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This guide documents all keyboard shortcuts extracted from the source code. Shortcuts are implemented in accessibility.ts and throughout various application modules.

Essential Shortcuts

Most Used

  • Ctrl+Alt+1-4 - Switch workspaces
  • Ctrl+W - Close window
  • Ctrl+M - Minimize window
  • Ctrl+Alt+E - Open XEmacs
  • Ctrl+Shift+? - Show shortcuts help

Power User

  • Ctrl+Alt+F - Toggle File Manager
  • Ctrl+Alt+T - Open Terminal Lab
  • Ctrl+Alt+S - Open Style Manager
  • Ctrl+Alt+H - Toggle high contrast
  • Esc - Cancel/close dialogs

Window Management

The Ctrl+W shortcut closes the currently active window by finding the .active class and triggering its close button.

Workspace Navigation

These shortcuts are registered in a loop in accessibility.ts:202-214:
Right-click on desktop background to access workspace options:
  • Workspace 1-4 switching
  • Quick access to applications
  • Desktop file operations
Implementation: desktop.ts:613-644

Application Launchers

XEmacs Shortcuts

XEmacs uses traditional Emacs keybindings. These may conflict with browser shortcuts when not using PWA mode.

Character Movement

  • Ctrl+F - Forward character
  • Ctrl+B - Backward character
  • Ctrl+N - Next line
  • Ctrl+P - Previous line

Word/Line Movement

  • Ctrl+A - Beginning of line
  • Ctrl+E - End of line
  • Alt+F - Forward word
  • Alt+B - Backward word

Editing Operations

File Operations

1

Open File

Ctrl+X Ctrl+F - Opens file browser dialog
2

Save File

Ctrl+X Ctrl+S - Saves current file
3

Save As

Ctrl+X Ctrl+W - Write file to new location
4

Exit

Ctrl+X Ctrl+C - Exits XEmacs (prompts if unsaved changes)

Utility Commands

  • Ctrl+G - Cancel command (interrupt)
  • Ctrl+L - Recenter screen on cursor
  • Alt+< - Beginning of buffer
  • Alt+> - End of buffer
  • Ctrl+V - Page down
  • Alt+V - Page up

Terminal Lab Shortcuts

File Manager Shortcuts

Right-click on files/folders for operations:
  • Open
  • Copy/Cut/Paste
  • Rename
  • Properties
  • Delete
Implementation: desktop.ts:486-696

Desktop Shortcuts

Desktop Icon Operations

Mouse Actions

  • Single click - Select icon
  • Double-click - Open/launch
  • Drag - Move icon position (snaps to grid)
  • Right-click - Context menu

Touch Actions

  • Tap - Select icon
  • Double-tap - Open (300ms window)
  • Long-press - Context menu (500ms)
  • Drag disabled on mobile

Context Menu Options

Netscape Navigator Shortcuts

Style Manager Shortcuts

  • ↑/↓ - Navigate through palettes or backdrops
  • Tab - Switch between sections
  • Enter - Apply selected option
  • Esc - Close Style Manager

Accessibility Shortcuts

Time Capsule includes comprehensive accessibility features for users with different needs.

High Contrast Mode

When enabled:
  • Adds .high-contrast class to document root
  • Increases color contrast ratios
  • Persists preference to storage
  • Implementation: accessibility.ts:348-361

Common Clipboard Operations

Standard clipboard shortcuts (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+X) are registered but handled by individual components.
Registered in accessibility.ts:216-242

Shortcut Help Dialog

Press Ctrl+Shift+? anywhere in the application to view all shortcuts organized by category!
The shortcuts help dialog (accessibility.ts:376-423) displays:
  • All registered shortcuts grouped by category
  • Visual key representations with <kbd> tags
  • Scrollable interface
  • Categories: Applications, System, Window Management, Workspaces, Help, Common, Accessibility

Learning Tips

1

Start with the Essential 5

  1. Ctrl+Alt+1-4 - Workspace switching
  2. Ctrl+W - Close window
  3. Ctrl+Alt+E - Open XEmacs
  4. Ctrl+X Ctrl+S - Save in XEmacs
  5. Ctrl+Shift+? - View all shortcuts
2

Practice Daily

Force yourself to use keyboard shortcuts instead of mouse for one week. Muscle memory develops after 2-3 weeks.
3

Print Quick Reference

Keep a printed reference card near your workspace:
4

Use PWA Mode

Install Time Capsule as a PWA to avoid browser shortcut conflicts, especially for XEmacs keybindings.

Platform-Specific Notes

  • All Ctrl and Alt shortcuts work as documented
  • No special modifications needed
  • May conflict with Windows system shortcuts

Troubleshooting

Possible causes:
  • Focus is in an input field or textarea (shortcuts disabled)
  • Browser intercepting the shortcut
  • Conflicting browser extension
Solutions:
  • Press Esc to blur input fields
  • Use PWA mode to avoid browser conflicts
  • Disable conflicting extensions
Common conflicts:
  • Ctrl+W - Browser closes tab vs. XEmacs cut
  • Ctrl+T - Browser new tab vs. XEmacs transpose
  • Ctrl+N - Browser new window vs. XEmacs next line
Solution: Install Time Capsule as a PWA for isolated environment.
  • Ensure you’re pressing Ctrl+Shift+? (question mark requires Shift)
  • Check that CDEModal system is loaded
  • Try refreshing the application

Technical Implementation

Workspaces Guide

Learn to organize work across 4 virtual desktops

XEmacs Guide

Complete XEmacs editing tutorial

Terminal Lab

22 interactive Unix command lessons

Tips & Tricks

Power user tips and hidden features

Style Manager

Customize with 76 palettes and 168 backdrops

File Manager

Navigate the virtual filesystem