Shortcuts on each platform

Stab’s keys are one set across every platform, written the way each keyboard names them. This page says how the modifiers carry over from one platform to another, then lists every shortcut for the platform chosen at the top of the page.

Keyboard shortcuts on each platform

Available on every platform.

The same keys, named for your keyboard

A command has the same key everywhere; only the modifiers change with the keyboard:

Mac, iPad and iPhone	Windows and Android	The web on a PC	The web on a Mac
⌘ Command	Ctrl	Ctrl	⌘
⌥ Option	Alt	Alt	⌥
⇧ Shift	Shift	Shift	⇧
⌃ Control	Ctrl+Shift	Ctrl+Shift	⇧⌘

So ⌘Z is Ctrl+Z on Windows, and ⌃- (a slower practice speed) is Ctrl+Shift+- there. Keys without a modifier, such as Space to play, the digits for frets or ? for the shortcuts card, are the same on every platform.

On the iPad, the iPhone and Android, the keys work with a hardware keyboard connected. The iPad and the iPhone use the Mac’s keys, ⌘ included; Android uses Windows’.
On the web, a few keys the browser keeps for itself are moved: moving between panes is Ctrl+Alt+] and Ctrl+Alt+[ (⌥⌘] and ⌥⌘[ on a Mac) where the apps use Ctrl+Tab. The list below gives the web’s keys as they are.
On the web and on Windows, with a French, German or any other keyboard, a shortcut’s letter is the letter your keyboard types (Ctrl+Z is the key marked Z, wherever it sits), and its digit is the digit row’s key, whatever that key types without Shift (on a French keyboard, Ctrl+& is Ctrl+1). Punctuation is the key that types it; where your keyboard needs Shift or AltGr for that character, it’s the key where a US keyboard has it: on a French keyboard, Ctrl+- is Ctrl and the ) key, and Ctrl+\ is Ctrl and the * key. AltGr always types its character, so the shortcuts it would take have a second key: Show Value Bars is also Ctrl+Shift+B, Metronome Ctrl+Shift+M, and, on the web, moving between panes Ctrl+Alt+. and Ctrl+Alt+,.
On the Mac, with a French, German or any other keyboard, the keys follow the same rule, with ⌘ and ⌃ where a PC has Ctrl: on a French keyboard, ⌃& is ⌃1, ⌘) is ⌘- (Zoom Out) and ⌥ù is ⌥’ (Add Marker). ⌘stays macOS’s, to move to the next window: on a French keyboard, where the key that has \ on a US keyboard types, Split Right (⌘) has no key, so choose it from the View menu.
On Windows and the web, Alt with a menu’s letter opens that menu, and F10 opens the menu bar: see Menus from the keyboard. In Edge and Chrome on Windows, where the browser keeps F10 and Alt, Tab from the song goes to the title bar and on to the menus, and Shift+Tab comes back.

In the app, ? in an Editor or a Score pane shows the keys of that pane: see The shortcuts card.

Every shortcut

Every command with keys on your platform, by chapter, each linked to its article. Choose another platform at the top of the page to see its keys.

Getting started

Home	`⇧⌘H`
Continue	`↩`
New Song…	`⌘N`
New Song as Last Time	`⇧⌘N`
Open…	`⌘O`
Duplicate	`⇧⌘S`
Show in Finder	`⇧⌘R`
Search Commands…	`⌘K`

The workspace

Change View…	`⌃⌘V`
Split Right	`⌘\`
Split Below	`⌥⌘\`
Maximize Pane	`⇧⌘↩`
Close Pane	`⌥⌘W`
Next Pane	`⌃⇥`
Previous Pane	`⌃⇧⇥`
Zoom In	`⌘=`
Zoom Out	`⌘-`
Pane Settings	`⌃⌘,`
(a workspace)	`⌃1–⌃9`
Move Pane to New Window	`⌥⌘N`
Move Pane to Main Window	`⇧⌘M`
Close	`⌘W`
Minimize	`⌘M`
Hide Stab	`⌘H`
Quit Stab	`⌘Q`
Settings…	`⌘,`
Resources	`⌃⌘R`
Keyboard Shortcuts (?)	`?`
Next Version	`⌥A`

Writing tab

Show Bends	`⌥⌘B`
Show Articulations	`⌥⌘A`
Add Track…	`⌥⌘T`
Fret on the caret’s string	`0–9`
A semitone up	`+, =`
A semitone down	`-`
Notes to the string above, below	`⌥↑, ⌥↓`
Hear Notes as You Write	`⌥⌘Y`
Step Length	`⌘1–⌘7`
Dotted step	`.`
Triplet step	`T`
A rest	`,`
Tie	`J`
Snap to Grid	`⌘G`
Cut	`⌘X`
Copy	`⌘C`
Paste	`⌘V`
Delete	`⌫`
Select All	`⌘A`
Edit voice 1–9	`⌥1–⌥9`
Re-fret	`⌘R`

Techniques

Accent	`A`
Marcato	`M`
Staccato	`O`
Tenuto	`W`
Fermata	`F`
Ghost Note	`G`
Dead Note	`X`
Palm Mute	`P`
Let Ring	`R`
Harmonic	`N`
Pinch Harmonic	`Q`
Tap	`I`
Slap, Pop	`K`
Bend	`B`
Add Grace Note	`⌥G`
Add Grace Note on the Beat	`⌥⇧G`
Slide to Next	`S`
Hammer-On / Pull-Off to Next	`H`
Slur	`⇧S`
Vibrato	`V`
Pick Down	`D`
Pick Up	`U`
Text over the Note…	`⌥T`

Clips and structure

Add Marker	`⌥'`
Previous Marker	`⌥,`
Next Marker	`⌥.`

Chords and lyrics

Chord symbol at the caret	`⇧Q`
Write a chord in the box	`A–G`
Repeat the bar before (%)	`%`
To the next bar	`\|`
Edit the box’s chord	`↩`
Lyrics from the note	`⌥L`

Shaping performance

Show Note Inspector	`⌥⌘I`
Show Value Bars	`⌥⌘E`
Brush (E)	`E`
Smaller Brush ([)	`[`
Larger Brush (])	`]`
Transpose…	`⇧⌘T`
Undo	`⌘Z`
Redo	`⇧⌘Z`

The Score

Note Input	`N`
Value: 64th … whole	`1–7`
Drumpad at the caret	`0–9, ⌥0–⌥9`
Dot on, off	`.`
Write a note at the caret	`A–G`
Add to the chord just written	`⇧A–⇧G`
A rest	`0`
Note input’s value	`1–7`
Note input dotted	`.`
Triplets	`T`
Fives, sixes, sevens (a rhythm cell)	`⌥5–⌥7`
Tie: the chord a step longer	`+, =`
Back a step	`⌫`
Respell a black key	`J`
Stem up, down, auto	`⇧X`
Beam: break, join, auto	`/`
Cross staff: the staff above, below	`⇧⌘↑, ⇧⌘↓`

Sound

Sound Library

⌃⌘L

MIDI

Audio & MIDI	`⌃⌘I`
Record	`⌥⌘R`
Capture MIDI	`⌥⇧⌘R`
MIDI Step Input	`⌥⌘S`
Learn MIDI Control	`⌃⌥⌘K`

Recording audio

Tuner

⌥⌘U

Bringing music in

Import Recording…

⌘I

Saving and exporting

Save	`⌘S`
Export…	`⌘E`
Export Again	`⇧⌘E`
Print…	`⌘P`
Save a Copy…	`⌥⇧⌘S`

Playing and practising

Play	`Space`
Loop	`⇧⌘L`
Loop Selection	`⌘L`
Loop (the selection’s, or on, off)	`L`
Resume Following	`⌥⌘F`
Instrument	`⌃⌘K`
Slower	`⌃-`
Faster	`⌃=`
Normal Speed	`⌃0`
Play a Semitone Higher	`⌃⌥=`
Play a Semitone Lower	`⌃⌥-`
Play in the Written Key	`⌃⌥0`
Metronome	`⌥⌘M`
Count-In	`⌥⌘K`
Practice…	`⌃⌥⌘P`
Wait for Me	`⌃⌥⌘W`
Skip This Note	`⌃⌥⌘→`
Listen	`⌃⌥⌘L`
Follow Me	`⌃⌥⌘F`

Listening tools

Show Video	`⌥⌘V`
Pin to the recording (a bar, ⇧ a beat)	`⌥M, ⌥⇧M`
Keep Tab from Audio	`⌘↩`
Discard Tab from Audio	`⌥⌘⌫`
Stop Analysis	`⌘.`

Playing together

Host This Song	`⌥⌘P`
Join a Session…	`⌥⌘J`
Look Here	`⌥⌘L`

Getting started

Home	`Ctrl+Shift+H`
New Song…	`Ctrl+N`
New Song as Last Time	`Ctrl+Shift+N`
Open…	`Ctrl+O`
Duplicate	`Ctrl+Shift+S`
Show in File Explorer	`Ctrl+Shift+R`
Search Commands…	`Ctrl+K`

The workspace

Change View…	`Ctrl+Shift+V`
Split Right	`Ctrl+\`
Split Below	`Ctrl+Alt+\`
Maximize Pane	`Ctrl+Shift+Enter`
Close Pane	`Ctrl+Alt+W`
Next Pane	`Ctrl+Tab`
Previous Pane	`Ctrl+Shift+Tab`
Zoom In	`Ctrl+=, Ctrl+Num+`
Zoom Out	`Ctrl+-, Ctrl+Num−`
Pane Settings	`Ctrl+Shift+,`
Settings…	`Ctrl+,`
Keyboard Shortcuts (?)	`?`
Open the Menu Bar	`F10`
Open the File Menu	`Alt+F`
Open the Edit Menu	`Alt+E`
Open the View Menu	`Alt+V`
Open the Transport Menu	`Alt+R`
Open the Together Menu	`Alt+O`
Open the Settings Menu	`Alt+S`
Open the Help Menu	`Alt+H`
Next Version	`Alt+A`

Writing tab

Show Bends	`Ctrl+Alt+B`
Show Articulations	`Ctrl+Alt+A`
Add Track…	`Ctrl+Alt+T`
Fret on the caret’s string	`0–9`
A semitone up	`+, =`
A semitone down	`-`
Notes to the string above, below	`Alt+Up, Alt+Down`
Hear Notes as You Write	`Ctrl+Alt+Y`
Step Length	`Ctrl+1–Ctrl+7`
Dotted step	`.`
Triplet step	`T`
A rest	`,`
Tie	`J`
Snap to Grid	`Ctrl+G`
Cut	`Ctrl+X`
Copy	`Ctrl+C`
Paste	`Ctrl+V`
Delete	`Backspace, Delete`
Select All	`Ctrl+A`
Edit voice 1–9	`Alt+1–Alt+9`
Re-fret	`Ctrl+R`

Techniques

Accent	`A`
Marcato	`M`
Staccato	`O`
Tenuto	`W`
Fermata	`F`
Ghost Note	`G`
Dead Note	`X`
Palm Mute	`P`
Let Ring	`R`
Harmonic	`N`
Pinch Harmonic	`Q`
Tap	`I`
Slap, Pop	`K`
Bend	`B`
Add Grace Note	`Alt+G`
Add Grace Note on the Beat	`Alt+Shift+G`
Slide to Next	`S`
Hammer-On / Pull-Off to Next	`H`
Slur	`Shift+S`
Vibrato	`V`
Pick Down	`D`
Pick Up	`U`
Text over the Note…	`Alt+T`

Clips and structure

Add Marker	`Alt+'`
Previous Marker	`Alt+,`
Next Marker	`Alt+.`

Chords and lyrics

Chord symbol at the caret	`Shift+Q`
Write a chord in the box	`A–G`
Repeat the bar before (%)	`%`
To the next bar	`\|`
Edit the box’s chord	`Enter`
Lyrics from the note	`Alt+L`

Shaping performance

Show Note Inspector	`Ctrl+Alt+I`
Show Value Bars	`Ctrl+Alt+E, Ctrl+Shift+B`
Brush (E)	`E`
Smaller Brush ([)	`[`
Larger Brush (])	`]`
Transpose…	`Ctrl+Shift+T`
Undo	`Ctrl+Z`
Redo	`Ctrl+Y, Ctrl+Shift+Z`

The Score

Note Input	`N`
Value: 64th … whole	`1–7`
Drumpad at the caret	`0–9, Alt+0–Alt+9`
Dot on, off	`.`
Write a note at the caret	`A–G`
Add to the chord just written	`Shift+A–Shift+G`
A rest	`0`
Note input’s value	`1–7`
Note input dotted	`.`
Triplets	`T`
Fives, sixes, sevens (a rhythm cell)	`Alt+5–Alt+7`
Tie: the chord a step longer	`+, =`
Back a step	`Backspace`
Respell a black key	`J`
Stem up, down, auto	`Shift+X`
Beam: break, join, auto	`/`
Cross staff: the staff above, below	`Ctrl+Shift+Up, Ctrl+Shift+Down`

MIDI

Record	`Ctrl+Alt+R`
Capture MIDI	`Ctrl+Alt+Shift+R`
MIDI Step Input	`Ctrl+Alt+S`
Learn MIDI Control	`Ctrl+Alt+Shift+K`

Recording audio

Tuner

Ctrl+Alt+U

Bringing music in

Import Recording…

Ctrl+I

Saving and exporting

Save	`Ctrl+S`
Export…	`Ctrl+E`
Export Again	`Ctrl+Shift+E`
Print…	`Ctrl+P`
Save a Copy…	`Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S`

Playing and practising

Play	`Space`
Loop	`Ctrl+Shift+L`
Loop Selection	`Ctrl+L`
Loop (the selection’s, or on, off)	`L`
Resume Following	`Ctrl+Alt+F`
Slower	`Ctrl+Shift+-`
Faster	`Ctrl+Shift+=`
Normal Speed	`Ctrl+Shift+0`
Play a Semitone Higher	`Ctrl+Alt+Shift+=`
Play a Semitone Lower	`Ctrl+Alt+Shift+-`
Play in the Written Key	`Ctrl+Alt+Shift+0`
Metronome	`Ctrl+Alt+M, Ctrl+Shift+M`
Count-In	`Ctrl+Alt+K`
Practice…	`Ctrl+Alt+Shift+P`
Wait for Me	`Ctrl+Alt+Shift+W`
Skip This Note	`Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Right`
Listen	`Ctrl+Alt+Shift+L`
Follow Me	`Ctrl+Alt+Shift+F`

Listening tools

Show Video	`Ctrl+Alt+V`
Pin to the recording (a bar, ⇧ a beat)	`Alt+M, Alt+Shift+M`
Keep Tab from Audio	`Ctrl+Enter`
Discard Tab from Audio	`Ctrl+Alt+Backspace`
Stop Analysis	`Ctrl+.`

Playing together

Host This Song	`Ctrl+Alt+P`
Join a Session…	`Ctrl+Alt+J`
Look Here	`Ctrl+Alt+L`

Getting started

Search Commands…

Ctrl+K (⌘K on a Mac)

The workspace

Change View…	`Ctrl+Shift+V (⇧⌘V on a Mac)`
Split Right	`Ctrl+\ (⌘\ on a Mac)`
Split Below	`Ctrl+Alt+\ (⌥⌘\ on a Mac)`
Maximize Pane	`Ctrl+Shift+Enter (⇧⌘↩ on a Mac)`
Close Pane	`Ctrl+Alt+W (⌥⌘W on a Mac)`
Next Pane	`Ctrl+Alt+], Ctrl+Alt+. (⌥⌘], ⌥⌘. on a Mac)`
Previous Pane	`Ctrl+Alt+[, Ctrl+Alt+, (⌥⌘[, ⌥⌘, on a Mac)`
Zoom In	`Ctrl+=, Ctrl+Num+ (⌘=, ⌘Num+ on a Mac)`
Zoom Out	`Ctrl+-, Ctrl+Num− (⌘-, ⌘Num− on a Mac)`
Pane Settings	`Ctrl+Shift+, (⇧⌘, on a Mac)`
Keyboard Shortcuts (?)	`?`
Open the Menu Bar	`F10`
Open the File Menu	`Alt+F (⌥F on a Mac)`
Open the Edit Menu	`Alt+E (⌥E on a Mac)`
Open the View Menu	`Alt+V (⌥V on a Mac)`
Open the Transport Menu	`Alt+R (⌥R on a Mac)`
Open the Session Menu	`Alt+S (⌥S on a Mac)`
Open the Settings Menu	`Alt+N (⌥N on a Mac)`
Open the Help Menu	`Alt+H (⌥H on a Mac)`
Next Version	`Alt+A (⌥A on a Mac)`

Writing tab

Show Bends	`Ctrl+Alt+B (⌥⌘B on a Mac)`
Show Articulations	`Ctrl+Alt+A (⌥⌘A on a Mac)`
Add Track…	`Ctrl+Alt+T (⌥⌘T on a Mac)`
Fret on the caret’s string	`0–9`
A semitone up	`+, =`
A semitone down	`-`
Notes to the string above, below	`Alt+Up, Alt+Down (⌥↑, ⌥↓ on a Mac)`
Hear Notes as You Write	`Ctrl+Alt+Y (⌥⌘Y on a Mac)`
Step Length	`Ctrl+1–Ctrl+7 (⌘1–⌘7 on a Mac)`
Dotted step	`.`
Triplet step	`T`
A rest	`,`
Tie	`J`
Snap to Grid	`Ctrl+G (⌘G on a Mac)`
Cut	`Ctrl+X (⌘X on a Mac)`
Copy	`Ctrl+C (⌘C on a Mac)`
Paste	`Ctrl+V (⌘V on a Mac)`
Delete	`Backspace, Delete (⌫, ⌦ on a Mac)`
Select All	`Ctrl+A (⌘A on a Mac)`
Edit voice 1–9	`Alt+1–Alt+9 (⌥1–⌥9 on a Mac)`
Re-fret	`Ctrl+R (⌘R on a Mac)`

Techniques

Accent	`A`
Marcato	`M`
Staccato	`O`
Tenuto	`W`
Fermata	`F`
Ghost Note	`G`
Dead Note	`X`
Palm Mute	`P`
Let Ring	`R`
Harmonic	`N`
Pinch Harmonic	`Q`
Tap	`I`
Slap, Pop	`K`
Bend	`B`
Add Grace Note	`Alt+G (⌥G on a Mac)`
Add Grace Note on the Beat	`Alt+Shift+G (⌥⇧G on a Mac)`
Slide to Next	`S`
Hammer-On / Pull-Off to Next	`H`
Slur	`Shift+S (⇧S on a Mac)`
Vibrato	`V`
Pick Down	`D`
Pick Up	`U`
Text over the Note…	`Alt+T (⌥T on a Mac)`

Clips and structure

Add Marker	`Alt+' (⌥' on a Mac)`
Previous Marker	`Alt+, (⌥, on a Mac)`
Next Marker	`Alt+. (⌥. on a Mac)`

Chords and lyrics

Chord symbol at the caret	`Shift+Q (⇧Q on a Mac)`
Write a chord in the box	`A–G`
Repeat the bar before (%)	`%`
To the next bar	`\|`
Edit the box’s chord	`Enter (↩ on a Mac)`
Lyrics from the note	`Alt+L (⌥L on a Mac)`

Shaping performance

Show Note Inspector	`Ctrl+Alt+I (⌥⌘I on a Mac)`
Show Value Bars	`Ctrl+Alt+E, Ctrl+Shift+B (⌥⌘E, ⇧⌘B on a Mac)`
Brush (E)	`E`
Smaller Brush ([)	`[`
Larger Brush (])	`]`
Undo	`Ctrl+Z (⌘Z on a Mac)`
Redo	`Ctrl+Y, Ctrl+Shift+Z (⌘Y, ⇧⌘Z on a Mac)`

The Score

Note Input	`N`
Value: 64th … whole	`1–7`
Drumpad at the caret	`0–9, Alt+0–Alt+9 (0–9, ⌥0–⌥9 on a Mac)`
Dot on, off	`.`
Write a note at the caret	`A–G`
Add to the chord just written	`Shift+A–Shift+G (⇧A–⇧G on a Mac)`
A rest	`0`
Note input’s value	`1–7`
Note input dotted	`.`
Triplets	`T`
Fives, sixes, sevens (a rhythm cell)	`Alt+5–Alt+7 (⌥5–⌥7 on a Mac)`
Tie: the chord a step longer	`+, =`
Back a step	`Backspace (⌫ on a Mac)`
Respell a black key	`J`
Stem up, down, auto	`Shift+X (⇧X on a Mac)`
Beam: break, join, auto	`/`
Cross staff: the staff above, below	`Ctrl+Shift+Up, Ctrl+Shift+Down (⇧⌘↑, ⇧⌘↓ on a Mac)`

MIDI

Record	`Ctrl+Alt+R (⌥⌘R on a Mac)`
Capture MIDI	`Ctrl+Alt+Shift+R (⌥⇧⌘R on a Mac)`
MIDI Step Input	`Ctrl+Alt+S (⌥⌘S on a Mac)`
Learn MIDI Control	`Ctrl+Alt+Shift+K (⌥⇧⌘K on a Mac)`

Saving and exporting

Export…	`Ctrl+E (⌘E on a Mac)`
Export Again	`Ctrl+Shift+E (⇧⌘E on a Mac)`

Playing and practising

Play	`Space`
Loop	`Ctrl+Shift+L (⇧⌘L on a Mac)`
Loop Selection	`Ctrl+L (⌘L on a Mac)`
Loop (the selection’s, or on, off)	`L`
Resume Following	`Ctrl+Alt+F (⌥⌘F on a Mac)`
Slower	`Ctrl+Shift+- (⇧⌘- on a Mac)`
Faster	`Ctrl+Shift+= (⇧⌘= on a Mac)`
Normal Speed	`Ctrl+Shift+0 (⇧⌘0 on a Mac)`
Play a Semitone Higher	`Ctrl+Alt+Shift+= (⌥⇧⌘= on a Mac)`
Play a Semitone Lower	`Ctrl+Alt+Shift+- (⌥⇧⌘- on a Mac)`
Play in the Written Key	`Ctrl+Alt+Shift+0 (⌥⇧⌘0 on a Mac)`
Metronome	`Ctrl+Alt+M, Ctrl+Shift+M (⌥⌘M, ⇧⌘M on a Mac)`
Count-In	`Ctrl+Alt+K (⌥⌘K on a Mac)`
Practice…	`Ctrl+Alt+Shift+P (⌥⇧⌘P on a Mac)`
Wait for Me	`Ctrl+Alt+Shift+W (⌥⇧⌘W on a Mac)`
Skip This Note	`Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Right (⌥⇧⌘→ on a Mac)`
Listen	`Ctrl+Alt+Shift+L (⌥⇧⌘L on a Mac)`
Follow Me	`Ctrl+Alt+Shift+F (⌥⇧⌘F on a Mac)`

Listening tools

Pin to the recording (a bar, ⇧ a beat)

Alt+M, Alt+Shift+M (⌥M, ⌥⇧M on a Mac)

Playing together

Look Here

Ctrl+Alt+L (⌥⌘L on a Mac)