Terminal Modes
The embedded terminal uses two input modes to cleanly separate AZUREAL navigation from shell interaction. At any given moment, the terminal is in exactly one of these modes.
Terminal Command Mode
Terminal command mode is the default state when the terminal pane is open. You can see the terminal output and interact with AZUREAL normally.
Entering Command Mode
| From | Key | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Any pane (terminal closed) | T (Shift+T) | Toggle terminal open in command mode |
| Terminal type mode | Esc | Exit type mode, enter command mode |
Available Keys in Command Mode
All global keybindings remain active:
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
G | Open Git panel |
H | Open Health panel |
M | Browse main branch |
P | Open Projects panel |
T | Toggle terminal (close) |
[ / ] | Switch worktrees |
r | Open run commands |
t | Enter terminal type mode |
p | Close terminal / refocus prompt |
Esc | Close terminal |
+ | Increase terminal height |
- | Decrease terminal height |
The p key provides a quick way to dismiss the terminal and return focus to the
prompt. It works from terminal command mode and also from any mode where the
prompt is tabbed away.
Resizing
The terminal pane height is adjustable in command mode:
+increases height by one line.-decreases height by one line.- Height is clamped between 5 lines (minimum) and 40 lines (maximum).
The resize takes effect immediately and the terminal content reflows to match the new dimensions.
Terminal Type Mode
Type mode forwards all keystrokes directly to the PTY. AZUREAL keybindings are completely suspended – everything you type goes to the shell.
Entering Type Mode
| From | Action | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal command mode | Press t | Enter type mode |
| Any mode | Click inside terminal pane | Enter type mode, reposition cursor |
Clicking inside the terminal pane is a shortcut that both enters type mode and moves the cursor to the clicked position within the shell’s input line.
Available Keys in Type Mode
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
Esc | Exit type mode (return to command mode) |
Alt+Left or Ctrl+Left | Word navigation backward |
Alt+Right or Ctrl+Right | Word navigation forward |
| All other keys | Forwarded to PTY |
Word navigation sends readline-compatible escape sequences to the PTY:
\x1bb for backward and \x1bf for forward. This works in bash, zsh, and
other readline-based shells.
Enter Key Behavior
The Enter key sends \r (carriage return) to the PTY, not \n (line feed).
This matches standard terminal behavior and ensures proper command execution
across all shells.
Mouse Interaction
Mouse input works in both modes:
| Action | Effect |
|---|---|
| Click inside terminal | Enter type mode, reposition cursor |
| Mouse drag | Select text with auto-scroll |
| Mouse wheel | Scroll through terminal history |
Cmd+C / Ctrl+C (with selection) | Copy selected text to clipboard |
Text selection operates in scrollback-adjusted absolute coordinates, meaning selections remain accurate even when scrolled through history. Dragging past the top or bottom edge of the terminal pane triggers automatic scrolling.
When Cmd+C or Ctrl+C is pressed with an active selection, the selected text
is copied to the system clipboard. Without a selection, the standard interrupt
signal is sent to the PTY instead.
Quick Reference
T (Shift+T) Toggle terminal open/closed
t Enter type mode (keystrokes go to shell)
Esc Exit type mode / close terminal
p Close terminal / refocus prompt
+/- Resize terminal height (5-40 lines)
Click Enter type mode + reposition cursor
Drag Select text
Cmd+C / Ctrl+C Copy selection (or interrupt if no selection)