Dotfiles Keybinds & Aliases Reference

Quick Navigation Why No Conflicts • Window Management • Session Workflow • File Operations • Git Workflow • Development Tools • Search & Navigation • System Integration

A single source of truth for every keybinding and alias in this macOS setup, verified line-by-line against the live config files. Bindings are grouped by the tool that owns them — keyboard hardware (Kanata), window manager (Aerospace), multiplexer (Tmux), terminal (Ghostty), and shell (Zsh). Start with Why No Conflicts to understand how the layers stay out of each other's way; jump to any section below for the full reference.

Why No Conflicts - How the keyboard / WM / tmux / nvim layers share the modifier space
Window Management - Window focus, movement, resizing (Aerospace + Tmux)
Session Workflow - Tmux sessions, Sesh integration, Ghostty
File Operations - File managers, directory navigation, listing
Git Workflow - Git aliases and operations
Development Tools - Docker, Kubernetes, Python, Claude
Search & Navigation - FZF, Zoxide integration
System Integration - Hardware remapping, shell keybinds

Why No Conflicts

These tools stack on top of each other — a keystroke passes through Kanata, then macOS/Aerospace, then Ghostty, then Tmux, before Neovim ever sees it. Conflicts are avoided by giving each tool its own slice of the modifier space.

Layer	Owner	Owns	Notes
Hardware (produces modifiers)	Kanata	Caps→Esc/Ctrl, home-row mods, Tab→Hyper, Space-hold→Symbols, RCmd-hold→Numbers	Kanata generates the Ctrl/Alt/Cmd/Shift keycodes the other tools consume. It can't collide with them by design.
Global window manager	Aerospace	`Cmd+letter`, `Cmd+Shift+letter`, `Shift+Ctrl+`, `Ctrl+Alt+`, `Cmd+Alt+Shift+`, `Shift+Alt+`, `Ctrl+Shift+1-9`	Heavy multi-modifier chords are reserved for global window ops + app launchers.
Multiplexer (prefix)	Tmux	`C-a` then key	Gated behind the `Ctrl-A` prefix, so prefix bindings never collide with bare chords.
Multiplexer (non-prefix)	Tmux	bare `Alt+letter`	`M-1..M-6`, `M-j/k/l/u/i/o`, `M-s/v/c/x/w/r/q`, `M-Tab`, `M-\`, `M-Space`, `M-p`. Harpoon vacated this space (it uses `<leader>` keys), so tmux owns `Alt+letter` cleanly.
Editor punctuation	Neovim	`Alt+punctuation`	`<M-;>` ClaudeCode toggle, `<M-'>` OpenCode toggle. Tmux leaves `Alt+punctuation` free.
Editor leader	Neovim	`<leader>` (Space) prefix	All nvim-internal: Telescope, Neogit, Harpoon, ClaudeCode, Obsidian, sessions. See Neovim Keybinds.
Shared integration channel	Tmux + Neovim	bare `Ctrl+h/j/k/l`	Deliberately shared via `vim-tmux-navigator` — one chord routed across tmux panes and nvim splits. The one intentional overlap.
Shell prompt (readline)	Zsh	`Ctrl+letter` at prompt	`^f`, `^u`, `^p`, `jk`. Only active at the zsh prompt; mutually exclusive with nvim's same-named chords (which fire inside a buffer).
Terminal host	Ghostty	minimal	Keeps a tiny footprint: `Ctrl+Enter` quick terminal, `Cmd+Shift+S` secure input. Deliberately unbinds `Ctrl+L` and `Cmd+Shift+P` so they pass through to inner tools.

Known shadow: Ghostty's Cmd+Shift+S (toggle_secure_input, config:44) is shadowed by Aerospace's global cmd-shift-s (sidecar-ipad.sh, aerospace.toml:139). Aerospace wins because it intercepts globally before Ghostty sees the chord. The Ghostty bind is effectively dead.

Window Management

Aerospace Window Operations (PRIMARY)

Source: aerospace/.config/aerospace/aerospace.toml

Window Focus & Movement:

Keybind	Action	Description
`Shift+Ctrl+h/j/k/l`	Focus window	Move focus left/down/up/right
`Shift+Ctrl+Alt+h/j/k/l`	Move window	Move window left/down/up/right
`Ctrl+Alt+h/j/k/l`	Move window	Move right/up/down/left (deliberately inverted)
`Cmd+Alt+Shift+h/j/k/l`	Join window	Join with left/down/up/right (main mode)

Layout Management:

Keybind	Action	Description
`Shift+Ctrl+e`	Toggle float/tile	Toggle between floating and tiling
`Shift+Ctrl+v`	Toggle orientation	Toggle horizontal/vertical layout
`Shift+Ctrl+t`	Tiles layout	Switch to tiles layout
`Shift+Ctrl+a`	Accordion layout	Switch to accordion layout
`Shift+Alt+t`	Float toggle	Toggle floating/tiling layout
`Shift+Ctrl+q`	Float toggle	Toggle floating/tiling layout (same as `Shift+Alt+t`)
`Shift+Ctrl+w`	Fullscreen	Toggle fullscreen mode
`Shift+Ctrl+r`	Balance	Flatten workspace tree (reset layout)

Window Resizing:

Keybind	Action	Description
`Ctrl+Alt+Cmd+j`	Resize smaller	Make window smaller (smart, context-aware)
`Ctrl+Alt+Cmd+k`	Resize larger	Make window larger (smart, context-aware)

Workspace Navigation:

Keybind	Action	Description
`Cmd+j/k/l/u/i/o`	Focus workspace	Switch to workspace 1/2/3/4/5/6 (homerow)
`Ctrl+Shift+1-9`	Focus workspace 1-9	Switch to workspace by number
`Shift+Ctrl+n/p`	Next/prev workspace	Navigate to next/previous workspace

Move Window to Workspace:

Keybind	Action	Description
`Shift+Alt+j/k/l/u/i/o`	Move to workspace	Move window to workspace 1/2/3/4/5/6 (homerow)
`Shift+Alt+1-9`	Move to workspace	Move window to workspace by number
`Shift+Alt+n/p`	Move next/prev	Move window to next/previous workspace (wrap-around)

Display Management:

Keybind	Action	Description
`Shift+Alt+s/g`	Move display	Move window to previous/next monitor (wrap-around)

App Launchers:

Keybind	Launches	Description
`Cmd+Enter`	Ghostty	Open a Ghostty terminal
`Cmd+Ctrl+t`	Ghostty + tmux	Open Ghostty and `tmux attach`
`Cmd+Ctrl+Shift+n`	Ghostty + tmux + nvim	New `Neovim` tmux session running nvim
`Cmd+Ctrl+n`	Ghostty + sesh	Connect to the `notes` sesh session
`Cmd+Shift+b`	Zen	Open Zen browser
`Cmd+Shift+y`	Zen → YouTube	Open YouTube in Zen
`Cmd+Shift+g`	Chrome	Open Google Chrome in background
`Cmd+Shift+c`	Codex	Open Codex
`Cmd+Shift+k`	Claude	Open Claude
`Cmd+Shift+u`	Antigravity	Open Antigravity
`Cmd+Shift+j`	Discord	Open Discord
`Cmd+Shift+i`	iPhone Mirroring	Open iPhone Mirroring
`Cmd+Shift+m`	Messages	Open Messages
`Cmd+Shift+s`	Sidecar	Run `~/dotfiles/scripts/sidecar-ipad.sh`
`Cmd+Shift+o`	Obsidian	Open Obsidian

Service Mode (Shift+Alt+Cmd+r to enter):

Keybind	Action	Description
`Esc`	Reload & exit	Reload config and return to main mode
`r`	Reset layout	Flatten workspace tree and exit
`f`	Toggle float	Toggle floating/tiling and exit
`Backspace`	Close others	Close all windows except current and exit
`Shift+Ctrl+Alt+h/j/k/l`	Join pane	Join with left/down/up/right and exit

Tmux Pane & Window Navigation

Source: tmux/.tmux.conf

Keybind	Action	Description
`C-a`	Prefix	Tmux prefix key (remapped from `C-b`)
`C-a h/j/k/l`	Focus pane	Select pane left/down/up/right
`C-a C-h/C-j/C-k/C-l`	Resize pane	Resize pane left/down/up/right (repeatable)
`C-a r`	Reload config	Reload `~/.tmux.conf`
`C-a b`	Toggle status	Toggle status bar visibility
`C-a s`	Vertical split	Split window vertically (keeps current path)
`C-a v`	Horizontal split	Split window horizontally (keeps current path)
`C-a x`	Kill pane	Close pane without confirmation
`C-a p`	Floating pane	Toggle floax floating terminal

Tmux Prefix-Free Alt Bindings (work anywhere in tmux)

Source: tmux/.tmux.conf

Keybind	Action	Description
`M-1` through `M-6`	Select window	Direct window selection (windows 1-6)
`M-j/k/l/u/i/o`	Select window	Homerow window selection (windows 1-6)
`M-s`	Vertical split	Split window vertically (keeps current path)
`M-v`	Horizontal split	Split window horizontally (keeps current path)
`M-c`	New window	Create new window (keeps current path)
`M-x`	Kill window	Close current window
`M-w`	Zoom pane	Toggle pane zoom
`M-r`	Break pane	Break pane to new window
`M-q`	Detach	Detach from tmux
`M-Tab`	Last window	Switch to last window
`M-\`	Copy mode	Enter copy mode (`M-[` removed — conflicted with TUI escape sequences)
`M-Space`	Sesh switcher	FZF-powered session switcher (`sesh_switcher.sh`)
`M-p`	Last session	Switch to last session via `sesh last`

Shared with Neovim: bare Ctrl+h/j/k/l is routed by vim-tmux-navigator across tmux panes and nvim splits — intentional integration, not a duplicate binding.

Session Workflow

Tmux Session Management

Source: tmux/.tmux.conf

Keybind	Action	Description
`M-Space`	Session switcher	FZF-powered session switcher (`sesh_switcher.sh`)
`M-p`	Last session	Switch to last session via `sesh last`
`C-a N`	New session	Create new named session (prompts for name)
`C-a R`	Rename session	Rename current session
`C-a X`	Kill session	Kill current session (with confirmation)
`C-a I`	Session info	Show session name / window count / current path
`C-a D`	Detach	Detach current client

Sesh Aliases

Source: zsh/.zshrc

Alias / Function	Command	Description
`sl`	`sesh list -t -c -d`	List sessions (compact, deduplicated)
`sc`	shell function → `TMUX= sesh connect "$(sesh list \| fzf)"`	Fuzzy connect to a session (a function, not an alias)

Ghostty Terminal Operations

Source: ghostty/.config/ghostty/config

Keybind	Action	Description
`Ctrl+Enter`	Quick terminal	Toggle the global quick terminal (`global:` scope)
`Cmd+Shift+S`	Secure input	Toggle secure input mode (shadowed by Aerospace `cmd-shift-s`)
`Ctrl+L`	(unbound)	Default clear-screen disabled — passes through to inner tools
`Cmd+Shift+P`	(unbound)	Default command palette disabled — passes through to inner tools

File Operations

File Managers & Listing

Source: zsh/.zshrc

Alias / Function	Tool	Description
`ls`	`eza -l --icons --git -a`	Enhanced file listing
`ll`	`eza --color=always --long --git --icons=always`	Detailed file listing
`lt`	`eza --tree --level=2 --long --icons --git`	Tree view with details
`ltree`	`eza --tree --level=2 --icons --git`	Simple tree view
`l`	`eza --color=always --long --git --no-filesize --icons=always --no-time --no-user --no-permissions`	Clean file listing

Directory Navigation

Source: zsh/.zshrc

Alias / Function	Description
`..`	`cd ..`
`...`	`cd ../..`
`....`	`cd ../../..`
`.....`	`cd ../../../..`
`......`	`cd ../../../../..`
`C`	`cd ~/Code/`
`conf`	`cd $HOME/dotfiles && nvim`

FZF Navigation Functions

Source: zsh/.zshrc

Function	Description
`fcd()`	Fuzzy directory navigation with eza preview
`f()`	Yazi file manager with cd integration
`fv()`	Fuzzy file selection for nvim editing

Git Workflow

Git Aliases

Source: zsh/.zshrc

Alias	Command	Description
`gc`	`git commit -m`	Quick commit with message
`gca`	`git commit -a -m`	Commit all changes with message
`gp`	`git push origin HEAD`	Push current branch
`gpu`	`git pull origin`	Pull from origin
`gs`	`git status`	Git status
`glog`	`git log --graph --topo-order --pretty=...`	Enhanced git log
`gdiff`	`git diff`	Git diff
`gco`	`git checkout`	Checkout branch/commit
`gb`	`git branch`	List branches
`gba`	`git branch -a`	List all branches
`gadd`	`git add`	Add files
`ga`	`git add -p`	Interactive add (patch mode)
`gcoall`	`git checkout -- .`	Discard all changes
`gr`	`git remote`	Remote operations
`gre`	`git reset`	Reset operations

GitHub CLI

Source: zsh/.zshrc

Alias	Command	Description
`ghl`	`gh repo list`	List GitHub repositories

Development Tools

Docker Operations

Source: zsh/.zshrc

Alias	Command	Description
`dock`	`open -a docker && while ! docker info...`	Start Docker Desktop
`dkill`	`killall "Docker Desktop" && sleep 1 && dock`	Restart Docker
`dco`	`docker compose`	Docker Compose
`dps`	`docker ps`	List running containers
`dpa`	`docker ps -a`	List all containers
`dl`	`docker ps -l -q`	Latest container ID
`dx`	`docker exec -it`	Interactive container exec

Kubernetes

Source: zsh/.zshrc

Alias	Command	Description
`k`	`kubectl`	Kubectl shorthand
`ka`	`kubectl apply -f`	Apply configuration
`kg`	`kubectl get`	Get resources
`kd`	`kubectl describe`	Describe resources
`kdel`	`kubectl delete`	Delete resources
`kgpo`	`kubectl get pod`	Get pods
`kgd`	`kubectl get deployments`	Get deployments
`kc`	`kubectx`	Switch context
`kns`	`kubens`	Switch namespace
`kl`	`kubectl logs -f`	Follow logs
`ke`	`kubectl exec -it`	Interactive pod exec
`kcns`	`kubectl config set-context --current --namespace`	Set namespace

Python & Editor

Source: zsh/.zshrc

Alias	Tool	Description
`n`	`NVIM_APPNAME="nvim" nvim`	Default Neovim
`vim`	`nvim`	Neovim alias
`cl`	`clear`	Clear terminal
`ta`	`tmux attach -d`	Attach to tmux

Claude Integration

Source: zsh/.zshrc

Alias	Command	Description
`cc`	`claude --dangerously-skip-permissions`	Claude CLI (unsafe mode)

HTTP & Networking

Source: zsh/.zshrc

Alias	Command	Description
`http`	`xh`	Modern HTTP client
`nm`	`nmap -sC -sV -oN nmap`	Nmap with scripts

Quality of Life & Utilities

Source: zsh/.zshrc

Alias	Command	Description
`kr`	`sudo launchctl kickstart -k system/com.example.kanata`	Restart Kanata
`vv`	FZF Neovim config selector	Switch between nvim configs
`ao` / `ai` / `as`	`audio-output` / `audio-input` / status	FZF audio device switching
`speakers` / `monitor` / `mod-out`	`SwitchAudioSource` shortcuts	Quick audio output switches
`scarlett-in` / `mod-in`	`SwitchAudioSource` shortcuts	Quick audio input switches
`conf`	`cd $HOME/dotfiles && nvim`	Open dotfiles config
`note` / `notes`	Open Obsidian notes in nvim	Quick note access

Search & Navigation

FZF Configuration

Source: zsh/.zshrc

Environment Variable	Value	Description
`FZF_DEFAULT_COMMAND`	`fd --type f --hidden --follow`	Use fd for file finding
`FZF_ALT_C_OPTS`	`--preview 'eza --tree --color=always --icons --level=3 {} \| head -200'`	Directory preview
`FZF_CTRL_T_OPTS`	`--preview 'bat -n --color=always --line-range :500 {}'`	File preview

Zoxide Integration

Source: zsh/.zshrc

Tool	Description
`z`	Smart directory jumping (zoxide)

System Integration

Hardware Remapping - Kanata (Active)

Source: kanata/.config/kanata/kanata.kbd

Kanata is the hardware layer: it produces the modifier keycodes (Ctrl/Alt/Cmd/Shift) and layer switches that every other tool consumes. Tap a key for its letter, hold it for its modifier or layer.

Base layer — tap / hold remaps:

Key	Tap	Hold	Description
`Caps Lock`	`Escape`	`Left Control`	Caps as Esc/Ctrl (great for Vim)
`a`	`a`	`Left Meta` (Cmd)	Home-row modifier
`s`	`s`	`Left Alt`	Home-row modifier
`d`	`d`	`Left Shift`	Home-row modifier
`f`	`f`	`Left Control`	Home-row modifier
`j`	`j`	`Right Control`	Home-row modifier
`k`	`k`	`Right Shift`	Home-row modifier
`l`	`l`	`Right Alt`	Home-row modifier
`;`	`;`	`Right Meta` (Cmd)	Home-row modifier (sends RCmd keycode, not the layer toggle)
`Tab`	`Tab`	`Hyper`	Hyper = Cmd+Alt+Shift+Ctrl
`Space`	`Space`	`Symbols Layer`	Hold for programming symbols (`!@#$ {}[]` etc.)
`Fn`	`Fn`	`Function Layer`	Hold for F1-F12
`Right Cmd`	`Right Cmd`	`Numbers Layer`	Hold for numpad / arrows (HRM toggle is RCmd-hold + `Tab`)
`Right Shift`	`Backspace`	—	Plain remap — Right Shift always emits Backspace
`'`	`'`	—	Plain apostrophe (no hold, no layer)
`/`	`/`	—	Plain forward slash (no hold)

Layer toggles:

Gesture	Action	Description
`RCmd-hold` then `Tab`	Toggle HRM off	Switch to vanilla layer (home-row mods disabled)
`Fn-hold` then `F1`	Toggle base↔vanilla	Toggle home-row mods on/off from the Function layer

Symbols layer (hold Space):

Held keys	Output
`q w e r t y u i o p`	`! @ # $ % ^ & * ( )`
`a s d f g`	`{ } [ ] .`
`h j k l ;`	`: = _ - \|`
`z x c v b`	`< > " ' ``
`n m , .`	`~ \ + ?`

Numbers layer (hold Right Cmd):

Held keys	Output
`q w e r t y u i o p`	`1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +` (the `q`/Tab slot is the HRM toggle)
`a s d f`	`← ↓ ↑ →` (WASD-style arrows)
`h j k l ;`	`0 4 5 6 -` (numpad)
`c v` / `n m , . /`	`. +` / `, 1 2 3 /`

Hardware Remapping - Karabiner Elements (Unconfigured)

Source: karabiner/.config/karabiner/karabiner.json

Karabiner-Elements is installed but has no active remappings (simple_modifications is empty). Kanata is the primary keyboard remapper.

Zsh Keybinds (readline)

Source: zsh/.zshrc

Keybind	Action	Description
`^f`	`vi-forward-word`	Forward one word
`^u`	`up-line-or-search`	Up / search history
`^p`	`down-line-or-search`	Down / search history
`jk`	`vi-cmd-mode`	Enter vi command mode

SketchyBar Integration

Source: zsh/.zshrc

Function	Trigger	Description
`brew()`	Various brew commands	Notify SketchyBar on package changes

Quick Reference Card

Most Used Keybinds

Window Management:    Cmd+j/k/l/u/i/o (workspaces 1-6), Shift+Ctrl+hjkl (focus)
Sessions:             M-Space (sesh switcher), M-p (last session), sc (fuzzy connect)
Files:                fcd (fuzzy cd), f (yazi), fv (fuzzy nvim)
Git:                  gs (status), gc "msg" (commit), gp (push)
Development:          ta (tmux), n (nvim), dps (docker ps)
Audio:                ao (output), ai (input), as (status)

Integration Points

Aerospace + Tmux: Global window management (Aerospace) and in-terminal pane/session management (Tmux) on separate modifier namespaces.
Sesh + Tmux: M-Space switcher and M-p last-session, backed by the sl/sc shell helpers.
FZF + Multiple: Fuzzy finding across files, sessions, and directories.
vim-tmux-navigator: Ctrl+h/j/k/l unifies tmux pane and Neovim split navigation.

Author

cyperx - GitHub Profile

For issues or contributions, visit the dotfiles repository.

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Dotfiles Keybinds & Aliases Reference

Table of Contents

Why No Conflicts

Window Management

Aerospace Window Operations (PRIMARY)

Tmux Pane & Window Navigation

Tmux Prefix-Free Alt Bindings (work anywhere in tmux)

Session Workflow

Tmux Session Management

Sesh Aliases

Ghostty Terminal Operations

File Operations

File Managers & Listing

Directory Navigation

FZF Navigation Functions

Git Workflow

Git Aliases

GitHub CLI

Development Tools

Docker Operations

Kubernetes

Python & Editor

Claude Integration

HTTP & Networking

Quality of Life & Utilities

Search & Navigation

FZF Configuration

Zoxide Integration

System Integration

Hardware Remapping - Kanata (Active)

Hardware Remapping - Karabiner Elements (Unconfigured)

Zsh Keybinds (readline)

SketchyBar Integration

Related Documentation

Quick Reference Card

Most Used Keybinds

Integration Points

Author