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

# Keyboard Shortcuts

> Complete reference for all keyboard shortcuts in Rapid Reader

Master Rapid Reader with keyboard shortcuts for faster navigation and control. All shortcuts work in both the web and desktop apps.

<Info>
  **Mac vs Windows/Linux**: Where shortcuts use a modifier key, Mac uses **Cmd** while Windows and Linux use **Ctrl**.
</Info>

## Playback

Control reading playback without reaching for the mouse.

| Action                   | Shortcut      |
| ------------------------ | ------------- |
| Play / Pause             | `Space`       |
| Stop (exit focus mode)   | `Enter`       |
| Previous word            | `Left Arrow`  |
| Next word                | `Right Arrow` |
| Increase speed (+25 WPM) | `Up Arrow`    |
| Decrease speed (-25 WPM) | `Down Arrow`  |
| Toggle repeat mode       | `R`           |

## Navigation (Vim-style)

For Vim users, familiar motion keys work throughout the app.

| Action         | Shortcut |
| -------------- | -------- |
| Previous word  | `H`      |
| Next word      | `L`      |
| Decrease speed | `J`      |
| Increase speed | `K`      |

<Tip>
  Vim shortcuts work identically to arrow keys. Use whichever feels more natural to you.
</Tip>

## Library

Navigate and manage your library without leaving the keyboard.

| Action                       | Shortcut            |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------- |
| Open library / Toggle search | `S`                 |
| Open library                 | `O`                 |
| Navigate up in library       | `Up Arrow` or `K`   |
| Navigate down in library     | `Down Arrow` or `J` |
| Edit selected read           | `E`                 |
| Delete selected read         | `D`                 |
| Add new read                 | `N`                 |

<Note>
  **Multi-select**: Hold `Shift` and click to select multiple items in your library for bulk actions.
</Note>

## General

Essential shortcuts for the rest of the app.

| Action                        | Shortcut               |
| ----------------------------- | ---------------------- |
| Open Preferences              | `P`                    |
| Toggle fullscreen             | `Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + F` |
| Find in page (desktop only)   | `Cmd/Ctrl + F`         |
| Save progress                 | `Cmd/Ctrl + S`         |
| Toggle shortcut hints         | `` ` `` (backtick)     |
| Close panel / Exit fullscreen | `Escape`               |

## Context-Sensitive Behavior

Some shortcuts behave differently depending on what's open.

<Accordion title="Arrow keys">
  * **No panels open**: Up/Down adjust speed, Left/Right navigate words
  * **Library open**: Up/Down navigate between reads
  * **Other panels open**: Arrow keys may be used by the panel (e.g., for lists)
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Enter key">
  * **During playback**: Stops playback and exits focus mode
  * **Panel open**: Closes the topmost panel
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Escape key">
  * **Fullscreen mode**: Exits fullscreen first
  * **Panel open**: Closes the topmost panel
  * **Multiple panels**: Closes panels one at a time from top to bottom
</Accordion>

## Platform Notes

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Desktop (Mac)" icon="apple">
    Full keyboard support including native shortcuts like **Cmd+O** for opening files and **Cmd+F** for find-in-page.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Desktop (Windows/Linux)" icon="windows">
    Same shortcuts using **Ctrl** instead of **Cmd**. All features work identically.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Web" icon="globe">
    All shortcuts work except platform-specific features like find-in-page.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Mobile" icon="mobile">
    Keyboards shortcuts work with external keyboards. See touch controls in [Reading & Playback](/using/reading-playback).
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Quick Reference Card

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Mac">
    | Category | Shortcut          | Action           |
    | -------- | ----------------- | ---------------- |
    | Playback | `Space`           | Play / Pause     |
    | Playback | `Enter`           | Stop             |
    | Playback | `R`               | Repeat mode      |
    | Speed    | `Up` / `K`        | Faster           |
    | Speed    | `Down` / `J`      | Slower           |
    | Words    | `Left` / `H`      | Previous         |
    | Words    | `Right` / `L`     | Next             |
    | Panels   | `S`               | Library + search |
    | Panels   | `O`               | Library          |
    | Panels   | `P`               | Preferences      |
    | Panels   | `N`               | Add read         |
    | Panels   | `E`               | Edit read        |
    | Panels   | `Escape`          | Close panel      |
    | System   | `Cmd + S`         | Save             |
    | System   | `Cmd + Shift + F` | Fullscreen       |
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows / Linux">
    | Category | Shortcut           | Action           |
    | -------- | ------------------ | ---------------- |
    | Playback | `Space`            | Play / Pause     |
    | Playback | `Enter`            | Stop             |
    | Playback | `R`                | Repeat mode      |
    | Speed    | `Up` / `K`         | Faster           |
    | Speed    | `Down` / `J`       | Slower           |
    | Words    | `Left` / `H`       | Previous         |
    | Words    | `Right` / `L`      | Next             |
    | Panels   | `S`                | Library + search |
    | Panels   | `O`                | Library          |
    | Panels   | `P`                | Preferences      |
    | Panels   | `N`                | Add read         |
    | Panels   | `E`                | Edit read        |
    | Panels   | `Escape`           | Close panel      |
    | System   | `Ctrl + S`         | Save             |
    | System   | `Ctrl + Shift + F` | Fullscreen       |
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Reading & Playback" icon="play" href="/using/reading-playback">
    Learn about touch gestures and playback controls
  </Card>

  <Card title="Customizing Appearance" icon="palette" href="/using/customizing-appearance">
    Personalize fonts, colors, and display settings
  </Card>
</CardGroup>