5.6b Keybindings

60+ fully customizable keybindings for a smooth operational experience.

📝 Course Notes

Key concepts from this lesson:

What You'll Learn

Master the Leader key mechanism
Customize any keybinding
Disable unwanted keybindings
Resolve terminal keybinding conflicts

Leader Key

OpenCode uses a Leader key to avoid conflicts with terminal shortcuts.

Default Leader key: Ctrl+X

Usage: Press Leader key, release, then press the second key.

Ctrl+X → n    # New session
Ctrl+X → l    # Session list
Ctrl+X → m    # Model list

Keybinding Configuration

Configure in opencode.json:

jsonc

{
  "$schema": "https://opencode.ai/config.json",
  "keybinds": {
    // Change Leader key
    "leader": "ctrl+x",
    
    // Custom keybindings
    "session_new": "<leader>n",
    "model_list": "<leader>m",
    
    // Multiple keys for same function (comma-separated)
    "app_exit": "ctrl+c,ctrl+d,<leader>q",
    
    // Disable keybinding
    "session_compact": "none"
  }
}

Note: The config key is keybinds (plural), this is the only config key that uses plural form!

Disable Keybindings

Set to "none" to disable:

jsonc

{
  "keybinds": {
    "session_compact": "none",
    "sidebar_toggle": "none"
  }
}

Multiple Key Bindings

Use commas to separate multiple keys:

jsonc

{
  "keybinds": {
    "input_newline": "shift+return,ctrl+return,alt+return,ctrl+j"
  }
}

Complete Keybinding List

Application Control

Key Name	Default	Description
`leader`	`ctrl+x`	Leader key
`app_exit`	`ctrl+c,ctrl+d,<leader>q`	Exit application
`terminal_suspend`	`ctrl+z`	Suspend terminal
`terminal_title_toggle`	`none`	Toggle terminal title

Interface Control

Key Name	Default	Description
`editor_open`	`<leader>e`	Open external editor
`theme_list`	`<leader>t`	Theme list
`sidebar_toggle`	`<leader>b`	Toggle sidebar
`scrollbar_toggle`	`none`	Toggle scrollbar
`username_toggle`	`none`	Toggle username display
`status_view`	`<leader>s`	Status view
`tool_details`	`none`	Toggle tool details
`tips_toggle`	`<leader>h`	Toggle homepage tips

Session Management

Key Name	Default	Description
`session_new`	`<leader>n`	New session
`session_list`	`<leader>l`	Session list
`session_export`	`<leader>x`	Export session
`session_timeline`	`<leader>g`	Session timeline
`session_interrupt`	`escape`	Interrupt response
`session_compact`	`<leader>c`	Compact context
`session_fork`	`none`	Fork from message
`session_rename`	`none`	Rename session
`session_share`	`none`	Share session
`session_unshare`	`none`	Unshare session

Key Name	Default	Description
`session_child_cycle`	`<leader>right`	Cycle child sessions
`session_child_cycle_reverse`	`<leader>left`	Cycle child sessions (reverse)
`session_parent`	`<leader>up`	Return to parent session

Message Operations

Key Name	Default	Description
`messages_copy`	`<leader>y`	Copy message
`messages_undo`	`<leader>u`	Undo message
`messages_redo`	`<leader>r`	Redo message
`messages_toggle_conceal`	`<leader>h`	Toggle code block folding

Message Scrolling

Key Name	Default	Description
`messages_page_up`	`pageup`	Page up
`messages_page_down`	`pagedown`	Page down
`messages_half_page_up`	`ctrl+alt+u`	Half page up
`messages_half_page_down`	`ctrl+alt+d`	Half page down
`messages_first`	`ctrl+g,home`	Jump to first
`messages_last`	`ctrl+alt+g,end`	Jump to last
`messages_next`	`none`	Next message
`messages_previous`	`none`	Previous message
`messages_last_user`	`none`	Last user message

Model & Agent

Key Name	Default	Description
`model_list`	`<leader>m`	Model list
`model_cycle_recent`	`f2`	Cycle recent models
`model_cycle_recent_reverse`	`shift+f2`	Cycle recent (reverse)
`model_cycle_favorite`	`none`	Cycle favorite models
`model_cycle_favorite_reverse`	`none`	Cycle favorites (reverse)
`variant_cycle`	`ctrl+t`	Cycle model variants
`agent_list`	`<leader>a`	Agent list
`agent_cycle`	`tab`	Cycle Agent
`agent_cycle_reverse`	`shift+tab`	Cycle Agent (reverse)
`command_list`	`ctrl+p`	Command palette

Input Area Basics

Key Name	Default	Description
`input_submit`	`return`	Send message
`input_newline`	`shift+return,ctrl+return,alt+return,ctrl+j`	New line
`input_clear`	`ctrl+c`	Clear input
`input_paste`	`ctrl+v`	Paste
`input_undo`	`ctrl+-,super+z`	Undo input
`input_redo`	`ctrl+.,super+shift+z`	Redo input

Input Area Cursor Movement

Key Name	Default	Description
`input_move_left`	`left,ctrl+b`	Move left one character
`input_move_right`	`right,ctrl+f`	Move right one character
`input_move_up`	`up`	Move up one line
`input_move_down`	`down`	Move down one line
`input_word_forward`	`alt+f,alt+right,ctrl+right`	Move forward one word
`input_word_backward`	`alt+b,alt+left,ctrl+left`	Move backward one word
`input_line_home`	`ctrl+a`	Move to line start
`input_line_end`	`ctrl+e`	Move to line end
`input_visual_line_home`	`alt+a`	Move to visual line start
`input_visual_line_end`	`alt+e`	Move to visual line end
`input_buffer_home`	`home`	Move to buffer start
`input_buffer_end`	`end`	Move to buffer end

Input Area Selection

Key Name	Default	Description
`input_select_left`	`shift+left`	Select left
`input_select_right`	`shift+right`	Select right
`input_select_up`	`shift+up`	Select up
`input_select_down`	`shift+down`	Select down
`input_select_word_forward`	`alt+shift+f,alt+shift+right`	Select next word
`input_select_word_backward`	`alt+shift+b,alt+shift+left`	Select previous word
`input_select_line_home`	`ctrl+shift+a`	Select to line start
`input_select_line_end`	`ctrl+shift+e`	Select to line end
`input_select_visual_line_home`	`alt+shift+a`	Select to visual line start
`input_select_visual_line_end`	`alt+shift+e`	Select to visual line end
`input_select_buffer_home`	`shift+home`	Select to buffer start
`input_select_buffer_end`	`shift+end`	Select to buffer end

Input Area Deletion

Key Name	Default	Description
`input_backspace`	`backspace,shift+backspace`	Backspace
`input_delete`	`ctrl+d,delete,shift+delete`	Delete character
`input_delete_line`	`ctrl+shift+d`	Delete entire line
`input_delete_to_line_end`	`ctrl+k`	Delete to line end
`input_delete_to_line_start`	`ctrl+u`	Delete to line start
`input_delete_word_forward`	`alt+d,alt+delete,ctrl+delete`	Delete next word
`input_delete_word_backward`	`ctrl+w,ctrl+backspace,alt+backspace`	Delete previous word

History

Key Name	Default	Description
`history_previous`	`up`	Previous history
`history_next`	`down`	Next history

Desktop Version Keybindings

OpenCode Desktop's input field supports Readline/Emacs style keybindings (built-in, not configurable):

Keybinding	Function
`Ctrl+A`	Move to line start
`Ctrl+E`	Move to line end
`Ctrl+B`	Move back one character
`Ctrl+F`	Move forward one character
`Alt+B`	Move back one word
`Alt+F`	Move forward one word
`Ctrl+D`	Delete current character
`Ctrl+K`	Delete to line end
`Ctrl+U`	Delete to line start
`Ctrl+W`	Delete previous word
`Alt+D`	Delete next word
`Ctrl+T`	Transpose characters
`Ctrl+G`	Cancel popup / Interrupt response

Terminal Compatibility

Shift+Enter Issue

Some terminals don't send the Shift+Enter modifier key by default.

Symptom: Pressing Shift+Enter sends the message instead of creating a new line.

Windows Terminal Configuration

Edit settings.json (path: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.WindowsTerminal_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\settings.json):

Add to the actions array:

json

{
  "command": {
    "action": "sendInput",
    "input": "\u001b[13;2u"
  },
  "id": "User.sendInput.ShiftEnterCustom"
}

Add to the keybindings array:

json

{
  "keys": "shift+enter",
  "id": "User.sendInput.ShiftEnterCustom"
}

Save and restart Windows Terminal.

Other Terminals

iTerm2: Supported by default, no configuration needed
Alacritty: Supported by default
Kitty: Supported by default
GNOME Terminal: May need to update to a newer version

Common Configuration Scenarios

Vim Style

jsonc

{
  "keybinds": {
    "leader": "space",
    "messages_page_up": "ctrl+u",
    "messages_page_down": "ctrl+d",
    "messages_first": "gg",
    "messages_last": "G"
  }
}

Minimal Mode

Disable uncommon keybindings:

jsonc

{
  "keybinds": {
    "sidebar_toggle": "none",
    "scrollbar_toggle": "none",
    "session_fork": "none",
    "session_share": "none",
    "session_unshare": "none",
    "tips_toggle": "none"
  }
}

One-Handed Operation

Concentrate common operations on the left hand:

jsonc

{
  "keybinds": {
    "session_new": "ctrl+n",
    "session_list": "ctrl+l",
    "model_list": "ctrl+m",
    "agent_cycle": "ctrl+tab"
  }
}

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Cause	Solution
Keybinding not working	Terminal intercepted the key	Check terminal settings or use a different key
Shift+Enter doesn't create new line	Terminal doesn't send modifier key	Configure terminal (see above)
Configured but no response	Used `keybind` (singular)	Use `keybinds` (plural)
Using `null` to disable doesn't work	Syntax error	Use `"none"` string instead
Leader key conflict	Conflicts with other programs	Use a different Leader key like `ctrl+space`
Ctrl+C doesn't clear input	Intercepted by terminal's SIGINT	Use a different key or accept default behavior

Keybinding Mnemonic

Tab cycles Agent, Ctrl+C clears
Leader plus letter, any function appears
n for new, l for list, m for model
u for undo, r for redo, no need to huddle
Arrow keys left and right, child sessions take flight

Lesson Summary

You learned:

Using the Leader key mechanism to avoid conflicts
Customizing keybindings in keybinds
Using "none" to disable unwanted keybindings
Using commas to bind multiple keys
Resolving terminal Shift+Enter compatibility issues

Quick Reference/Keybindings Cheat Sheet - Printable cheat sheet
5.6a Theme System - Appearance customization
5.1 Configuration Guide - Complete configuration reference

5.6b Keybindings ​

📝 Course Notes ​

What You'll Learn ​

Leader Key ​

Keybinding Configuration ​

Disable Keybindings ​

Multiple Key Bindings ​

Complete Keybinding List ​

Application Control ​

Interface Control ​

Session Management ​

Session Navigation ​

Message Operations ​

Message Scrolling ​

Model & Agent ​

Input Area Basics ​

Input Area Cursor Movement ​

Input Area Selection ​

Input Area Deletion ​

History ​

Desktop Version Keybindings ​

Terminal Compatibility ​

Shift+Enter Issue ​

Windows Terminal Configuration ​

Other Terminals ​

Common Configuration Scenarios ​

Vim Style ​

Minimal Mode ​

One-Handed Operation ​

Troubleshooting ​

Keybinding Mnemonic ​

Lesson Summary ​

Related Resources ​

5.6b Keybindings

📝 Course Notes

What You'll Learn

Leader Key

Keybinding Configuration

Disable Keybindings

Multiple Key Bindings

Complete Keybinding List

Application Control

Interface Control

Session Management

Session Navigation

Message Operations

Message Scrolling

Model & Agent

Input Area Basics

Input Area Cursor Movement

Input Area Selection

Input Area Deletion

History

Desktop Version Keybindings

Terminal Compatibility

Shift+Enter Issue

Windows Terminal Configuration

Other Terminals

Common Configuration Scenarios

Vim Style

Minimal Mode

One-Handed Operation

Troubleshooting

Keybinding Mnemonic

Lesson Summary

Related Resources