ChromeOS Linux Terminal Shortcuts
ChromeOS Linux Terminal keyboard shortcuts with key combinations, actions, and usage notes.
How to use this reference
Use this category reference to find shortcuts for the platform shown. Start with the section for your operating system, read the action and description, and try the shortcut in an appropriate application. Keys joined with a plus sign are held together; alternatives let you choose the combination that works on your keyboard. A gesture requires a compatible touchpad or touch screen rather than a physical keyboard.
Before practicing, check which window has focus. Text fields, browser tabs, terminal sessions, and system dialogs can interpret the same keys differently. Save any open work before testing commands that close a window, delete content, or change system settings. Accessibility commands may need to be enabled in settings first, and a laptop may require the Fn key for function keys. If a combination is intercepted by an application or a custom keymap, consult its built-in help and your operating system settings. Follow the full platform guide for related commands and additional context.
ChromeOS
| Action | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Open Linux Terminal | Search + then type 'Terminal' | Launch the Linux Development Environment terminal from the Launcher |
| New Tab | Ctrl + Shift + T | Open a new tab in the Linux Terminal app |
| New Window | Ctrl + Shift + N | Open a new Linux Terminal window |
| Close Tab | Ctrl + Shift + W | Close the current terminal tab |
| Copy | Ctrl + Shift + C | Copy selected text from the Linux terminal |
| Paste | Ctrl + Shift + V | Paste text into the Linux terminal |
| Clear Screen | Ctrl + L | Clear the terminal display (same as running 'clear') |
| Interrupt / Cancel | Ctrl + C | Stop the currently running command |
| End of File / Exit Shell | Ctrl + D | Send EOF signal — exits the current shell or closes a REPL |
| Autocomplete | Tab | Autocomplete commands, file paths, and arguments |
| Previous Command | Up | Recall the previous command from shell history |
| Reverse History Search | Ctrl + R | Interactively search through command history — type to filter |
| Move to Start of Line | Ctrl + A | Move cursor to the beginning of the current command |
| Move to End of Line | Ctrl + E | Move cursor to the end of the current command |
| Delete to Start of Line | Ctrl + U | Delete all text from the cursor to the start of the line |
| Delete to End of Line | Ctrl + K | Delete all text from the cursor to the end of the line |
| Delete Word Left | Ctrl + W | Delete the word to the left of the cursor |
| Zoom In (Terminal) | Ctrl + + | Increase terminal font size |
| Zoom Out (Terminal) | Ctrl + - | Decrease terminal font size |