Input and shortcuts

Most Axiomate interaction happens in the input box at the bottom. Type a task, press Enter, and Axiomate will think, read files when needed, request permissions when required, and respond when the turn finishes.

Basic input flow

Describe the task in the input box, such as “explain how this project starts” or “fix the failing tests”.
Press Enter to submit.
Wait for the AI response. File reads, command runs, or permission prompts may appear during the turn.
Add follow-up requirements in the same input box and press Enter again.

Press Ctrl+C to interrupt the current AI turn while it is responding or running tools. When idle, pressing Ctrl+C twice exits Axiomate.

Common input modes

Type natural language to ask Axiomate to explain, edit, debug, or run a task.
Type / to use slash commands such as /model, /stats, or /context.
Type ! to enter bash mode for manual terminal commands.
Type @ to reference file paths.
Type & to run work in the background.
Type /btw to ask a side question without changing the main task.

Common shortcuts

Shortcut	Action
`Enter`	Submit the current input.
`Shift+Enter` / `Meta+Enter`	Insert a newline in the input box. If the terminal does not support it, run `/terminal-setup`; backslash `\` plus Enter can also insert a newline.
`Ctrl+C`	Interrupt the current AI turn while it is responding or running tools; press twice while idle to exit Axiomate.
Double `Esc`	Clear the current input.
`?`	Open the shortcut help menu; press `Esc` to close it.
`Alt+T` / `Meta+T`	Open the thinking control and temporarily adjust the current model's thinking effort.
`Ctrl+O`	Toggle the detailed output view for more complete responses, tool output, and visible thinking information.
`Alt+P` / `Meta+P`	Open the model picker.
`Shift+Tab`	Cycle permission modes; some Windows terminals may use `Meta+M`.
`Ctrl+R`	Search input history.
`Ctrl+T`	Show or hide the task list.
`Ctrl+G`	Edit a longer input in the external editor.
`Ctrl+S`	Stash the current input for later.

Terminal support for key combinations can vary. If a shortcut does not respond, check the current shortcut help menu with ?.

Customize shortcuts

Use /keybindings to configure shortcuts. The command opens or creates ~/.axiomate/keybindings.json with a template based on the default bindings.

Typical flow:

Run /keybindings.
Edit the key for the target action in the opened file.
Save the file and use the new shortcut.

Some safety-related shortcuts, such as Ctrl+C and Ctrl+D, cannot be rebound.