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The show-keys command displays the key assignments configured in your WezTerm instance, making it easy to discover and document your keyboard shortcuts.

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Synopsis

wezterm show-keys [OPTIONS]

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Description

Displays all key bindings configured in your WezTerm configuration. This is useful for:
  • Discovering what key bindings are available
  • Debugging key binding conflicts
  • Generating documentation for your configuration
  • Exporting key bindings in Lua format

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Options

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--lua
flag
Show the keys as Lua config statements.Instead of a human-readable table, outputs valid Lua code that can be used in your wezterm.lua configuration file.Example:
wezterm show-keys --lua
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--key-table
string
In Lua mode, show only the named key table.WezTerm supports multiple key tables for different modes (like tmux’s prefix key). Use this option to show bindings for a specific table.Requires: --lua flagExample:
wezterm show-keys --lua --key-table copy_mode

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Examples

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Show all key bindings

wezterm show-keys
Output will show a table like: 
Key Assignments:

CTRL+SHIFT+T  -> SpawnTab(CurrentPaneDomain)
CTRL+SHIFT+N  -> SpawnWindow
CTRL+SHIFT+W  -> CloseCurrentTab{confirm=true}
...

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Export key bindings as Lua

wezterm show-keys --lua
Output will be valid Lua code: 
return {
  keys = {
    {
      key = 't',
      mods = 'CTRL|SHIFT',
      action = wezterm.action.SpawnTab 'CurrentPaneDomain',
    },
    {
      key = 'n',
      mods = 'CTRL|SHIFT',
      action = wezterm.action.SpawnWindow,
    },
    -- ...
  },
}

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Show specific key table

wezterm show-keys --lua --key-table copy_mode
This shows only the key bindings for copy mode.

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Save key bindings to a file

wezterm show-keys --lua > my-keys.lua

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Check for specific binding

wezterm show-keys | grep "CTRL+SHIFT+C"

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Compare key bindings between configs

# Save current bindings
wezterm show-keys > keys-current.txt

# Modify config, then compare
wezterm show-keys > keys-new.txt
diff keys-current.txt keys-new.txt

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Understanding Key Tables

WezTerm supports multiple key tables for modal key bindings. Common key tables include:
  • Default table: Active by default
  • copy_mode: Active when in copy/search mode
  • search_mode: Active when searching
  • Custom tables: You can define your own

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Example with key tables in wezterm.lua:

local wezterm = require 'wezterm'
local act = wezterm.action

return {
  leader = { key = 'a', mods = 'CTRL', timeout_milliseconds = 1000 },
  
  keys = {
    -- Default key table
    {
      key = 'c',
      mods = 'LEADER',
      action = act.ActivateKeyTable {
        name = 'copy_mode',
        one_shot = false,
      },
    },
  },
  
  key_tables = {
    copy_mode = {
      { key = 'Escape', action = act.CopyMode 'Close' },
      { key = 'q', action = act.CopyMode 'Close' },
      { key = 'h', action = act.CopyMode 'MoveLeft' },
      { key = 'j', action = act.CopyMode 'MoveDown' },
      { key = 'k', action = act.CopyMode 'MoveUp' },
      { key = 'l', action = act.CopyMode 'MoveRight' },
    },
  },
}
Then inspect just the copy_mode table: 
wezterm show-keys --lua --key-table copy_mode

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Common Key Binding Modifiers

  • CTRL - Control key
  • SHIFT - Shift key
  • ALT - Alt/Option key
  • SUPER - Windows/Command key
  • LEADER - Leader key (if configured)
Modifiers can be combined with |:
  • CTRL|SHIFT
  • CTRL|ALT
  • SUPER|SHIFT

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Use Cases

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Documentation

Generate documentation for your team: 
wezterm show-keys > team-shortcuts.txt

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Debugging Conflicts

If a key binding isn’t working: 
wezterm show-keys | grep -i "ctrl.*t"
This helps identify if the key is bound to something else.

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Configuration Backup

Before making changes: 
wezterm show-keys --lua > backup-keys.lua

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Learning Default Bindings

If you haven’t customized your config yet: 
wezterm show-keys
This shows all default WezTerm key bindings.

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Sharing Configuration

Export your key bindings to share with others: 
wezterm show-keys --lua | grep -A 10 "my custom bindings"

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Default Key Bindings

WezTerm comes with sensible defaults. Some common ones include:
  • CTRL+SHIFT+T - New tab
  • CTRL+SHIFT+N - New window
  • CTRL+SHIFT+W - Close tab
  • CTRL+SHIFT+C - Copy (when text is selected)
  • CTRL+SHIFT+V - Paste
  • CTRL+SHIFT+F - Search
  • CTRL+SHIFT+L - Show launcher
  • CTRL+Tab - Next tab
  • CTRL+SHIFT+Tab - Previous tab
Run wezterm show-keys to see the complete list for your configuration.

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Customizing Key Bindings

To customize key bindings, edit your wezterm.lua: 
local wezterm = require 'wezterm'
local act = wezterm.action

return {
  keys = {
    -- Disable default binding
    { key = 't', mods = 'CTRL|SHIFT', action = act.DisableDefaultAssignment },
    
    -- Add custom binding
    { key = 't', mods = 'ALT', action = act.SpawnTab 'CurrentPaneDomain' },
    
    -- Custom action
    {
      key = 'r',
      mods = 'CTRL|SHIFT',
      action = act.ReloadConfiguration,
    },
  },
}
Then verify with: 
wezterm show-keys | grep -E "CTRL.*SHIFT.*[TR]"
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