the first key pressed is inserted using the function
+INSERT-FUNC.
+
+If DELETE? is not nil then the first key is deleted using the function
+DELETE-FUNC when calling CALLBACK. "
+  :repeat nil
+  (let* ((modified (buffer-modified-p))
+         (insertf (if insert-func
+                      insert-func 'evil-escape--default-insert-func))
+         (deletef (if delete-func
+                      delete-func 'evil-escape--default-delete-func))
+         (fkey (elt keys 0))
+         (fkeystr (char-to-string fkey))
+         (skey (elt keys 1)))
+    (if insert? (funcall insertf fkey))
+    (let* ((evt (read-event nil nil key-chord-two-keys-delay)))
+      (cond
+       ((null evt)
+        (unless (eq 'insert evil-state)
+          (if shadowed-func (call-interactively shadowed-func))))
+       ((and (integerp evt)
+             (char-equal evt skey))
+        ;; remove the f character
+        (if delete? (funcall deletef))
+        (set-buffer-modified-p modified)
+        (funcall callback))
+       (t ; otherwise
+        (setq unread-command-events
+              (append unread-command-events (list evt)))
+        (if shadowed-func (call-interactively shadowed-func)))))))
+
+(provide 'evil-escape)
diff --git a/spacemacs/packages.el b/spacemacs/packages.el
index 05f350f62892..235f154eb442 100644
--- a/spacemacs/packages.el
+++ b/spacemacs/packages.el
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@
     json-mode
     ledger-mode
     less-css-mode
+    key-chord
     magit
     magit-gitflow
     markdown-mode
@@ -219,118 +220,6 @@ determine the state to enable when escaping from the insert state.")
       (defadvice evil-lisp-state (before spacemacs/evil-lisp-state activate)
         "Advice to keep track of the last base state."
         (setq spacemacs-last-base-state 'lisp))
-
-      (defun spacemacs/escape-state-default-insert-func (key)
-        "Insert KEY in current isearch minibuffer."
-        (let* ((insertp (not buffer-read-only)))
-          (insert key)))
-
-      (defun spacemacs/escape-state-isearch-insert-func (key)
-        "Insert KEY in current buffer if not read only."
-        (isearch-printing-char))
-
-      (defun spacemacs/escape-state-term-insert-func (key)
-        "Insert KEY in current term buffer."
-        (term-send-raw))
-
-      (defun spacemacs/escape-state-default-delete-func ()
-        "Delete char in current buffer if not read only."
-        (let* ((insertp (not buffer-read-only)))
-          (delete-char -1)))
-
-      (evil-define-command spacemacs/escape-state
-        (keys shadowed insert? delete? callback &optional insert-func delete-func)
-        "Allows to execute the passed CALLBACK using KEYS. KEYS is a cons cell
-of 2 characters.
-
-If INSERT? is not nil then the first key pressed is inserted using the function
-INSERT-FUNC.
-
-If DELETE? is not nil then the first key is deleted using the function
-DELETE-FUNC when calling CALLBACK.
-"
-        :repeat change
-        (let* ((modified (buffer-modified-p))
-               (insertf
-                (if insert-func
-                    insert-func 'spacemacs/escape-state-default-insert-func))
-               (deletef
-                (if delete-func
-                    delete-func 'spacemacs/escape-state-default-delete-func))
-               (fkey (car keys))
-               (fkeystr (char-to-string fkey))
-               (skey (cdr keys)))
-          (if insert? (funcall insertf fkey))
-          (let* ((evt (read-event nil nil spacemacs-normal-state-sequence-delay)))
-            (cond
-             ((null evt)
-              (unless (eq 'insert evil-state)
-                (if shadowed (call-interactively shadowed))))
-             ((and (integerp evt)
-                   (char-equal evt skey))
-              ;; remove the f character
-              (if delete? (funcall deletef))
-              (set-buffer-modified-p modified)
-              (funcall callback))
-             (t ; otherwise
-              (setq unread-command-events
-                    (append unread-command-events (list evt)))
-              (if shadowed (call-interactively shadowed)))))))
-      ;; easier toggle for emacs-state
-      (evil-set-toggle-key "s-`")
-      ;; escape state with a better key sequence than ESC
-      (let* ((seq spacemacs-normal-state-sequence)
-             (key (char-to-string (car spacemacs-normal-state-sequence)))
-             (shadowed (lookup-key evil-motion-state-map key)))
-        ;; 'fd' triggers to escape from a state to the base state
-        (global-set-key key `(lambda () (interactive)
-                               (spacemacs/escape-state ',seq nil nil nil 'keyboard-quit)))
-        (mapc (lambda (map)
-                (define-key (eval map) key
-                  `(lambda () (interactive)
-                     (spacemacs/escape-state ',seq nil t nil 'abort-recursive-edit))))
-              '(minibuffer-local-map
-                minibuffer-local-ns-map
-                minibuffer-local-completion-map
-                minibuffer-local-must-match-map
-                minibuffer-local-isearch-map))
-        (define-key isearch-mode-map key
-          `(lambda () (interactive)
-             (spacemacs/escape-state
-              ',seq nil t t 'isearch-abort 'spacemacs/escape-state-isearch-insert-func
-              'isearch-delete-char)))
-        (define-key evil-ex-completion-map key
-          `(lambda () (interactive)
-             (spacemacs/escape-state
-              ',seq nil t nil 'abort-recursive-edit nil 'evil-ex-delete-backward-char)))
-        ;; Note: we keep emacs state untouched in order to always have a
-        ;; fallback for modes that uses the `f' key (ie. magit-gitflow)
-        (define-key evil-insert-state-map key
-          `(lambda () (interactive)
-             (let ((insertf (if (eq 'term-mode major-mode)
-                                'spacemacs/escape-state-term-insert-func)))
-               (spacemacs/escape-state
-                ',seq nil t t (intern (format "evil-%s-state" spacemacs-last-base-state)) insertf))))
-        (define-key evil-visual-state-map key
-          `(lambda () (interactive)
-             (spacemacs/escape-state ',seq ',shadowed nil nil 'evil-exit-visual-state)))
-        (define-key evil-motion-state-map key
-          `(lambda () (interactive)
-             (let ((exit-func (cond ((eq 'help-mode major-mode)
-                                     'quit-window)
-                                    ((eq 'neotree-mode major-mode)
-                                     'neotree-hide)
-                                    (t 'evil-normal-state))))
-               (spacemacs/escape-state ',seq ',shadowed nil nil exit-func))))
-        (eval-after-load 'evil-lisp-state
-          `(define-key evil-lisp-state-map ,key
-             (lambda () (interactive)
-               (spacemacs/escape-state ',seq ',shadowed nil nil 'evil-normal-state))))
-        (eval-after-load "helm-mode"
-          `(define-key helm-map ,key
-             (lambda () (interactive)
-               (spacemacs/escape-state ',seq nil t nil 'helm-keyboard-quit)))))
-
       ;; manage the base state target when leaving the insert state
       (define-key evil-insert-state-map [escape]
         (lambda () (interactive)