title: Cursor Navigation
description: Move cursor with spacebar or arrow keys
category: Gestures
difficulty: intermediate
related_spec: ../specs/gestures/cursor-navigation-spec.md
Cursor Navigation
Move the text cursor precisely using the spacebar slider or dedicated arrow keys without lifting your fingers from the keyboard.
Quick Summary
| What | Description |
|---|
| Purpose | Position cursor in text without tapping screen |
| Methods | Spacebar slider, arrow keys, TrackPoint mode |
| Precision | Character-by-character or continuous |
Method 1: Spacebar Slider
The most intuitive way to move the cursor:
How to Use
- 1. Touch the spacebar and hold
- 2. Slide left or right while holding
- 3. Cursor moves in that direction
- 4. Release when positioned
Features
- • Proportional speed: Faster slide = faster cursor movement
- • Visual feedback: Trail shows movement direction
- • Immediate: No delay, cursor moves as you slide
[!TIP]
Short slides move one character at a time. Longer slides accelerate the cursor.
Method 2: Arrow Keys
For precise single-character movement:
Accessing Arrow Keys
Arrow keys are typically subkeys on the compose key (bottom row):
- 1. Short swipe on compose key in direction:
- North-East: Up arrow ↑
- South-East: Down arrow ↓
- East: Right arrow →
- West: Left arrow ←
- 2. Or long-press compose key to see arrow popup
Single Movement
- • Short swipe + release: Move one character/line
- • Tap arrow key: Move one character/line
Repeated Movement
- • Short swipe + hold: Cursor repeats with acceleration
- • Initial delay, then speeds up
Method 3: TrackPoint Mode
For continuous joystick-style control:
- 1. Hold arrow key past long-press timeout
- 2. Feel haptic activation
- 3. Move finger in any direction
- 4. Cursor moves continuously
- 5. Release to stop
See TrackPoint Mode for full details.
Navigation Shortcuts
| Gesture | Action |
| Slide spacebar left | Move cursor left |
| Slide spacebar right | Move cursor right |
| Arrow key tap | Move one character/line |
| Arrow key hold | Repeat movement |
| TrackPoint mode | Continuous movement |
Home/End Navigation
Jump to line start or end:
| Key | Location | Action |
| Home | Subkey on 'A' (NW) | Jump to line start |
| End | Subkey on 'A' (SW) | Jump to line end |
Access via short swipe on 'A' key in the respective direction.
Word-by-Word Navigation
Move by whole words instead of characters:
- 1. Hold Ctrl (if available as modifier)
- 2. Press arrow key
- 3. Cursor jumps to next/previous word boundary
Or use the dedicated word navigation subkeys if your layout includes them.
Tips and Tricks
- • Precision: Tap text field to position roughly, then fine-tune with spacebar
- • Speed: TrackPoint mode is fastest for large movements
- • Accuracy: Arrow keys are most precise for small adjustments
- • Muscle memory: Practice spacebar sliding - it becomes natural quickly
[!NOTE]
Cursor navigation works in all text fields, but some apps may handle arrow keys differently.
Settings
| Setting | Location | Description |
| Spacebar Slider | Input Behavior | Enable/disable spacebar cursor |
| Slider Sensitivity | Gesture Tuning | Speed of cursor movement |
| Long-Press Timeout | Input Behavior | Time for TrackPoint activation |
Common Questions
Q: Why doesn't spacebar slider work?
A: Check Settings > Input Behavior > Spacebar Slider is enabled. Some apps may intercept touch events.
Q: How do I select text while moving cursor?
A: Use Selection Delete mode or hold Shift while using arrow keys.
Q: Can I move cursor vertically?
A: Yes, use up/down arrow keys or TrackPoint mode for vertical movement.
Related Features
- • TrackPoint Mode - Joystick cursor control
- • Selection Delete - Select text with cursor
- • Text Selection - Copy and paste