iTerm2 keyboard shortcuts
iTerm2 replaces the Mac's built-in Terminal with split panes, searchable scrollback, and Instant Replay. Its keys split and move between panes, manage tabs and windows, search output, open paste history, broadcast input, and set marks you can jump back to.
macOS · 29 shortcutsPanes
Split the terminal, move focus between panes, maximize the active pane, and close the surface you are using.
| Action | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| Split the pane vertically | Cmd + D |
| Split the pane horizontally | Cmd + Shift + D |
| Move to the next paneCmd+[ moves to the previous pane. | Cmd + ] |
| Move to a pane by directionUse the corresponding arrow for left, up, or down. | Cmd + Option + Right |
| Maximize or restore the current pane | Cmd + Shift + Enter |
| Close the current pane or tab | Cmd + W |
Tabs and windows
Create, close, switch, and jump among iTerm2 tabs and windows without leaving the current terminal session.
| Action | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| Open a new tab | Cmd + T |
| Open a new window | Cmd + N |
| Switch to the next tabCmd+Left switches to the previous tab. Cmd+{ and Cmd+} are also documented. | Cmd + Right |
| Jump to a tab by numberUse the corresponding digit for the target tab. | Cmd + 1 |
| Jump to a window by numberUse the corresponding digit for the target window. | Cmd + Option + 1 |
| Enter or leave fullscreen | Cmd + Enter |
Search and replay
Search scrollback, reuse the current selection, enter Instant Replay, and move through terminal output from an earlier point in time.
| Action | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| Open the find bar | Cmd + F |
| Use the selection as the find query | Cmd + E |
| Find the next matchCmd+Shift+G finds the previous match. | Cmd + G |
| Open Instant Replay | Cmd + Option + B |
| Move backward in Instant ReplayRight moves forward; Escape exits replay. | Left |
| Temporarily highlight the cursor | Cmd + / |
| Clear the terminal buffer | Cmd + K |
Clipboard and input
Use selection tools, paste history, autocomplete, and broadcast input to keep command entry efficient across sessions.
| Action | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| Start mouseless selection modeShift+Tab changes the selection direction; arrow keys extend it. | Tab |
| Open paste history | Cmd + Shift + H |
| Open autocomplete suggestions | Cmd + ; |
| Broadcast input to every pane in the tabEvery pane receives the same typed input until broadcast is turned off. | Cmd + Option + I |
| Open the Open Quickly panel | Cmd + Shift + O |
Marks and tools
Mark important output, jump back to it, open preferences, and restore terminal presentation when a session needs attention.
| Action | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| Set a mark at the current output position | Cmd + Shift + M |
| Jump to the previous mark | Cmd + Shift + J |
| Open iTerm2 preferences | Cmd + , |
| Re-enable a transparent window | Cmd + U |
| Show or hide the toolbelt | Cmd + Shift + B |
Source
official iTerm2 documentation · Checked
Default bindings documented on iTerm2's official one-page documentation checked in August 2026. Many bindings can be changed in Preferences, Keys, so a local key mapping can differ from these defaults.