---
title: "Setting up a Global Hotkey to Summon iTerm2"
date: 2025-08-09T15:07:37.000Z
author: Z.SHINCHVEN
tags: [iTerm2, macOS, productivity]
canonical: https://atlassc.net/2025/08/09/setting-up-a-global-hotkey-to-summon-iterm2
---
Need quick access to your terminal? iTerm2 offers a seamless way to summon it with a system‑wide hotkey—just like a drop‑down terminal. Here's how to set it up.

## Method 1: Create a Dedicated Hotkey Window

1. Open **iTerm2 → Preferences → Keys**.
2. Click **Create a Dedicated Hotkey Window**. This generates a special profile (often named *Hotkey Window*) and opens configuration options for it.
3. In the configuration panel, you can set:

   * Whether the hotkey window **stays open when losing focus** (pin window).
   * If it should **automatically reopen** when iTerm2 is activated.
   * Whether it's a **floating window**, and whether to **animate** show/hide transitions.
4. Customize the profile’s appearance or behavior under **Profiles → Hotkey Window**, such as window size, transparency, or full‑screen layout.

This creates a dedicated, always-accessible, overlay-style terminal window—ideal for quick access.

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## Method 2: Use an Existing Profile as a Hotkey Window

1. Go to **Preferences → Profiles**, and select the profile you want to make hotkey-enabled.
2. Navigate to the **Keys** tab within that profile.
3. Enable **“A hotkey opens a dedicated window with this profile”**.
4. Click **Configure Hotkey Window** to assign the hotkey and tweak window properties.

Now, pressing your chosen hotkey will toggle this profile in a dedicated window—without creating a new one.

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## Summary of Both Methods

| Method                      | Steps                                                                               | Pros                                        |
| --------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| **Dedicated Hotkey Window** | Preferences → Keys → Create Dedicated Hotkey Window → Configure options             | Fast setup, always-available overlay        |
| **Existing Profile**        | Preferences → Profiles → (Profile) → Keys → Enable hotkey window → Configure hotkey | Reuses your customized profile and settings |

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## Final Thoughts

Both approaches work well—choose whichever fits your workflow:

* Want a quick, uniform terminal open with a global hotkey? Go with the **Dedicated Hotkey Window**.
* Prefer customizing your own profile (colors, shell, layout)? Use the **existing profile** method.

With your hotkey set, your terminal is gone—until you need it again.

## References

[Official iTerm2 Documentation - Dedicated Hotkey Windows](https://iterm2.com/documentation-hotkey.html#:~:text=Dedicated%20Hotkey%20Windows)