How to change the copy and paste shortcuts in Xshell? A guide to configuring macOS-style shortcuts

1. Background and Objectives

macOS users are accustomed to using Command + C/Command + V Perform copy and paste (on a Windows keyboard, usually mapped to Win + C/Win + V, or mapped to Ctrl + C/Ctrl + V).

But in Xshell:

• Default copy:Ctrl + Insert

• Default paste:Shift + Insert

• Ctrl + C Occupied: as a terminal signal SIGINT(Interrupt the current command),Cannot be directly used for copying., otherwise it will conflict with terminal functionality.

Goal: Change Xshell's copy/paste shortcuts to combinations familiar to macOS users while retaining the terminal Ctrl + C interrupt function.

2. Recommended Plan

Due to Ctrl + C Not available in the terminal; one of the following two solutions is recommended:

Plan	Copy	Paste	Explanation
Plan A (Recommended)	Ctrl + Shift + C	Ctrl + Shift + V	Closest to macOS conventions while avoiding terminal conflicts
Plan B	Ctrl + Alt + C	Ctrl + Alt + V	Use when Scheme A conflicts with the input method.

⚠️ Not recommended to directly map to Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V, which will break the terminal interrupt signal functionality.

3. Operating Steps

3.1 Open the shortcut key configuration interface

• Open Xshell.

• Click the top menu bar:Tools (Tools)→Options(Options).

• Select from the list on the left:Keyboard and Mouse.

• Switch to Shortcut Keys Tab.

• Click New (N)... Button.

A common misconception: directly selecting the old shortcut and clicking "Edit (E)..." is The key combination cannot be modified., this button can only modify the "Operation Type".

Correct approach:First create a new shortcut, then delete the old shortcut.

3.2 Create a "Copy" shortcut

• Click New (N)....

• In the pop-up "Edit" window, place the cursor at key combination Input box.

• Switch the input method to pure English mode., then press:Ctrl + Shift + C.

• Settings operations:

• Type (T):菜单

• Menu (A):[编辑] 复制

• Click Confirm.

3.3 Create Paste shortcut key

• Click again New (N)....

• Press inside the input box:Ctrl + Shift + V.

• Settings operations:

• Type (T):菜单

• Menu (A):[编辑] 粘贴

• Click Confirm.

3.4 Delete old shortcuts

• Select in the shortcut list Ctrl+Insert(Copy), click Delete(D).

• Selected Shift+Insert(Paste), click Delete(D).

• Click the lower right corner of the main interface.Confirm Save.

configuration Effective immediately No need to restart Xshell.

4. Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Question	reason	Solution
After clicking "Edit", the button does not respond.	“Edit” can only change actions, not key bindings.	Switch to New(N)→ Enter new key combination → Delete old key
Press Ctrl+Shift+C No response	The input method intercepted the key combination.	Switch to the English input method, or use Ctrl+Alt+C
Copy and paste has no effect	Shortcut not saved or conflicts with the old key	Check whether old keys remain in the list, and click OK to save.
Want to use Ctrl+C Copy directly	Conflicts with the terminal interrupt signal	Not recommended, please use Ctrl+Shift+C

5. Enhancement option: mouse shortcut operations (recommended for use together)

For users migrating from macOS, mouse operations are often more efficient than keyboard shortcuts. Configuration method:

• Enter Tool→Option→keyboard and mouse.

• Switch to Mouse (Mouse) Tab.

• Recommended settings:

• Check Copy on select(Automatically copies the text to the clipboard after selecting it with the mouse)

• will Right-click (Right Button) Function set to Paste(Paste)

• will Middle Button Set function to Paste(Paste)(Optional)

After configuration:

• Select text Auto-copy

• Right-click→ Paste directly

No need to press any keyboard combination, with a trackpad experience close to macOS.

6. Configuration Result Quick Reference Table

Function	macOS native	Xshell default	Recommended configuration in this article
Copy	⌘ + C	Ctrl + Insert	Ctrl + Shift + C
Paste	⌘ + V	Shift + Insert	Ctrl + Shift + V
Terminal interrupt	Ctrl + C	Ctrl + C	Ctrl + C (Keep)
Quick copy	—	—	Select with mouse to copy
Quick Paste	—	—	Right-click to paste

7. Summary

• Xshell shortcut key modification Core logic: Create new → delete the old key, rather than editing directly.

• Ctrl + C Due to terminal signal conflict Cannot be used for copying..

• Recommended for use Ctrl + Shift + C/Ctrl + Shift + V.

• Combined with "copy on select + right-click paste", this provides the best experience and is closest to macOS user habits.

📌 Configuration Path Quick Reference:Tools → Options → Keyboard and Mouse → Shortcuts/Mouse