> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.asquareportal.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Keyboard shortcuts and hotkeys in Portals

> Complete keyboard shortcut reference for Portals: canvas navigation, mode switching, Portal Agent hotkeys, design tools, and general workspace actions.

Portals is built for keyboard-first workflows. Most actions you perform regularly — switching modes, panning the canvas, invoking Portal Agent — have a dedicated shortcut so you can keep your hands off the mouse. The tables below cover every shortcut available in the app.

<Note>
  On macOS, shortcuts use **Cmd**. On Windows and Linux, replace Cmd with **Ctrl** unless otherwise noted.
</Note>

## Canvas navigation

These shortcuts work in Brainstorming and Design modes wherever an infinite canvas is active.

| Action                | Shortcut                         |
| --------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| Pan canvas            | Hold **Space** and drag          |
| Zoom in / out         | Scroll wheel or pinch (trackpad) |
| Zoom with drag        | Hold **Z** and drag left/right   |
| Reset zoom to 100%    | **Cmd+1**                        |
| Recenter / fit canvas | **Cmd+0**                        |
| Duplicate card        | Hold **Alt** and drag a card     |

## Mode switching

| Action                                  | Shortcut                        |
| --------------------------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| Toggle between Brainstorming and Design | **Tab**                         |
| Toggle Brainstorming / Storyboard view  | **Ctrl+\`** (backtick, not Cmd) |

<Note>
  The **Ctrl+\`** shortcut uses the physical Ctrl key on all platforms, including macOS. It does not work when in Design mode.
</Note>

## Portal Agent

| Action                          | Shortcut                       |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------ |
| Open Portal Agent status bar    | **Cmd+/**                      |
| Hold-to-talk (Dynamic AI voice) | Hold **Left Ctrl**             |
| Open floating chat panel        | **Cmd+E**                      |
| Toggle Cursor Portal            | **Cmd+\`** or **Cmd+Shift+\`** |

**Hold-to-talk:** Press and hold the **Left Ctrl** key to activate voice input. The Dynamic AI notch appears after a short delay. Release the key to send your voice prompt. This shortcut uses the physical Left Ctrl key on all platforms.

## Design tools

These shortcuts are active only when Design mode is open and no text input field is focused.

| Action                | Shortcut                    |
| --------------------- | --------------------------- |
| Selection tool        | **V**                       |
| Copy layer            | **Cmd+C**                   |
| Paste layer           | **Cmd+V**                   |
| Delete selected layer | **Delete** or **Backspace** |

## General

| Action                         | Shortcut                       |
| ------------------------------ | ------------------------------ |
| Toggle light / dark theme      | **\`** (backtick, no modifier) |
| Cancel screenshot capture mode | **Escape**                     |

## Tips for using shortcuts

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Shortcuts don't work — what to check">
    Most canvas shortcuts are disabled when a text input or editable field has focus. Click anywhere on the canvas background to deselect the focused element, then try the shortcut again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Using a non-Mac keyboard on macOS">
    On a Windows keyboard connected to a Mac, the **Windows** key acts as **Cmd** for Portals shortcuts. The **Alt** key maps to **Option**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Tab key in brainstorming vs. design">
    Pressing **Tab** while a card or input is focused may insert a tab character or move focus within the card. Click the canvas background first to ensure the global Tab mode-switch handler is active.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>