Cursor keyboard shortcuts

Cursor adds an AI workbench to an editor that still feels familiar to VS Code users. Start with the chat and inline-edit keys, then use the panel, autocomplete, and terminal controls when the task moves out of the file.

Cursor makes the editor and the agent share one workspace. Start with chat and inline edits, then learn the panel and terminal keys that keep the work moving when the code is no longer the only thing on screen.

Panels and modes

Open the AI side panel, change its layout, and switch the mode used for the next request.

ActionWindowsmacOSLinux
Open command paletteCtrlShiftPCmdShiftPCtrlShiftP
Toggle AI side panelCtrlICmdICtrlI
Toggle chat side panelCtrlLCmdLCtrlL
Toggle Agent layoutCtrlECmdECtrlE
Open mode menuCtrl.Cmd.Ctrl.
Open Cursor settingsCtrlShiftJCmdShiftJCtrlShiftJ

Chat and agent

Driving the agent chat input and its suggested changes.

ActionWindowsmacOSLinux
Add selected code as contextRequires code selected in the editor.CtrlShiftLCmdShiftLCtrlShiftL
Cancel generationCtrlShiftBackspaceCmdShiftBackspaceCtrlShiftBackspace
Reject all suggested changesCtrlBackspaceCmdBackspaceCtrlBackspace
Rotate between agent modesShiftTabShiftTabShiftTab
New chatCtrl+R (Cmd+R) also starts a new chat.CtrlNCmdNCtrlN
Previous chatUse ] for the next chat.Ctrl[Cmd[Ctrl[
Close chatCtrlWCmdWCtrlW

Inline edit

Start a prompt-driven edit at the cursor and apply the suggested change without opening a separate chat.

ActionWindowsmacOSLinux
Open inline editCtrlKCmdKCtrlK
Submit inline editEnterEnterEnter
Cancel inline editCtrlShiftBackspaceCmdShiftBackspaceCtrlShiftBackspace
Ask a quick question instead of editingAltEnterOptionEnterAltEnter

Tab autocomplete

Accept, dismiss, or move through Cursor's inline code suggestions.

ActionWindowsmacOSLinux
Accept suggestionTabTabTab
Accept next word of suggestionCtrlRightCmdRightCtrlRight

Terminal

Generate a shell command from natural language, then move the result into the integrated terminal.

ActionWindowsmacOSLinux
Open terminal prompt barSame keys as inline edit; context decides which opens.CtrlKCmdKCtrlK
Run generated commandCtrlEnterCmdEnterCtrlEnter
Accept command without running itEscEscEsc

Make the useful keys stick

Cursor only feels fast when the agent stays inside your editing rhythm. Keep the chat and inline-edit keys close, and add the panel or terminal controls when those surfaces start taking over your day.

You do not need this whole page in your head. Pick two shortcuts that remove a repeated hand movement, use them until they feel ordinary, and come back for the next pair.

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