Docs / Multi-Soft Key Bars

Multi-Soft Key Bars

Configure and stack multiple custom soft key bars, create workflow-specific toolbars, and dynamically swap or cycle bars with actions and gestures in Casshper Pro Admin.

Unlimited Toolbars for Mobile Command-Line Power

While Casshper's Core edition includes a powerful, single modifiable Soft Key Bar with 32 preset keys and custom keycodes, Casshper Pro Admin takes mobile terminal efficiency to the next level with Multi-Soft Key Bars. Create unlimited bespoke toolbars tailored to specific tasks, stack multiple bars simultaneously on screen, and seamlessly switch between layouts on the fly.

Pro Admin Feature: Multi-Soft Key Bars

Multi-Soft Key Bars, multi-bar stacking, toolbar duplication, and dynamic swapping/cycling are part of the Casshper Pro Admin lifetime upgrade. The Core edition continues to include a single, fully modifiable soft-key bar.

Core vs. Pro Admin Soft-Key Capabilities

CapabilityCore EditionPro Admin
Number of Soft-Key Bars1 Single Modifiable BarUnlimited Custom Bars
Key Modes (Press, Latch, Toggle)IncludedIncluded
32 Preset Keys and Custom KeycodesIncludedIncluded
Text Command Macros (TEXT)IncludedIncluded
Multi-Bar StackingIncluded (Stack 2+ bars simultaneously)
Dynamic Bar SwappingIncluded
Dynamic Bar CyclingIncluded
Gesture-Driven Bar SwitchingIncluded (via Custom Gestures)

Multi-Bar Stacking

For complex operations on tablets, foldables, or landscape phones, a single row of soft keys may not be enough. With Pro Admin, you can enable Multi-Bar Stacking to display two or more soft-key bars stacked vertically at the same time:

  • Primary + Secondary Rows: Keep your essential navigation keys (Esc, Tab, Ctrl, Alt, Arrows) anchored on the bottom row, while displaying a secondary row of task-specific keys above it.
  • Independent Row Configurations: Each stacked bar retains its own distinct key presets, tactile modes, haptic feedback settings, and custom action bindings.
  • Adaptive Sizing: Stacked bars automatically scale to your terminal viewport and respect your safe-area insets above the software keyboard.

Flexible Active Bar Count (0 or More Active Bars)

Casshper provides total flexibility over how much screen real estate your soft keys occupy:

  • 0 Active Bars (Distraction-Free Mode): When paired with an external hardware keyboard or when using Custom Gestures for navigation, you can configure 0 active bars. This completely hides the soft-key bar row, recovering 100% of your screen height for code, logs, and split panes.
  • Single Active Bar: Standard mobile setup providing essential keys right above the soft keyboard.
  • Stacked Multi-Bar: Stacks multiple active bars for rapid, multi-tier command and multiplexer access.

Workflow-Specific Toolbars

Instead of cramming every shortcut onto one bar, Pro Admin lets you build purpose-built toolbars for each phase of your development workflow:

Workflow Bar 1 Standard Navigation

Essential terminal control keys: Esc, Tab, Ctrl (Latch), Alt (Latch), Shift, Arrow navigation, Return, and Backspace.

Workflow Bar 2 tmux and Screen Multiplexer

Pre-configured multiplexer commands: Ctrl+B prefix, horizontal split, vertical split, window navigation, and pane zoom. Learn more in the tmux and Screen Guide.

Workflow Bar 3 Git and DevOps Shortcuts

Text command macros for rapid execution: git status, git diff, docker ps, kubectl get pods, and Sneaky Input scratchpad triggers.

Workflow Bar 4 Function Keys and Debugging

Complete set of F1 through F12 function keys with modifier chording for gdb, lldb, and full-screen terminal IDE debugging.

Dynamic Bar Swapping and Cycling

Pro Admin provides two dedicated Action Bindings that let you switch between your toolbars without ever opening the settings menu:

  • Swap Soft-Key Bar: Instantly swaps the active bar to a specific target bar layout (e.g., tap a button labeled tmux ⇥ on your navigation bar to jump directly to your tmux bar).
  • Cycle Soft-Key Bar: Cycles forward through all enabled soft-key bars in sequence, wrapping back to the first bar.

Gesture-Driven Toolbar Switching

You can also map bar swapping directly to Custom Gestures. For instance, assign Double Tap + Swipe Up to swap to your tmux bar, and Double Tap + Swipe Down to return to your default navigation bar—achieving instant toolbar transitions with zero visual clutter.

Configuring Multi-Soft Key Bars in Pro Admin

  1. Open Casshper and open the sidebar menu to select Settings.
  2. Navigate to the Soft Key Bars section.
  3. Tap + Add Soft-Key Bar to create a new bar from scratch, or tap the duplicate icon next to an existing bar.
  4. Enter a descriptive name for your new bar (e.g., tmux Workflow or DevOps Commands).
  5. Tap keys on the interactive preview to add, remove, or modify buttons using the Key Editor.
  6. Configure key modes (Press, Latch, Toggle) and binding types (Keycode, Text, or Action).
  7. Under Layout Options, choose whether to stack multiple bars simultaneously or switch between them dynamically.
  8. Tap Save Settings to apply your changes immediately.
Pro Tip: The Quick-Return Button

When creating specialized toolbars (like a Git or tmux bar), dedicate the first key as a Swap Soft-Key Bar action bound to your Default Bar (labeled Default ⇥ or ⎋ Home). This allows you to jump into a specialized workflow and return to standard navigation with a single tap.