---
title: Documentation
url: 'https://xcommander.dev/docs'
markdown: 'https://xcommander.dev/docs.md'
date: '2026-11-09'
description: 'How to install XCommander, the keyboard layer for Xcode, and use it every day: a hands-on tutorial, the full command reference, configuration and troubleshooting.'
---

docs.md 

# Documentation

XCommander is a keyboard layer for Xcode. You press one key, the **leader** (⌥↩, Option-Return), and a short sequence of letters runs any of Xcode's menu commands, plus a few things Xcode can't do on its own, like swapping two editor panes. If you pause after the leader, a panel shows you which keys come next, so you never have to memorise anything.

 Important

XCommander is an **early alpha**. It works and I use it every day, but expect bugs, and expect some keys to change between versions. If something breaks, **Report a Bug…** in the menu bar opens a report with your versions already filled in.

**New here?** Start with [Getting started](https://xcommander.dev/docs/getting-started): it takes about five minutes, from download to your first command. Then [Everyday use](https://xcommander.dev/docs/everyday-use) walks you through the commands worth learning first, one group at a time. Curious how an app outside Xcode can do all this? [How it works](https://xcommander.dev/docs/how-it-works) explains, with diagrams.

 [ Getting started Install XCommander, grant the one permission it needs, and run your first command. About five minutes. ](https://xcommander.dev/docs/getting-started) [ Everyday use A hands-on tour of the commands worth learning first: files, building, code, search, panes, git and the debugger. ](https://xcommander.dev/docs/everyday-use) [ Command reference Every key XCommander ships with, the Xcode menu item behind it, and the id to use in your configuration. ](https://xcommander.dev/docs/commands) [ Configuration Change keys, add your own, remove ones you don't want, and pick another leader, in a small TOML file that applies as soon as you save. ](https://xcommander.dev/docs/configuration) [ Troubleshooting What to check when the leader does nothing, a command is missing, permission keeps being asked for, or a configuration file doesn't apply. ](https://xcommander.dev/docs/troubleshooting) [ How it works For the curious: how an app outside Xcode can see your keys and press Xcode's menus, and how the code is put together. With diagrams. ](https://xcommander.dev/docs/how-it-works)

---

## Navigation

- Previous: [Home](https://xcommander.dev/index.md)
- Next: [Weblog](https://xcommander.dev/weblog.md)
- Children:
  - [Getting started](https://xcommander.dev/docs/getting-started.md)
  - [Everyday use](https://xcommander.dev/docs/everyday-use.md)
  - [Command reference](https://xcommander.dev/docs/commands.md)
  - [Configuration](https://xcommander.dev/docs/configuration.md)
  - [Troubleshooting](https://xcommander.dev/docs/troubleshooting.md)
  - [How it works](https://xcommander.dev/docs/how-it-works.md)