Commands
Use keyboard shortcuts to reach common actions, the command palette to find commands and previous conversations, and app links to open a particular workspace. This reference applies to the EvoX desktop app. On a website, check the web browser’s shortcut bindings before using the same keys.
Keyboard shortcuts
macOS uses ⌘ (Command); Windows uses Ctrl. A + between keys means press them together.
Press ⌘ + / or Ctrl + / to open the shortcut reference. In Code, /keybindings opens the same reference.
Common actions
| Action | macOS | Windows |
|---|---|---|
| Open or close the command palette | ⌘ + K | Ctrl + K |
| Open settings | ⌘ + , | Ctrl + , |
| Show keyboard shortcuts | ⌘ + / | Ctrl + / |
| Stop the current response | Esc | Esc |
| Emergency stop for running tasks | ⌘ + Shift + K | Ctrl + Shift + K |
| Open or hide the right browser pane | ⌘ + Shift + W | Ctrl + Shift + W |
Stop the current response interrupts the current generation. An open input menu or dialog handles Esc first. Confirming an input-method candidate does not send a message.
Emergency stop applies to running tasks beyond the current response. It does not cancel future scheduled runs. Pause the relevant scheduled task separately to prevent it from running again.
Writing and selecting commands
| Action | Key | Behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Send a message | Enter | Sends the current composer content. |
| Insert a line break | Shift + Enter | Continues writing the same message. |
| Open the slash menu | / | Type at the start of the composer, then enter a command name to filter. |
| Select the previous or next command | ↑ / ↓ | Moves the selection while the slash menu is open. |
| Select a slash command | Tab / Enter | Applies the selected item; supply arguments where needed. |
| Close the shortcut reference | Esc | Returns to the previous screen. |
When the slash menu is open, Enter selects a command before it sends an ordinary message. In the Code composer, arrow keys move the caret; ↑ is not an unconditional “previous prompt” shortcut.
Window and zoom
| Action | macOS | Windows |
|---|---|---|
| Hide the application window | ⌘ + W | Ctrl + W |
| Reload the window | ⌘ + R | Ctrl + R |
| Reset zoom | ⌘ + 0 | Ctrl + 0 |
| Zoom in | ⌘ + + | Ctrl + + |
| Zoom out | ⌘ + - | Ctrl + - |
You can also zoom in with ⌘ + = or Ctrl + =. Hiding the window does not quit EvoX or stop a task. Use a stop action to interrupt execution.
Built-in browser
Open the right browser pane and click inside it to give it focus. These shortcuts act on tabs within that pane.
| Action | macOS | Windows |
|---|---|---|
| New browser tab | ⌘ + T | Ctrl + T |
| Close the current tab | ⌘ + W | Ctrl + W |
| Focus the address bar | ⌘ + L | Ctrl + L |
| Cycle focus between browser regions | F6 | F6 |
Closing the last tab also closes the browser pane. Here, ⌘ / Ctrl + W closes a tab; outside the browser pane, it hides the application window. Browser shortcuts require a surface that supports the built-in browser.
Find commands and conversations
If you do not remember a shortcut, open the command palette with ⌘ + K or Ctrl + K.
- Type an action name or keyword to filter available commands.
- Select a result with the arrow keys and press
Enter, or click it. - To return to earlier work, search for a conversation title or a keyword from its messages. Check the matching excerpt and workspace before opening a conversation result.
Commands and conversations appear in separate groups in the same palette. Opening a previous conversation returns to its work surface; it does not create another conversation with the same title. Retry when search reports incomplete results or a loading failure. A failed search is different from a search with no matches.
Use commands in the composer
In Code, typing / first shows common commands. Continue typing a name to find more actions:
| Input | Action |
|---|---|
/keybindings | Opens the shortcut reference. |
/files | Opens the files pane. |
/browser | Opens the browser pane. |
/swarm | Opens the swarm pane to inspect collaboration. |
/skills | Opens skill management. |
/mcp | Opens the MCP status panel. |
/memory | Opens memory. |
/cost | Opens usage in model settings. |
/compact | Compacts the current conversation context; requires existing context. |
/new | Starts a new conversation. |
Opening a pane and running a task are separate actions. For example, /swarm opens the swarm pane without creating a swarm task. Review commands send review requests through their conversation entry points. Supported commands and their behavior can also differ between Chat and Code.
See Slash commands for categories, arguments, and usage.
App links
An evox:// link opens the installed EvoX app at a page, conversation, or workspace. Confirm the external-app prompt shown by your browser or operating system when opening the link.
Common destinations
| Link | Destination |
|---|---|
evox://focus | Brings EvoX forward without changing the current page. |
evox://chat | Chat. |
evox://code | Code. |
evox://settings | Settings. |
evox://settings/ai?tab=usage | Usage in model settings. |
evox://chat/session/SESSION_ID | An existing chat conversation. |
evox://code/session/SESSION_ID | An existing Code conversation. |
SESSION_ID is the actual conversation identifier, not its display title. Replace the placeholder before using a link. Links do not create a historical conversation with that name or grant access to it.
Open a workspace
Add cwd to a Code link to start a new conversation in a particular folder. Use an absolute path on the current device. URL-encode spaces, non-Latin characters, and other special characters.
Windows example, opening D:\Projects\demo:
evox://code?cwd=D%3A%5CProjects%5Cdemo
macOS example, opening /Users/you/Projects/demo:
evox://code?cwd=%2FUsers%2Fyou%2FProjects%2Fdemo
Replace the example with your own project path. Confirm the local path exists on the target device and that device and application permissions allow access.
Open a side pane
Use pane to open a supported pane alongside the destination. For example, start a workspace conversation with the files pane visible:
evox://code?cwd=D%3A%5CProjects%5Cdemo&pane=files
| Surface | Common pane values |
|---|---|
| Chat | files, contacts |
| Code | files, plan, diff, preview, terminal, activity, swarm, github |
You can also append a pane to an existing conversation link, such as evox://code/session/SESSION_ID?pane=swarm. Availability still depends on enabled features and conversation context.
App links navigate the interface. They are not an API for automatically sending prompts or executing commands. Do not put API keys, tokens, or passwords in a link.
If a shortcut does not respond
Make sure the EvoX desktop window is in the foreground, then check focus: input menus, dialogs, and the browser pane handle their own shortcuts before app-level actions. Open the current version's shortcut reference with ⌘ + / or Ctrl + /, or use /keybindings in Code.
For actions that require a workspace, existing conversation, or connected capability, enter that context first. See Troubleshooting if the problem persists.
EvoX Docs · Features · Reference