Skip to main content

​
Overview

Jean is keyboard-first. Nearly every action has a shortcut. This guide documents all default keybindings organized by category. Note: Mod means Cmd on Mac, Ctrl on Windows/Linux. All shortcuts are customizable in Preferences → Keybindings.
ShortcutActionDescription
Mod+BToggle left sidebarShow or hide the projects sidebar
Mod+,Open preferencesOpen the preferences dialog
Mod+OOpen in…Open current worktree in editor, terminal, or finder
Mod+NNew worktreeCreate a new worktree in the current project
Mod+Shift+TRestore archivedRestore the most recently archived worktree or session
/Focus canvas searchFocus the search input on canvas views
Mod+Shift+DGitHub DashboardOpen the GitHub Dashboard (issues, PRs, security across all projects)
Mod+.Quick menuOpen the floating quick menu
Mod+Shift+FFinished sessionsOpen the finished/unread sessions popover

​
Git Operations

ShortcutActionDescription
Mod+Shift+COpen commit modalOpen the git commit dialog
Mod+GOpen git diffOpen the git diff view for uncommitted changes
Mod+MMagic commandsOpen magic git commands menu
Mod+RExecute runStart or stop the run script in current workspace

​
Chat and Sessions

ShortcutActionDescription
Mod+LFocus chat inputMove focus to the chat textarea
Mod+TNew sessionCreate a new chat session
Mod+Alt+→Next sessionSwitch to the next chat session
Mod+Alt+←Previous sessionSwitch to the previous chat session
Mod+WClose sessionClose the current session, or remove worktree if last session
Mod+SToggle labelMark/unmark session with “Needs testing” label
Shift+TabCycle execution modeCycle through Plan, Build, and Yolo modes
`Mod+“Toggle terminalShow or hide the terminal panel
Mod+↑Scroll chat upScroll the chat message list up by one page
Mod+↓Scroll chat downScroll the chat message list down by one page
Mod+Alt+BackspaceCancel promptCancel the running Claude process for the current session

​
Plan Approval

ShortcutActionDescription
Mod+EnterApprove planApprove the current plan in planning mode
Mod+YApprove plan (YOLO)Approve the current plan with YOLO mode
Mod+Shift+YClear context and yoloApprove plan, clear context, and start a new yolo session
Mod+Shift+EnterClear context and buildApprove plan, clear context, and start a new build session
POpen planOpen the plan dialog for the selected session (canvas view)
ROpen recapOpen the session recap dialog for the selected session (canvas view)

​
Model Selection

ShortcutActionDescription
Mod+Shift+POpen provider dropdownOpen the provider selector dropdown
Mod+Shift+MOpen model dropdownOpen the model selector dropdown
Mod+Shift+EOpen thinking dropdownOpen the thinking/effort level dropdown

​
Canvas View Navigation

When in canvas view (press / to enter):
ShortcutActionDescription
Arrow KeysNavigate cardsMove selection between session cards
EnterOpen sessionOpen the selected session in chat view
POpen planOpen the plan dialog for selected session
ROpen recapOpen the recap dialog for selected session
/Focus searchFocus the search input to filter sessions
EscapeClear selectionClear current selection

​
Default Shortcuts by Category

Here’s the complete list extracted from the source code:
  • Mod+B: Toggle left sidebar
  • Mod+,: Open preferences
  • Mod+O: Open in editor/terminal/finder
  • Mod+N: New worktree
  • Mod+Shift+T: Restore last archived
  • /: Focus canvas search
  • Mod+Shift+D: GitHub Dashboard
  • Mod+.: Quick menu
  • Mod+Shift+F: Finished sessions
  • Mod+R: Execute run script

​
Git (4 shortcuts)

  • Mod+Shift+C: Open commit modal
  • Mod+G: Open git diff
  • Mod+M: Magic commands menu

​
Chat (23 shortcuts)

  • Mod+L: Focus chat input
  • Mod+T: New session
  • Mod+Alt+→: Next session
  • Mod+Alt+←: Previous session
  • Mod+W: Close session or worktree
  • Mod+S: Toggle “Needs testing” label
  • Shift+Tab: Cycle execution mode (Plan/Build/Yolo)
  • Mod+Enter: Approve plan
  • Mod+Y: Approve plan (YOLO mode)
  • Mod+Shift+Y: Approve plan, clear context, start yolo
  • Mod+Shift+Enter: Approve plan, clear context, start build
  • P: Open plan dialog (canvas view)
  • R: Open recap dialog (canvas view)
  • `Mod+“: Toggle terminal panel
  • Mod+↑: Scroll chat up
  • Mod+↓: Scroll chat down
  • Mod+Alt+Backspace: Cancel current prompt
  • Mod+Shift+P: Open provider dropdown
  • Mod+Shift+M: Open model dropdown
  • Mod+Shift+E: Open thinking level dropdown

​
Customizing Shortcuts

1

Open Keybindings

Press Mod+, to open Preferences, then go to the Keybindings tab.
2

Find the Shortcut

Use the category tabs (Navigation, Git, Chat) or search for the action name.
3

Edit the Shortcut

Click on the current shortcut to edit it. Press your desired key combination.Jean will detect conflicts and warn you if the shortcut is already used.
4

Save Changes

Changes are saved automatically. Test the new shortcut immediately to verify it works.
5

Reset to Defaults

If you make a mistake, click Reset All to Defaults to restore Jean’s built-in shortcuts.

​
Tips for Efficient Navigation

Master the Canvas View: Press / to enter canvas view, use arrow keys to navigate, and Enter to open sessions. This is faster than clicking in the sidebar.
Use Quick Menu for Rare Actions: Press Mod+. and type the action name (e.g., “archive”, “merge”, “review”). This is faster than opening the Magic Modal for infrequent commands.
Memorize Session Switching: Mod+Alt+→ and Mod+Alt+← let you cycle through sessions without touching the mouse. Pair with Mod+T to create new sessions instantly.
Plan Approval Shortcuts Save Time: Learn Mod+Enter (approve), Mod+Y (yolo), Mod+Shift+Y (clear context + yolo). These avoid opening the plan dialog entirely.
Focus Chat Input from Anywhere: Mod+L always focuses the chat input, no matter where you are in the UI. Use it to quickly type follow-up messages.

​
Common Pitfalls

OS-Level Conflicts: Some shortcuts may conflict with your OS or other apps. For example:
  • Mod+W closes windows in browsers
  • Mod+M minimizes windows on Windows
  • Mod+L locks the screen on some Linux distros
Solution: Customize conflicting shortcuts in Preferences → Keybindings.
Canvas View Shortcuts Only Work in Canvas View: Shortcuts like P (open plan) and R (open recap) only work when you’re in the canvas view, not in the chat view.Solution: Press / to enter canvas view first, or use the Magic Modal (Mod+M) to access these actions from anywhere.
Modifier Key Confusion: Mod means Cmd on Mac but Ctrl on Windows/Linux. If a shortcut doesn’t work, double-check you’re using the correct modifier.Solution: Look at the displayed shortcuts in the UI (they show the correct modifier for your OS).

​
Platform-Specific Notes

​
macOS

  • Mod = Cmd (⌘)
  • Alt = Option (⌥)
  • Jean uses native macOS shortcuts where possible (e.g., Cmd+, for preferences)

​
Windows

  • Mod = Ctrl
  • Alt = Alt
  • Some shortcuts may conflict with Windows defaults (e.g., Alt+Tab for app switching)

​
Linux

  • Mod = Ctrl
  • Alt = Alt
  • Window manager shortcuts may conflict (e.g., Ctrl+Alt+Arrow for workspace switching)
  • Consider customizing conflicting shortcuts in Preferences

​
Quick Reference Card

Print or save this for quick lookup: 
=== JEAN KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS ===

Navigation:
  Mod+B        Toggle sidebar
  Mod+,        Preferences
  Mod+N        New worktree
  Mod+O        Open in...
  Mod+.        Quick menu

Git:
  Mod+M        Magic commands
  Mod+G        Git diff
  Mod+Shift+C  Commit

Chat:
  Mod+L        Focus input
  Mod+T        New session
  Mod+W        Close session
  Mod+Alt+→    Next session
  Mod+Alt+←    Previous session
  Shift+Tab    Cycle mode

Plan:
  Mod+Enter    Approve
  Mod+Y        Approve (YOLO)
  Mod+Shift+Y  Clear + YOLO
  P            Open plan
  R            Open recap

Canvas:
  /            Focus search
  Arrows       Navigate
  Enter        Open session

(Mod = Cmd on Mac, Ctrl on Windows/Linux)

​
Next Steps

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Get started for freeTalk to us