Keyboard Quick Reference

Keyboard Quick Reference

SSH Pilot has been designed with streamlined keyboard navigation in mind. When you launch the app, here's how you can quickly connect to any server:

The 3-Second Connection

1. Launch SSH Pilot
2. Start typing a server's alias, hostname or IP address. (You do NOT need to click search or type any shortcuts.)
3. Search is done automatically, and you can press Enter to connect to the first matching entry.

Search from anywhere

To connect to another server, press Ctrl+F (Cmd+F on macOS) or the Shift key twice. To access Settings, SSH config editor or any other tool, press Shift twice.

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The Core Flow

These five actions cover 90% of daily use:

What you want	How to do it
Connect to a server	Start typing on the start page, or Shift+Shift + type + Enter
Switch between servers	Click tabs, or Ctrl+Page Down / Ctrl+Page Up
Open the file manager	Ctrl+Shift+O (Cmd+Shift+O on macOS)
Copy a key to a server	Ctrl+Shift+K (Cmd+Shift+K on macOS)
Open a local terminal	Ctrl+Shift+T (Cmd+Shift+T on macOS)

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Connecting

Action	Shortcut	Notes
Connect (start page)	Type + Enter	Fastest method
Connect (omni-search)	Shift+Shift + type + Enter	Works from anywhere
Connect (sidebar)	Enter	On selected connection
Force new tab	Ctrl+Enter (Cmd+Enter on macOS)	Opens even if a tab exists
Middle-click connection	Middle mouse	Opens in new tab
Middle-click group	Middle mouse	Opens all connections in group

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File Management

Action	Shortcut
Open SFTP file manager	Ctrl+Shift+O (Cmd+Shift+O on macOS)
Legacy SCP transfer	Toolbar SCP button, or Omni-search scp

In the file manager:

Action	Shortcut
Switch panes	Tab
Refresh	F5
Copy	Ctrl+C (Cmd+C on macOS)
Cut	Ctrl+X (Cmd+X on macOS)
Paste	Ctrl+V (Cmd+V on macOS)
Go to path	Ctrl+L (Cmd+L on macOS)

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Keys & Credentials

Action	Shortcut
Copy key to server	Ctrl+Shift+K (Cmd+Shift+K on macOS)
Edit SSH config	Right-click > Edit Connection
Manage authorized_keys	Right-click > Manage authorized_keys… (guide)
Known Hosts Editor	Menu > SSH > Known Hosts Editor (guide)
Local authorized_keys	Menu > SSH > Manage Local authorized_keys…

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Terminal

Action	Shortcut
Copy	Ctrl+Shift+C (Cmd+C on macOS)
Paste	Ctrl+Shift+V (Cmd+V on macOS)
Copy on selection	Enable in Settings > Terminal > Mouse
Paste on right-click	Enable in Settings > Terminal > Mouse
Search in terminal	Ctrl+Shift+F (Cmd+Shift+F on macOS)
Zoom in / out	Ctrl+= / Ctrl+- (Cmd+= / Cmd+- on macOS)
Reset zoom	Ctrl+0 (Cmd+0 on macOS)
Open local terminal	Ctrl+Shift+T (Cmd+Shift+T on macOS)
Broadcast command	Ctrl+Shift+B (Cmd+Shift+B on macOS)

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Split View

Action	Shortcut
New split view	Header bar button, or drag a tab
Add connection to split	Drag from sidebar onto a terminal
Navigate panes	Assign keys in Settings > Shortcuts > Split View
Resize panes	Assign keys in Settings > Shortcuts > Split View

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Navigation

Action	Shortcut
Toggle sidebar	F9 (or Cmd+B on macOS)
Minimal sidebar	Settings > Interface > Sidebar Mode → Minimal (Sidebar)
Plain terminal (auto-hide)	Settings > Interface → When a Terminal Opens → Hide Sidebar (guide)
Search sidebar	Ctrl+F (Cmd+F on macOS)
Next / previous tab	Ctrl+Page Down / Ctrl+Page Up
Move tab left / right	Ctrl+Shift+Page Up / Ctrl+Shift+Page Down
Tab overview	Ctrl+Shift+Tab (Cmd+Shift+Tab on macOS)
Close tab	Ctrl+Shift+W (Cmd+Shift+W on macOS)
Fullscreen	F11
Settings	Ctrl+, (Cmd+, on macOS)
All shortcuts	Ctrl+? (Cmd+? on macOS)

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Right-Click Menu

Right-click any connection in the sidebar for:

• Open New Connection -- new terminal tab
• Edit Connection -- change settings
• Open in Split View -- add to split view
• Run Command on Host -- execute a remote command
• Duplicate Connection -- copy the connection
• Copy Address -- copy hostname to clipboard
• Copy SSH Command -- copy ssh user@host to clipboard
• Verify Configuration -- check SSH config
• Manage Files -- open SFTP
• Copy Key to Server -- deploy SSH key
• Manage authorized_keys… -- edit remote authorized_keys (Authorized Keys)
• Wake on LAN -- wake a powered-off server
• Open in System Terminal -- open in your external terminal
• Move to Group / Copy to Group / Ungroup -- organize
• Pin to Start Page -- quick access from start page
• Delete -- remove the connection

Local SSH tools (application menu → SSH):

• Known Hosts Editor -- Known Hosts
• Manage Local authorized_keys… -- Authorized Keys

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Omni-search

Open with Shift+Shift (double-tap Shift). Type to search:

• Connection names -- web finds "My Web Server"
• Hostnames -- 192.168 finds servers by IP
• Commands -- settings opens Settings
• SSH commands -- ssh root@server.com connects directly
• File transfers -- sftp web opens SFTP for a connection
• Key deployment -- ssh-copy-id web copies a key

Use Arrow Up/Down to navigate, Enter to select, Escape to close.

Full Omni-search guide -- detailed examples, ranking, and tips.

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Tips for Speed

1. Trust the search -- You rarely need to scroll the sidebar. Just type and press Enter.
2. Middle-click is your friend -- Middle-click a group to open all its servers at once.
3. Pin your favorites -- Right-click important servers and pin them to the start page.
4. Use omni-search for everything -- It finds connections, opens settings, runs commands, and more.
5. Customize shortcuts -- Go to Settings > Shortcuts to assign your own keys for split view and other actions.
6. Terminal pass-through -- If you use text expanders or tiling window managers, enable pass-through in Settings > Terminal > Keyboard.
7. Plain terminal -- Hide the sidebar with F9 / Cmd+B, or set When a Terminal Opens in Settings. Details: Plain Terminal Mode.