Nano Usage
Nano handles selection, cut, paste, and navigation entirely through keyboard shortcuts. This page is a quick reference for the shortcuts used most often during edits in long files.
Shortcuts
Section titled “Shortcuts”| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+^ | Start selecting from cursor (same as Ctrl+Shift+6) |
| Ctrl+K | Cut selection, or delete the whole current line if nothing selected |
| Alt+6 | Copy selection without deleting |
| Ctrl+U | Paste most recently cut or copied text |
| Ctrl+V | Page down |
| Ctrl+Y | Page up |
| Alt+/ | Jump to end of file |
| Alt+\ | Jump to start of file |
| Ctrl+_ | Jump to specific line number |
- After Ctrl+^ (start selection), expand the selection using arrow keys.
- After Ctrl+_, type the target line number and press Enter.
- Ctrl+K cuts the selection when one is active; otherwise it deletes the entire current line.