Keyboard Shortcuts
Complete keyboard shortcut reference for We Are Small. WASD flight controls, camera roll, speed boost, and alternate arrow key bindings.
We Are Small supports two sets of keyboard controls. The primary controls use the WASD layout familiar to gamers, while the alternate controls use arrow keys for those who prefer them.
Primary controls (WASD)
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| W | Fly forward |
| S | Fly backward |
| A | Strafe left |
| D | Strafe right |
| Space | Ascend (fly upward) |
| Ctrl | Descend (fly downward) |
| Shift | Speed boost — hold for 5x movement speed |
| Q | Roll camera left |
| E | Roll camera right |
| Esc | Exit flight mode (release cursor) |
Alternate controls (Arrow keys)
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Left arrow | Strafe left |
| Right arrow | Strafe right |
| Up arrow | Ascend |
| Down arrow | Descend |
The arrow keys work alongside WASD, so you can use whichever feels more natural.
Mouse controls
| Action | Effect |
|---|---|
| Move mouse | Look around (flight mode only) |
| Click on scene | Enter flight mode |
| Click a label | Open planet information panel |
| Double-click a label | Warp camera to that planet |
| Trackpad two-finger swipe | Move camera (alternative to mouse) |
Tips for smooth navigation
- Start slow. The default flight speed is comfortable for exploring nearby planets. Hold Shift when you need to cross larger distances.
- Use roll sparingly. Q and E rotate your view, which can be disorienting. Tap rather than hold for small adjustments.
- Warp to save time. Double-clicking a planet label is the fastest way to reach distant worlds like Neptune or Pluto.
- Escape is your friend. If you feel lost, press Esc to exit flight mode, then double-click a planet label to reorient yourself.