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Claude Code Keyboard Shortcuts: Complete Guide

Stop clicking through menus. Learn the keyboard shortcuts that make Claude Code faster, from essential commands everyone should know to custom keybindings for power users.

The five essential Claude Code shortcuts are Shift+Tab to cycle permission modes, Ctrl+C to cancel, Ctrl+D to exit, Esc to interrupt a response, and @ to reference files. Beyond these, Claude Code has dozens more for navigation, model switching, and session control.

This guide covers every keyboard shortcut organized by category, the five you should memorize first, and how to create custom keybindings that match your workflow.

What Are Claude Code Shortcuts?

Claude Code keyboard shortcuts are key combinations that trigger actions instantly. They work in the terminal interface and fall into several categories:

• Session control: Cancel operations, exit, manage background tasks
• Mode switching: Cycle through permission modes
• Navigation: History, autocomplete, file references
• Configuration: Model picker, theme, settings

Some shortcuts are fixed (like Ctrl+C to cancel), while others can be customized to match your preferences.

The 5 Essential Shortcuts

If you learn nothing else, memorize these five:

Complete Shortcut Reference

Session Control

Mode Switching

Model Picker Controls

When the model picker is open (Cmd+P), use arrow keys to adjust the effort level slider:

Effort levels (low, medium, high) control Opus 4.6's adaptive reasoning. Lower effort is faster and cheaper for straightforward tasks; higher effort provides deeper reasoning for complex problems.

Chat Input

History Navigation

Autocomplete

Confirmation Dialogs

Diff Viewer

Mode Switching Explained

The Shift+Tab shortcut cycles through three permission modes:

Press Shift+Tab repeatedly to cycle: Normal, Auto-Accept, Plan, Normal...

The current mode shows in your terminal status. Watch for indicators like "auto-accept on" or "plan mode on" to confirm the switch.

I documented all my Claude Code productivity shortcuts and workflows in a free guide — it covers the full setup from installation to daily use.

Customizing Keybindings

You can customize most keyboard shortcuts to match your preferences.

Step 1: Open the Configuration File

Run /keybindings in Claude Code. This creates or opens ~/.claude/keybindings.json.

Step 2: Add Your Bindings

{
  "$schema": "https://platform.claude.com/docs/schemas/claude-code/keybindings.json",
  "bindings": [
    {
      "context": "Chat",
      "bindings": {
        "ctrl+e": "chat:externalEditor",
        "ctrl+s": null
      }
    }
  ]
}

Step 3: Save

Changes apply automatically. No restart required.

Configuration Structure

The keybindings file has this structure:

• $schema: Optional schema URL for editor autocompletion
• bindings: Array of binding blocks, each with a context and key mappings

Each binding block specifies:

• context: Where the bindings apply (Chat, Global, Autocomplete, etc.)
• bindings: Object mapping keystrokes to actions

Available Contexts

Keystroke Syntax

Modifiers connect with +:

• ctrl+k - Control + K
• shift+tab - Shift + Tab
• meta+p - Command/Meta + P
• ctrl+shift+c - Multiple modifiers

Modifier names:

• ctrl or control
• alt, opt, or option
• shift
• meta, cmd, or command

Special keys: escape, enter, tab, space, up, down, left, right, backspace, delete

Unbinding Shortcuts

Set an action to null to unbind it:

{
  "bindings": [
    {
      "context": "Chat",
      "bindings": {
        "ctrl+s": null
      }
    }
  ]
}

Key Chords

Create multi-key sequences with spaces:

"ctrl+k ctrl+s": "chat:stash"

This requires pressing Ctrl+K, releasing, then Ctrl+S.

Real Examples

Example 1: Vim-Style Navigation

{
  "bindings": [
    {
      "context": "MessageSelector",
      "bindings": {
        "k": "messageSelector:up",
        "j": "messageSelector:down",
        "K": "messageSelector:top",
        "J": "messageSelector:bottom"
      }
    }
  ]
}

Example 2: Quick External Editor

{
  "bindings": [
    {
      "context": "Chat",
      "bindings": {
        "ctrl+e": "chat:externalEditor"
      }
    }
  ]
}

Example 3: Disable Accidental Exits

{
  "bindings": [
    {
      "context": "Chat",
      "bindings": {
        "ctrl+q": null
      }
    }
  ]
}

Reserved Shortcuts

These shortcuts cannot be rebound:

Terminal Conflicts

Some shortcuts may conflict with terminal multiplexers:

Common Mistakes

1. Forgetting Shift+Tab exists: Many people manually change modes through settings. Shift+Tab is instant and does the same thing.
2. Using Ctrl+C to clear input: Ctrl+C cancels operations. Use Escape to clear your input without interrupting Claude.
3. Not using history search: Ctrl+R lets you search previous prompts. Faster than scrolling or retyping.
4. Missing the model picker: Cmd+P opens the model picker instantly. No need to type /model.
5. Invalid keybindings.json: Run /doctor to check for keybinding errors. The file must be valid JSON.

FAQ

Why does Shift+Tab not work on Windows?

Older Node versions on Windows without VT mode use Meta+M instead. Update Node to version 24.2.0+ (or 22.17.0+) or Bun 1.2.23+ for Shift+Tab support.

Can I use vim keybindings in Claude Code?

Yes. Run /vim to enable vim mode for text editing. Vim mode handles input (cursor movement, modes), while keybindings handle app actions (submit, toggle). They work independently.

How do I reset keybindings to default?

Delete ~/.claude/keybindings.json. Claude Code returns to default shortcuts.

Do keybindings sync across machines?

No. Keybindings are stored locally in ~/.claude/keybindings.json. Copy the file to sync between machines.

Where can I see all available actions?

Actions follow the namespace:action format. Common namespaces include app:, chat:, history:, and confirm:. The official documentation lists all actions by context.

Quick Reference Card

Related Guides

• How to Set Up Claude Code Permissions - configure what Claude can do
• How to Use Plan Mode - read-only analysis mode
• Slash Commands in Claude Code - command reference
• What Is Claude Code? - the fundamentals