These commands let you build Sequence diagrams in the visual editor. Most have single-key shortcuts so you can work quickly without opening the Command Palette.
These keyboard shortcuts only work when the visual Sequence editor is focused. They will not conflict with other VS Code shortcuts.
Shortcut: I
Places an initial step on the canvas. Initial steps are the starting points of your Sequence - they are active when the program starts or after a reset. Every Sequence needs at least one initial step.
Shortcut: S
Places a normal step on the canvas. Steps represent states in your sequential program. A step can have one or more actions attached to it.
Shortcut: T
Places a transition between steps. Transitions contain conditions (called receptivities) that must be true for the program to move from one step to the next.
Shortcut: A
Attaches an action to the currently selected step. Actions define what happens when a step is active - for example, setting an output to True or starting a timer. You must select a step first before using this command.
Shortcut: M
Places a macro step on the canvas. A macro step references a sub-Sequence (created with the New Macro command) and lets you reuse sequences across your project.
Shortcut: E
Places an enclosing step on the canvas. Enclosing steps contain an embedded sub-Sequence (created with the New Encapsulation command) for organizing complex logic.
Shortcut: C
Places a comment annotation on the canvas. Comments are visual notes that help document your diagram. They do not affect program execution.
Shortcut: Ctrl+C
Copies the currently selected elements (steps, transitions, actions, comments) to the clipboard.
Shortcut: Ctrl+X
Cuts the currently selected elements - copies them to the clipboard and removes them from the canvas.
Shortcut: Ctrl+V
Pastes previously copied or cut elements onto the canvas.
Shortcut: Enter
Enters a macro step or enclosing step to view and edit its internal sub-Sequence. Select the macro or enclosing step first, then press Enter.
Shortcut: Backspace
Returns to the parent Sequence after navigating into a macro or enclosing step.
Shortcut: Up
Moves the selected action one position up within the active step. Only available when an action is selected.
Shortcut: Down
Moves the selected action one position down within the active step. Only available when an action is selected.
Shortcut: Delete or Backspace
Removes the currently selected element (step, transition, action, or comment) from the canvas.
Shortcut: Ctrl+P (macOS: Cmd+P)
Switches the Sequence canvas between normal view and print-friendly layout. Print mode optimises the diagram for PDF export and printing by adjusting spacing and hiding emulation overlays.
You can also click the Print Mode button in the editor title bar.
| Command | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Add Initial Step | I | Place an initial step |
| Add Step | S | Place a normal step |
| Add Transition | T | Place a transition |
| Add Action | A | Attach an action to selected step |
| Add Macro Step | M | Place a macro step |
| Add Enclosing Step | E | Place an enclosing step |
| Add Comment | C | Place a comment annotation |
| Copy | Ctrl+C | Copy selected elements |
| Cut | Ctrl+X | Cut selected elements |
| Paste | Ctrl+V | Paste elements |
| Navigate Into | Enter | Enter a macro step |
| Navigate Back | Backspace | Return to parent level |
| Move Action Up | Up | Move selected action up |
| Move Action Down | Down | Move selected action down |
| Delete Selected | Delete / Backspace | Remove selected element |
| Toggle Print Mode | Ctrl+P | Switch to print-friendly layout |