# Shadcn Basic Keys

> Basic keyboard keys.

- Type: example, free and open source (MIT)
- Component: [Kbd](https://reui.io/components/kbd.md)
- Page: https://reui.io/components/kbd/c-kbd-1
- Docs (Base UI): https://ui.shadcn.com/docs/components/base/kbd.md
- Docs (Radix UI): https://ui.shadcn.com/docs/components/radix/kbd.md
- MCP: `get_example("c-kbd-1")`
- Registry item: https://reui.io/r/styles/base-nova/c-kbd-1.json
- Uses: Kbd

## Best for

Loose single keys with no group, where a chord such as Ctrl + B sits as text inside one key

## When not to use

- A chord whose keys should read as separate caps side by side: use [Grouped Keys](https://reui.io/components/kbd/c-kbd-2.md) (`get_example("c-kbd-2")`)

## Install

```bash
npx shadcn@latest add @reui/c-kbd-1
```

## About Shadcn Kbd

### When to use

- Shortcut hints set beside an action name, in a tooltip or inside a search field
- Single keys and key combinations, as loose caps, a group of caps or keys with an icon
- Reference lists that pair each command name with its key chord

### When not to use

- A searchable palette of actions the user picks from with the keyboard: use [Command](https://reui.io/components/command.md) (`get_component("command")`)
- A ready made shortcuts panel with search and sections, sliding in from the side: use the [Sheet blocks](https://reui.io/blocks/application/sheet.md)
- A status, tag or count shown as a small chip, not a key to press: use [Badge](https://reui.io/components/badge.md) (`get_component("badge")`)

### Agent notes

- No example listens for its keys: `Kbd` only draws the label, so bind each shortcut with your own keydown handler
- `Kbd` turns off pointer events and text selection, so it cannot be clicked, used as a hover trigger or selected

Every ReUI item has a twin like this one; the index is https://reui.io/llms.txt. Agents with the ReUI MCP (https://reui.io/docs/mcp) get the same guidance from the getters named above.