Command palette
Global
Ghostty exposes a command palette for fast terminal actions.
With MacKeys
⌘ + P
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + Shift + P
High frequency
Programming shortcut guide
Ghostty shortcuts for Mac-native people on Windows
Ghostty is a strong programming-category addition because terminal shortcuts are deeply workflow-dependent. MacKeys helps keep that terminal control story consistent across platforms, especially for people who move quickly between editor and shell.
With MacKeys
Command-first shortcuts stay readable and familiar.
The goal is not to make Figma different. It is to remove the modifier translation layer so common actions still feel like the Mac workflow your hands already know.
Without MacKeys
The work is the same, but the keyboard language keeps shifting.
Native Windows shortcuts usually ask for `Ctrl` and `Alt` translations. In dense design sessions, that adds up as hesitation, extra reach, and slower recovery when you are moving quickly.
Shortcut rows
7
Workflow actions covered on this page.
Translated shortcuts
7
Rows where MacKeys removes the Windows modifier translation.
High-gain actions
1
6 of these are high-frequency shortcuts.
Workflow sections
Jump to the part of Figma where shortcut translation matters most.
Tabs and Windows
Tabs and Windows shortcuts
Window management and terminal tab shortcuts.
New tab
Terminal
A common terminal action that benefits from familiar keyboard flow.
With MacKeys
⌘ + T
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + Shift + T
High frequency
Close tab
Terminal
A very common shell workflow action.
With MacKeys
⌘ + W
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + W
High frequency
Search
Search shortcuts
Search and palette actions.
Find
Terminal
Helpful when scanning terminal output.
With MacKeys
⌘ + F
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + F
High frequency
Go to next match
Terminal
A tiny but repeated shortcut in long output sessions.
With MacKeys
⌘ + G
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + G
Medium frequency
Splits
Splits shortcuts
Pane and split workflows.
Split vertically
Panes
Pane management is central in terminal-heavy workflows.
With MacKeys
⌘ + \
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + \
High frequency
Next pane
Panes
Keeps focus movement quick across splits.
With MacKeys
⌘ + ]
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + ]
High frequency
Reading the gain labels
A shortcut gets a higher estimated gain when it combines three things: frequent use, more awkward native Windows modifiers, and a higher likelihood of breaking Mac muscle memory in the middle of focused work.
High gain
Medium gain
Low gain
Why this matters in Ghostty
Ghostty rewards fast repetition. Duplicate, group, frame, zoom, and property-copy actions are not isolated commands. They are part of the rhythm. The closer that rhythm stays to Mac muscle memory, the less time gets lost to tiny modifier decisions.
FAQ
Why include a terminal app in a programming category? +
Because terminal navigation is part of programming work and it is heavily keyboard driven.