90% of People Don't Know These Hidden OpenCode Shortcuts—The Complete Guide to OpenCode TUI Input Efficiency, UI Layout + Full Keybind Categories

1. Introduction

OpenCode is an open-source AI agent on GitHub that helps you write code in the terminal, IDE, or desktop. It even has a web mode (just launch it with opencode web).

OpenCode's TUI (Text User Interface) is one of its most powerful ways to use it. But many people open it and only type + Enter, unaware that there's a complete shortcut key system hidden inside. This article starts with the screen layout, then categorizes all input area keys by "operational mindset" so you can get up to speed in the shortest time.

Source

The shortcut information in this article is based on the OpenCode Official Keybinds Documentation (last updated: April 24, 2026), combined with personal tui.json custom settings.

2. TUI Screen Layout

The OpenCode TUI main screen is divided into the following main areas:

Message Area: Accumulates your input prompts, AI responses, tool outputs, and other conversation content
Input Area: Multi-line input box supporting full Readline/Emacs-style shortcuts
Status Bar: Displays current session name, model, agent mode, and other information
Sidebar (optional): Right panel showing file explorer, tool list, etc.

3. Custom Keybinds

The TUI configuration file is tui.json, located in the OpenCode config directory:

Windows: %USERPROFILE%/.config/opencode/tui.json
macOS/Linux: ~/.config/opencode/tui.json

You can customize all shortcuts by modifying the keybinds section. Setting an action to "none" disables that shortcut.

3.1. My tui.json Configuration

Custom Settings

The following keys have been modified by me. For default keys, see the Official Keybinds Documentation

{
  "$schema": "https://opencode.ai/tui.json",
  "theme": "catppuccin",
  "keybinds": {
    "leader": "ctrl+x",
    "app_exit": "ctrl+c,<leader>q",
    "editor_open": "<leader>e",
    "theme_list": "<leader>t",
    "sidebar_toggle": "<leader>b",
    "scrollbar_toggle": "none",
    "username_toggle": "none",
    "status_view": "<leader>s",
    "tool_details": "none",
    "session_export": "<leader>x",
    "session_new": "<leader>n",
    "session_list": "<leader>l",
    "session_timeline": "<leader>g",
    "session_fork": "none",
    "session_rename": "none",
    "session_share": "none",
    "session_unshare": "none",
    "session_interrupt": "escape",
    "session_compact": "<leader>c",
    "session_child_first": "<leader>down",
    "session_child_cycle": "<leader>right",
    "session_child_cycle_reverse": "<leader>left",
    "session_parent": "<leader>up",
    "messages_page_up": "pageup,ctrl+alt+b",
    "messages_page_down": "pagedown,ctrl+alt+f",
    "messages_line_up": "up",
    "messages_line_down": "down",
    "messages_half_page_up": "alt+pageup",
    "messages_half_page_down": "alt+pgdown",
    "messages_first": "ctrl+home",
    "messages_last": "ctrl+end",
    "messages_next": "alt+down",
    "messages_previous": "alt+up",
    "messages_copy": "<leader>y",
    "messages_undo": "<leader>u",
    "messages_redo": "<leader>r",
    "messages_last_user": "none",
    "messages_toggle_conceal": "<leader>h",
    "model_list": "<leader>m",
    "model_cycle_recent": "f2",
    "model_cycle_recent_reverse": "shift+f2",
    "model_cycle_favorite": "none",
    "model_cycle_favorite_reverse": "none",
    "variant_cycle": "ctrl+t",
    "variant_list": "none",
    "command_list": "ctrl+p",
    "agent_list": "<leader>a",
    "agent_cycle": "tab",
    "agent_cycle_reverse": "shift+tab",
    "input_clear": "ctrl+c",
    "input_paste": "ctrl+v",
    "input_submit": "return",
    "input_newline": "ctrl+return,shift+return,ctrl+j",
    "input_move_left": "left,ctrl+b",
    "input_move_right": "right,ctrl+f",
    "input_move_up": "ctrl+1",
    "input_move_down": "ctrl+2",
    "input_select_left": "shift+left",
    "input_select_right": "shift+right",
    "input_select_up": "shift+up",
    "input_select_down": "shift+down",
    "input_line_home": "ctrl+a",
    "input_line_end": "ctrl+e",
    "input_select_line_home": "ctrl+shift+a",
    "input_select_line_end": "ctrl+shift+e",
    "input_visual_line_home": "alt+a",
    "input_visual_line_end": "alt+e",
    "input_select_visual_line_home": "alt+shift+a",
    "input_select_visual_line_end": "alt+shift+e",
    "input_buffer_home": "home",
    "input_buffer_end": "end",
    "input_select_buffer_home": "shift+home",
    "input_select_buffer_end": "shift+end",
    "input_delete_line": "ctrl+y",
    "input_delete_to_line_end": "ctrl+k",
    "input_delete_to_line_start": "ctrl+u",
    "input_backspace": "backspace,shift+backspace",
    "input_delete": "delete,shift+delete",
    "input_undo": "ctrl+z",
    "input_redo": "ctrl+.,super+shift+z",
    "input_word_forward": "alt+f,alt+right,ctrl+right",
    "input_word_backward": "alt+b,alt+left,ctrl+left",
    "input_select_word_forward": "alt+shift+f,alt+shift+right",
    "input_select_word_backward": "alt+shift+b,alt+shift+left",
    "input_delete_word_forward": "alt+d,alt+delete,ctrl+delete",
    "input_delete_word_backward": "ctrl+w,ctrl+backspace,alt+backspace",
    "history_previous": "ctrl+up",
    "history_next": "ctrl+down",
    "terminal_suspend": "",
    "terminal_title_toggle": "none",
    "tips_toggle": "<leader>h",
    "display_thinking": "none"
  },
  "scroll_speed": 3,
  "scroll_acceleration": {
    "enabled": true
  },
  "diff_style": "auto",
  "mouse": true,
  "plugin": [],
  "plugin_enabled": {}
}

3.2. Leader Key

What is a Leader Key?

Most OpenCode shortcuts use a Leader Key, which defaults to Ctrl+X. This avoids conflicts with other terminal shortcuts. The operation is: press the leader key first, then press the corresponding shortcut. For example, to create a new session: press Ctrl+X, release it, then press N.

Key Combination	Function	Corresponding Slash Command
`<leader> B`	Toggle Sidebar
`<leader> E`	Open Editor	`/editor`
`<leader> M`	Model List	`/models`
`<leader> S`	Status View	`/status`
`<leader> T`	Theme Switcher	`/themes`
`<leader> N`	New Session	`/new` or `/clear`
`<leader> L`	Session List	`/sessions`
`<leader> G`	Session Timeline	`/timeline`
`<leader> X`	Export Session	`/export`
`<leader> C`	Compact Context	`/compact`
`<leader> A`	Agent List	`/agents`
`<leader> H`	Show/Hide Tips
`<leader> Q`	Exit Application	`/exit` or `/quit` or `:q` or `quit`
`<leader> U`	Message Area Undo	`/undo`
`<leader> R`	Message Area Redo
`<leader> Y`	Copy Message	`/copy`

3.3. Mode Switching

Tab / Shift + Tab: Switch between Build mode (execute programs) and Plan mode (plan architecture)
F2 / Shift + F2: Cycle through recently used models
Ctrl + P: Open command palette
Ctrl + T: Cycle through model variants (low, medium, high, etc.)

4. Complete Input Area Key Classification

Below are all input area shortcuts categorized by operational mindset into seven major categories. Remembering the categories is far more effective than memorizing individual keys.

4.1. Category 1: Submit and Clear

Key	Function	Notes
`Enter`	Send Message
`Shift + Enter`	New Line (no send)	⚠️ Windows Terminal may need extra setup (see below)
`Ctrl + Enter`	New Line (no send)
`Alt + Enter`	New Line (no send)	May not work in Windows Terminal
`Ctrl + J`	New Line (no send)	Recommended, most stable
`Ctrl + C`	Clear Line	Also interrupts AI response, consider remapping

Most Common Beginner Mistake

When typing multi-line prompts, accidentally pressing Enter instead of Shift + Enter, causing the message to be sent before it's finished. Make it a habit: use Shift + Enter or Ctrl + J for new lines.

Shift+Enter Setup for Windows Terminal

Some terminals don't send Enter with modifier keys by default. If you find Shift + Enter doesn't work, you need to configure it in Windows Terminal's settings.json:

Add to the actions array:

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

Add to the keybindings array:

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

Save and restart Windows Terminal.

4.2. Category 2: Cursor Movement

The OpenCode input area fully supports Bash/Readline-style shortcuts, so terminal users can transition seamlessly.

Key	Action	Mnemonic
`←` / `Ctrl + B`	Move left one character	Backward
`→` / `Ctrl + F`	Move right one character	Forward
`↑`	Move up one line
`↓`	Move down one line
`Ctrl + A`	Move to line start	A = start
`Ctrl + E`	Move to line end	E = End
`Home`	Move to buffer start
`End`	Move to buffer end
`Alt + A`	Move to visual line start	visual line
`Alt + E`	Move to visual line end	visual line

Core Memory Tip: Ctrl + A/E is line start/end (most commonly used), Home/End is the very beginning/end of the entire input area. The difference between these keys becomes apparent when the input area has multiple lines.

4.3. Category 3: Text Selection

There's only one rule: Any movement key + Shift = Selection.

Movement Key	+ Shift Becomes Selection
`←` / `→`	`Shift + ←` / `Shift + →` select characters
`↑` / `↓`	`Shift + ↑` / `Shift + ↓` select lines
`Ctrl + A`	`Ctrl + Shift + A` select to line start
`Ctrl + E`	`Ctrl + Shift + E` select to line end
`Home` / `End`	`Shift + Home` / `Shift + End` select to buffer start/end
`Alt + A` / `Alt + E`	`Alt + Shift + A` / `Alt + Shift + E` select to visual line start/end
`Alt + ←` / `Alt + →`	`Alt + Shift + ←` / `Alt + Shift + →` select one word

4.4. Category 4: Delete Operations

Delete operations are the most powerful part of the OpenCode input area, supporting multiple granularities of deletion.

Key	Function	Level
`Backspace`	Delete character before cursor	Character
`Ctrl + D` / `Delete`	Delete character at cursor	Character
`Ctrl + W` / `Ctrl + Backspace` / `Alt + Backspace`	Delete previous word	Word
`Alt + D` / `Alt + Delete` / `Ctrl + Delete`	Delete next word	Word
`Ctrl + K`	Delete from cursor to line end	Line
`Ctrl + U`	Delete from cursor to line start	Line
`Ctrl+Shift+D`	Delete entire line	Line

Especially useful in English environments, jumping the cursor by "word" units.

Key	Function
`Alt + F` / `Alt + →` / `Ctrl + →`	Forward one word
`Alt + B` / `Alt + ←` / `Ctrl + ←`	Backward one word

Selection version (add Shift):

Key	Function
`Alt + Shift + F` / `Alt + Shift + →`	Select to next word
`Alt + Shift + B` / `Alt + Shift + ←`	Select to previous word

4.6. Category 6: History

Key	Function
`↑`	Previous input
`↓`	Next input

OpenCode remembers all your inputs in the current session. Use the up and down arrow keys to quickly recall previous prompts.

4.7. Category 7: Undo, Redo, Paste, and Other Editing

Key	Function
`Ctrl + -` / `Ctrl + Z` / `Super + Z`	Undo
`Ctrl + .` / `Super + Shift + Z`	Redo
`Ctrl + V`	Paste
`Ctrl + T`	Transpose characters before cursor
`Ctrl + G`	Cancel popup / Interrupt running response

Desktop Prompt Input Shortcuts

The OpenCode desktop application's prompt input box supports common Readline/Emacs-style text editing shortcuts. These shortcuts are built-in features and currently cannot be configured through opencode.json.

5. Message View Area Shortcuts

Besides the input area, the message view area also has useful shortcuts:

Key	Function
`PageUp` / `Ctrl + Alt + B`	Page up
`PageDown` / `Ctrl + Alt + F`	Page down
`Ctrl + Alt + Y`	Line up
`Ctrl + Alt + E`	Line down
`Ctrl + Alt + U`	Half page up
`Ctrl + Alt + D`	Half page down
`Ctrl + G` / `Home`	Jump to first message
`Ctrl + Alt + G` / `End`	Jump to last message
`<leader> Y`	Copy message
`<leader> U`	Message area Undo
`<leader> R`	Message area Redo
`<leader> H`	Toggle conceal/reveal content

OpenCode supports nested sessions (child conversations) that you can switch between:

Key	Function
`<leader> Down`	Enter first child session
`<leader> Right`	Cycle to next child session
`<leader> Left`	Cycle to previous child session
`<leader> Up`	Return to parent session
`Escape`	Interrupt current session
`<leader> N`	New session
`<leader> L`	Session list
`<leader> G`	Session timeline
`<leader> X`	Export session
`<leader> C`	Compact context

7. Conclusion

OpenCode TUI's shortcut design originates from Bash/Readline, plus its own Leader Key system. Rather than memorizing the entire table, understand the categorical logic—movement, selection, deletion, submission—integrate the commonly used keys into daily operations, and look up the rest as needed.

8. Appendix: Complete Shortcut Quick Reference

Category	Key	Function
Submit	`Enter`	Send message
	`Shift + Enter` / `Ctrl + J`	New line
	`Ctrl + C`	Clear input / Interrupt response
Move	`Ctrl + A`	Line start
	`Ctrl + E`	Line end
	`Alt + B` / `Alt + F`	Previous/next word
	`Home` / `End`	Buffer start/end
Select	`Shift + ←/→/↑/↓`	Select characters/lines
	`Ctrl + Shift + A/E`	Select to line start/end
	`Alt + Shift + ←/→`	Select word
Delete	`Ctrl + K`	Delete to line end
	`Ctrl + U`	Delete to line start
	`Ctrl + Shift + D`	Delete entire line
	`Ctrl + W`	Delete previous word
	`Alt + D`	Delete next word
History	`↑` / `↓`	Previous/next input
Undo	`Ctrl + -` / `Ctrl + Z`	Undo
	`Ctrl + .`	Redo
Paste	`Ctrl + V`	Paste
Other	`Ctrl + T`	Transpose characters
	`Ctrl + G`	Interrupt response
Model	`<leader> M`	Model list
	`F2`	Switch model
	`Ctrl + T`	Switch variant
Session	`<leader> N`	New
	`<leader> C`	Compact context
	`Escape`	Interrupt
Interface	`<leader> B`	Sidebar
	`Ctrl + P`	Command palette
	`Tab`	Switch Agent

9. Tutorial Video

https://youtu.be/8mgj7IxtkDg

#OpenCode #TUI #Shortcuts