Keyboard Shortcuts
Reference for Shen local and immersive-mode keyboard shortcuts.
The shortcuts below are handled inside the Shen window during an active streaming session. All other keys are forwarded to the host as-is — there are no home-screen or global shortcuts.
Client-Side Shortcuts
These combinations are intercepted by Shen and never reach the host.
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl+Shift+Alt+Q | Show or hide the in-session overlay (server info, disconnect, settings). Modifier keys are released on the host when the overlay opens. |
Ctrl+Shift+Alt+I | Toggle immersive mode (global keyboard/mouse hooks). The toast Immersive mode ON/OFF briefly appears. No effect on Linux, where immersive mode is unsupported. |
Ctrl+Shift+Alt+K | Emergency stuck-keys clear. Immediately sends key up for every key Shen believes is pressed. Use this if a modifier key gets stuck on the host after Alt-Tabbing out during a session. |
Escape | When the overlay is visible, dismiss it. |
Passthrough with Server-Side Effect
Shen recognizes these combinations and translates them before sending.
| Shortcut | Sent to Host As |
|---|---|
Ctrl+Alt+Backspace | Ctrl+Alt+Delete (Secure Attention Sequence). Useful because Windows reserves the actual Ctrl+Alt+Del for the secure desktop and it cannot be injected through the input driver. |
Notes on Intercepted System Shortcuts
Without immersive mode enabled, the following are consumed by the client OS before they reach Shen and are therefore never forwarded:
- Windows:
Win,Ctrl+Esc,Alt+Tab,Alt+Esc,Ctrl+Shift+Esc - macOS:
Cmd+Tab,Cmd+Space,Cmd+Q, Mission Control / Spaces shortcuts - All platforms:
Alt+F4, screenshot keys, screen lock keys
With immersive mode enabled, the native layer installs global keyboard and mouse hooks so these shortcuts are captured and forwarded to the host. Immersive mode only activates while a stream is actively receiving media — it will not engage during the connecting or reconnecting phases, nor while the overlay is visible, nor while the Shen window is unfocused. The current capture state is indicated by a small indicator in the overlay.
Linux: immersive mode is not available — the native Wayland path cannot grab input from a foreign surface (issue #14). The toggle is hidden and the mode is forced off. Use Keyboard Lock (active in fullscreen) to capture system shortcuts on Linux.
macOS Accessibility Permission
Immersive mode on macOS requires Accessibility permission. If any saved server config has immersive_mode = true, Shen proactively requests the permission at startup. You can manage it in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility.