---
title: "Yazi v26.5.6 Cheatsheet"
author: "mw-pfeddersheim-workstation"
date: "May 2026"
---

# Yazi Cheatsheet

**Version:** 26.5.6 (Arch Linux 2026-05-10) **Config:** `~/.config/yazi/`

## Quick Start

| Key | Action |
|-----|--------|
| `yazi` | Launch Yazi |
| `y` | Shell wrapper (cd persists on exit) |
| `q` | Quit normal (apply cwd) |
| `Q` | Quit without cwd change |
| `F1` | Show help |

## Navigation

| Key | Action |
|-----|--------|
| `h` | Parent directory |
| `l` | Enter dir / open file |
| `j` / `k` | Down / Up |
| `H` / `L` | History back / forward |
| `Enter` | Open hovered file |
| `Tab` | Toggle file details |
| `.` | Toggle hidden files |
| `~` | Home directory (DE: Shift+^+Space) |
| `g g` | Go to top |
| `G` | Go to bottom |

## Search

| Key | Action |
|-----|--------|
| `/` | Search forward |
| `?` | Search backward |
| `n` / `N` | Next / previous match |
| `f` | Interactive filter (fuzzy) |
| `S` | Search with fd |

## File Operations

| Key | Action |
|-----|--------|
| `Space` | Toggle selection |
| `v` | Visual mode range select |
| `Ctrl+A` | Select all |
| `Esc` | Clear selection |
| `y` | Yank (copy) |
| `p` | Paste |
| `X` | Cut |
| `x` | Undo cut |
| `D` | Delete to trash |
| `Shift+D` | Permanent delete |
| `a` | New file |
| `Shift+A` | New directory |
| `R` | Rename |
| `Shift+R` | Bulk rename |
| `O` | "Open with..." menu |

## Sorting (comma prefix)

| Key | Action |
|-----|--------|
| `, m` | Modified (newest) |
| `, M` | Modified reverse |
| `, c` | Created (newest) |
| `, C` | Created reverse |
| `, e` | Extension (alpha) |
| `, a` | Alphabetic |
| `, s` | Size (largest) |
| `, S` | Size (smallest, reverse) |

## Tabs

| Key | Action |
|-----|--------|
| `t` | New tab |
| `1` ... `9` | Switch to tab |
| `[` / `]` | Prev / next tab |
| `W` | Close tab |

## Shell & Commands

| Key | Action |
|-----|--------|
| `!` | Drop into shell here |
| `:` | Command line |
| `Ctrl+S` | Run shell command |

## Emit Commands (`:` prefix)

| Command | Action |
|---------|--------|
| `:cd <path>` | Change directory |
| `:reveal` | Reveal file in parent dir |
| `:tab_create` | Open new tab |
| `:tab_switch N` | Switch to tab N |
| `:quit` | Quit Yazi |
| `:yank` | Yank selected |
| `:paste` | Paste yanked |
| `:remove` | Trash |
| `:rename` | Rename hovered |
| `:shell <cmd>` | Run shell command |

## Power Tricks

### 1. Shell Wrapper (cd persists)
Use the `y` wrapper instead of raw `yazi` so your shell cds into the directory you navigated to on exit.

### 2. Clipboard on Yank (Wayland)
Bind `y` in `keymap.toml` to `wl-copy -t text/uri-list` then yank for system clipboard integration.

### 3. Git Root Jump
Bind `g r` to `ya emit cd "$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel)"`

### 4. Escape Closes Input
In `keymap.toml` input section: map `Esc` to `close` (skip vim mode).

### 5. Disable Image Previews
In `yazi.toml` `plugin` section: `preloaders = []` and `previewers = []`.
For network mounts: `url = /remote/** run = noop`.

### 6. Hostname in Header
In `init.lua`: `Header:children_add` with `user_name()` + `host_name()` spans.

### 7. Show Symlink Target in Status Bar
In `init.lua`: `Status:children_add` with `h.link_to`.

## Configuration Files

| File | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| `keymap.toml` | Custom key bindings |
| `yazi.toml` | Behavior, preview rules, openers |
| `theme.toml` | Colors and UI theme |
| `init.lua` | Lua startup script |
| `plugins/` | Plugin directory |

## Recommended Plugins

| Plugin | Purpose |
|--------|---------|
| `smart-enter` | One key: open file or enter dir |
| `smart-paste` | Paste without entering dir |
| `smart-tab` | New tab + enter hovered dir |
| `toggle-pane` | Maximize / hide preview pane |
| `full-border` | Full panel borders |
| `confirm-quit` | Confirm on multi-tab |
| `zoxide` | Zoxide dir jumping |
| `chmod` | Change file permissions |

## Daily Drill

| Area | Keys |
|------|------|
| **Nav** | `j/k` move / `l` enter / `h` back |
| **Files** | `Space` select / `y` copy / `p` paste / `X` cut |
| **Delete** | `D` trash / `R` rename / `a` create |
| **Search** | `/` search / `f` filter / `g` top / `G` bottom |
| **Tabs** | `t` new / `1-9` switch / `W` close |
| **Misc** | `!` shell / `q` quit / `F1` help |