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User Guide

Keyboard Shortcuts

Master Volt's keyboard shortcuts and customize them

Keyboard Shortcuts

Volt is designed for keyboard efficiency. Learn and customize all available shortcuts.

Global Shortcuts

These work anywhere in your system:

Default Shortcuts

Shortcut (Windows/Linux)Shortcut (macOS)Action
Ctrl + SpaceCmd + SpaceActivate Volt
Ctrl + Shift + SpaceCmd + Shift + SpaceActivate in Command Mode

In-App Shortcuts

When Volt is open:

ShortcutAction
Navigate up/down
Navigate left/right in input
HomeJump to first result
EndJump to last result
PgUp PgDnScroll results page

Actions

ShortcutAction
EnterExecute selected item
Ctrl/Cmd + EnterExecute in background
Shift + EnterExecute as administrator
EscClose Volt
TabAutocomplete suggestion

Input Control

ShortcutAction
Ctrl/Cmd + KClear input
Ctrl/Cmd + ASelect all text
Ctrl/Cmd + CCopy result
Ctrl/Cmd + VPaste into search
BackspaceDelete character
Ctrl/Cmd + BackspaceDelete word

View Control

ShortcutAction
Ctrl/Cmd + ,Open Settings
Ctrl/Cmd + RReload Volt
Ctrl/Cmd + QQuit Volt
F1Show help

Result Actions

Shortcuts for working with results:

ShortcutAction
SpacePreview item
Ctrl/Cmd + OOpen containing folder
Ctrl/Cmd + IShow item info
Ctrl/Cmd + DAdd to favorites
Ctrl/Cmd + DelRemove from history

Customizing Shortcuts

Via Settings UI

  1. Open Volt Settings (Ctrl/Cmd + ,)
  2. Navigate to Shortcuts tab
  3. Click on the shortcut you want to change
  4. Press your desired key combination
  5. Click Save

Via Config File

For advanced users, edit config.json:

{
  "shortcuts": {
    "global": {
      "activate": "Ctrl+Space",
      "activateCommand": "Ctrl+Shift+Space"
    },
    "inApp": {
      "execute": "Enter",
      "executeBackground": "Ctrl+Enter",
      "clear": "Ctrl+K"
    }
  }
}

Location:

  • Windows: %APPDATA%\Volt\config.json
  • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Volt/config.json
  • Linux: ~/.config/volt/config.json

Shortcut Conflicts

Resolving Conflicts

If your shortcuts conflict with other apps:

  1. Change Volt's shortcut in Settings
  2. Disable conflicting app's shortcut
  3. Use alternative modifier keys (e.g., Alt instead of Ctrl)

Common Conflicts

ConflictSolution
macOS Spotlight (Cmd+Space)Disable Spotlight in System Settings → Keyboard
Windows Search (Win+S)Use Ctrl+Space instead
IDE shortcutsUse alternative modifiers in Volt

Advanced Shortcuts

Modifier Keys

Combine modifiers for more actions:

  • Ctrl / Cmd - Primary modifier
  • Shift - Alternative action
  • Alt / Option - Extended action
  • Ctrl + Shift - Special action

Context-Specific

Some shortcuts only work with specific result types:

Files:

  • Enter - Open file
  • Shift + Enter - Open with specific app
  • Ctrl + Enter - Open in new window

Applications:

  • Enter - Launch app
  • Ctrl + Enter - Launch as admin
  • Shift + Enter - Launch multiple instances

Web Search:

  • Enter - Search in default browser
  • Shift + Enter - Search in incognito
  • Ctrl + Enter - Copy search URL

Cheat Sheet

Print this for quick reference:

Essential Shortcuts

Activation:      Ctrl/Cmd + Space
Clear Input:     Ctrl/Cmd + K
Settings:        Ctrl/Cmd + ,
Navigate:        ↑ ↓
Execute:         Enter
Close:           Esc

Power User

Background Run:  Ctrl/Cmd + Enter
Admin Mode:      Shift + Enter
Preview:         Space
Open Folder:     Ctrl/Cmd + O
Copy Result:     Ctrl/Cmd + C

Next Steps

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