Since the nano editor doesn't really support the use of a mouse, here's a table of commands you're likely to find very useful. You should experiment with every one of them and try to memorize them, it can speed up your work tremendously. (To see a list of all nano commands, type Ctrl+g when in the editor.)
NOTE: There is no “undo” command in nano, so save your work often!
Topics
|
Task |
Keystroke |
|---|---|
|
Open a file from within nano |
Ctrl+r NOTE: tab completion is in effect; also, once this command has been entered, notice the new menu items at the bottom of the screen. For example, Ctrl+T will allow you to browse the file system and look for a file to open. |
|
Display the next file buffer |
Alt+> |
|
Display the previous file buffer |
Alt+< |
|
Save the current file buffer to disk |
Ctrl+o |
|
Close the current file buffer |
Ctrl+x NOTE: If the file hasn't been saved yet, you'll be asked if you want to save it. Also, if there's only one file buffer open, closing it will exit from nano. |
|
Task |
Keystroke |
|---|---|
|
Select a region for a cut or paste operation |
Alt+a NOTE: After setting a mark with Alt+a, move the cursor to define the region, you should see it highlighted as you move the cursor. Also, to cancel the definition of the region just enter Alt+a again. |
|
Copy a highlighted region into the clipboard |
Alt+^ |
|
Cut a highlighted region into the clipboard |
Ctrl+k |
|
Paste the contents of the clipboard at the current cursor position |
Ctrl+u |
|
Cut from the current cursor position to the end-of-line (EOL) |
Ctrl+k NOTE: This command doesn't require highlighting of the region. |
|
Task |
Keystroke |
|---|---|
|
Go to beginning of file |
Alt+\ |
|
Go to end of file |
Alt+/ |
|
Move forward one screenful |
Ctrl+v |
|
Move backward one screenful |
Ctrl+y |
|
Go to a target line number |
Alt+g |
|
Jump to matching open/close symbol |
Alt+] NOTE: Very useful for finding mismatched brace compiler errors! |
|
Window scrolling |
Alt+= to scroll down, Alt+- to scroll up |
|
Indenting/Outdenting selected blocks |
Use Alt+a to select a block, then Alt+} will indent the selected block, and Alt+{ will outdent the block. |
|
Task |
Keystroke |
|---|---|
|
Search for a target string |
Ctrl+w NOTE: Once this command has been entered, notice the new menu items at the bottom of the screen, such as toggling the direction of the search (Alt+B) or replacing the search string with a different string (Ctrl+R) |
|
Repeat the last search |
Alt+w |
|
Toggle direction for next search |
Ctrl+w followed by Ctrl+b |
|
Search and replace |
Alt+r |
|
Task |
Keystroke |
|---|---|
|
Home |
Ctrl+a |
|
End |
Ctrl+e |
|
Page Up |
Ctrl+y |
|
Page Down |
Ctrl+v |
|
Arrow Keys |
Ctrl+f (right), Ctrl+b (left), Ctrl+n (down), Ctrl+p (up) |
|
Tab |
Ctrl+i |
|
Backspace |
Ctrl+h |
|
Delete |
Ctrl+d |
|
Return |
Ctrl+m |