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Fresh uses context-aware keybindings that adapt based on what part of the editor you’re using.

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Viewing Keybindings

There are several ways to discover keybindings in Fresh:

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Command Palette

Press Ctrl+P (or ⌘+P on macOS) to open the command palette. Type any command name to see its assigned keybinding.

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Keyboard Shortcuts View

Open Help → Keyboard Shortcuts from the menu to view the complete list of all keybindings organized by category.

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Keybinding Editor

Open Edit → Keybinding Editor to customize keybindings interactively.

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Keybinding Maps

Fresh supports multiple keybinding maps (styles) that you can switch between:
  • default - Fresh’s native keybindings (optimized for terminal use)
  • emacs - Emacs-style keybindings
  • vscode - VS Code-compatible shortcuts
  • vim - Vim-style modal editing
Switch between maps using View → Keybinding Style or via configuration: 
{
  "active_keybinding_map": "emacs"
}

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Key Contexts

Keybindings are context-sensitive. The same key can perform different actions depending on where you are:
  • Normal - Default editing context
  • Prompt - When entering text in prompts (file open, search, etc.)
  • Popup - When viewing popups (completions, hover info, etc.)
  • FileExplorer - When the file explorer has focus
  • Menu - When navigating the menu bar

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Common Keybindings (Default Map)

This section shows common keybindings from the default map. For platform-specific variations and complete listings, use the in-app Help → Keyboard Shortcuts view.

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File Operations

KeybindingActionDescription
Ctrl+NNewCreate new buffer
Ctrl+OOpenOpen file
Ctrl+SSaveSave current buffer
Ctrl+Shift+SSave AsSave with new name
Ctrl+WCloseClose current buffer
Ctrl+QQuitQuit editor

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Editing

KeybindingActionDescription
Ctrl+ZUndoUndo last change
Ctrl+Y / Ctrl+Shift+ZRedoRedo last undone change
Ctrl+XCutCut selection
Ctrl+CCopyCopy selection
Ctrl+VPastePaste from clipboard
Ctrl+ASelect AllSelect entire buffer
Ctrl+DAdd CursorAdd cursor at next match
Ctrl+/Toggle CommentComment/uncomment lines
KeybindingActionDescription
Ctrl+PCommand PaletteOpen command palette
Ctrl+Shift+OQuick OpenQuick file open
Ctrl+GGo to LineJump to specific line
Ctrl+]Go to DefinitionJump to symbol definition
Ctrl+[Go BackNavigate backward
Alt+Left / Alt+RightNavigate HistoryMove through navigation history

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Search & Replace

KeybindingActionDescription
Ctrl+FFindOpen search
Ctrl+HReplaceOpen find & replace
F3 / Ctrl+F3Find Next/PreviousJump to next/previous match
Ctrl+Shift+FFind in SelectionSearch within selection

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Multi-Cursor

KeybindingActionDescription
Ctrl+DAdd Cursor Next MatchAdd cursor at next occurrence
Ctrl+Shift+LAdd Cursor to LinesAdd cursor to all selected lines
Alt+Shift+UpAdd Cursor AboveAdd cursor on line above
Alt+Shift+DownAdd Cursor BelowAdd cursor on line below
EscRemove Secondary CursorsKeep only primary cursor

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Splits & Tabs

KeybindingActionDescription
Ctrl+\Split HorizontalSplit editor horizontally
Ctrl+Shift+\Split VerticalSplit editor vertically
Ctrl+TabNext BufferSwitch to next tab
Ctrl+Shift+TabPrevious BufferSwitch to previous tab
Ctrl+1..9Switch to TabSwitch to tab by number

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View

KeybindingActionDescription
Ctrl+BToggle File ExplorerShow/hide file sidebar
Ctrl+Shift+PCommand PaletteOpen command palette
F1Show HelpOpen help menu

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LSP (Language Server)

KeybindingActionDescription
Ctrl+SpaceTrigger CompletionShow code completions
Alt+KHover InfoShow symbol documentation
F2Rename SymbolRename symbol across workspace
Shift+F12Find ReferencesFind all references
Ctrl+.Code ActionsShow available code actions

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File Explorer (when focused)

KeybindingActionDescription
Up/DownNavigateMove selection
EnterOpenOpen file/expand directory
SpaceExpand/CollapseToggle directory
nNew FileCreate new file
NNew DirectoryCreate new directory
dDeleteDelete selected item
rRenameRename selected item
hToggle HiddenShow/hide hidden files
EscFocus EditorReturn focus to editor

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Customizing Keybindings

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Using the Keybinding Editor

The easiest way to customize keybindings:
  1. Open Edit → Keybinding Editor
  2. Search for the action you want to rebind
  3. Click on the keybinding or “Add Binding”
  4. Press the desired key combination
  5. Save changes

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Manual Configuration

Edit ~/.config/fresh/config.json: 
{
  "keybindings": [
    {
      "key": "F5",
      "modifiers": [],
      "action": "format_buffer"
    },
    {
      "key": "s",
      "modifiers": ["ctrl", "shift"],
      "action": "save_as"
    },
    {
      "key": "tab",
      "modifiers": ["ctrl"],
      "action": "next_buffer",
      "when": "normal"
    }
  ]
}

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Keybinding Schema

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key
string
required
The key to bind. Examples: "a", "enter", "f1", "space", "tab", "escape"
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modifiers
string[]
required
Modifier keys. Can include: "ctrl", "shift", "alt", "super" (or "cmd" on macOS)
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action
string
required
The action to execute. See available actions below.
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when
string
Context condition. Values: "normal", "prompt", "popup", "file_explorer", "menu"If omitted, defaults to "normal".
​
args
object
Additional arguments for actions that require parameters.

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Creating Custom Keybinding Maps

You can create your own keybinding map: 
{
  "keybinding_maps": {
    "my-custom-map": [
      {
        "key": "s",
        "modifiers": ["ctrl"],
        "action": "save"
      },
      {
        "key": "o",
        "modifiers": ["ctrl"],
        "action": "open"
      }
    ]
  },
  "active_keybinding_map": "my-custom-map"
}

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Available Actions

To see all available actions, open the Keybinding Editor and browse the action dropdown, or use the Command Palette (Ctrl+P). Some commonly used actions:
  • save, save_as, open, new, close, quit
  • undo, redo, copy, cut, paste
  • search, replace, find_next, find_previous
  • goto_line, lsp_goto_definition, lsp_references
  • add_cursor_above, add_cursor_below, add_cursor_next_match
  • toggle_comment, format_buffer, delete_line
  • split_horizontal, split_vertical, next_split, prev_split
  • toggle_file_explorer, toggle_line_numbers, toggle_line_wrap

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Debugging Keybindings

If a keybinding isn’t working as expected:

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Debug Keyboard Events

Use Help → Debug Keyboard Events to see exactly what key codes your terminal sends to Fresh. This helps diagnose:
  • Missing modifier keys
  • Terminal or OS intercepting keys
  • Incorrect escape sequences
Press any key to see its code, modifiers, and event type. Press c to clear history, q or Esc to close.

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Input Calibration

Some terminals send non-standard escape sequences. Use View → Calibrate Input to teach Fresh your terminal’s specific key mappings.

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Platform Differences

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macOS

  • Cmd (⌘) is used instead of Ctrl for many system-wide shortcuts
  • The default macOS keymap automatically adjusts for platform conventions
  • Native menu bar integration provides standard macOS shortcuts

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Windows

  • Alt key behavior may differ in Windows Terminal vs other terminals
  • Some Ctrl+Shift combinations may be intercepted by the OS

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Linux

  • Terminal emulator differences are most prominent on Linux
  • Use input calibration if your terminal sends unusual sequences
  • GPM (console mouse) is supported on the Linux console

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See Also

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