A practical guide to DaVinci Resolve playback and navigation shortcuts using the default Resolve keyboard preset, with an emphasis on learning command behavior rather than blindly copying someone else's layout.
Basic playback without the mouse
In the default DaVinci Resolve layout, Space starts and stops playback. Left and Right Arrow move the playhead one frame at a time. J, K and L provide professional shuttle control: reverse, stop and forward. Repeated J or L presses increase speed.
- Space — Play/Stop.
- Left / Right Arrow — one frame backward / forward.
- J / K / L — reverse / stop / forward.
- K + tap J or L — frame jog.
- K + hold J or L — roughly half-speed playback.
Why J/K/L is faster than clicking Play
Interview, podcast and B-roll editing constantly requires changing direction and playback speed. J/K/L keeps that control under one hand and quickly becomes muscle memory.
In and Out marks
I and O set In and Out points. In the standard layout you can clear them with Alt+I / Alt+O / Alt+X on Windows and Option+I / Option+O / Option+X on macOS.
- I — Mark In.
- O — Mark Out.
- Alt/Option + I — Clear In.
- Alt/Option + O — Clear Out.
- Alt/Option + X — Clear In and Out.
Jump between edit points
Previous Edit and Next Edit are high-value commands for timeline review. Exact keys can vary by preset, so search for the command names in Keyboard Customization instead of assuming another editor's mapping matches yours.
A ten-minute practice drill
- Open a long source clip.
- Navigate for two minutes using only J/K/L and Space.
- Mark a useful phrase with I and O.
- Clear the range with Alt/Option+X.
- Practice Previous Edit and Next Edit on a timeline.
Key takeaway
Playback and navigation shortcuts are the first group worth turning into muscle memory because they are used throughout almost every editing session.