Using keyboard shortcuts in the Terminal app on Mac can significantly enhance your productivity, but sometimes these shortcuts may not work as expected. Here’s how to fix and customize your Terminal keyboard shortcuts.
Understanding Default Keyboard Shortcuts
Before diving into fixing issues, it's essential to know the default keyboard shortcuts for Terminal on Mac. Here are some key shortcuts:
- New window:
Command + N
- New tab:
Command + T
- Next tab:
Control + Tab
- Previous tab:
Control + Shift + Tab
- Close tab:
Command + W
- Close window:
Shift + Command + W
- Close other tabs:
Option + Command + W
- Close all:
Option + Shift + Command + W
.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Non-Functional Shortcuts
If your keyboard shortcuts are not working, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot:
- Check Menu Titles: Ensure that the menu titles in your custom shortcuts match exactly with those in the Terminal app. For example, if you want to create a shortcut for "Select Next Tab," the menu title should be exactly "Select Next Tab" as it appears in the Terminal menu.
- Review Terminal Settings: Go to
Terminal > Settings > General
and ensure that the option to use command numbers to switch tabs is enabled. This setting allows you to useCommand + 1
throughCommand + 9
to switch tabs. - Use Correct Modifiers: Some shortcuts may require specific modifiers. For instance, switching tabs might require
Control + Tab
instead ofCommand + Tab
.
Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts
If you need to customize or add new keyboard shortcuts, follow these steps:
- Open System Preferences: Go to
System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts
. - Select App Shortcuts: Click on
App Shortcuts
and then click the+
button to add a new shortcut. - Select Terminal: Choose
Terminal
from the application list. - Enter Menu Title and Shortcut: Enter the exact menu title as it appears in the Terminal menu and set your desired keyboard shortcut.
Advanced Customization
For more advanced customization, you can use the built-in Shortcuts app on macOS to create custom shortcuts that open Terminal or perform specific actions within it.
- Open Shortcuts App: Find and open the Shortcuts app from Finder.
- Create a New Shortcut: Click the
+
sign to create a new shortcut. - Add Open App Action: Select
Open App
from the actions menu and chooseTerminal
. - Assign a Keyboard Shortcut: Go to the Shortcut Details icon and add a keyboard shortcut to run this action.
Additional Tips
- Use Keyboard Viewer: If you're unsure about the correct keyboard layout or input source, use the Keyboard Viewer to see your current keyboard layout.
- Check for Conflicts: Ensure that your custom shortcuts do not conflict with existing system or application shortcuts.
- Update Terminal Settings: Regularly check for updates to Terminal settings and preferences to ensure you have the latest features and fixes.
By following these steps, you can effectively troubleshoot and customize your Terminal keyboard shortcuts, enhancing your productivity and workflow on your Mac.