@@ -243,6 +243,25 @@ Connections and settings are stored in `$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/sqlit/` (default: `~/.c
 
 Edit the `keymap.json` file in your sqlit config dir. See [`config/keymap.template.json`](config/keymap.template.json) for the full default keymap. Keymap.json need to only contain the overriding keymaps.
 
+Commands from the main leader menu can also be bound directly in an app scope:
+
+```json
+{
+  "keymap": {
+    "action_keys": {
+      "query_normal": { "edit_query_in_editor": "ctrl+g" }
+    }
+  }
+}
+```
+
+This keeps the leader shortcut and adds `ctrl+g` in the query editor's normal
+mode. Other examples include `format_query`, `telescope`, and `change_theme`.
+Direct bindings retain command guards and state restrictions. Conflicting keys
+are rejected; unbind or remap the existing action to free its key. Use a list for
+aliases, or `null` to remove a direct binding without changing the leader menu.
+Vim submenu motions and dialog scopes are not supported for this promotion.
+
 ## FAQ
 
 ### Databricks authentication
 
@@ -31,7 +31,12 @@ def resolve_action(
 
     contexts = get_binding_contexts(ctx)
     keymap = get_keymap()
-    for action_key in keymap.get_action_keys():
+    bindings = keymap.get_action_keys()
+    if ctx.autocomplete_visible:
+        # Autocomplete overlays query-insert mode. Preserve that precedence
+        # even when user overrides are appended in a different JSON order.
+        bindings = sorted(bindings, key=lambda binding: binding.context != "autocomplete")
+    for action_key in bindings:
         if action_key.key != key:
             continue
         if action_key.context is not None and action_key.context not in contexts:
 
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ class ActionKeyDef:
     primary: bool = True  # Primary key for display vs secondary aliases
     show: bool = False  # Whether to show in Textual's binding hints
     priority: bool = False  # Whether to give priority to this binding
+    leader_command: bool = False  # Explicit direct binding for a main leader command
 
 
 class KeymapProvider(ABC):
 
@@ -412,7 +412,7 @@ def _build_provider_from_payload(
         base_leader = defaults.get_leader_commands()
 
         user_action_overrides, action_unbinds = self._parse_action_overrides(
-            keymap_data.get("action_keys", {}), base_action
+            keymap_data.get("action_keys", {}), base_action, base_leader
         )
         user_leader_overrides, leader_unbinds = self._parse_leader_overrides(
             keymap_data.get("leader_commands", {}), base_leader
@@ -470,7 +470,7 @@ def _normalize_key_list(value: Any, where: str) -> list[str] | None:
 
     @staticmethod
     def _parse_action_overrides(
-        data: Any, base: list[ActionKeyDef]
+        data: Any, base: list[ActionKeyDef], leader: list[LeaderCommandDef]
     ) -> tuple[list[ActionKeyDef], set[tuple[str, str | None]]]:
         if not isinstance(data, dict):
             raise ValueError('"action_keys" must be a JSON object keyed by state name.')
@@ -488,6 +488,11 @@ def _parse_action_overrides(
         for ak in base:
             actions_in_state[ak.context].add(ak.action)
 
+        # Only the main leader menu contains standalone app actions. Vim
+        # submenus reuse motion names such as "word" and need their prefix.
+        leader_by_action = {cmd.action: cmd for cmd in leader if cmd.menu == "leader"}
+        app_contexts = _context_ancestors()
+
         out: list[ActionKeyDef] = []
         unbinds: set[tuple[str, str | None]] = set()
         for state, mapping in data.items():
@@ -501,6 +506,10 @@ def _parse_action_overrides(
                     raise ValueError(f'action_keys."{state}": action names must be non-empty strings.')
 
                 template = defaults_by_pair.get((action, state))
+                if template is None and state in app_contexts:
+                    command = leader_by_action.get(action)
+                    if command is not None:
+                        template = ActionKeyDef("", action, state, guard=command.guard)
                 if template is None:
                     suggestions = sorted(actions_in_state.get(state, set()))
                     hint = (
@@ -533,6 +542,7 @@ def _parse_action_overrides(
                                 primary=first,
                                 show=template.show,
                                 priority=template.priority,
+                                leader_command=action in leader_by_action,
                             )
                         )
                     first = False
 
@@ -10,8 +10,10 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+from sqlit.core.binding_contexts import get_binding_contexts
 from sqlit.core.input_context import InputContext
-from sqlit.core.leader_commands import get_leader_commands
+from sqlit.core.keymap import get_keymap
+from sqlit.core.leader_commands import LEADER_GUARDS, get_leader_commands
 from sqlit.core.state_base import (
     ActionResult,
     DisplayBinding,
@@ -148,6 +150,17 @@ def check_action(self, app: InputContext, action_name: str) -> bool:
         """Check if action is allowed in current state."""
         state = self.get_active_state(app)
         result = state.check_action(app, action_name)
+        if result == ActionResult.UNHANDLED and not app.modal_open and not app.leader_pending:
+            contexts = get_binding_contexts(app)
+            for binding in get_keymap().get_action_keys():
+                if (
+                    binding.leader_command
+                    and binding.action == action_name
+                    and binding.context in contexts
+                ):
+                    # Explicit state prohibitions still take precedence.
+                    guard = LEADER_GUARDS.get(binding.guard) if binding.guard else None
+                    return guard(app) if guard else True
         return result == ActionResult.ALLOWED
 
     def get_display_bindings(self, app: InputContext) -> tuple[list[DisplayBinding], list[DisplayBinding]]:
 
@@ -152,11 +152,38 @@ async def _dispatch_query_insert_action(self, key: str) -> bool:
                 binding.key == key
                 and binding.context == "query_insert"
                 and binding.action not in clipboard_actions
+                and not binding.leader_command
                 and self.app.check_action(binding.action, ()) is not False
             ):
                 return await self.app.run_action(binding.action)
         return False
 
+    async def _dispatch_direct_leader_action(self, key: str) -> bool:
+        """Honor scoped command bindings before editor shortcuts consume them."""
+        from sqlit.core.binding_contexts import get_binding_contexts
+        from sqlit.core.key_router import resolve_action
+        from sqlit.core.keymap import get_keymap
+
+        get_context = getattr(self.app, "_get_input_context", None)
+        if get_context is None or getattr(self.app, "_command_mode", False):
+            return False
+        ctx = get_context()
+        if ctx.modal_open or ctx.leader_pending:
+            return False
+        contexts = get_binding_contexts(ctx)
+        if any(
+            binding.leader_command and binding.key == key and binding.context in contexts
+            for binding in get_keymap().get_action_keys()
+        ):
+            # Another active context (such as autocomplete) may own this key.
+            # Forward the router's winner, not necessarily the promoted command.
+            action = resolve_action(
+                key, ctx, is_allowed=lambda name: self.app.check_action(name, ()) is not False
+            )
+            if action:
+                return await self.app.run_action(action)
+        return False
+
     async def _handle_autocomplete_enter(self) -> bool:
         """Honor an explicit Enter autocomplete binding, or insert a newline."""
         app = cast("AutocompleteProtocol", self.app)
@@ -188,6 +215,11 @@ async def _on_key(self, event: Key) -> None:
         """Intercept clipboard, undo/redo, Enter, and Tab keys."""
         normalized_key = self._normalize_key(event.key)
 
+        if await self._dispatch_direct_leader_action(event.key):
+            event.prevent_default()
+            event.stop()
+            return
+
         # TextArea consumes editing keys before they reach the app-level key
         # router. Forward query-insert actions explicitly so shortcuts such as
         # Ctrl+Enter (and user rebindings such as F5 or Enter) execute instead
 
@@ -0,0 +1,166 @@
+"""Regression coverage for promoting leader commands to direct keys (#321)."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import pytest
+
+from sqlit.core.key_router import resolve_action
+from sqlit.core.keymap import get_keymap, set_keymap
+from sqlit.core.vim import VimMode
+from sqlit.domains.shell.app.keymap_manager import KeymapManager
+from sqlit.domains.shell.state import UIStateMachine
+
+from .test_keymap_manager import MockSettingsStore
+from .test_state_machine import make_context
+
+
+def load_bindings(actions, *, leader=None):
+    manager = KeymapManager(settings_store=MockSettingsStore())
+    provider = manager._build_provider_from_payload(
+        {"keymap": {"action_keys": actions, "leader_commands": leader or {}}}, "test"
+    )
+    set_keymap(provider)
+    return provider
+
+
+def route(key="ctrl+g", **context):
+    ctx = make_context(**context)
+    machine = UIStateMachine()
+    return resolve_action(key, ctx, is_allowed=lambda action: machine.check_action(ctx, action))
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("action", ["edit_query_in_editor", "format_query", "telescope", "change_theme"])
+def test_direct_command_preserves_leader_binding(action):
+    original = get_keymap().leader(action)
+    load_bindings({"query_normal": {action: "ctrl+g"}})
+    assert route(focus="query") == action
+    assert get_keymap().leader(action) == original
+    assert route(focus="results") is None
+    assert route(focus="query", vim_mode=VimMode.INSERT) is None
+    assert route(original, focus="query", leader_pending=True) == f"leader_{action}"
+
+
+def test_aliases_and_independent_leader_unbinding():
+    provider = load_bindings(
+        {"query_normal": {"telescope": ["ctrl+g", "ctrl+t"]}},
+        leader={"leader": {"telescope": None}},
+    )
+    assert provider.keys_for_action("telescope") == ["ctrl+g", "ctrl+t"]
+    assert provider.leader("telescope") is None
+    assert route(focus="query") == "telescope"
+    assert route("ctrl+t", focus="query") == "telescope"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("value", [None, "", []])
+def test_unbinding_direct_command_keeps_leader(value):
+    load_bindings({"query_normal": {"telescope": value}})
+    assert route(focus="query") is None
+    assert get_keymap().leader("telescope") == "space"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    ("action", "context", "expected"),
+    [
+        ("format_query", {"focus": "results"}, None),
+        ("format_query", {"focus": "query"}, "format_query"),
+        ("disconnect", {"has_connection": False}, None),
+        ("disconnect", {"has_connection": True}, "disconnect"),
+        ("cancel_operation", {"query_executing": False}, None),
+        ("cancel_operation", {"query_executing": True}, "cancel_operation"),
+        ("telescope", {"modal_open": True}, None),
+        ("show_help", {"focus": "query", "vim_mode": VimMode.INSERT}, None),
+    ],
+)
+def test_direct_command_respects_guards_and_state_restrictions(action, context, expected):
+    load_bindings({"global": {action: "ctrl+g"}})
+    assert route(**context) == expected
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    "actions",
+    [
+        {"query_normal": {"telescope": "enter"}},
+        {"query_normal": {"telescope": "ctrl+g", "change_theme": "ctrl+g"}},
+        {"query_normal": {"telescope": "q"}},  # shadows navigation focus_query
+    ],
+)
+def test_promoted_command_uses_existing_conflict_detection(actions):
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError, match=r"conflict|multiple actions|shadow"):
+        load_bindings(actions)
+
+
+def test_unbinding_conflicting_default_allows_promotion():
+    load_bindings({"query_normal": {"execute_query": None, "telescope": "enter"}})
+    assert route("enter", focus="query") == "telescope"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("scope", ["made_up_state", "connection_editor", "error_dialog"])
+def test_promotions_reject_unknown_or_screen_local_scopes(scope):
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="Unknown action"):
+        load_bindings({scope: {"telescope": "ctrl+g"}})
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("action", ["word", "line", "not_an_action"])
+def test_submenu_motions_and_unknown_actions_are_not_promoted(action):
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="Unknown action"):
+        load_bindings({"query_normal": {action: "ctrl+g"}})
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("action", ["edit_query_in_editor", "telescope", "change_theme"])
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("key", ["ctrl+g", "ctrl+a", "ctrl+c", "ctrl+v"])
+async def test_direct_key_and_leader_key_dispatch_in_headless_app(tmp_path, monkeypatch, action, key):
+    import json
+
+    from sqlit.domains.shell.app import keymap_manager
+
+    from .test_leader import _make_app
+
+    path = tmp_path / "keymap.json"
+    path.write_text(json.dumps({"keymap": {"action_keys": {"query_normal": {action: key}}}}))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(keymap_manager, "DEFAULT_KEYMAP_FILE", path)
+    app = _make_app()
+    calls = []
+    monkeypatch.setattr(app, f"action_{action}", lambda: calls.append(action))
+    async with app.run_test(size=(100, 35)) as pilot:
+        app.action_focus_query()
+        await pilot.pause()
+        await pilot.press(key)
+        assert calls == [action]
+        await pilot.press("space", get_keymap().leader(action))
+        assert calls == [action, action]
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("override_order", ["default", "insert_first", "autocomplete_first"])
+async def test_autocomplete_binding_takes_precedence_over_insert_command(tmp_path, monkeypatch, override_order):
+    import json
+
+    from sqlit.domains.shell.app import keymap_manager
+
+    from .test_leader import _make_app
+
+    path = tmp_path / "keymap.json"
+    actions = {"query_insert": {"telescope": "ctrl+j"}}
+    if override_order != "default":
+        actions["autocomplete"] = {"autocomplete_next": "ctrl+j"}
+        if override_order == "autocomplete_first":
+            actions = dict(reversed(list(actions.items())))
+    path.write_text(json.dumps({"keymap": {"action_keys": actions}}))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(keymap_manager, "DEFAULT_KEYMAP_FILE", path)
+    app = _make_app()
+    calls = []
+    monkeypatch.setattr(app, "action_telescope", lambda: calls.append("telescope"))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(app, "action_autocomplete_next", lambda: calls.append("autocomplete_next"))
+    async with app.run_test(size=(100, 35)) as pilot:
+        app.action_focus_query()
+        await pilot.pause()
+        app.action_enter_insert_mode()
+        await pilot.pause()
+        app._autocomplete_visible = True
+        assert app._get_input_context().autocomplete_visible
+        assert app._get_input_context().vim_mode == VimMode.INSERT
+        assert app.check_action("autocomplete_next", ()) is True
+        await pilot.press("ctrl+j")
+        assert calls == ["autocomplete_next"]
+        app._autocomplete_visible = False
+        await pilot.press("ctrl+j")
+        assert calls == ["autocomplete_next", "telescope"]