Purpose

This document explains how to disable or remove specific Markdown formatting keyboard shortcuts in WebStorm, particularly the Ctrl+B (Cmd+B on Mac) shortcut that automatically inserts **** for bold formatting when working in Markdown files.

Problem

When editing Markdown files in WebStorm, pressing Ctrl+B (or Cmd+B on Mac) automatically inserts bold formatting markers (****). This can conflict with:

  • The default “Go to Declaration” shortcut (Ctrl+B/Cmd+B) in code files
  • User preference to manually type Markdown syntax
  • Custom workflows that use this shortcut for other purposes

Solution

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Open Settings

    • Windows/Linux: Press Ctrl+Alt+S
    • Mac: Press Cmd+,

  2. Navigate to Keymap Settings

    • In the Settings dialog, select Keymap from the left sidebar

  3. Find the Markdown Bold Action

    • Use the search field at the top of the Keymap page
    • Type “Bold” or “Markdown” to filter actions
    • Look for the action named something like “Toggle Bold” or “Markdown: Bold” (usually under Plugins → Markdown)

  4. Remove the Shortcut

    • Right-click on the action
    • Select Remove Ctrl+B (or Cmd+B on Mac) from the context menu
    • Alternatively, select Reset Shortcuts to restore all shortcuts to defaults

  5. Apply Changes

    • Click OK or Apply to save your changes

Important Notes

  • Predefined Keymaps Are Immutable: You cannot change predefined keymaps directly. When you modify any shortcut, WebStorm automatically creates a copy of that keymap which you can configure.

  • Find Other Markdown Shortcuts: Some Markdown shortcuts can be unintuitive. It’s recommended to review all Markdown-related shortcuts in the Keymap settings and adjust them to your preferences.

  • Verify the Plugin is Enabled: If you don’t see Markdown shortcuts in the Keymap settings:

    • Press Ctrl+Alt+S to open Settings
    • Navigate to Plugins
    • Open the Installed tab
    • Find the Markdown plugin
    • Ensure the checkbox next to the plugin name is selected

Alternative: Reassign Instead of Remove

If you want to keep the bold formatting functionality but use a different shortcut:

  1. Follow steps 1-3 above
  2. Right-click the action and select Add Keyboard Shortcut
  3. Press your desired key combination in the dialog
  4. Remove the old Ctrl+B binding if it still exists

Common Conflicts

The Ctrl+B shortcut commonly conflicts with:

  • Go to Declaration - The default JetBrains IDE shortcut for navigating to code definitions
  • System shortcuts - Some operating systems use this for bold in other applications
  • Third-party software - Browser extensions or other tools may capture this shortcut

Find Shortcut Conflicts

To identify what action currently uses a specific shortcut:

  1. In Keymap settings, click the magnifying glass icon
  2. Press the key combination you want to check
  3. WebStorm will show all actions bound to that shortcut

Disable All Markdown Formatting Shortcuts

To remove all Markdown formatting shortcuts at once:

  1. Search for “Markdown” in the Keymap settings
  2. Expand the Plugins → Markdown section
  3. Right-click each formatting action and select “Remove” for unwanted shortcuts

Sources

  1. Markdown | WebStorm Documentation
  2. Configure keyboard shortcuts | WebStorm Documentation
  3. Keymap | WebStorm Documentation
  4. WebStorm keyboard shortcuts | WebStorm Documentation
  5. WebStorm shortcuts for lightning productivity | Dave Stewart