**TL;DR.** Run `paneflow`. Hit `Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+D` to split horizontally,
  `Alt+Arrow` to move focus, `Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+N` to add a workspace. That
  is the entire core flow.

Paneflow's mental model is two layers: **workspaces** (independent
project contexts) and **panes** (terminal splits inside a workspace).
This page walks you from a fresh install to a working two-pane setup
without any configuration.

Keybindings use the `secondary` modifier, which resolves to `Cmd` on
macOS and `Ctrl` on Linux. The notation `Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+D` below
means "use whichever applies on your OS."

  Screenshots for this page ship with the v0.3.0 docs sprint. The prose
  below assumes you are following along on your own machine.

## How do I launch Paneflow? [#how-do-i-launch-paneflow]

Run the binary from a terminal, or open the app from Spotlight, the
Applications folder, or your launcher:

```bash
paneflow
```

The window opens with a single workspace and a single shell pane. The
workspace is named after the directory you launched from; a launch
from `~/projects/api` opens a workspace called `api`. Your default
shell (`$SHELL`) starts inside the pane.

  **Window does not render?** Paneflow uses Vulkan on Linux and Metal
  on macOS. The window will fail to open if your graphics driver does
  not support the platform's required API. Confirm
  your driver is up to date, check the [Linux Vulkan note](/docs/installation/linux),
  or open a [GitHub issue](https://github.com/ArthurDEV44/paneflow/issues)
  with your OS and driver version.

## How do I split a pane? [#how-do-i-split-a-pane]

Two split directions:

* `Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+D` splits the focused pane **horizontally** (top
  and bottom).
* `Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+E` splits the focused pane **vertically** (side by
  side).

Each new pane spawns a fresh shell in the same working directory as
the source pane. Try both: split once horizontally, focus the new
pane, then split that one vertically. You now have three shells in a
single workspace.

## How do I move focus between panes? [#how-do-i-move-focus-between-panes]

`Alt+Arrow` works the same way on every OS:

* `Alt+Left` and `Alt+Right` focus the pane to the left or right.
* `Alt+Up` and `Alt+Down` focus the pane above or below.

The active pane has a brighter title-bar border, so you can tell at a
glance which pane will receive your next keystroke.

## How do I create a second workspace? [#how-do-i-create-a-second-workspace]

`Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+N` opens a native folder picker. Pick a directory and
a new workspace appears in the sidebar, named after the folder. The
workspace starts with one shell pane already CWD'd into your choice.

To switch between workspaces:

* `Cmd/Ctrl+1` through `Cmd/Ctrl+9` jumps to workspace 1 through 9.
* `Cmd/Ctrl+Tab` rotates to the next workspace.

The sidebar on the left lists every open workspace. Click a workspace
name to jump to it.

## How do I close a pane? [#how-do-i-close-a-pane]

`Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+W` closes the focused pane. If it is the last pane in
a workspace, the workspace stays open with an empty placeholder until
you open a new pane or close the workspace itself with
`Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+Q`.

## What's next? [#whats-next]

* Full shortcut table: [Keybindings](/docs/keybindings).
* Configure shells, themes, and overrides: [Configuration](/docs/configuration).