# Use standard keyboard shortcut terms (EK00053)

import { Aside, Badge } from '@astrojs/starlight/components';

Consistent keyboard shortcuts use full modifier key names and a tight `Control+S` format, so readers follow steps without guessing. EkLine flags abbreviated modifier keys and spaced key combinations (rule EK00053) and suggests the standard form.

## How do you format keyboard shortcuts in documentation?

Keyboard shortcuts guide readers through real actions, so they need to be unambiguous. Abbreviations like `Cmd` and `Del` and inconsistent spacing around the plus sign make shortcuts harder to scan and harder to search. Full key names with a tight `Control+S` format match platform documentation conventions and read the same way everywhere in your content.

## What EkLine flags

EK00053 matches abbreviated modifier keys — such as Cmd, Ctrl, Del, and Esc — and key combinations with spaces around the plus sign, then standardizes them.

- ❌ **Incorrect:** Press Ctrl + S to save.
- ✅ **Correct:** Press Control+S to save.
- ❌ **Incorrect:** Press Cmd to open the menu.
- ✅ **Correct:** Press Command to open the menu.

## How to fix

Spell out the modifier key in full and remove the spaces around the plus sign in a key combination.

<Aside type="note">
EK00053 is off by default, so EkLine checks it only when your project's rule set includes it — for example, through a [style guide](/reviewer/configuration/style-guides/).
</Aside>

## FAQ

### How do you write a keyboard shortcut?

Spell out the modifier key in full and remove the spaces around the plus sign, such as `Control+S` or `Command+K`.

### Should you abbreviate modifier keys like Cmd or Ctrl?

No. Full names like `Command` and `Control` read the same across platforms and are easier to scan and search than abbreviations.

## Rule details

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| Rule ID | `EK00053` |
| Category | Consistency |
| Default severity | <Badge text="Warning" variant="caution" /> |
| Enabled by default | No |

## Ignore this rule

To keep a shortcut's formatting on one line, add an inline comment with a reason:

```markdown
<!-- ekline-ignore-next-line EK00053 -- matches the vendor's own label -->
Press Cmd + K.
```

To disable the rule across your project, add it to the `ignore` list in your [configuration file](/reviewer/configuration/ignoring-rules/#ignore).

## Related rules

- [EK00054](/reviewer/rules/data-measurements/) — Format data measurements consistently
- [EK00056](/reviewer/rules/unit-capitalization/) — Capitalize unit abbreviations correctly