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Documentation
cpfannenmueller edited this page Aug 26, 2025
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This document provides an overview of the main commands available in the CircuitTikZ Designer, including their usage and keyboard shortcuts.
- Saving your circuit regularly as a JSON file is recommended.
- Closing or reloading a tab will not erase the drawn circuit, but it will erase the undo/redo history.
- Reloading can help if bugs occur.
- Each new browser tab opens with a new empty canvas.
| Action | Description | Shortcut / Touch |
|---|---|---|
| Move Canvas | Pan the canvas to navigate your design. | Hold right-click + drag / Touch: 2-finger drag |
| Zoom Canvas | Zoom in/out on the canvas. | Mouse scroll / Touch: 2-finger pinch |
| Deactivate Snapping | Temporarily disable snapping for precise placement. | Hold Shift |
| Selection | Select components on canvas. | Hold left-click + drag / Touch: 1-finger drag |
| Add to Selection | Add more elements to the current selection. | Hold Shift while selecting |
| Remove from Selection | Remove elements from selection. | Hold Ctrl / ⌘ while selecting |
| Delete Selection | Delete selected components/wires. | Press Del / Backspace |
| Action | Description | Shortcut / Touch |
|---|---|---|
| Preview Wire Segment | Start drawing a wire segment. | Drag with left-click / Touch: 1-finger drag |
| Place Wire Point | Place a wire node. | Release left-click / Release touch |
| Finish Wire | Complete the wire drawing. | Click same point twice or press Enter |
| Straight Wire | Force straight wire placement. | Hold Ctrl / ⌘ |
| Cancel Wire | Cancel wire drawing. | Press Esc / Touch: select move tool |
| Action | Description | Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Open Component Drawer | Opens the component panel. | Q |
| Add Component | Place a component from drawer or via shortcut. | Drawer (“+”) / Shortcut keys |
| Move Component | Move placed component on canvas. | Drag with left-click / Touch: drag |
| Adjust Component | Change component properties via adjustment points. | Drag handles when selected |
| Align/Distribute | Align or evenly distribute selected components. | Select multiple + use align/distribute buttons |
| Set Align Reference | Define reference element for alignment. | Click a selected component |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| R | Place resistor |
| (Alt/⌥ +) L | Place inductor |
| (Alt/⌥ +) C | Place polarized capacitor |
| D | Place diode |
| (Alt/⌥ +) G | Place (tailless) ground |
| (Alt/⌥ +) B | Place npn/pnp BJT |
| (Alt/⌥ +) N | Place nmos/pmos transistor |
| (Alt/⌥ +) X | Place jump crossing |
| (Alt/⌥ +) . | Place (un)connected terminal |
| T | Place text |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl/⌘ + S | Save project as JSON |
| Ctrl/⌘ + O | Load project from JSON |
| Ctrl/⌘ + E | Export CircuitTikZ code |
| Ctrl/⌘ + Shift + E | Export SVG code |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl/⌘ + C | Copy selection |
| Ctrl/⌘ + V | Paste selection |
| Ctrl/⌘ + X | Cut selection |
| Ctrl/⌘ + Z | Undo |
| Ctrl/⌘ + Y | Redo |
| Ctrl/⌘ + A | Select all |
| Ctrl/⌘ (+ Shift) + R | Rotate (counter-)clockwise |
| Shift + X | Flip at X-axis |
| Shift + Y | Flip at Y-axis |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Q | Open component drawer |
| W | Start wire drawing tool |
| Esc | Return to move tool / cancel placement |
| Del / Backspace | Delete components and wires |