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 View → Tool 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.

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

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