Working with Kate

Quick Start will show you how to toggle four simple options that will let you configure some of Kate's more powerful features right away. Shortcuts lays out some of the default keystroke shortcuts for those who can't or don't want to use a mouse.

Quick Start

This section will describe some of the items on the View menu so that you can quickly configure Kate to work the way you want it.

When you start Kate for the first time you will see two windows with white backgrounds. Above the two windows is a toolbar with the usual labeled icons. And above that, a menubar.

The left-hand window is a side bar. It combines the Documents and Filesystem Browser windows. Switch between the two by clicking on the tabs to the left of the window.

If you've started Kate with a file, the right-hand window will show the file you are editing and the Documents on the side bar will show the name of the file. Use the Filesystem Browser window to open files.

You can toggle all sidebar windows on and off in ViewTool Views menu or use Ctrl+Alt+Shift+F. This menu offers you your first glimpse into Kate's power and flexibility.

In Tool Views you have a list of all enabled plugins. Click the checkbox in front of each item or click with the left mouse button on the tool buttons in the sidebar to toggle this tool view on and off.

Shortcuts

Many of Kate's keystroke commands (shortcuts) are configurable by way of the Settings menu. By default Kate honors the following key bindings.

F1

Help

Shift+F1

What's this?

Ctrl+N

New document

Ctrl+L

Save All

Ctrl+O

Open a document

Ctrl+Alt+O

Quick Open

Ctrl+Shift+F

Full Screen Mode

Ctrl+Shift+,

Configure Kate

Ctrl+W / Ctrl+Esc

Close

Ctrl+Q

Quit - close active copy of editor

Ctrl+Alt+Shift+F

Show Sidebars

Ctrl+Shift+T

Split Horizontal

Ctrl+Shift+L

Split Vertical

F8

Next Split View

Shift+F8 / Ctrl+Esc

Previous Split View

Ctrl+Shift+R

Close Current View

Alt+Right

Next Tab

Alt+Left

Previous Tab

Additionally you can use the shortcuts provided by the KatePart component and by all activated Kate plugins.