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PhotoCraft keyboard shortcuts

PhotoCraft’s default keyboard shortcuts follow Photoshop’s: Ctrl (⌘ on macOS) plus a letter for most commands, and a single key for each tool group, such as V for Move, B for Brush and T for Type. This cheat sheet lists the default shortcuts for Windows, Linux and macOS, read from PhotoCraft’s own source code rather than copied from Photoshop.

Last verified: Unofficial resource

Reading the keys

  • Ctrl on Windows and Linux is ⌘ on macOS. The source writes this as Cmd.
  • Alt is ⌥ (Option) on macOS, and Shift is ⇧.
  • Modifiers match exactly: Ctrl+Alt+I is Image Size, never Invert (Ctrl+I). Delete also matchesBackspace, and Zoom In answers to both = and +.

shortcuts.rs

Tool keys

Each tool group has a single letter. Press it to select the group’s tool, and press it again to cycle through the group. If you turn on Preferences › Tools › Use Shift Key for Tool Switch, only Shift+letter cycles, and the plain letter keeps the group’s current tool. The Blur group (Blur, Sharpen, Smudge) has no key.shortcuts.rsstate.rs

KeyTools in the group
APath Selection, Direct Selection
BBrush, Pencil, Mixer Brush
CCrop, Slice, Slice Select
EEraser, Background Eraser, Magic Eraser
GGradient, Paint Bucket
HHand
IEyedropper, Ruler, Note, Count
JRemove, Spot Healing Brush, Healing Brush, Patch, Content-Aware Move, Red Eye
LLasso, Polygonal Lasso, Magnetic Lasso
MRectangular Marquee, Elliptical Marquee
ODodge, Burn, Sponge
PPen
RRotate View
SClone Stamp, Pattern Stamp
TType, Vertical Type
URectangle, Ellipse, Triangle, Polygon, Line, Custom Shape
VMove
WMagic Wand, Quick Selection, Object Selection
YHistory Brush
ZZoom

Hold-to-use tools

These last only while you hold the key and hand control back to your previous tool on release.shortcuts.rs

ToolWindows / LinuxmacOS
Hand Tool (hold)SpaceSpace
Zoom In (hold, drag to scrub)Ctrl+Space⌘Space
Zoom Out (hold)Ctrl+Alt+Space⌘⌥Space

Number keys

The number row 1 to 0 sets opacity, and Shift+1 to 0 sets flow or fill.shortcuts.rs

Default shortcuts by menu

File

CommandWindows / LinuxmacOS
Open…Ctrl+O⌘O
SaveCtrl+S⌘S
Save As…Ctrl+Shift+S⌘⇧S
ExitCtrl+Q⌘Q
Export As…Ctrl+Alt+Shift+W⌘⌥⇧W
New…Ctrl+N⌘N
CloseCtrl+W⌘W
Close AllCtrl+Alt+W⌘⌥W
Close OthersCtrl+Alt+P⌘⌥P
RevertF12F12
Save a Copy…Ctrl+Alt+S⌘⌥S
Open As…Ctrl+Alt+Shift+O⌘⌥⇧O
File Info…Ctrl+Alt+Shift+I⌘⌥⇧I
Print…Ctrl+P⌘P
Print One CopyCtrl+Alt+Shift+P⌘⌥⇧P
Save for Web (Legacy)…Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S⌘⌥⇧S

Edit

CommandWindows / LinuxmacOS
Free TransformCtrl+T⌘T
Free Transform a CopyCtrl+Alt+T⌘⌥T
Search (command palette)Ctrl+F⌘F
UndoCtrl+Z⌘Z
RedoCtrl+Shift+Z⌘⇧Z
Fill…Shift+F5⇧F5
ClearDelete⌫
CutCtrl+X⌘X
CopyCtrl+C⌘C
Copy MergedCtrl+Shift+C⌘⇧C
PasteCtrl+V⌘V
Paste in PlaceCtrl+Shift+V⌘⇧V
Toggle Last StateCtrl+Alt+Z⌘⌥Z
AgainCtrl+Shift+T⌘⇧T
Transform Again on a CopyCtrl+Alt+Shift+T⌘⌥⇧T
Fade…Ctrl+Shift+F⌘⇧F
Content-Aware ScaleCtrl+Alt+Shift+C⌘⌥⇧C
Paste IntoCtrl+Alt+Shift+V⌘⌥⇧V
Fill with Foreground ColorAlt+Backspace⌥Backspace
Fill with Background ColorCtrl+Backspace⌘Backspace
Fill with Foreground Color, Preserve TransparencyAlt+Shift+Backspace⌥⇧Backspace
Fill with Background Color, Preserve TransparencyCtrl+Shift+Backspace⌘⇧Backspace
Menus…Ctrl+Alt+Shift+M⌘⌥⇧M
Color Settings…Ctrl+Shift+K⌘⇧K
Settings…Ctrl+K⌘K

Select

CommandWindows / LinuxmacOS
Select and Mask…Ctrl+Alt+R⌘⌥R
Edit in Quick Mask ModeQQ
AllCtrl+A⌘A
DeselectCtrl+D⌘D
Inverse SelectionCtrl+Shift+I⌘⇧I
ReselectCtrl+Shift+D⌘⇧D
All LayersCtrl+Alt+A⌘⌥A
Find LayersCtrl+Alt+Shift+F⌘⌥⇧F
Feather…Shift+F6⇧F6

Image

CommandWindows / LinuxmacOS
DesaturateCtrl+Shift+U⌘⇧U
Auto ToneCtrl+Shift+L⌘⇧L
Auto ContrastCtrl+Alt+Shift+L⌘⌥⇧L
Auto ColorCtrl+Shift+B⌘⇧B
Levels…Ctrl+L⌘L
Curves…Ctrl+M⌘M
Hue/Saturation…Ctrl+U⌘U
Color Balance…Ctrl+B⌘B
Black & White…Ctrl+Alt+Shift+B⌘⌥⇧B
InvertCtrl+I⌘I
Image Size…Ctrl+Alt+I⌘⌥I
Canvas Size…Ctrl+Alt+C⌘⌥C

Layer

CommandWindows / LinuxmacOS
Layer…Ctrl+Shift+N⌘⇧N
Group LayersCtrl+G⌘G
Bring ForwardCtrl+]⌘]
Send BackwardCtrl+[⌘[
Bring to FrontCtrl+Shift+]⌘⇧]
Send to BackCtrl+Shift+[⌘⇧[
Create Clipping MaskCtrl+Alt+G⌘⌥G
Layer via CopyCtrl+J⌘J
Layer via CutCtrl+Shift+J⌘⇧J
Merge VisibleCtrl+Shift+E⌘⇧E
Ungroup LayersCtrl+Shift+G⌘⇧G
Hide LayersCtrl+,⌘,
Merge LayersCtrl+E⌘E
Toggle Layer Mask Overlay\\
Stamp VisibleCtrl+Alt+Shift+E⌘⌥⇧E
Stamp DownCtrl+Alt+E⌘⌥E
Make Selection from PathCtrl+Enter⌘↩
Quick Export as PNGCtrl+Shift+'⌘⇧'
Export As…Ctrl+Alt+Shift+'⌘⌥⇧'

Filter

CommandWindows / LinuxmacOS
Liquify…Ctrl+Shift+X⌘⇧X
Last FilterCtrl+Alt+F⌘⌥F
Lens Correction…Ctrl+Shift+R⌘⇧R
Adaptive Wide Angle…Ctrl+Alt+Shift+A⌘⌥⇧A
Camera Raw Filter…Ctrl+Shift+A⌘⇧A
Vanishing Point…Ctrl+Alt+V⌘⌥V

View

CommandWindows / LinuxmacOS
RulersCtrl+R⌘R
GridCtrl+'⌘'
GuidesCtrl+;⌘;
SnapCtrl+Shift+;⌘⇧;
Lock GuidesCtrl+Alt+;⌘⌥;
ExtrasCtrl+H⌘H
Target PathCtrl+Shift+H⌘⇧H
Cycle Screen ModeFF
Zoom InCtrl+=⌘=
Zoom OutCtrl+-⌘-
Fit on ScreenCtrl+0⌘0
100%Ctrl+1⌘1
Proof Colors (soft proof)Ctrl+Y⌘Y
Gamut WarningCtrl+Shift+Y⌘⇧Y

Window

CommandWindows / LinuxmacOS
LayersF7F7
ColorF6F6
Brush SettingsF5F5
Show/Hide All PanelsTabTab
Show/Hide PanelsShift+Tab⇧Tab
Keyboard Shortcuts…Ctrl+Alt+Shift+K⌘⌥⇧K
ActionsAlt+F9⌥F9
InfoF8F8

Tools and painting

CommandWindows / LinuxmacOS
Decrease Brush Size[[
Increase Brush Size]]
Decrease Brush HardnessShift+[⇧[
Increase Brush HardnessShift+]⇧]
Switch Foreground and Background ColorsXX
Default Foreground and Background ColorsDD

Channels

CommandWindows / LinuxmacOS
Target Composite ChannelCtrl+2⌘2
Target Channel 3Ctrl+3⌘3
Target Channel 4Ctrl+4⌘4
Target Channel 5Ctrl+5⌘5
Target Channel 6Ctrl+6⌘6
Target Channel 7Ctrl+7⌘7
Target Channel 8Ctrl+8⌘8
Target Channel 9Ctrl+9⌘9

Change or import shortcuts

  • Rebind any command in the Keyboard Shortcuts dialog. Its default key isCtrl+Alt+Shift+K (⌘⌥⇧K on macOS), the same combination Photoshop uses. A command whose binding you remove simply shows no shortcut. shortcuts.rsmenu_catalog.rsAdobe shortcuts
  • PhotoCraft can import a Photoshop shortcut set (.kys, an XML file). Rows are matched to PhotoCraft commands by menu label, and tool letters are not imported because they are fixed. kys.rs

Platform notes

  • On Windows, Shift+Delete opens Fill; it would otherwise arrive as a Cut. Ctrl+Insert copies andShift+Insert pastes on Windows and Linux. shortcuts.rs
  • In a focused text field, typing and editing keys stay with the field, but menu shortcuts such as Ctrl+J,Ctrl+S and F7 still run. While a dialog is open, only the canvas zoom keys keep working.shortcuts.rs

Compared with Photoshop

Photoshop opens the same dialog from Edit › Keyboard Shortcuts with Alt+Shift+Ctrl+K on Windows orOption+Shift+Command+K on macOS, and groups shortcuts into Application Menus, Panel Menus and Tools.Adobe shortcutsPhotoCraft follows Photoshop’s placement, but one reviewer cautions that matching placement is not the same as matching behavior.OMG! Ubuntu See the full PhotoCraft vs Photoshop comparison.

PhotoCraft shortcuts: quick answers

What are the most useful PhotoCraft keyboard shortcuts?

On Windows and Linux: Ctrl+J Layer via Copy, Ctrl+T Free Transform, Ctrl+D Deselect, Ctrl+Shift+I Inverse Selection, Ctrl+Z Undo, Ctrl+Shift+Z Redo, Ctrl+Shift+S Save As…, Ctrl+0 Fit on Screen. On macOS the same commands use ⌘J, ⌘T, ⌘D, ⌘⇧I, ⌘Z, ⌘⇧Z, ⌘⇧S, ⌘0 in that order.

What are PhotoCraft’s tool shortcut keys?

Each tool group has one letter, and pressing it again cycles through the group: A for Path Selection, Direct Selection; B for Brush, Pencil, Mixer Brush; C for Crop, Slice, Slice Select; E for Eraser, Background Eraser, Magic Eraser; G for Gradient, Paint Bucket; H for Hand; I for Eyedropper, Ruler, Note, Count; J for Remove, Spot Healing Brush, Healing Brush, Patch, Content-Aware Move, Red Eye; L for Lasso, Polygonal Lasso, Magnetic Lasso; M for Rectangular Marquee, Elliptical Marquee; O for Dodge, Burn, Sponge; P for Pen; R for Rotate View; S for Clone Stamp, Pattern Stamp; T for Type, Vertical Type; U for Rectangle, Ellipse, Triangle, Polygon, Line, Custom Shape; V for Move; W for Magic Wand, Quick Selection, Object Selection; Y for History Brush; Z for Zoom. The Blur group has no key.

Does PhotoCraft use the same shortcuts as Photoshop?

PhotoCraft deliberately follows Photoshop’s menu layout and default shortcuts, for example Ctrl+J for Layer via Copy and Ctrl+T for Free Transform. A reviewer warns that matching placement is not the same as matching behavior, so test any shortcut your workflow depends on.

Can I change PhotoCraft’s keyboard shortcuts?

Yes. Open the Keyboard Shortcuts dialog (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+K, or ⌘⌥⇧K on macOS) to rebind commands, and import a Photoshop .kys shortcut set if you have one. Tool letters are fixed and are not imported.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from one of these pages, each opened and read on the date shown. Where a number is the project’s own measurement, the text says so.

  1. crates/ui-egui/src/menu_catalog.rs (Photoshop menu tree with default shortcuts) — PhotoCraft contributors (GitHub). Read 2026-10-10. Pinned to commit 05e0b1f.
  2. crates/ui-egui/src/shortcuts.rs — PhotoCraft contributors (GitHub). Read 2026-10-10. Pinned to commit 05e0b1f.
  3. crates/ui-egui/src/state.rs (single-key tool shortcuts) — PhotoCraft contributors (GitHub). Read 2026-10-10. Pinned to commit 05e0b1f.
  4. crates/engine/src/kys.rs (Photoshop .kys shortcut-set import) — PhotoCraft contributors (GitHub). Read 2026-10-10. Pinned to commit 05e0b1f.
  5. PhotoCraft roadmap and honest parity assessment — ArtCraft Team / PhotoCraft contributors (GitHub). Read 2026-10-10; page updated 2026-10-08. The assessment section is dated 2026-10-05; the page header says updated 2026-10-08.
  6. View keyboard shortcuts in Photoshop — Adobe Help Center. Read 2026-10-10; page updated 2026-09-08.
  7. PhotoCraft is an open-source, AI-built clone of Photoshop — OMG! Ubuntu (Joey Sneddon). Read 2026-10-10. Hands-on review of an early build (v0.3.0). Observations are the reviewer’s own.