Keyboard shortcuts

Diffractor is built for speed, and the keyboard is the fastest way to drive it. Press Ctrl+F1 inside the app for the live, authoritative list — shortcuts can be customized, so the in‑app reference always reflects your current keymap.

Browsing the grid

`←` `→`	Previous / next item
`↑` `↓`	Move between rows
`Home` `End`	First / last item
`Page Up` `Page Down`	Scroll one screen
`Enter`	Open the focused item
`Alt`+`↑`	Go to parent folder
`Alt`+`←` `Alt`+`→`	Back / forward through recent folders
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`O`	Open containing folder
`Ctrl`+mouse wheel	Change thumbnail size

Selection & comparison

`Ctrl`+`A`	Select all
`Space`	Toggle selection of the focused item
`Ctrl`+click	Add / remove an item from the selection
`Shift`+click	Extend the selection
`Ctrl`+`←` `Ctrl`+`→`	Extend selection for side‑by‑side compare
`A`	Pin an item so it stays selected for comparison

Viewing & playback

`Enter`	Full screen
`F11` / `F`	Toggle full‑screen
`Esc`	Exit full screen or close a dialog
`Space`	Play / pause video, or start a slideshow on a photo
`K`	Toggle the details pane
`Ctrl`+`Space`	Zoom to fit
`M`	Mute / unmute
`V`	Cycle video track
`Shift`+`F`	Cycle repeat mode (none / all / one)

Rating & labels

`1`–`5`	Set star rating
`0`	Clear rating
`Alt`+`Delete`	Reject
`6`–`9`	Apply labels (Select, Second, Approved, Review)
`P`	Apply the Todo label

Editing & metadata

`[` `]`	Rotate image
`L`	Add a location to the selection
`T`	Add tags quickly
`E`	Edit attributes of a single file
`Ctrl`+`E`	Edit metadata across multiple items
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`D`	Adjust capture date
`F2`	Rename
`Delete`	Delete the selection

Searching

`Ctrl`+`F` / `F3`	Focus the search box
`Ctrl`+`F3`	Advanced search options
`R`	Search for related files

For the full search syntax see the search reference.

Importing & organizing

`F9`	Import files into the collection
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`F9`	Synchronize to a NAS or network drive
`Ctrl`+`F6`	Collection options

Application & help

`F1`	Open help
`Ctrl`+`F1`	Keyboard shortcuts reference (always available)

New to Diffractor? Start with the how‑to guide or the documentation.