Keybindings

VS Code’s keybinding system provides a flexible, context-aware way to bind keyboard shortcuts to commands. The platform handles cross-platform differences, chord sequences, and context-based activation.

Overview

The keybinding system consists of:

KeybindingsRegistry: Stores all default and extension-provided keybindings
IKeybindingService: Runtime service that resolves keybindings and dispatches keyboard events
ResolvedKeybinding: Platform-specific representation of keybindings

KeybindingsRegistry

The registry stores all built-in and extension-provided keybindings (but not user-defined ones):

export interface IKeybindingsRegistry {
  registerKeybindingRule(rule: IKeybindingRule): IDisposable;
  setExtensionKeybindings(rules: IExtensionKeybindingRule[]): void;
  registerCommandAndKeybindingRule<Args extends unknown[] = unknown[]>(
    desc: ICommandAndKeybindingRule<Args>
  ): IDisposable;
  getDefaultKeybindings(): IKeybindingItem[];
}

Access the global registry:

import { KeybindingsRegistry } from 'vs/platform/keybinding/common/keybindingsRegistry';

Registering Keybindings

Basic Keybinding Rule

import { KeybindingsRegistry, KeybindingWeight } from 'vs/platform/keybinding/common/keybindingsRegistry';
import { KeyCode, KeyMod } from 'vs/base/common/keyCodes';
import { ContextKeyExpr } from 'vs/platform/contextkey/common/contextkey';

KeybindingsRegistry.registerKeybindingRule({
  id: 'editor.action.deleteLines',
  weight: KeybindingWeight.EditorContrib,
  when: ContextKeyExpr.equals('editorTextFocus', true),
  primary: KeyMod.CtrlCmd | KeyMod.Shift | KeyCode.KeyK,
  secondary: [KeyMod.CtrlCmd | KeyCode.KeyL]
});

Keybinding Rule Interface

export interface IKeybindingRule extends IKeybindings {
  id: string;
  weight: number;
  args?: any;
  
  /**
   * Keybinding is disabled if expression returns false
   */
  when?: ContextKeyExpression | null | undefined;
}

export interface IKeybindings {
  primary?: number;
  secondary?: number[];
  
  // Platform-specific overrides
  win?: {
    primary: number;
    secondary?: number[];
  };
  linux?: {
    primary: number;
    secondary?: number[];
  };
  mac?: {
    primary: number;
    secondary?: number[];
  };
}

Keybinding Weights

Weights determine priority when multiple keybindings conflict:

export const enum KeybindingWeight {
  EditorCore = 0,           // Core editor bindings
  EditorContrib = 100,      // Editor contributions
  WorkbenchContrib = 200,   // Workbench contributions
  BuiltinExtension = 300,   // Built-in extensions
  ExternalExtension = 400   // External extensions
}

Higher weights take precedence. User-defined keybindings always win.

Key Codes and Modifiers

Key Modifiers

import { KeyMod } from 'vs/base/common/keyCodes';

KeyMod.CtrlCmd   // Ctrl on Windows/Linux, Cmd on Mac
KeyMod.WinCtrl   // Ctrl on all platforms
KeyMod.Alt       // Alt key
KeyMod.Shift     // Shift key

Key Codes

import { KeyCode } from 'vs/base/common/keyCodes';

// Letters
KeyCode.KeyA, KeyCode.KeyB, ..., KeyCode.KeyZ

// Numbers
KeyCode.Digit0, KeyCode.Digit1, ..., KeyCode.Digit9

// Function keys
KeyCode.F1, KeyCode.F2, ..., KeyCode.F12

// Special keys
KeyCode.Enter
KeyCode.Escape
KeyCode.Space
KeyCode.Backspace
KeyCode.Delete
KeyCode.Tab
KeyCode.UpArrow, KeyCode.DownArrow, KeyCode.LeftArrow, KeyCode.RightArrow

// Numpad
KeyCode.Numpad0, KeyCode.Numpad1, ..., KeyCode.Numpad9
KeyCode.NumpadAdd, KeyCode.NumpadSubtract, KeyCode.NumpadMultiply, KeyCode.NumpadDivide

Combining Keys

Combine modifiers and keys using the bitwise OR operator:

// Ctrl+K (Cmd+K on Mac)
KeyMod.CtrlCmd | KeyCode.KeyK

// Ctrl+Shift+P (Cmd+Shift+P on Mac)
KeyMod.CtrlCmd | KeyMod.Shift | KeyCode.KeyP

// Alt+F4
KeyMod.Alt | KeyCode.F4

Platform-Specific Keybindings

Define different keybindings per platform:

KeybindingsRegistry.registerKeybindingRule({
  id: 'workbench.action.files.save',
  weight: KeybindingWeight.WorkbenchContrib,
  primary: KeyMod.CtrlCmd | KeyCode.KeyS  // Adapts automatically
});

KeybindingsRegistry.registerKeybindingRule({
  id: 'workbench.action.closeActiveEditor',
  weight: KeybindingWeight.WorkbenchContrib,
  primary: KeyMod.CtrlCmd | KeyCode.KeyW,
  win: {
    primary: KeyMod.CtrlCmd | KeyCode.F4,    // Ctrl+F4 on Windows
    secondary: [KeyMod.CtrlCmd | KeyCode.KeyW]
  },
  mac: {
    primary: KeyMod.CtrlCmd | KeyCode.KeyW    // Cmd+W on Mac
  },
  linux: {
    primary: KeyMod.CtrlCmd | KeyCode.KeyW    // Ctrl+W on Linux
  }
});

Chord Keybindings

Chord keybindings are two-key sequences (like Ctrl+K Ctrl+C):

import { KeyChord } from 'vs/base/common/keyCodes';

KeybindingsRegistry.registerKeybindingRule({
  id: 'editor.action.commentLine',
  weight: KeybindingWeight.EditorContrib,
  when: ContextKeyExpr.equals('editorTextFocus', true),
  primary: KeyChord(
    KeyMod.CtrlCmd | KeyCode.KeyK,  // First key
    KeyMod.CtrlCmd | KeyCode.KeyC   // Second key
  )
});

The user must press both sequences in order. VS Code enters “chord mode” after the first key.

Context-Aware Keybindings

Use when clauses to activate keybindings only in specific contexts:

Common Context Keys

// Editor contexts
'editorTextFocus'           // Editor has focus
'editorReadonly'            // Editor is readonly
'editorHasSelection'        // Text is selected
'editorHasMultipleSelections' // Multiple cursors
'editorLangId'              // Editor language ID

// View contexts
'sideBarVisible'            // Sidebar is visible
'panelVisible'              // Panel is visible
'terminalFocus'             // Terminal has focus
'searchViewletFocus'        // Search view has focus

// Resource contexts
'resourceExtname'           // File extension
'resourceFilename'          // File name
'resourceScheme'            // URI scheme

// Configuration
'config.editor.minimap.enabled'  // Config values

Context Expression Examples

// Single condition
when: ContextKeyExpr.equals('editorTextFocus', true)

// Multiple conditions (AND)
when: ContextKeyExpr.and(
  ContextKeyExpr.equals('editorTextFocus', true),
  ContextKeyExpr.equals('editorLangId', 'typescript'),
  ContextKeyExpr.not('editorReadonly')
)

// Alternative conditions (OR)
when: ContextKeyExpr.or(
  ContextKeyExpr.equals('terminalFocus', true),
  ContextKeyExpr.equals('searchViewletFocus', true)
)

// Negation
when: ContextKeyExpr.not('editorReadonly')

// Greater than / less than
when: ContextKeyExpr.greater('editorCursorLine', 0)

// Regular expression
when: ContextKeyExpr.regex('resourceFilename', /\.test\.ts$/)

IKeybindingService

The keybinding service resolves and dispatches keybindings at runtime:

export const IKeybindingService = createDecorator<IKeybindingService>('keybindingService');

export interface IKeybindingService {
  readonly _serviceBrand: undefined;

  readonly inChordMode: boolean;
  readonly onDidUpdateKeybindings: Event<void>;

  /**
   * Returns none, one or many (depending on keyboard layout)
   */
  resolveKeybinding(keybinding: Keybinding): ResolvedKeybinding[];

  resolveKeyboardEvent(keyboardEvent: IKeyboardEvent): ResolvedKeybinding;

  resolveUserBinding(userBinding: string): ResolvedKeybinding[];

  /**
   * Resolve and dispatch `keyboardEvent` and invoke the command
   */
  dispatchEvent(e: IKeyboardEvent, target: IContextKeyServiceTarget): boolean;

  /**
   * Look up keybindings for a command
   */
  lookupKeybindings(commandId: string): ResolvedKeybinding[];

  /**
   * Look up the preferred keybinding for a command
   */
  lookupKeybinding(
    commandId: string, 
    context?: IContextKeyService, 
    enforceContextCheck?: boolean
  ): ResolvedKeybinding | undefined;

  /**
   * Get all keybindings
   */
  getKeybindings(): readonly ResolvedKeybindingItem[];

  /**
   * Given a UI label and command, appends the keybinding if any
   */
  appendKeybinding(
    label: string, 
    commandId: string | undefined | null, 
    context?: IContextKeyService, 
    enforceContextCheck?: boolean
  ): string;
}

Using the Keybinding Service

Looking Up Keybindings

class MyComponent {
  constructor(
    @IKeybindingService private readonly keybindingService: IKeybindingService
  ) {}

  showKeybindingInfo(): void {
    // Get all keybindings for a command
    const keybindings = this.keybindingService.lookupKeybindings('editor.action.formatDocument');
    
    keybindings.forEach(kb => {
      console.log(kb.getLabel());  // "Shift+Alt+F"
    });

    // Get preferred keybinding
    const preferred = this.keybindingService.lookupKeybinding('editor.action.formatDocument');
    if (preferred) {
      console.log(`Format Document: ${preferred.getLabel()}`);
    }
  }
}

Appending Keybindings to Labels

// Add keybinding to a button label
const label = this.keybindingService.appendKeybinding(
  'Format Document',
  'editor.action.formatDocument'
);
// Result: "Format Document (Shift+Alt+F)"

Dispatching Keyboard Events

class MyEditor {
  constructor(
    @IKeybindingService private readonly keybindingService: IKeybindingService
  ) {}

  private onKeyDown(e: IKeyboardEvent): void {
    // Let the keybinding service handle it
    const handled = this.keybindingService.dispatchEvent(e, this.contextKeyService);
    
    if (!handled) {
      // No keybinding matched, handle manually
      this.handleKeyDown(e);
    }
  }
}

Registering with Action2

The recommended way to register keybindings is through Action2:

import { Action2, registerAction2 } from 'vs/platform/actions/common/actions';
import { KeyCode, KeyMod } from 'vs/base/common/keyCodes';
import { KeybindingWeight } from 'vs/platform/keybinding/common/keybindingsRegistry';

class MyAction extends Action2 {
  constructor() {
    super({
      id: 'myExtension.myAction',
      title: { value: 'My Action', original: 'My Action' },
      f1: true,
      
      keybinding: {
        primary: KeyMod.CtrlCmd | KeyMod.Shift | KeyCode.KeyM,
        secondary: [KeyMod.Alt | KeyCode.KeyM],
        when: ContextKeyExpr.equals('editorTextFocus', true),
        weight: KeybindingWeight.WorkbenchContrib,
        
        // Platform-specific
        win: {
          primary: KeyMod.CtrlCmd | KeyCode.KeyM
        }
      }
    });
  }

  run(accessor: ServicesAccessor): void {
    // Action implementation
  }
}

registerAction2(MyAction);

Real-World Examples

Save File Keybinding

KeybindingsRegistry.registerCommandAndKeybindingRule({
  id: 'workbench.action.files.save',
  weight: KeybindingWeight.WorkbenchContrib,
  when: undefined,
  primary: KeyMod.CtrlCmd | KeyCode.KeyS,
  handler: (accessor) => {
    const editorService = accessor.get(IEditorService);
    return editorService.save({ editor: editorService.activeEditor });
  }
});

Quick Open with Chord

KeybindingsRegistry.registerKeybindingRule({
  id: 'workbench.action.quickOpen',
  weight: KeybindingWeight.WorkbenchContrib,
  when: undefined,
  primary: KeyMod.CtrlCmd | KeyCode.KeyP,
  secondary: [KeyMod.CtrlCmd | KeyCode.KeyE],
  mac: {
    primary: KeyMod.CtrlCmd | KeyCode.KeyP,
    secondary: []
  }
});

Context-Specific Keybinding

KeybindingsRegistry.registerKeybindingRule({
  id: 'editor.action.triggerSuggest',
  weight: KeybindingWeight.EditorContrib,
  when: ContextKeyExpr.and(
    ContextKeyExpr.equals('editorTextFocus', true),
    ContextKeyExpr.not('editorReadonly'),
    ContextKeyExpr.not('suggestWidgetVisible')
  ),
  primary: KeyMod.CtrlCmd | KeyCode.Space,
  secondary: [KeyMod.CtrlCmd | KeyCode.KeyI],
  mac: {
    primary: KeyMod.WinCtrl | KeyCode.Space,
    secondary: [KeyMod.Alt | KeyCode.Escape]
  }
});

Best Practices

Use KeyMod.CtrlCmd: Always use KeyMod.CtrlCmd instead of KeyMod.WinCtrl for better cross-platform behavior. It automatically maps to Cmd on Mac and Ctrl elsewhere.

Avoid conflicts: Check existing keybindings before registering new ones. Use appropriate weights and context expressions to avoid conflicts.

Provide alternatives: Consider providing secondary keybindings for discoverability and user preference.

Context awareness: Always use when clauses to scope keybindings to appropriate contexts. This prevents unintended activation.

Document chord sequences: Chord keybindings are powerful but less discoverable. Document them clearly in your extension’s README.

Testing Keybindings

import { TestInstantiationService } from 'vs/platform/instantiation/test/common/instantiationServiceMock';
import { KeybindingService } from 'vs/platform/keybinding/browser/keybindingService';

suite('Keybindings', () => {
  let instantiationService: TestInstantiationService;
  let keybindingService: KeybindingService;

  setup(() => {
    instantiationService = new TestInstantiationService();
    keybindingService = instantiationService.createInstance(KeybindingService);
  });

  test('should resolve keybinding', () => {
    const keybindings = keybindingService.lookupKeybindings('editor.action.formatDocument');
    assert.ok(keybindings.length > 0);
  });

  test('should dispatch keybinding', () => {
    let commandExecuted = false;
    
    CommandsRegistry.registerCommand('test.command', () => {
      commandExecuted = true;
    });

    keybindingService.dispatchEvent(createKeyboardEvent(KeyCode.KeyA), target);
    assert.ok(commandExecuted);
  });
});

Extension API

Core Services

Platform APIs

Overview

KeybindingsRegistry

Registering Keybindings

Basic Keybinding Rule

Keybinding Rule Interface

Keybinding Weights

Key Codes and Modifiers

Key Modifiers

Key Codes

Combining Keys

Platform-Specific Keybindings

Chord Keybindings

Context-Aware Keybindings

IKeybindingService

Using the Keybinding Service

Looking Up Keybindings

Appending Keybindings to Labels

Dispatching Keyboard Events

Registering with Action2

Real-World Examples

Best Practices

Testing Keybindings

See Also

​Overview

​KeybindingsRegistry

​Registering Keybindings

​Basic Keybinding Rule

​Keybinding Rule Interface

​Keybinding Weights

​Key Codes and Modifiers

​Key Modifiers

​Key Codes

​Combining Keys

​Platform-Specific Keybindings

​Chord Keybindings

​Context-Aware Keybindings

​IKeybindingService

​Using the Keybinding Service

​Looking Up Keybindings

​Appending Keybindings to Labels

​Dispatching Keyboard Events

​Registering with Action2

​Real-World Examples

​Best Practices

​Testing Keybindings

​See Also

Overview

KeybindingsRegistry

Registering Keybindings

Basic Keybinding Rule

Keybinding Rule Interface

Keybinding Weights

Key Codes and Modifiers

Key Modifiers

Key Codes

Combining Keys

Platform-Specific Keybindings

Chord Keybindings

Context-Aware Keybindings

IKeybindingService

Using the Keybinding Service

Looking Up Keybindings

Appending Keybindings to Labels

Dispatching Keyboard Events

Registering with Action2

Real-World Examples

Best Practices

Testing Keybindings

See Also