# Every key has a typed command

> Every Skink key also runs as a typed command: press Ctrl+E, type a short name like comment or dotfiles, press Enter. The fallback for macOS Option, tmux and keyboard layouts.

Source: https://skink.cc/editing/typed-commands/

Every key Skink binds also has a typed command. Press Ctrl+E, type the name (for example `comment` or `dotfiles`) and press Enter.

So when a key never reaches Skink, the action is still one short word away. Nothing needs configuring.

**Note:**
Skink 0.7 had some typed commands, such as `:zoom`, `:recent` and `:fold`. Skink 0.8 added the rest: the short names below, and running any action by its own name.

## Why keys go missing

A terminal editor only sees the keys your terminal passes on. Some chords get lost on the way:

- **macOS:** the Option key types special characters (`∂`, `ß`, `å`) unless the terminal sends it as Alt. See [macOS Option key](https://skink.cc/customize/macos-option-key/).
- **tmux and screen:** the prefix key, and some chords they keep for themselves.
- **Windows console:** a few Ctrl and Alt chords arrive as something else, or not at all.
- **Window managers and IDEs:** a desktop shortcut or the IDE's own terminal grabs the chord first.
- **Keyboard layouts:** on non-US layouts, keys like /, \\ or ] need extra modifiers, so the chord is a different one.

In all these cases, Ctrl+E plus the command does the same thing as the key.

## How to type a command

The docs write commands with a colon, like `:dotfiles`. The command line already shows the colon, so you type only the name.

1. Press Ctrl+E. The command line opens at the bottom with `:` in place.
2. Type `dotfiles`.
3. Press Enter.

Tab completes names, so a few letters are enough. Up and Down bring back commands you ran before.

In a terminal tab, Ctrl+E goes to the program inside, not to Skink. Press F12 to get back to a file tab first, then type the command.

## Short names for everyday actions

The actions you use most have short names. They are grouped here as in the app.

### Editing

| Command | Does |
|---|---|
| `:undo` / `:redo` | Undo / redo |
| `:copy` / `:cut` / `:paste` | Clipboard (copy and cut take the line when nothing is selected) |
| `:duplicate` | Duplicate the selection or line |
| `:moveup` / `:movedown` | Move lines up / down |
| `:comment` | Toggle line comments |
| `:selectall` | Select everything |
| `:expand` / `:contract` | Grow / shrink the selection by syntax node |
| `:bracket` | Jump to the matching bracket |
| `:complete` | Open the completion list |
| `:indent` / `:outdent` | Indent / outdent |

### Multiple cursors

| Command | Does |
|---|---|
| `:addcursor` | Select the word, then add a cursor at the next match |
| `:cursorabove` / `:cursorbelow` | Add a cursor above / below |
| `:skipcursor` | Skip this match |
| `:onecursor` | Back to one cursor |

### Find and navigate

| Command | Does |
|---|---|
| `:find` / `:findnext` / `:findprev` | Find bar, next and previous match |
| `:palette` | Command palette |
| `:hover` | Type and docs of the symbol |
| `:peek` | Peek the definition in a popup |
| `:typedef` | Go to the type definition |
| `:fix` or `:actions` | Code actions (quick fixes, refactorings) |
| `:allsymbols` | Symbols in the whole project |
| `:nextproblem` / `:prevproblem` | Next / previous error or warning |

### Tabs, splits and panels

| Command | Does |
|---|---|
| `:nexttab` / `:prevtab` / `:newtab` | Next tab, previous tab, new tab |
| `:nextsplit` / `:prevsplit` | Next / previous split pane |
| `:files` | File tree |
| `:sidebar` | Hide or show the sidebar |
| `:dotfiles` | Show or hide dotfiles |
| `:newterm` / `:toggleterm` | New terminal tab / flip between file and terminal |

### AI, macros and tasks

| Command | Does |
|---|---|
| `:ask` | AI prompt box |
| `:senderrors` | Send errors to the agent |
| `:record` / `:replay` | Record a macro / replay it |
| `:rerun` | Run the last task again |

### Terminal and debugger

| Command | Does |
|---|---|
| `:nextprompt` / `:prevprompt` | Jump between shell prompts in a terminal tab |
| `:lastoutput` | Select the last command's output |
| `:continue` | Start or continue debugging |
| `:step` / `:stepin` / `:stepout` | Step over / into / out |
| `:pause` | Pause the program |
| `:condition` | Condition for the breakpoint on this line |

The commands Skink already had keep working: `:def`, `:refs`, `:fold`, `:zoom`, `:recent`, `:nexthunk`, `:blame`, `:gitstatus`, `:debug` and the rest. See [Commands](https://skink.cc/reference/commands/).

## Any action by its own name

Every action also runs under the name it has in `bindings.json`, in any spelling. Case, `-` and `_` don't matter, so these three are the same:

- `:ToggleComment`
- `:toggle-comment`
- `:togglecomment`

That covers every action, including ones with no key at all, like `:SortLines` or `:TrimTrailingWhitespace`.

## Look up a key's command in the app

- F1 opens the command palette. Each action shows its key and its typed command as `(:name)`.
- `:help` ends with the full key table: one line per key, with its command beside it.

The same table is on the [Keyboard shortcuts](https://skink.cc/reference/shortcuts/) page, in the "Typed command" column.

## Commands worth knowing on macOS

If you'd rather not set up Option as Alt, these get you around without Alt:

| Instead of | Use |
|---|---|
| Alt+P quick open | `:recent` |
| Alt+Z zoom | `:zoom` |
| Alt+H dotfiles | `:dotfiles` |
| Alt+/ comment | `:comment` |
| Alt+Shift+N next git change | `:nexthunk` |

F1, F5 / F9 / F10 for debugging and Ctrl+Z never need Alt either.