Keys
Reader shortcuts
These shortcuts apply to the full-screen terminal reader. Press ? to open its key reference. Movement keys scroll the reference when it exceeds the terminal height; another key closes it. Post actions depend on what each network supports.
Move
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
j k ↓ ↑ | Move to the next or previous post. A taller post is crossed first. |
space PgDn ctrl-f | Move a page down. A taller post is crossed first. |
PgUp ctrl-b | Move a page up. A taller post is crossed first. |
ctrl-d ctrl-u | Move half a page down or up. A taller post is crossed first. |
g Home / G End | Select the first or last post. |
⏎ → | Open the selected thread or folded replies. |
⌫ ← esc | Go back. With a focus ring, esc clears the ring first. |
Act
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
l | Like; press again to undo (favorite on Mastodon, star on dev/null). |
t | Repost; press again to undo where supported. |
b | Bookmark; press again to remove. |
r | Reply to the selected post. |
n | Compose a new post. |
o | Open the selected post's link, or the current profile, in a browser. |
v | View the selected post's images. |
u | Open the author's profile. |
s | Open the share dialog to copy a link, repost or quote. |
m | Load the next page. |
ctrl-r cmd-r | Reload the page on screen. r still replies. |
. | Inspect the selected post as JSON. |
Go
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
1 to 9 | Open a feed tab. |
{ } | Open the previous or next feed tab. |
[ ] | Open the previous or next section. |
tab shift-tab | Focus the next or previous control; ⏎ activates it. |
F6 shift-F6 | Move focus to the next or previous zone. |
: ctrl-k | Open the command palette. |
f / | Open search. |
ctrl-a | Open Ask to search posts already loaded. |
View
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
d | Cycle and save the detail level. |
D | Pick and save a detail level. |
T | Preview a theme, then select it to save. |
Hold ctrl or cmd | Reveal shortcuts and underline actions where the terminal reports modifier keys. |
x | Show or hide replies in the current view. |
a | Cycle through signed-in networks, then all networks. |
A | Open the network picker. |
F | Open the network filter. |
0 | Show all signed-in networks. |
< > | Show the previous or next network. |
, | Open Settings. |
⌘-click ctrl-click | Open names and links in the browser in terminals that support hyperlinks. |
Other
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
? | Open the key reference. |
q | Quit the reader. Dialog shortcuts depend on context. |
ctrl-c | Quit; in the composer, edited text opens the save-draft question. |
Composer
Press n to compose a post or r to reply. With the default ui.enter = post, ⏎ sends the text and ctrl-j inserts a newline. shift-enter also inserts a newline in terminals that report the kitty keyboard protocol.
With ui.enter = newline, ⏎ inserts a newline and ctrl-s sends. ctrl-enter can also send in this mode when the terminal reports it.
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
tab shift-tab | Cycle the destination for a new post with one target. Replies and quotes keep their targets. |
ctrl-o | Open saved drafts. |
↑ ↓ | Move between lines. |
esc | Leave; edited text opens the save-draft question. |
In the draft question, y saves, n discards and esc returns to editing. In the drafts list, j/k, the arrow keys or tab/shift-tab move, ⏎ loads a draft, d deletes it and esc or ⌫ closes the list.
Pasted text keeps its newlines and never sends the post. The Reader page explains how drafts survive failed sends.
Text editing
The composer, search, Ask and command inputs share these editing keys. The composer moves by whole characters, including accents and emoji.
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
← → | Move the cursor. |
alt-← ctrl-← alt-b / alt-→ ctrl-→ alt-f | Move a word left or right. |
Home ctrl-a / End ctrl-e | Move to the start or end of the line. |
⌫ Delete | Delete before or after the cursor. |
alt-⌫ ctrl-w | Delete the previous word. |
ctrl-u | Delete to the start of the line, except in Ask, where it scrolls. |
ctrl-z | Undo. |
ctrl-y ctrl-shift-z | Redo. |
Command palette
Open it with : or ctrl-k. Type a command, use ↑/↓ or ctrl-p/ctrl-n to choose a suggestion, tab to complete and ⏎ to run. esc closes it; ⌫ also closes an empty input. The command reference lists its syntax, which differs from shell commands.
Search and Ask
In search, ⏎ runs the query and esc closes the input. In Ask, ⏎ submits a question about posts already loaded. Ask matches local text and does not call an AI model. PgUp/PgDn and ctrl-u/ctrl-d scroll its results, and esc returns to the reader.
Pickers and network filter
In the detail and network pickers, j/k, ↓/↑ or tab/shift-tab move the cursor. ⏎, space or a displayed digit chooses an entry. esc, ⌫, ← or the key that opened the picker closes it. Choosing a different detail level applies and saves it as the default; s saves the highlighted level too.
The theme picker uses the same movement keys and previews as you move. ⏎ or space selects and saves; esc, ⌫ or ← cancels and restores the original theme.
The network filter (F) uses the same movement keys. space toggles a network, a selects all signed-in networks and ⏎ applies and saves. At least one network must remain selected. esc or ⌫ cancels. Settings changes in demo mode apply only to the session.
Share dialog
Press s on a post or profile. j/k, ↓/↑ or tab/shift-tab select an action, and ⏎ runs it. s copies the post link (the profile link when sharing a profile), p copies the post author's profile link, t reposts or undoes a repost where supported, and q opens a quote composer. esc or ⌫ closes the dialog.
When a quote has network checkboxes, ←/→, h/l or tab/shift-tab move between them, and space toggles the highlighted destination. ⏎ opens the composer with the checked destinations.
Image viewer and JSON inspector
In the image viewer, ←/→ or h/l select the previous or next image, o opens it in a browser and s opens the post's share dialog. esc, ⌫, v or q closes the viewer.
In the JSON inspector (.), movement and paging keys select a row, tab/shift-tab move one row and ⏎ expands or collapses the selected value. esc, ⌫ or ← closes it.
Settings and accounts
In Settings, j/k or ↓/↑ move between rows, and tab/shift-tab wrap through them. h/l or ←/→ change a value. On a network row, space toggles its inclusion in the feed, or starts sign-in if it is signed out. ⏎ opens Accounts, opens the theme picker or signs a network in or out, depending on the selected row. esc or ⌫ goes back.
On the Accounts page, j/k or ↓/↑ move, ⏎ or space signs the selected network in or out, and esc returns to Settings. See Configuration for saved values and Sign in for account setup.
Next: CLI commands