Keyboard shortcuts
Everything in Zulip can be done with the mouse, but mastering a few keyboard
shortcuts will change your experience of the app. Start with the basics below,
and use the convenient keyboard shortcuts reference
in the Zulip app to add more to your repertoire as needed.
The basics
-
Reply to message: R or Enter — Reply to the
selected message (outlined in blue).
-
New channel message: C — Start a new topic in the current
channel.
-
New direct message: X
-
Paste formatted text: Ctrl + V
-
Paste as plain text: Ctrl +
Shift + V. You can also paste formatted text with
Ctrl + V, and press Ctrl + Z to
remove formatting.
-
Cancel compose and save draft: Esc or Ctrl +
[ — Close the compose box and save the unsent message as a
draft.
-
View drafts: D — Use the arrow keys and Enter
to restore a draft. Press D again to close.
-
Next message: ↓ or J
-
Last message: End or Shift + G —
Also marks all messages in the current view as read.
-
Next unread topic: N
-
Next unread followed topic: Shift + N
-
Next unread direct message: P
-
Search messages: /
-
Toggle keyboard shortcuts view: ?
-
Go to your home view: Ctrl + [ (or
Esc, if enabled)
until you are in your home view.
Search
-
Last message: End or Fn + →
or Shift + G — Also marks all messages in the current view
as read.
-
First message: Home or Fn + ←
-
Previous message: ↑ or K
-
Next message: ↓ or J
-
Scroll up: PgUp or Fn + ↑
or Shift + K
-
Scroll down: PgDn or Fn + ↓
or Shift + J or Spacebar
Navigation
-
Go back through viewing history: Alt +
←
-
Go forward through viewing history: Alt +
→
-
Go to next unread topic: N
-
Go to next unread followed topic: Shift + N
-
Go to next unread direct message: P
-
Go to topic or DM conversation: S
-
Go to channel feed from topic view: S
-
Go to direct message feed: Shift + P
-
Zoom to message in conversation context: Z — This view does not mark messages as read.
-
Cycle between channel views: Shift + A
(previous) and Shift + D (next)
-
Go to inbox: Shift + I — Shows conversations with unread messages.
-
Go to recent conversations: T
-
Go to combined feed: A — Shows all unmuted messages.
-
Go to starred messages: *
-
Go to the conversation you are composing to: Ctrl + .
Composing messages
-
New channel message: C — For starting a new topic in a
channel.
-
New direct message: X
-
Reply to message: R or Enter — Reply to the
selected message (outlined in blue). Same behavior as clicking on the
message.
-
Quote and reply to message: >
-
Reply directly to sender: Shift + R
-
Reply @-mentioning sender: @
In the compose box
-
Send message: Tab then Enter, or either
Enter or Ctrl + Enter based on
your settings
-
Insert new line: Shift + Enter, or either
Enter or Ctrl + Enter based on
your settings
-
Insert italic text: *italic*
or Ctrl + I
-
Insert bold text: **bold**
or Ctrl + B
-
Insert link: [Zulip website](https://zulip.org)
or Ctrl +
Shift + L
-
Toggle preview mode: Alt + P
-
Cancel compose and save draft: Esc or Ctrl +
[ — Close the compose box and save the unsent message as a draft.
Message actions
- Edit last message: ← — Open the last
editable message in the current view (if any).
For a selected message (outlined in blue)
-
Edit message or view original message: E
-
Show message sender's user card: U
-
View read receipts: Shift + V — Same shortcut
also closes the read receipts menu (if open).
-
View image: V
-
Move message and (optionally) other messages in the same topic: M
-
View message edit and move history: Shift +
H. Message edit history must be
enabled.
-
Star message: Ctrl + S
-
React with : +
-
Toggle first emoji reaction: =
-
Mark as unread from selected message: Shift + U
-
Collapse/show message: -
-
Toggle topic mute: Shift + M. This works in both
message views and views that list topics (e.g., inbox, recent
conversations). Learn about muted
topics.
Recent conversations
-
View recent conversations: T
-
Search recent conversations: T
-
Escape from recent conversations search: Esc or arrow keys
-
Navigate recent conversations: Use arrow keys or vim keys
(J, K, L, H).
Use Enter to engage with elements.
Drafts
Within the drafts view
Keyboard navigation (e.g., arrow keys) works as expected.
For a selected message (outlined in blue)
Channel settings
For a selected channel
Keyboard shortcuts reference
A summary of the keyboard shortcuts above is available in the Zulip app.
-
Click on the Help menu () icon
in the upper right corner of the app.
-
Select Keyboard shortcuts.
You can also use ? to open the keyboard shortcuts reference.
Related articles