Chapter 9: Master Keyboard Shortcut Reference¶

ATBCmder is designed from the ground up as a keyboard-first file manager. Every file operation, directory jump, view transformation, and batch utility can be executed with zero mouse interaction.

To bridge orthodox Commander traditions with native Apple ergonomics, ATBCmder employs a Dual-Matrix Keyboard Architecture: every command can be invoked using either classic Commander function keys (F1–F12, Insert, numeric keypad) or native macOS modifier chords (⌘ Command, ⌥ Option, ⇧ Shift, ⌃ Control).

1. The Dual-Matrix Philosophy & Key Notation¶

Whether you have twenty years of muscle memory from Total Commander and Norton Commander or you live entirely within native macOS Finder shortcuts, ATBCmder accommodates your reflexes out of the box without requiring manual remapping.

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                      DUAL-MATRIX KEYBOARD ENGINE                            │
├──────────────────────────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────┤
│  CLASSIC COMMANDER PARADIGM          │  NATIVE macOS PARADIGM               │
│  • Function Key Centric (F1–F12)     │  • Modifier Chords (⌘, ⌥, ⇧, ⌃)      │
│  • Dedicated Keypad Marking (+, -, *)│  • Finder Parity (⌘C, ⌘V, ⌘⌫, ⏎)     │
│  • Zero-Modal Terminal Velocity      │  • Native Menu Bar Integration       │
│  Examples:                           │  Examples:                           │
│    F5        ➔ Copy Files            │    ⌘C ➔ ⌘V   ➔ Copy Files            │
│    F6        ➔ Move Files            │    ⌘C ➔ ⌥⌘V  ➔ Move Files            │
│    Shift+F4  ➔ Create Text File      │    ⇧⌘4       ➔ Create Text File      │
│    Alt+F7    ➔ Find Files            │    ⌥⌘F       ➔ Find Files            │
└──────────────────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────────┘

Apple Keyboard Modifier Symbols¶

Throughout this guide and within ATBCmder's preferences dialogs, key combinations are represented using standard macOS typographical glyphs:

2. macOS Function (Fn) Key Guidance¶

3. Context-Scoped Shortcut Architecture¶

To prevent hotkey collisions between different application areas (for example, searching inside the main file list versus searching inside a text file viewer), ATBCmder segments all shortcuts into distinct hierarchical contexts:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                          APPLICATION SCOPE: Main                            │
│  Global commands, panel navigation, window management, toolbar, power tools │
├───────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  PANEL SCOPE: FilePanel       │  MODAL TOOLS SCOPES                         │
│  Active during directory      │  • Viewer      (Lister preview window)      │
│  table and thumbnail browsing │  • Editor      (Built-in code editor)       │
│  (marking, range selection,   │  • Differ      (Side-by-side diff viewer)   │
│  inline editing, space count) │  • FindFiles   (Multi-threaded file search) │
│                               │  • MultiRename (Batch rename engine)        │
└───────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────────────────────┘

When you press a key chord, the HotkeyManager engine:

1. Evaluates the active focused context (e.g., Viewer or FilePanel).
2. If an exact binding matches, the associated cm_* command executes immediately.
3. If no binding exists in the local context, the keystroke falls back gracefully to the Main context.
4. If still unbound, standard text editing or system keystroke handling takes over.

4. Master Categorized Dual-Matrix Tables¶

The following reference tables document all commands supported by ATBCmder, categorized by functional workflow.

4.1 File Operations¶

File operations form the backbone of daily work. Every operation defaults to the Source ➔ Target paradigm: items selected in the active panel are processed into the directory open in the inactive opposite panel.

4.2 Selection & Marking¶

Orthodox file managers excel at rapid multi-file selection. ATBCmder allows selecting individual items, wildcard patterns, extension groups, or continuous blocks without using a mouse.

4.3 Panel Navigation & Bookmarks¶

Effortlessly move across folders, local volumes, network mounts, and browsing history.

4.4 View Modes & Sorting¶

Switch seamlessly between compact lists, detailed metadata columns, visual thumbnail grids, recursive directory flattening, and synchronized tree views.

4.5 Tabs & Window Management¶

ATBCmder allows opening unlimited tabs in either panel, locking favorite working locations, and managing dual-panel multi-tab sessions.

4.6 Power Tools & Utilities¶

Launch advanced automation tools, batch utilities, and embedded system tools directly from keyboard chords.

4.7 Integrated System Tools¶

Monitor operating system performance, analyze directory storage with treemaps, safely purge system caches, and perform deep application uninstallation.

4.8 System, Configuration & Help¶

Access application preferences, configuration management, software updates, and user documentation.

5. Modal Tool Context Shortcuts¶

When opening specialized tools such as Universal Lister, the built-in text editor, the side-by-side differ, or batch dialogs, ATBCmder activates context-specific keymaps. These shortcuts operate directly within each tool window rather than through global application-wide cm_* registry commands.

5.1 Universal Lister (Viewer Context)¶

Active when previewing documents, text, code, images, audio, video, or raw hex bytes.

5.2 Built-in Text Editor (Editor Context)¶

Active when creating or modifying text and source code files.

5.3 Side-by-Side Visual Differ (Differ Context)¶

Active inside the visual difference comparison tool.

5.4 Advanced File Search Dialog (FindFiles Context)¶

Active inside the background multi-threaded search dialog.

5.5 Batch Multi-Rename Tool (MultiRename Context)¶

Active inside the batch renaming workspace.

6. Pro Tips & System Hotkey Optimization¶

6.1 Resolving macOS Global Shortcut Collisions¶

Certain default macOS system hotkeys intercept keypresses before they reach desktop applications. To unlock full Commander agility, you can customize or disable conflicting macOS shortcuts:

1. Spotlight Search (⌘Space vs Quick Search):
2. By default, ⌘Space activates Spotlight. If you prefer to use ⌘Space for file marking or in-panel search, remap Spotlight to ⌥Space in System Settings ➔ Keyboard ➔ Keyboard Shortcuts... ➔ Spotlight.
3. Mission Control (⌃↑) & App Exposé (⌃↓):
4. macOS uses ⌃↑ and ⌃↓ for Mission Control. In ATBCmder, ⌃↓ opens the Directory History dropdown. You can reassign Mission Control in System Settings ➔ Keyboard ➔ Keyboard Shortcuts... ➔ Mission Control.
5. Application Hiding (⌘H):
6. In macOS, ⌘H hides the frontmost application. ATBCmder uses ⌘H or ⇧⌘. to toggle hidden dotfiles. If you want ⌘H to strictly toggle hidden files, disable "Hide Application" in macOS or use the Finder-standard ⇧⌘. (Cmd+Shift+Period).
7. Window Minimizing (⌘M):
8. macOS assigns ⌘M to minimize the window to the Dock. ATBCmder assigns ⌘M to the Batch Multi-Rename Tool (cm_MultiRename). ATBCmder captures ⌘M within its main window, but you can also trigger Multi-Rename via Ctrl+M or the toolbar.

6.2 Trackpad & Mouse Ergonomics¶

For laptop users without an external keyboard, ATBCmder pairs keyboard shortcuts with intuitive trackpad gestures:

• Pinch to Zoom Thumbnails: In Thumbnails View (cm_ThumbnailsView), pinch in or out on your MacBook trackpad (or hold ⌃ and scroll) to resize thumbnail previews continuously from 48 px up to 512 px.
• Two-Finger Swipe Back / Forward: Swipe left or right with two fingers on the file table to navigate backward (cm_ViewHistoryPrev) and forward (cm_ViewHistoryNext) through folder history.
• Double-Click Splitter: Double-click anywhere on the vertical center divider bar to reset panels to an exact 50/50 horizontal split.
• Middle-Click on Tabs: Middle-click (or three-finger tap) any folder tab to close it immediately without pressing ⌘W.

6.3 Customizing Keybindings in Preferences¶

Every shortcut documented above can be customized or rebound:

1. Press ⌘, (or select Configuration ➔ Options...) to open the Preferences dialog.
2. Select Hotkeys from the sidebar.
3. Use the Context dropdown to choose which area you want to configure (Main, FilePanel, Viewer, etc.).
4. Use the search filter box to locate any command by name or cm_* ID.
5. Click the shortcut box and press your desired key combination. The built-in collision detector will warn you immediately if that chord is already assigned elsewhere.
6. Click Apply to activate changes instantly without restarting the application.

User keybindings are saved to ~/.config/atbcmder/atbcmder_hotkeys.xml (or ~/Library/Preferences/atbcmder/ on macOS). You can export and transfer this file across machines using cm_ExportConfiguration.