diff --git a/core/core-evil.el b/core/core-evil.el
index 878d9ad9e..eaf9838ef 100644
--- a/core/core-evil.el
+++ b/core/core-evil.el
@@ -74,6 +74,14 @@
                       ))
     (evil-set-initial-state `,(car mode-map) `,(cdr mode-map)))
 
+  ;; Shortcuts for the evil expression register
+  (defmacro $= (str &rest args)
+    `(calc-eval (format ,str ,@args)))
+  (defmacro $r (char)
+    `(evil-get-register ,char))
+  (defmacro $expand (path)
+    `(evil-ex-replace-special-filenames ,path))
+
   (progn ; evil hacks
     (defadvice evil-force-normal-state (after evil-esc-quit activate)
       "Close popups, disable search highlights and quit the minibuffer if open."
@@ -207,10 +215,6 @@
              evil-commentary-line)
   :config (evil-commentary-mode 1))
 
-(use-package evil-ex-registers
-  :commands (evil-get-spec-register
-             evil-ex-paste-from-register))
-
 (use-package evil-exchange
   :commands evil-exchange
   :config
diff --git a/core/core-helm.el b/core/core-helm.el
index 99198d54c..f6c0161f1 100644
--- a/core/core-helm.el
+++ b/core/core-helm.el
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
 
   (map! (:map (helm-map helm-generic-files-map helm-find-files-map helm-swoop-map helm-projectile-find-file-map)
           "C-w"        'backward-kill-word
-          "C-r"        'evil-ex-paste-from-register ; Evil registers in helm! Glorious!
+          "C-r"        'evil-paste-from-register ; Evil registers in helm! Glorious!
           "<escape>"   'helm-keyboard-quit
           [escape]     'helm-keyboard-quit)
         (:map helm-find-files-map