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

# Keyboard Shortcuts

> Sample Vault keyboard shortcuts

## Overview

## Global Shortcut

The **Open Assistant** shortcut works even when Sample Vault isn't the active window — useful for jumping from your DAW into the assistant without switching windows manually.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Settings → Keyboard Shortcuts" />

  <Step title="Click the shortcut field" />

  <Step title="Press up to 3 keys (e.g. Ctrl+Shift+S)">
    The shortcut saves automatically.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Application Shortcuts

These work when Sample Vault is the active window, as long as no text input is focused.

| Action                           | Shortcut               |
| -------------------------------- | ---------------------- |
| Play previous                    | `1` / `↑`              |
| Play / pause                     | `2` / `Space`          |
| Play next                        | `3` / `↓`              |
| Resume from pause                | `Shift + Space`        |
| Copy playing sample to clipboard | `Cmd/Ctrl + C`         |
| Toggle selection                 | `Cmd/Ctrl + click`     |
| Range-select                     | `Shift + click`        |
| Select all loaded                | `Cmd/Ctrl + A`         |
| Focus library search             | `Cmd/Ctrl + F`         |
| Help & feedback                  | `Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + /` |

The copy shortcut only fires when no text is highlighted — otherwise the standard text copy behaviour applies.

The library search shortcut works from anywhere — even while another input is focused — and opens a Library panel first if none is open.

Audio shortcuts are automatically disabled while you're typing in a search or chat input. Selection shortcuts work in every list of samples — the Library, [Deep Search](/core-features/search-modes), [File Browser](/core-features/file-browser), [Similar Samples](/core-features/similar-samples), and [AI Assistant](/core-features/ai-assistant) chat chips. See [Multi-select & batch actions](/core-features/sample-browser#multi-select-batch-actions).

## Section Shortcuts

Shortcuts that only fire inside specific parts of the app.

### Library search input

| Action                                     | Shortcut           |
| ------------------------------------------ | ------------------ |
| Move through suggestions                   | `↑` / `↓`          |
| Apply highlighted suggestion               | `Tab`              |
| Run search or apply highlighted suggestion | `Enter`            |
| Deep Search your whole library             | `Cmd/Ctrl + Enter` |
| Close suggestions, then unfocus input      | `Esc`              |

### Quick Actions palette

| Action                  | Shortcut           |
| ----------------------- | ------------------ |
| Move through results    | `↑` / `↓`          |
| Copy focused sample     | `Enter`            |
| Shuffle results         | `Cmd/Ctrl + Enter` |
| Clear input, then close | `Esc`              |

### Sample Map

When the Library panel is showing the Map view and is the active panel, the arrow keys jump to the nearest visible sample in that direction and play it. The viewport recentres on the new sample if it would otherwise fall off-screen.

| Action                     | Shortcut              |
| -------------------------- | --------------------- |
| Navigate to nearest sample | `←` / `→` / `↑` / `↓` |
| Open sample context menu   | Right-click a dot     |

## Troubleshooting

### The global shortcut isn't working

1. Check no other application is using the same combination
2. Use 2–3 keys (e.g. `Ctrl+Shift+S`) — single-key shortcuts conflict with system input
3. Avoid common system shortcuts (`Ctrl+C`, `Ctrl+V`, etc.)
4. Restart Sample Vault after setting a new shortcut