iTerm2 keyboard shortcuts
iTerm2's shortcuts are about keeping several terminal jobs visible at once. Work across panes and tabs, search scrollback, paste safely, broadcast input, and open the less obvious terminal tools.
iTerm2 becomes a different tool once more than one session is open. Start with panes and tabs, then add scrollback, paste, and broadcast controls so the terminal stays organised when the work gets noisy.
Panes
Split the terminal, move focus between panes, and resize or close the pane you are using.
| Action | macOS |
|---|---|
| Split the pane vertically (side by side) | CmdD |
| Split the pane horizontally | CmdShiftD |
| Move focus to the next paneCmd+[ moves to the previous pane. Option+Cmd+Arrow moves by direction. | Cmd] |
| Maximize the current pane, or restore it | ShiftCmdEnter |
| Close the current pane or tab | CmdW |
Tabs and windows
Create, close, switch, and rearrange iTerm2 tabs and windows.
| Action | macOS |
|---|---|
| New tab | CmdT |
| New window | CmdN |
| Next tabCmd+Shift+[ goes to the previous tab; Cmd+digits jump straight to a tab. | CmdShift] |
Find and paste history
Search scrollback and recover previous paste entries when terminal output becomes dense.
| Action | macOS |
|---|---|
| Open the find bar | CmdF |
| Use the selection for find without opening the bar | CmdE |
| Highlight the cursor when you lose track of it | Cmd/ |
| Open paste history | CmdShiftH |
| Open autocomplete suggestions | Cmd; |
| Open command history | CmdShift; |
Broadcast and tools
Send input to several sessions and open iTerm2 tools such as profile, marks, and command history.
| Action | macOS |
|---|---|
| Broadcast input to every pane in the tabType once, and every pane in the tab receives the same keystrokes. | OptionCmdI |
| Clear the buffer | CmdK |
| Open instant replay to scroll back in time | CmdOptionB |
| Show or hide the toolbelt | CmdShiftB |
| Open preferences | Cmd, |
Make the useful keys stick
The payoff in iTerm2 is a calmer terminal, not a longer memory test. Learn the keys that arrange your sessions, then use the search and paste controls when the scrollback starts telling you what you missed.
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.