Keyboard modifiers by platform

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TL;DR

On macOS, Option maps to Alt in most terminal docs, and Command maps to Super.

Configure your terminal to send Option as Alt/Meta for shortcuts like Alt+F.

Use Fn combos for Home, End, Page Up/Down, and forward Delete.

Keyboard shortcuts in documentation are often written for Linux/Windows. This guide maps common modifier keys across platforms and explains how to configure your macOS terminal for compatibility.

Modifier Key Mapping

Documentation	Windows/Linux	macOS	Symbol
`Ctrl`	Control	Control	`⌃`
`Alt`	Alt	Option	`⌥`
`Super`	Windows key / Super	Command	`⌘`
`Meta`	Often Alt (in terminals)	Often Option (in terminals)	`⌥`
`Shift`	Shift	Shift	`⇧`

Note: The meaning of Meta depends on the app or terminal. In many terminal emulators, Meta is sent using the Alt/Option key, while GUI shortcuts usually use the Super/Windows/Command key instead.

Special Keys on macOS

Mac keyboards lack some keys found on full-size keyboards. Use Fn combinations:

Key	macOS Equivalent
`Home`	`Fn + Left Arrow`
`End`	`Fn + Right Arrow`
`Page Up`	`Fn + Up Arrow`
`Page Down`	`Fn + Down Arrow`
`Delete` (forward)	`Fn + Backspace`
`Insert`	`Fn + Enter` (some apps)

Option Key as Alt/Meta in Terminals

By default, the Option key on macOS types special characters (e.g., Option + B = ∫) instead of sending Alt/Meta key codes. Most terminal applications require configuration to use Option as Alt:

Terminal	Configuration
Terminal.app	Preferences → Profiles → Keyboard → "Use Option as Meta key"
iTerm2	Preferences → Profiles → Keys → Left/Right Option key → "Esc+"
Ghostty	Add `macos-option-as-alt = true` to config
Kitty	Works by default (`macos_option_as_alt yes` to customise)
Alacritty	Works by default
WezTerm	Works by default
Hyper	Add `modifierKeys: { altIsMeta: true }` to config

Common Shortcut Translations

Examples of how documentation shortcuts translate to macOS:

Documentation	macOS Keys
`Ctrl+C`	`Control + C`
`Alt+F`	`Option + F` (requires terminal config)
`Ctrl+Alt+Delete`	`Control + Option + Fn + Backspace`
`Ctrl+Home`	`Control + Fn + Left Arrow`
`Alt+1`	`Option + 1` (requires terminal config)