This page is a complete keyboard shortcut reference for iTerm2 on macOS, covering all 34 shortcuts organized into 4 sections. Whether you’re new to iTerm2 or looking to master advanced features, this cheat sheet has every key combination you need — from basic editing and navigation to app-specific power-user actions.
Keyboard shortcuts are the fastest way to work in iTerm2. Every time you use a shortcut instead of reaching for the mouse, you save a few seconds — and those seconds compound into hours over weeks and months. Start with the shortcuts you use most (copy, paste, undo, save), then gradually add app-specific ones as they become relevant to your workflow. Bookmark this page or download the PDF cheat sheet for quick reference.
Using keyboard shortcuts in iTerm2 reduces context switching between keyboard and mouse, helping you maintain focus and work more efficiently. Research shows that shortcut-driven workflows can save up to 8 working days per year compared to menu-driven navigation. On macOS, most iTerm2 shortcuts follow standard conventions — once you learn the modifier key patterns, new shortcuts become intuitive.
Tips for Learning Shortcuts
- Practice one new iTerm2 shortcut each day. Muscle memory builds faster when you focus on a single combination at a time rather than trying to learn them all at once.
- Print or bookmark this page for quick reference while working in iTerm2. Having shortcuts visible nearby helps bridge the gap between looking them up and recalling them from memory.
- Start with the shortcuts you use most. In iTerm2, common actions like copy, paste, undo, and save are worth learning first since they apply across nearly every workflow.
Tabs and Windows21
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| New Tab | ⌘T |
| New Window | ⌘N |
| Previous Tab | ⌘← |
| Next Tab | ⌘→ |
| Close Tab or Window | ⌘W |
| Move Tab Right | ⇧⌘→ |
| Move Tab Left | ⇧⌘← |
| Cycle Windows | ⌘` |
| Split Vertically | ⌘D |
| Split Horizontally | ⇧⌘D |
| Split Horizontally (New Profile) | ⌥⌘H |
| Split Vertically (New Profile) | ⌥⌘V |
| Fullscreen | ⌘↩ |
| Maximize Pane | ⇧⌘↩ |
| Next Pane | ⌘] |
| Previous Pane | ⌘[ |
| Select Pane Above | ⌥⌘↑ |
| Select Pane Below | ⌥⌘↓ |
| Select Pane Left | ⌥⌘← |
| Select Pane Right | ⌥⌘→ |
| Broadcast to All Panes | ⌥⌘I |
Cursor and editing3
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Set Mark | ⌘M |
| Jump to Mark | ⌘J |
| Enter Copy Mode | ⇧⌘C |
Font size3
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Increase Font Size | ⌘+ |
| Decrease Font Size | ⌘- |
| Reset Font Size | ⌘0 |
Misc7
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Find | ⌘F |
| Clear Buffer | ⌘K |
| Find Cursor | ⌘\\ |
| Preferences | ⌘, |
| Paste History | ⇧⌘H |
| Open Quickly | ⇧⌘O |
| Expose Tabs | ⌥⌘E |
Frequently Asked Questions
Access iTerm2 shortcuts from your menu bar
KeyShortcut detects the active app and shows its shortcuts instantly. No memorization needed.