# Customize the TUI

**Goal:** rebind the interactive TUI's keys and recolor its interface
to your taste.

The TUI reads two optional config files from `~/.config/zfin/`:
[`keys.srf`](../reference/config/keys-srf.md) for keybindings and
[`theme.srf`](../reference/config/theme-srf.md) for colors. When a file
is absent, built-in defaults apply; when present, it is the **sole**
source for that setting.

## Rebind keys

Generate a fully-commented starting file from the current defaults,
then edit it:

```bash
mkdir -p ~/.config/zfin
zfin interactive --default-keys > ~/.config/zfin/keys.srf
$EDITOR ~/.config/zfin/keys.srf
```

Each line binds one action to one key:

```srf
action::quit,key::q
action::next_tab,key::l
action::next_tab,key::right
```

- Add modifiers with `ctrl+`, `alt+`, `shift+` (e.g. `ctrl+d`).
- Bind several keys to an action by repeating the line.
- Scope a binding to one tab with `scope::<tab>` (e.g.
  `scope::options`); the `action::` then names that tab's local
  action. A tab-local binding may not reuse a globally-bound key --
  zfin refuses to start if you create that conflict.

Full key vocabulary and the default bindings:
[`keys.srf` reference](../reference/config/keys-srf.md).

## Recolor the interface

Same pattern for the theme:

```bash
zfin interactive --default-theme > ~/.config/zfin/theme.srf
$EDITOR ~/.config/zfin/theme.srf
```

Every value is a hex RGB string:

```srf
#!srfv1
bg::#0a0a0a
text::#eeeeee
accent::#9d7cd8
positive::#7fd88f
negative::#e06c75
```

The keys cover backgrounds, tabs, text, status line, the modal input,
gains/losses, warnings, selection, and borders -- see the
[`theme.srf` reference](../reference/config/theme-srf.md) for the full
list.

## See also

- [The interactive TUI](../reference/tui.md) -- tabs, actions, and the `?` help overlay.
- [`keys.srf`](../reference/config/keys-srf.md) / [`theme.srf`](../reference/config/theme-srf.md) references.

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