keybindings-help

name	keybindings-help
description	Use when the user wants to customize keyboard shortcuts, rebind keys, add chord bindings, or modify ~/.claude/keybindings.json. Examples: "rebind ctrl+s", "add a chord shortcut", "change the submit key", "customize keybindings".

Keybindings Customization Skill

Help users customize Claude Code keyboard shortcuts by modifying ~/.claude/keybindings.json.

Keybindings File Location

~/.claude/keybindings.json

Create if it doesn't exist. This file overrides default Claude Code keybindings.

File Format

[
  {
    "key": "ctrl+shift+enter",
    "command": "claude.sendMessage"
  },
  {
    "key": "ctrl+k ctrl+c",
    "command": "claude.clearConversation"
  }
]

Common Commands

Command	Description
claude.sendMessage	Submit the current message
claude.clearConversation	Clear the conversation
claude.newConversation	Start a new conversation
claude.toggleSidebar	Toggle the sidebar
claude.focusInput	Focus the input field
claude.stopGeneration	Stop current generation

Key Syntax

• Single keys: "ctrl+s", "alt+enter", "shift+f5"
• Chord bindings (two-step): "ctrl+k ctrl+s" (press Ctrl+K then Ctrl+S)
• Function keys: "f1" through "f12"
• Special keys: "escape", "tab", "backspace", "delete", "enter"

Workflow

Make a todo list for all the tasks in this workflow.

1. Understand the Request

Ask the user:

• What action do they want to bind/rebind?
• What key combination do they want to use?
• Is it a single shortcut or a chord (two-step) binding?

2. Read Existing Keybindings

cat ~/.claude/keybindings.json 2>/dev/null || echo "[]"

If the file doesn't exist, start with an empty array [].

3. Check for Conflicts

• Look for existing bindings that use the same key combination
• Warn the user if a conflict is found
• Ask if they want to override the existing binding

4. Update Keybindings File

Add or modify the keybinding entry. For example, to rebind submit to ctrl+enter:

[
  {
    "key": "ctrl+enter",
    "command": "claude.sendMessage"
  }
]

For chord bindings (two-step shortcuts):

[
  {
    "key": "ctrl+k s",
    "command": "claude.sendMessage"
  }
]

5. Write the File

cat > ~/.claude/keybindings.json << 'EOF'
[
  {
    "key": "YOUR_KEY_HERE",
    "command": "YOUR_COMMAND_HERE"
  }
]
EOF

6. Confirm with User

Inform the user:

• The new keybinding that was set
• That changes take effect immediately (no restart needed)
• How to test the new binding

Wrap Up

Provide a summary:

• ✅ Keybinding added/modified
• The key combination and what it does
• Any conflicts that were resolved
• How to revert if needed: restore the previous ~/.claude/keybindings.json content