Keybindings Customization Skill

Help users customize Claude Code keyboard shortcuts by modifying ~/.claude/keybindings.json.

Keybindings File Location

~/.claude/keybindings.json

Create if it doesn't exist. This file overrides default Claude Code keybindings.

File Format

[
  {
    "key": "ctrl+shift+enter",
    "command": "claude.sendMessage"
  },
  {
    "key": "ctrl+k ctrl+c",
    "command": "claude.clearConversation"
  }
]

Common Commands

Key Syntax

• •Single keys: "ctrl+s", "alt+enter", "shift+f5"
• •Chord bindings (two-step): "ctrl+k ctrl+s" (press Ctrl+K then Ctrl+S)
• •Function keys: "f1" through "f12"
• •Special keys: "escape", "tab", "backspace", "delete", "enter"

Workflow

Make a todo list for all the tasks in this workflow.

1. Understand the Request

Ask the user:

• •What action do they want to bind/rebind?
• •What key combination do they want to use?
• •Is it a single shortcut or a chord (two-step) binding?

2. Read Existing Keybindings

cat ~/.claude/keybindings.json 2>/dev/null || echo "[]"

If the file doesn't exist, start with an empty array [].

3. Check for Conflicts

• •Look for existing bindings that use the same key combination
• •Warn the user if a conflict is found
• •Ask if they want to override the existing binding

4. Update Keybindings File

Add or modify the keybinding entry. For example, to rebind submit to ctrl+enter:

[
  {
    "key": "ctrl+enter",
    "command": "claude.sendMessage"
  }
]

For chord bindings (two-step shortcuts):

[
  {
    "key": "ctrl+k s",
    "command": "claude.sendMessage"
  }
]

5. Write the File

cat > ~/.claude/keybindings.json << 'EOF'
[
  {
    "key": "YOUR_KEY_HERE",
    "command": "YOUR_COMMAND_HERE"
  }
]
EOF

6. Confirm with User

Inform the user:

• •The new keybinding that was set
• •That changes take effect immediately (no restart needed)
• •How to test the new binding

Wrap Up

Provide a summary:

• •✅ Keybinding added/modified
• •The key combination and what it does
• •Any conflicts that were resolved
• •How to revert if needed: restore the previous ~/.claude/keybindings.json content