# Claude Code Keyboard Shortcuts & Terminal Basics

> The keys that make Claude Code fast: @ for files, ! for shell, Esc to interrupt, Esc Esc to rewind, Shift+Tab for modes, Ctrl+B to background.

- Canonical: https://guides-ai.pages.dev/guides/claude-code-terminal-shortcuts/
- Plate 02.03 · Topic: First steps (https://guides-ai.pages.dev/topics/first-steps/)
- Published: 21 Aug 2026 · Updated: 06 Sept 2026 · 3 min read
- Source site: guides-ai — https://guides-ai.pages.dev/

Claude Code is a prompt in your terminal, and about eight keys do most of the work. One
correction up front: the old `#` shortcut for writing a note into `CLAUDE.md` is gone. Claude
now saves things you ask it to remember into **auto memory**, and `/memory` edits memory files
by hand.

## 1. The prompt symbols

- **`@`** — file-path mention with autocomplete: `explain @src/auth.ts`. Claude reads the file
  instead of guessing.
- **`!`** at the start — shell mode. Runs the command, adds its output to the session, and lets
  Claude respond to it.
- **`/`** at the start — a command or skill: `/clear`, `/usage`, `/context`, `/help`.
- **`?`** on an empty input — toggles the shortcut help panel.

## 2. Esc, and Esc twice

`Esc` interrupts Claude mid-response, keeping the work done so far, so you can redirect without
killing the session.

`Esc` `Esc` does one of two things: with text in the input it clears the draft and saves it to
history so `↑` recalls it; on an **empty** input it opens the rewind menu, which restores code
and conversation to an earlier checkpoint. `/rewind` opens the same thing.

## 3. Shift+Tab for permission modes

Cycles `default` (shown as Manual) → `acceptEdits` → `plan`, with `bypassPermissions` and
`auto` slotting in where available. Details in
[permissions](/guides/claude-code-permissions/) and
[plan mode](/guides/claude-code-plan-mode/).

## 4. The rest worth knowing

- **`Ctrl+B`** — background a running Bash command or agent. Tmux users press it twice.
- **`Ctrl+O`** — toggle the transcript viewer: full tool calls, timestamps, model used.
- **`Ctrl+R`** — reverse-search your prompt history.
- **`Ctrl+S`** — stash the current prompt; press again on an empty prompt to restore it.

## 5. Resume from the shell

```bash
claude -c    # continue the most recent conversation here
claude -r    # pick an older session from a list
```

What it does: reopens a session after you close the terminal, with its history intact.

## Verify it worked

Press `?` on an empty prompt. The panel that opens is your build's actual shortcut list — if
something here disagrees with it, trust the panel and run `claude --version`. Every
[slash command](/glossary/#slash-command) you see there can also be your own file; see
[create a custom slash command](/guides/create-claude-code-slash-command/).

Source: [Claude Code interactive mode](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/interactive-mode).