Complete GitHub Desktop keyboard shortcuts reference — 36 shortcuts across 3 categories. Quick reference cheat sheet for Windows & macOS.
GitHub Desktop wraps the everyday git loop — change, commit, push, pull, branch — in a GUI, and its shortcuts map directly onto that loop. There are not many, and they are the same on Windows and Linux; the macOS app uses Cmd. Anything git can do that Desktop cannot is one key away in your terminal or editor.
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+ | Display the Options window |
| F11 | Toggle full screen view |
| Ctrl + 0 | Reset zoom to default text size |
| Ctrl + = | Zoom in for larger text and graphics |
| Ctrl + - | Zoom out for smaller text and graphics |
| Ctrl + 8 | Decrease active pane width |
| Ctrl + 9 | Increase active pane width |
| Ctrl + Shift + I | Toggle Developer Tools |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + N | Add a new repository |
| Ctrl + O | Add a local repository |
| Ctrl + Shift + O | Clone a repository from GitHub |
| Ctrl + T | Show a list of your repositories |
| Ctrl + P | Push the latest commits to GitHub |
| Ctrl + Shift + P | Pull down the latest changes from GitHub |
| Ctrl + Delete | Remove an existing repository |
| Ctrl + Shift + G | View the repository on GitHub |
| Ctrl + ` | Open repository in your preferred command line tool |
| Ctrl + Shift + F | Show the repository in Explorer |
| Ctrl + Shift + A | Open the repository in your preferred editor tool |
| Ctrl + I | Create an issue on GitHub |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + 1 | Show all your changes before committing |
| Ctrl + 2 | Show your commit history |
| Ctrl + B | Show all your branches |
| Ctrl + G | Go to the commit summary field |
| Ctrl + Enter | Commit changes when summary or description field is active |
| Space | Select or deselect all highlighted files |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | Create a new branch |
| Ctrl + Shift + R | Rename the current branch |
| Ctrl + Shift + D | Delete the current branch |
| Ctrl + Shift + U | Update from default branch |
| Ctrl + Shift + B | Compare to an existing branch |
| Ctrl + Shift + M | Merge into current branch |
| Ctrl + Shift + S | Stash current changes |
| Ctrl + H | Show or hide stashed changes |
| Ctrl + Shift + C | Compare branches on GitHub |
| Ctrl + R | Show the current pull request on GitHub |
Ctrl + 1 shows the Changes tab and Ctrl + 2 the History tab. In Changes, Space toggles the highlighted files in and out of the commit, Ctrl + G jumps to the summary field and Ctrl + Enter commits once you are typing there. Ctrl + P pushes and Ctrl + Shift + P pulls — reversed from what some people expect, since P is push. Ctrl + Shift + S stashes the working changes and Ctrl + H shows or hides the stash.
Ctrl + B opens the branch list with a filter box; typing a name and pressing Enter switches. Ctrl + Shift + N creates a branch from the current one, Ctrl + Shift + R renames it and Ctrl + Shift + D deletes it. Ctrl + Shift + U merges the default branch into the current one to bring it up to date, and Ctrl + Shift + M opens the merge dialog for any other branch. Ctrl + Shift + B compares the current branch to another without merging.
Ctrl + ` opens the repository in your terminal, Ctrl + Shift + A in your editor, and Ctrl + Shift + F in File Explorer; all three respect the tools chosen in Options. Ctrl + Shift + G opens the repository on github.com and Ctrl + R the current branch's pull request. Ctrl + T lists your repositories for switching, and Ctrl + Shift + O clones one from GitHub.
Ctrl + P pushes; Ctrl + Shift + P pulls. Desktop shows the pending action on the toolbar button as a reminder.
In the Changes tab, highlight files and press Space to include or exclude them, then Ctrl + G and Ctrl + Enter to commit.
Ctrl + `. The terminal application is set in File › Options › Integrations.
Squashing and reordering are available by dragging commits in History, but for a full interactive rebase use the terminal via Ctrl + `.
Open your assistant with this page preloaded as the source — great for follow-up questions like "which of these work in other apps?"