Use keyboard shortcuts to streamline your workflow and reduce dependence on mouse interactions.

Available keyboard commands

Bob offers keyboard commands to enhance your workflow. This page focuses on the Bob.acceptInput command, but here is a quick reference to key keyboard commands:

Command	Description	Default Shortcut
`Bob.acceptInput`	Submit text or accept the primary suggestion	None (configurable)
`Bob.focus`	Focus the Bob input box	None (configurable)
Inline edit	Edit code directly in the editor	`Cmd` + `K` (Mac) / `Ctrl` + `K` (Windows/Linux)
Move to chat	Send selected code to the chat interface	`Cmd` + `L` (Mac) / `Ctrl` + `L` (Windows/Linux)
Literate coding mode	Toggle literate coding mode	`Cmd` + `I` (Mac) / `Ctrl` + `I` (Windows/Linux)

For a complete list of all available keyboard shortcuts and to configure custom bindings, open Bob Settings, under General settings and navigate to the Keyboard shortcuts option where you can view and modify all shortcuts.

Key benefits of keyboard commands

Keyboard-driven interface: Submit text or select the primary suggestion button without mouse interaction
Improved accessibility: Essential for users with mobility limitations or those who experience discomfort with mouse usage
Vim/Neovim compatibility: Supports seamless transitions for developers coming from keyboard-centric environments
Workflow efficiency: Reduces context switching between keyboard and mouse during development tasks

Bob.acceptInput command

The Bob.acceptInput command lets you submit text or accept suggestions with keyboard shortcuts instead of clicking buttons or pressing Enter in the input area.

How the command works

The Bob.acceptInput command is a general-purpose input submission command. When triggered, it:

Submits your current text or image input when in the text input area (equivalent to pressing Enter)
Clicks the primary (first) button when action buttons are visible (such as confirm/cancel buttons or any other action buttons)

Detailed setup guide

Method 1: Using the UI

Open the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P or Cmd+Shift+P on Mac)
Type "Preferences: Open Keyboard Shortcuts"
In the search box, type "Bob.acceptInput"
Locate "Bob: Accept Input/Suggestion" in the results
Click the + icon to the left of the command
Press your desired key combination (e.g., Ctrl+Enter or Alt+Enter)
Press Enter to confirm

Method 2: Editing keybindings.json directly

Open the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P or Cmd+Shift+P on Mac)
Type "Preferences: Open Keyboard Shortcuts (JSON)"
Add the following entry to the JSON array:

{
  "key": "ctrl+enter",  // or your preferred key combination
  "command": "Bob.acceptInput",
  "when": "BobViewFocused"  // This is a context condition that ensures the command only works when Bob is focused
}

You can also use a more specific condition:

{
  "key": "ctrl+enter",
  "command": "Bob.acceptInput",
  "when": "webviewViewFocus && webviewViewId == 'Bob-cline.SidebarProvider'"
}

Recommended key combinations

Choose a key combination that does not conflict with existing IBM Bob shortcuts:

Alt+Enter - Easy to press while typing
Ctrl+Space - Familiar for those who use autocomplete
Ctrl+Enter - Intuitive for running commands
Alt+A - Mnemonic for "Accept"

Practical use cases

Quick development workflows

Text submission: Send messages to Bob without moving your hands from the keyboard
Action confirmations: Accept operations like saving files, running commands, or applying diffs
Multi-step processes: Move quickly through steps that require confirmation or input
Consecutive tasks: Chain multiple tasks together with minimal interruption

Keyboard-centric development

Vim/Neovim workflows: If you are coming from a Vim/Neovim background, maintain your keyboard-focused workflow
IDE integration: Use alongside other IBM Bob keyboard shortcuts for a seamless experience
Code reviews: Quickly accept suggestions when reviewing code with Bob
Documentation writing: Submit text and accept formatting suggestions when generating documentation

Accessibility use cases

Hand mobility limitations: Essential for users who have difficulty using a mouse
Repetitive strain prevention: Reduce mouse usage to prevent or manage repetitive strain injuries
Screen reader integration: Works well with screen readers for visually impaired users
Voice control compatibility: Can be triggered via voice commands when using voice control software

Accessibility benefits

The Bob.acceptInput command was designed with accessibility in mind:

Reduced mouse dependence: Complete entire workflows without reaching for the mouse
Reduced physical strain: Helps users who experience discomfort or pain from mouse usage
Alternative input method: Supports users with mobility impairments who rely on keyboard navigation
Workflow optimization: Particularly valuable for users coming from keyboard-centric environments like Vim/Neovim

Keyboard-centric workflows

Here are some complete workflow examples showing how to effectively use keyboard shortcuts with Bob:

Development workflow example

Open IBM Bob and navigate to your project
Open Bob via the sidebar
Type your request: "Create a REST API endpoint for user registration"
When Bob asks for framework preferences, use your Bob.acceptInput shortcut to select the first suggestion
Continue using the shortcut to accept code generation suggestions
When Bob offers to save the file, use the shortcut again to confirm
Use IBM Bob's built-in shortcuts to navigate through the created files

Code review workflow

Select code you want to review and use IBM Bob's "Copy" command
Ask Bob to review it: "Review this code for security issues"
As Bob asks clarifying questions about the code context, use your shortcut to accept suggestions
When Bob provides improvement recommendations, use the shortcut again to accept implementation suggestions

Troubleshooting

Issue	Solution
Shortcut does not work	Ensure Bob is focused (click in the Bob panel first)
Wrong suggestion selected	The command always selects the first (primary) button; use mouse if you need a different option
Conflicts with existing shortcuts	Try a different key combination in IBM Bob keyboard settings
No visual feedback when used	This is normal - the command silently activates the function without visual confirmation
Shortcut works inconsistently	Make sure the `when` clause is properly configured in your keybindings.json (either `BobViewFocused` or the webview-specific condition)

Technical implementation

The Bob.acceptInput command is implemented as follows:

Command registered as Bob.acceptInput with display title "Bob: Accept Input/Suggestion" in the command palette
When triggered, it sends an "acceptInput" message to the active Bob webview
The webview determines the appropriate action based on the current UI state:
- Clicks the primary action button if action buttons are visible and enabled
- Sends the message if the text area is enabled and contains text/images
No default key binding - users assign their preferred shortcut

Limitations

Works only when the Bob interface is active
Has no effect if no inputs or suggestions are currently available
Prioritizes the primary (first) button when multiple options are shown

Keyboard shortcuts

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